that's perfectly normal. the other drugs, such as weed and other recreational drugs need to stop, because they do cause anxieties. i was like that before...and i just completely stopped them. as for the drinking...i'm 22, and i do sure miss alcohol. we're young, and we just want to drink and have fun. i don't know how heavy drinker you are, but if you are...then just cut back a whole lot. but try staying sober for a like a few months...because it could also be alcohol withdrawal that makes you a little more anxious than usual since your body may not be used to be as sober as before. all your feelings are perfectly normal..but if you want to be able to drink, then you need to change your mindset. for me, i came to the understanding that panic attacks or anxiety cannot kill you. so don't anticipate it happening. just act as if it is a normal night out to drink. but if the worst scenario happens when you're drunk, and worried about having a panic attack or start to have one...just ride it out. it's all in the mind. nothing will happen to you if you drink....just keep it at a good level...don't get shitfaced drunk. hope that helps!
You can have fun without drinking or taking drugs. If drinking is causing you anxiety,it sounds more like peer pressure than your own desire to drink. You don't need medicine to get over this "fear", what you need is to find creative outlets. Ride roller coasters, go skate boarding, get involved with BMX biking or something, take up an instrument or something.
Just my 2 cents for what it's worth.
Hello Andrew.
Things like this is completely normal with anxiety, it's a curse that comes with it. I had a fear that my tap water was contaminated or poisoned and I had to buy water from the shops... So you get the picture and I know it's REALLY annoying and stressful.
Anyway, I'm going to tell you a good little trick that I picked up. It's called the "repress trick" this is how you do it:
- Relax in a bath, couch, bed, somewhere comfortable.
- Concentrate on your thoughts of anxiety
- Say a strong but simple word in your head, such as 'repress'
- Count to 4 and say it again
- As you say it, concentrate on your breathing and heart rate.
- Try to use your breathing to slow down your heart rate
This is a simple and quite effective way of clearing your mind. It demands concentration and sometimes practise though.
Thanks
- John -