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Anxiety issues

I am currently having a real stressful time ,my anxiety is the worst it has ever been .I tend to be anxious most of the day .
My jaw is so painful where i keep grinding my teeth and i sometimes feel like i am going mad . I burst in to tears at least once a day .
Has anyone ever got over Anxiety without medication ?
I really don't want meds but i am at the end of my tether now
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Comments

  • murphyg
    murphyg Posts: 29 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    I have experienced severe anxiety on two occasions, both times I was medicated, however, during the second episode I paid for private counselling sessions and they were immensely effective and very quickly came off the anti depressants I had bee on. Please do not dismiss medication, I think that both things working in tandem proved to be helpful. I hope things better for you soon as its not a good state to be in.
  • There are quite a few books and workbooks available with CBT techniques for overcoming anxiety and depression, might be worth a try?
  • silkyuk9
    silkyuk9 Posts: 2,815 Forumite
    Jane-boots wrote: »
    I am currently having a real stressful time ,my anxiety is the worst it has ever been .I tend to be anxious most of the day .
    My jaw is so painful where i keep grinding my teeth and i sometimes feel like i am going mad . I burst in to tears at least once a day .
    Has anyone ever got over Anxiety without medication ?
    I really don't want meds but i am at the end of my tether now

    Try your local IAPTS clinic, I would imagine you would need a referral from your GP though
    All the big powers they've silenced me. So much for free speech and choice on this fundamental human right, and outing the liars.
  • lessonlearned
    lessonlearned Posts: 13,337 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker I've been Money Tipped!
    Stress, especially when it is over a prolonged period can take a dreadful toll on our bodies.

    I think a GP visit might be of real help. GP's don't just dish out meds they can advise you in all sorts of ways.

    Obviously the best way is to tackle the issues that are causing the stress in the first place but of course that is a lot more simple than it sounds......

    Learning how to relax is crucial. Have you tried meditation or yoga, a long soak in a nice warm bath, curling up with a good book or a favourite TV programme or a favourite DVD, listen to your favourite music.

    Exercise is certainly one of the best things you can do for helping to combat stress. A walk or play some music and dance.....

    Wear bright colours to cheer yourself up, treat yourself to some flowers - pinch them from your garden if you can't justify buying them.

    Eat healthily, take vitamins, cut down on caffeine and alcohol. Herbal teas like camomile will help you relax and sleep better.

    I use a combination of most of the above. I do still get panic/stress attacks at times and they can be scary. When it happens I just remind myself that it's temporary and they will go away.

    I don't take meds because I did once become quite badly addicted to sleeping pills and I prefer to avoid them if I can.

    I do however take meds to settle my tummy which always suffers when I am stressed or anxious.

    If you need meds then take them, there is no shame in doing so.

    Good luck, hope you feel better soon.
  • morganedge
    morganedge Posts: 1,320 Forumite
    There are quite a few books and workbooks available with CBT techniques for overcoming anxiety and depression, might be worth a try?

    Do you think you can get positive results from books/online help in relation to CBT as opposed to seeing a specialist in person?

    Lots of people claim to have gotten over social anxiety for instance, and sing teh praises of CBT, but nobody ever reveals any actual techniques that they've been taught.

    Is it because people don't want to share what they've been taught, or something else?

    Has anyone here who has had CBT gone into any detail about the methods and techniques that have helped them out of interest?

    thx
  • morganedge wrote: »
    Do you think you can get positive results from books/online help in relation to CBT as opposed to seeing a specialist in person?

    Lots of people claim to have gotten over social anxiety for instance, and sing teh praises of CBT, but nobody ever reveals any actual techniques that they've been taught.

    I think it depends how easy you find it to talk to or open up to a stranger. If you are the sort of person who can talk openly and comfortably with a counsellor you may find that better than a book. I personally can't, so if/when I need it I use books and other self-help materials.

    CBT is very 'in' at the moment, but imo it's not for everyone, though many people do find it helpful.

    It's hard to summarise the techniques briefly in a post on a forum, but it's teaching you to take a step back from your thoughts, to analyse them, and challenge them or try and find a new way of thinking or looking at things. It also teaches you that recovery lies in facing, not avoiding, the situations that you have an irrational fear of.
  • Jane-boots
    Jane-boots Posts: 16 Forumite
    Thank you for your suggestions ,i have booked an appointment to see my GP for Friday .I hope she will be understanding as i feel embarressed about my anxiety as i can't seem to pull myself together :(:
  • zarak
    zarak Posts: 59 Forumite
    Jane-boots wrote: »
    Thank you for your suggestions ,i have booked an appointment to see my GP for Friday .I hope she will be understanding as i feel embarressed about my anxiety as i can't seem to pull myself together :(:
    I'm doing exactly the same as you
    I suffer from depression, anxiety (really bad)
    and it's been thrown into overdrive with my recent dental problems.
    I really hope ur GP helps. I do not want to take meds and i'm hoping for counseling
    Sometimes it just helps to talk to a stranger because i can honestly say i cannot and do not talk to anyone about this as they really dont seem to understand
  • Good luck for Friday. Anxiety is a very common problem, so hopefully the GP will be able to help you. Don't forget to tell them that you'd rather avoid taking medication if possible.
  • Jane-boots
    Jane-boots Posts: 16 Forumite
    There are quite a few books and workbooks available with CBT techniques for overcoming anxiety and depression, might be worth a try?





    I have read books in the past which have helped me so much yet this current period of anxiety is so intense that i can't even get round to do anything to help myself when it is occurring
    Today has been a slightly better day ,maybe cause i shared what i'm going through with others
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