Tips on dealing with Anxiety

[skuhl1986]

I currently can't afford health insurance and can't go see a psychiatrist because of this. What I'm hoping for are some tips for dealing with my anxiety. My anxiety comes out of nowhere usually and can be provoked by caffeine, so I avoid caffeine whenever I can. Whenever I get an attack I feel like my throat is closing up and its hard to breathe, and during my worst attack I hyperventilated till I almost passed out. I have an irrational fear of anaphylaxis via food allergy and its hard for me to try new foods or eat something I haven't had in a long time. That can provoke an anxiety attack, my body tricks my mind into thinking I'm going into anaphylactic shock. Its horrible and I feel like I sound ridiculous. Anybody with anything at all will be appreciated. Thanks!!

[jul04]

Sorry you are going through such a hard time right now.  Please know that it is hard to do but you can overcome anxiety.

Make sure you are eating right, getting enough sleep and exercise.  I do journal and that does help me so I would recommend that too.  Try taking a multi vitamin because sometimes when certain levels are off (such as vitamin B) that can bring on anxiety.  There are also alot of books that have been written about overcoming anxiety.  I would suggest you go to your local library and check some out.

Keep posting here.  Everyone on this forum has been there in one way or another and we get it.   Stay positive.  Positive thinking leads to Positive living!!!

Lots of luck...Feel better soon...

[425runner]

Meditation, deep breating, walking in nature, etc. and try getting health insurance quickly. A full blown panic attack can land you in the ER.

[GoldFishy222]

Sadly one of the things I do is play World Of Warcraft.  It help me really focus on something else, getting emursed in a world that I have control over is releaving.  I also read light hearted/ funny books.  You can also rent a few seasons of a TV show that you really like and get sucked into that.  For me it really just has to be something I can almost hyper focus on and then I start to calm down.    

You can try focusing on you breath, deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth.  Think about relaxing one part of your body at a time starting with your feet and working your way up to the top of your head.  I do that when I'm to anxious to sleep and it seems to help.    

[j17c27]

to deal with my anxiety, I read.  Reading gets my mind off things and helps me focus on a world that isnt my own panicky life.  
This does not help me, but just journaling your feelings helps a lot of people.  Just type your feelings into word and you can delete it or save it and no one has to read it.
One thing i do during school (im still in high school) or just wherever when im getting panicky...I write down the 1st letter of every word im thinking..so to anyone it would look like complete giberish and it only means something to me
Also maybe taking up an instrument such as guitar--you can write music or just play whatever you want
Another this is excercize...it is proven to help anxiety significantly.
Good luck and I hope you learn to cope with this.