Advice on keeping anxiety away w/o meds?

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Rosarydevotion said:
Keep in mind that there are side effects with meds and their use should never be taken lightly.

I took meds for anxiety and incurred extensive neurological damage that has taken years to recover from. Meds that are in the benzodiazepine class are highly dangerous and should never be taken long term. I’m still recovering from their use. It’s been a nightmare from hell getting off them and that is not an exaggeration.
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Benzodiazapines are highly effective for treating anxiety. Only about 1/3 of users deveop a tolerance and depenence on them. For many people, they are safe effective medications under the care of a doctor.

It is stories like these that make doctors scared to prescribe medications that work. It is good to be aware they can be a problem. Needless to say I have been on and off benzodiazapines with no more problems than temporary insomnia. I have been on xanax, ativan, and klonopin, gone on prn basis and daily basis, been off for pregnancy, changed for breastfeeding, etc -never had to increase dosage (actually decreased dosage when on daily therapy). These medicines do work for some people. If the OP decides to seek medication, I suggest they discuss all options with their doctor and not discount an entire class of effective medication.
 
I tend to draw and/or color to deal with anxiety. I know some find in helpful to meditate if this is something you want to try you could try choosing one word such as Jesus and whenever your mind wanders you just keep coming back to that word. You could also try progressive muscle relaxation where you imagine your anxiety rolling off each body part gradually.
 
misspriss said:
Benzodiazapines are highly effective for treating anxiety. Only about 1/3 of users deveop a tolerance and depenence on them. For many people, they are safe effective medications under the care of a doctor.

It is stories like these that make doctors scared to prescribe medications that work. It is good to be aware they can be a problem. Needless to say I have been on and off benzodiazapines with no more problems than temporary insomnia. I have been on xanax, ativan, and klonopin, gone on prn basis and daily basis, been off for pregnancy, changed for breastfeeding, etc -never had to increase dosage (actually decreased dosage when on daily therapy). These medicines do work for some people. If the OP decides to seek medication, I suggest they discuss all options with their doctor and not discount an entire class of effective medication.
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My story is true. There is a risk that what happened to me could happen to anyone using benzos. I never abused them and took them under a doctors care. I suggest you do some research about them. There are even online support groups for people dealing with side effects and withdrawal syndrome. Have a visits to benzo buddies.org, those people are going through utter hell and they are not exaggerating. I personally wished that someone would have warned me about them, I would have been saved years of suffering.
 
Rosarydevotion said:
My story is true. There is a risk that what happened to me could happen to anyone using benzos. I never abused them and took them under a doctors care. I suggest you do some research about them. There are even online support groups for people dealing with side effects and withdrawal syndrome. Have a visits to benzo buddies.org, those people are going through utter hell and they are not exaggerating. I personally wished that someone would have warned me about them, I would have been saved years of suffering.
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Not all forms of anxiety are treatable without medication, and often there are compound issues that can only be identified by a doctor or trained medical professional. It’s one of the reasons why I suggested early on that the OP seek out professional advice if she were not already doing so.

Everyone will react to these medications differently - for some they will work incredibly well, and for others they are disasters. It is not the drug - it is the particular physiology of the person taking it. Personal witnesses are USELESS when it comes to medication for mental health, as we are all different.

Again, I’ve had twenty years of dealing without medication, but that doesn’t mean I’ve never been open-minded about considering it if everything else failed. The worst thing you can do for your anxiety is start closing doors to treatment.
 
casslean said:
Not all forms of anxiety are treatable without medication, and often there are compound issues that can only be identified by a doctor or trained medical professional. It’s one of the reasons why I suggested early on that the OP seek out professional advice if she were not already doing so.

Everyone will react to these medications differently - for some they will work incredibly well, and for others they are disasters. It is not the drug - it is the particular physiology of the person taking it. Personal witnesses are USELESS when it comes to medication for mental health, as we are all different.

Again, I’ve had twenty years of dealing without medication, but that doesn’t mean I’ve never been open-minded about considering it if everything else failed. The worst thing you can do for your anxiety is start closing doors to treatment.
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People still need to know that there are risks involved. A risk that not all doctors inform you of. My doctor never told me the risks. Now I feel obligated to share with others what happened to me.
 
Rosarydevotion said:
People still need to know that there are risks involved. A risk that not all doctors inform you of. My doctor never told me the risks. Now I feel obligated to share with others what happened to me.
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You can share that you had a negative experience, but it is important to share that experience in a way that does not amount to fear-mongering. Recognize that because you had a negative experience does not objectively make the medication a bad thing - it means you had a bad experience. For one good friend of mine, benzos have been the key to giving them back their life. Both experiences have equal weight.
 
Rosarydevotion said:
My story is true. There is a risk that what happened to me could happen to anyone using benzos. I never abused them and took them under a doctors care. I suggest you do some research about them. There are even online support groups for people dealing with side effects and withdrawal syndrome. Have a visits to benzo buddies.org, those people are going through utter hell and they are not exaggerating. I personally wished that someone would have warned me about them, I would have been saved years of suffering.
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I have no doubts your story is true. As someone who has ANXIETY, I have been very ANXIOUS about my medication, and have researched and researched, read horror stories, etc. I finally concluded that the people who have problems are the only people posting on the internet about their problems. The 2/3 of people who don’t have a couple nights bad sleep and move on with their lives, they don’t go online and post about how easy it was because it was a non-issue.

Yes, there are risks, and it is fine to share your negative experience, but please do not say an entire class of medication is bad. If your doctor did not warn you of the risks, that is malpractice on their part as the risks are clearly documented. I know several people, myself included, who have no trouble with them. However, my sister works in the ER and says dependence is quite common, she sees it all the time (although they usually suspect abuse not a deceloped dependence under a doctors care).
 
I would like to recommend “The Practice of the Presence of God” by Br Lawrence.

Is is a short booklet, a collection of letters on a friar’s method of mental prayer. I tried it a few years ago and after a few days my anxiety was greatly relieved. And then it gradually dissappeared and now only flares up now and again. So I very much recommend this little book and what it teaches. The racing mind can be put under control and put to good use.

Here is a link if you would like to read it online: thepracticeofthepresenceofgod.com/onlinetext/
 
I’ve been on and off Xanax several times with no adverse side effects. Without them, I experience severe anxiety attacks. Cognitive behavioral therapy did nothing for me, but contemplative prayer has worked wonders in other areas of my life.
 
I also have a worried mind. I wouldn’t call it severe anxiety by any means, as I always manage to eventually do what needs to be done. But my worrying nature often keeps me from doing things which might be good for myself and others. I play it safe, hiding my talents under the bushel basket unless I’m forced out of my comfort zone, and I wonder how that will appear when I face the Last Judgment. I’ve made half-hearted attempts at cognitive behavioral and one-on-one therapy to get past the worrying. My daily attempts at meditatiive-type prayer rarely make it past five minutes before my many thoughts win out. I have never taken any medication for this, nor have I seriously modified my diet, but I often wonder if my worrying mind is holding me back from fully living my vocation. But if it is, why did God permit that I turn out this way? Anyway, no answers from me, just someone else in a slightly similar situation.
 
Hi ballyglunin 🙂
I also have anxiety. At one time, it got to the point where I couldn’t get through my day, but it is somewhat better now.
I am not a doctor, so I’m not in the position to give you medical advice, nor am I a psychologist, but I will share my thoughts and experiences.
First of all, I have personally found psychotherapy and CBT to be beneficial. I didn’t realize it as I was going through therapy, but looking back, it is really helpful to have a trained professional listen, challenge my irrational fears, and give me non-judgmental advice.

Secondly, I know you want to avoid medication, and I can understand that. Anxiety medication, like any other medication has side effects that must be weighed with the benefits. Pretty much every other drug has side effects, but if nothing else is working, please don’t rule out medication. I have never taken medication, but it has helped many of my friends and worked wonderfully with therapy, and I may consider it in the future, if my anxiety ever gets as bad as it used t be. If you are unsure, I would advise you to speak to a doctor.

Thirdly, one of the priest’s at my parish is very understanding of my anxiety and gives me good spiritual advice in relation to it. I am reminded to offer this anxiety disorder up to God, and allow God to make good come out of my difficulties. When I am anxious, I remind myself that I don’t have to deal with it alone- God is there for me, He knows, feels and can help me with the pain. He is also great for addressing the doubts that my anxiety sometimes provokes- my asking “why me, why did God allow this to happen etc”.
So speaking to a spiritual advisor is also a good idea. Of course, he has also made it clear that anxiety is a medical issue, and also needs to be addressed by medical professionals.

I also ask for Our Lady and for St Dymphna’s intercession, a lot. 🙂

Finally, this may be of interest to you:
holyfamilycounseling.org/mercy-challenge.html
 
Robert_Sock said:
I’ve been on and off Xanax several times with no adverse side effects. Without them, I experience severe anxiety attacks. Cognitive behavioral therapy did nothing for me, but contemplative prayer has worked wonders in other areas of my life.
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Uh, you do realize that one of the adverse withdrawal effects of xanax is severe anxiety, right?
 
Herculees said:
I tend to draw and/or color to deal with anxiety. I know some find in helpful to meditate if this is something you want to try you could try choosing one word such as Jesus and whenever your mind wanders you just keep coming back to that word. You could also try progressive muscle relaxation where you imagine your anxiety rolling off each body part gradually.
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I’ve done a progressive relaxation that includes a declaration that the body part loves the Lord. “My toes are relaxed, and love the Lord. My feet are relaxed and love the Lord.”, etc. I’m not sure how to quantify it but it was much better in effect than doing the relaxation without the added declaration. There is Scriptural support for it. “Love the Lord with your whole body, mind, heart, and soul.”
 
Deus_tecum said:
Uh, you do realize that one of the adverse withdrawal effects of xanax is severe anxiety, right?
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That’s really ironic considering it is an anxiety medication. Would not not expect to have anxiety when you quit taking your anxiety medication? It’s like saying one of the side effects of quitting blood pressure medication is increased blood pressure.
 
ballyglunin said:
I have General Anxiety and try to live with it naturally using exercise, diet and prayer. I am, marginally successful as its an almost constant battle

Anyone else have this condition or similar (worry all the time) - what do you do to make it through the day? Have a special prayer? Say the rosary over and over or just once?

Thanks
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I have anxiety and I find, like you, Ballyglunin, that diet, exercise, and–most of all, prayer–are important.

…along with medication and counseling (if possible)

Invoking the names of Mary and Jesus often are very helpful to me. Marian devotion is crucial for me.

Along with Sacred Scripture, True Devotion to Mary by St. Louis De Montfort is the most important book that helps me with my anxiety (along with other books like the Psalter of the Blessed Virgin)… Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary crucial for me.

Remembering to breathe is very important. And as the saints like St. Germanus teach, the name of Mary is the breath of our soul.

Mary’s tenderness helps me so much with my anxiety. Having icons of her to help one appeal to Jesus through her are very helpful to me.

You are in my prayers.

Thanks be to God for helping us at all times through the kind, humble, and loving Virgin Mary!
 
misspriss said:
That’s really ironic considering it is an anxiety medication. Would not not expect to have anxiety when you quit taking your anxiety medication? It’s like saying one of the side effects of quitting blood pressure medication is increased blood pressure.
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I don’t find it ironic. The drug suppresses the body’s own stimulants, so when the drug is removed, the suppression is removed, and the stimulants come back. People can die from abrupt benzo withdrawal.
 
Rosarydevotion said:
As someone who almost died coming off benzos, I’m can say with conviction that you are playing with fire in regards to benzos.
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I think unless you are a doctor or a medical professional, it is unwise to give advice or opinions regarding specific medical care or pharmaceutical use.
 
ballyglunin said:
I have General Anxiety and try to live with it naturally using exercise, diet and prayer. I am, marginally successful as its an almost constant battle

Anyone else have this condition or similar (worry all the time) - what do you do to make it through the day? Have a special prayer? Say the rosary over and over or just once?

Thanks
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Prayer is good. I found progressive muscular relaxation to help. I also found learning to not fear unpleasant thoughts to be helpful. That is, if I have an unpleasant thought don’t try to put it out of my head. Rather I address the thought and dismiss it purposefully. One thing that really helps is being mindful. This word can mean different things to different people. But I mean it as basically paying attention to your senses. So you can pay attention to the taste and texture of the food you eat, or the temperature of water when you wash your hands. The nice thing is syou can always find something in your environment to pay attention to. It helps kick me out of my excessive thinking. Finally cold showers help. They will snap you out of whatever worrying thoughts you have. Even splashing your face with cold water helps as it has a natural calming effect.
 
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