Anyone here have anxiety?

[Anonymous]

If you do how did you cope with it? Did you take medication? If you did take medication did it help and what where your side effects?

[Anonymous]

Yes. I have had it since I was 4 years old and it was BAD. Was on medication throughout elementary and middle school, half of high school. I've had lots of behavioral therapy for it, to learn how to cope and relaxation techniques. I am now in my mid 20s and although I still feel anxiety sometimes, it is MUCH better. Exponentially. I used to be so bad I couldn't even leave the house. I had panic attacks in which I blacked out, every day for a few years. Now I love, love love to be out and about. The big thing is finding relaxation and calming techniques that work for you. The best thing to do is when the anxiety starts to strike, acknowledge that you're feelinf anxiety, try to determine why, tell yourself why the anxiety isn't necessary, and take some deep breaths. I would tell myself, I feel sick or stressed because it's my anxiety, I'm okay though, nothing bad is going to happen, everything is okay. And just breathe deeply a few times and clear your mind. I was on Paxil, Zoloft, and Xanax. The Paxil made me really weird like I was on a constant sugar high and very strange so I had to come off of it. The Zoloft made me calmer but I would get spacey and forgetful. I also developed a stutter when weaned off of it which gradually went away. Something with it affecting my brain, supposedly. The Xanax helps the most but the problem is you have to be careful bc it can get addictive and it makes you feel like you're really drunk so never ever drive with it. I would avoid it. But if the anxiety is an ongoing problem you should talk to a psychologist and determine what's best for you.

[Paris13]

My sister has had Anxiety and depression for years. Sometimes she gets such terrible anxiety panic attacks that she feels like she is dying.
She is on medicine that does help her to control this, but has had to live with it for many years... it never goes away.
Go see your doctor if you are having this incessantly. It's something that doesn't usually go away... it does run in my own family, although thank God I have never had to deal with it.
You may have to try different medications that may or may not work at first... some will give side affects... However, in finding the right one is a step in the Right direction in helping the problem at hand.
Good luck. xx

[silentbutcaring96]

After being bullied so much growing up, I developed Social Anxiety. I tested into a different (and better) high school and that helped me separate from all the jerks I grew up with. I made friends with a rather out going kid within the first week of freshmen year because I had him in every single class. Being with him got me to talk more and got people talking to me because they always associated me with him. Sophomore year i vowed to really try to pull myself out of my pit of depression, loneliness, and anxiety. I made myself start talking more without my friend around. Gym class made it easy because I was doing things I was good at and that impressed people. Junior year, I continued to do what I was doing and got to the point where I could talk to anyone in my school and feel comfortable. Senior year, I got along with everyone. I was known for being pretty quiet but nice to everyone and people liked me because of that. Now in my freshmen year of college, I took a few steps backwards. I'm about where I was Junior year because all my friends are gone and I commute to school. My biggest problem is starting the conversation. Once it starts, I'm fine. I'm pretty motivated to change that though. My point is that you have to find out what causes your anxiety and confront the problem gradually day by day. Medication just treats the symptoms, it doesn't actually cure anything.

[YamIhere]

Anxiety is pretty common. If it's taking over your life, not so much. I have never taken medications. I think it's best to try to exercise, get out and face your fears. Try to talk about what's stressing you out. When things get stressful I normally get more anxious about things. It's basically a build up of stress. Constant thinking. You need to learn how to slow down and calm your thinking. Positive thoughts rather than those negative thoughts that normally take over.

[Laura1995]

Yes I have anxiety but it's getting better. I take 25 mg of Zoloft daily and I see a therapist every week. The only side effect I had was drowsiness, but it subsided.

[Anonymous]

Everyone has anxiety. Just breathe