Its a very common topic on this forum, anxiety and its long list of symptoms.

I grew up in a highly strung household. Screams without notice and unreachable expectations...took their toll.

So when a major workplace event came along at 27yo my anxiety came to roost. Its peak was reached. I visited my GP and therapy commenced and lasted 12 months.

My therapist identified l needed the following-

Awareness of the severity of my anxiety

Reprogramming of my thoughts like thinking realistic thoughts

Stop worrying

Learning relaxation

Rehabilitated into a diffetent profession.

He was correct. Add to that, medication for 12 years to "help me on my way"

My change of career went from local law enforcement (where it was full of controversy) to a supervisor of adults with mental illness difficulties in a sheltered workshop.

Some years later a friend told me about Maharaji Prem Rawat and copied tapes of his speeches. My relaxation up till now was using muscle tensioning exercises at night, now l also listen to this fabulous man. Later I'd google his youtube videoes.

Maharaji sunset

Maharaji the perfect instrument.

And many more.

So what other measures?. Well l began to rid my life of toxic people, change my environment to the country, grow vitamin packed vegetables and fruit, revamp finances and utilise direct debit (less bills in the mail, less surprises) and increased my positive thinking by attending motivation lectures.

By 2012 my anxiety was no longer measurable. Yes 25 years. Do readers think it would only take a short time? Likely yes, because l did.

Like other ailments, a pill alone isnt enough, relaxation alone not enough and so on. Its the combination of many things that was most effective for me.

Undertaking a review of all facets of your life is essential for recovery. And dont be alarmed if you try something and it doesnt work. Eg Cognitive therapy didnt work for me but l read here that some have had success.

As it turned out in 2009 it was discovered l had bipolar2 depression and dysthymia. The same personal approach was made. Never give up, review my environment, review friendships, lower stress, lower debt, have a 5 and 10 year plan for goals etc

Sometimes subtle changes are needed like introducing a sport or hobby, sometimes radical ideas like relocating or career change. Whatever is needed put all options on the table.

Anxiety the mental illness deserves nothing less than your full attention.

What works for you.?

Tony WK

Hi white knight,

Great post and very insightful.

Dealing with anxiety is different for everyone and I found with mine, I tend to spend more time around my family and friend when my anxiety is peaking as it helps alleviate it for me, I tried medication but didn't stay on it long as I wanted to control anxiety on my own. Listening to music is a big one for me and playing sport, they relax me on great levels and ease my anxiety. I also enjoy chocolate hehe but that isn't healthy to do everyday.

I would love to partake in the Mindfulness that Mark talk's about on here, and that is something I hope to learn in the near future. I also listen to motivational things on youtube to pick me up or songs that have meaning.. I find they calm me down when I can relate to others.

My best for you,

Jay

Thanks Tony,

Love your post . I too want to try mindfulness. I've never thought to listen to motivational talks, I will try ang google what you suggested.

"anxiety the mental illness deserves nothing less than your full attention" -anxiety the mental illness...great point. When I read about anxiety I read that we shouldn't give the thoughts too much attention, but the illness, well that's a different story.

thanks for a great post.

cmf

Thank to both of you.

be proactive. Whatever works for you.

Music certainly strikes a chord (sic) for many of us. I love the pan flute for relaxing. I take my music into a nearby forest or top of a hill. Sit and play it.

I'm intetested in mindfulness but dont know anything anout it.

Tony WK

Hi Jason, welcome

As you read, I had several processes I had to go through for a remedy and after a long period of support.

So I suggest when one of those anxious periods return you see your GP at that time.

Cheers

Tony WK

Thanks for sharing Tony.

I've been getting through my anxiety and mild depression over the past few months after losing a job. Ive always had the underpinnings of worry and anxiety and have had relaxation/medatative techniques to help, but this spiralled out of control.

Ive been trying a few different things to get me through. Definitely being around my family helps me a lot. I live far from them so this often gets me down. Speaking with a therapist on an almost weekly basis helps 'normalise' me. I also like to talk to my Dr every few weeks or so just for that reassurance that I currently need (a lot of my anxiety/worry is about getting sick/dying - reading it back, it sounds silly, but hey these are thoughts I have!)

Scheduling my day/motivation has been a big help. So what I'll do is roughly map out my day so that it wont leave toooo much time for just "thinking". Even when Im rock bottom and feel like i cant do anything, the schedule is almost like my gym partner - I try not to let it down!

Im trying to keep the faith in the fact that my physical actions, no matter how hard it may seem, will help heal me for the long run.

Faithh

Hi Faithh

Worrying about falling ill or dying can be a defense mechanism. We'll take more care of ourselves if we worry about it. Though worry is non productive in most instances I think we need to remind ourselves of keeping things in perspective.

Mind diversion, keeping busy is so important. An idle mind grows dwelling negative thoughts in my opinion.I noted you are far away from family. This will add to your sadness. Our roots are important but sadly our careers can take us away forever. At all costs consider how this effects your life and explore how you can remedy it.

Another thing about anxiety. Anxiety for me wasn't far from excitement. I once was buying a new car and was about to pick it up. I thought I was nervous with anxiety yet in reality I was excited.

The physical symptoms were similar.I like your idea of a schedule. You really have thought things through with your condition.

Tony WK

Hi Tony very impressed with this post.

Some many issues you have dealt with very poignant John CA

Your words of gratitude speak volumes. Thankyou CA

Tony WK

I grew up in a dysfunctional family with a depressive mother who i looked after since i was 6 years old. As you say years later it comes back to bite although i have been up and down since i was 18. Trying different things but some days worse than others

Great post, thank you!

This is only a recent battle for me, I think I have had a couple of episodes in the past but really the last 6-9 months is when it has all started. I am reading as much as I can and trying to become a lot more aware of what is affecting me and when I feel best/worst. I am very much still working on this combination but the following have helped me:

-Spending more time with family and close friends who won't judge you and you can be honest with rather than having superficial conversations.

-Open up to people around you for support, rather than just saying "good thanks" when people ask how you are. You don't have to always say the extent to which you are struggling but even just a bit more honesty feels good

-Spending time with my nieces & nephews and my pets. It's hard to beat that kind of pure love and happiness when you are feeling down

-Yoga, only started in december and I have barely missed a class since. Makes me feel calm and strong.

-Hypnotherapy, this has helped as she really helped to look at the overall by incorporating some counselling, meditation, using a journal to track emotions/water/sleep/exercise/sugar & caffeine intake. Also suggesting some small coping mechanisms such as tapping, some calming drops to take when feeling stressed etc.

-Fitbit, after using a journal to track sleep/exercise/water I found a basic fitbit was a more effective way to capture all of these things

-Exercise, walking is great for me. I also bought some cheap boxing gloves and a speedball - amazing for days for it all just feels too much and you want to punch something

-Diet, I am not the healthiest person by any stretch and I have a sweet tooth but even I can notice how much better I feel from cutting down on sugar and caffeine. 85% dark chocolate is my guilty pleasure at the moment and there is almost no sugar compared to milk chocolate. Staying hydrated really helps too.

I think the most frustrating things is some days you feel like it's all worth it and you can see the progress (today is one of those days for me) but other days maybe you don't have enough sleep and it all goes bad.

I have just discussed the calm app and think that is really worth a look for anyone wanting help to sleep or with meditation.

Hopefully some of the above will help others and we can all have more good days than bad :-)

Hi Ruby,

Thankyou for such a detailed response. I am a chocolate fan as well. We eat no sugar chocolate actually, more expensive though but anything desirable is lol.

I find that if I don't have my fixes I get moody. So the balance of eating, dieting is crucial to happiness.

I find over many years to limit my talking to some loved ones about mental illness. My best mate will NEVEr understand it yet he is a best friend.

Topic: they just wont understand, why?- beyondblue

as for the ones that are toxic

Topic: fortress of survival- beyondblue

Topic: depression and toxic people- beyondblue

I find guidance to be important in a logical sense and even spiritual one.

Topic: Maharaji, I've been following him for 25 years- beyondblue

That man (real name Prem Rawat) is on youtube and he is sensational about his teachings.

YouTube maharaji sunset

Again thankyou for posting here. I'm sure your recommendations will be read as we get over 100,000 readers per month

TonyWK

Hi Tony,

I was brought up in a 'duck and cover' household and at 45yrs old it came back to bite me. My brother, sister and I have all been separately diagnosed with CPTSD and all have issues with depression.

I've been looking for advice on controlling/embracing my anxiety when it hits and know there's no 'quick fix', but your post has given me some avenues to explore.

Thank you

One thought leads to another, and from reading these posts today I have been reminded about saying my preferred affirmation for the day. So over and over and over today I have said to myself, out loud when I can, “I am relaxed and calm and managing really well” and I have actually had a better day 😁 I live alone so my poor little four legged friend is quite confused I think, wondering who I’m talking to. 😆

Here are some affirmations I found on-line that might help some of you out there. 😉

1. I am cool, calm, and collected.
2. This is only temporary.
3. Every breath I inhale calms me and every breath I exhale takes away tension.
4. I am not my thoughts and feelings, and they don’t have to bring me down.
5. Every cell in my body is relaxed and oozes calmness.
6. Smile, breathe, and go slowly.
7. I love myself deeply and unconditionally
8. Within me is a peacefulness that cannot be disturbed.
9. I transcend stress of any kind. I live in peace.
10. Breathing in I calm my body, breathing out I smile.
11. All is well in my world and I am safe.
12. This too shall pass and I can stand this.
13. With every breath, I release the anxiety within me and I become more and more calm.
14. Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.
15. I overcome my fear of anything and everything and live life courageously.
16. I acknowledge that the only constant in life is change and I am prepared for it.
17. I am free of anxiety and will continue to be so.
18. I act the way I want to feel.

Hi SYT

you are right on track. Saying such things to yourself does help.

Maharaji history. He was 9yo when at a funeral at his village he stood on a fence and told everyone to stop crying but to celebrate the elders life. At 13yo he was on Indian TV. He flies around the world teaching other how to find inner peace. Its all so logical people dont get it initially.

For me his teachings filled a void. I'd read the bible twice but I just didnt believe most of it however the guide of it impressed me. I needed a non religious spiritual master that would lead me to inner peace.

Anxiety and other illnesses require many approaches for recovery or part thereof. Listening to a youtube of Maharaji while doing muscle tension exercises is wonderful and effective.

A few other threads to google are

Topic: 30 minutes can change your life- beyondblue

Topic: motivation search and rescue it- beyondblue

I also like

Maharaji the perfect instrument

It helps me appreciate

Tony WK

Hello Chris

I have a tendency to think negatively too, so I understand what you are saying. Can I suggest you google ‘affirmations for negative thinking’ ? There are lots to choose from or you can make up one to suit yourself. Say it to yourself silently or out loud as often as you can through the day. I’m sure you’ll find it helpful. All the best to you

Hi Chris, welcome

You just asking for ways to change from negative thinking to positive is a master stroke, because you recognize there is a better way to live. This happened to me in 1982 at 26yo. Coming from a negative all critical family I was told by a few friends that I should change how I am.

Dwelling was a big part of who I was. There are a number of ways to minimalise dwelling like- keeping ultra busy, as soon as you drop and start thinking, get up and do something. Boredom and dwelling are cousins!. Attend motivation speaking. Listen to successful people. Look at the positive in everything you do and what happens.

There is one exception, when someone passes away. Apart from those that suffer and we say "he/she is no longer in pain" the event of death has no sense to it and it is hard to find any positives. But everything else seems there is a positive.

Once you change your perceptions you will then recognize a negative person immediately when they speak. They talk in that way, they focus on the bad things and they are not motivated. They will also bring you down as they seek friends that will agree with them. I never do, I wont unravel all my determination and go backwards.

Chris, I have a list of threads below. These threads are on dwelling and positivity. You need only read the first post of each thread unless you are eager. I have written about 230 or so on this site and these are on those topics. Use google.

Topic: who cries over spilt milk?- beyondblue

topic: your own worse enemy- beyondblue

Topic: vulnerable swelling unprotected- beyondblue

Topic: DO YOU RAMBLE ON? A talker of mental illness all the time?- beyondblue

Topic: depression, distraction and variety- beyondblue

Topic: the best praise you'll ever get- beyondblue

Topic: depression- is there any positive?- beyondblue

Topic: accepting yourself, the frog and the scorpion- beyondblue

Topic: running around trying to save the world- beyondblue

Topic: confidence, how do you get it?- beyondblue

Topic: switching mindsets- beyondblue

Topic: guilt the tormentor- beyondblue

Topic: worry worry worry- beyondblue

Repost anytime

TonyWK

Hi everyone,

It's been a few years since I commenced this thread. I thought I'd provide an update.

A summary- anxious during my teenage years, didn't realise I was manic and depressed so didn't realise I had bipolar until 2003 but in 1987 had a major workplace event that caused a huge panic attack. Due to a faulty ecg machine was diagnosed with a heart attack and only after a walking monitor test 3 months later they realized it was a panic attack- heart was fine. I then embarked on many things to eliminate anxiety.

Fast track 25 years to 2011 and I remember the day- I no longer have any anxiety at all. I might get excitement, worry and other things but the chest pains were well gone as were the symptoms of the shakes and panicking.

Now it's another 8 years down the track and I'm still doing my "muscle tensioning exercises" before sleeping. I'm now retired after two psychotic episodes in 2013. The removal of employment stress and running a small business was taking its toll so- that had to go!.

Some things that I've included in my life that I avoided years ago are- comedy. Nothing like a regular laugh although being quite a serious individual by nature, I force myself to go to a movie for a good laugh. I've removed all toxic people from my life including, sadly, my narcissistic mother, niece and (real sad) my daughter. This might sound extreme. My daughter now 26yo is very much like her mother in temperament and uses silence as a tool to hurt me. Her mother did the same and after 11 years of emotional abuse I was forced to leave the family home after a suicide attempt. So, I cannot, with my conditions tolerate abuse....even from a child of mine.

Anyway, the tough decisions have been made. I have other family members I love and cherish and they me, I refuse to keep trying to work things out with people that play emotional games. I mention this for good reason- if you have anxiety or other serious illness and you struggle to tolerate abuse then protect yourself- you are entitled to a good calm happy life....get it!

All the best.

TonyWK