How Do You Handle Anxiety?

[Charlotte..]

I have HUGE issues with anxiety, and i absoloughtly hate having to deal with it, how do you guys help it to ease off? <3

[amongtheashes]

I too have major anxiety issues. I take medication for it, but sometimes that is not enough. One of the most helpful things for me is to exercise. It speeds you up and then wears you out and sometimes that can help take away some of the anxiety and help to relax you a bit. Also, deep breathing. If those don't work, try and distract yourself. My favorite way is to read. It takes me out of my own mind for a little bit and gives me something else to focus on.

Hope that was helpful to you!

Take care,
Angel

[MacGuffin]

The last time I had a full-on, balls to the wall panic/anxiety attack, luckily I was able to call my therapist and be like, "I have to come in NOW!!" I calmed down by talking to her, but was still pretty shaken. So she suggested I do something fun, humorous, something that would make me laugh and divert my thoughts. For me, it's watching I Love Lucy. I can see a certain episode so many times I can nearly repeat it word for word, but it still makes me laugh.

If you have anything that makes you laugh, keep it handy. If you have an iPod (or some portable video device) - download a free tv episode for a comedy show so you'll have something on you. I keep old episodes of Two and a Half Men and on mine just in case I get that feeling while I'm not at home. Just a suggestion.

[snowprincess]

I just wanted to say thank you for makin this thread and for everyone who has replied and will reply, I have horrible anxiety attacks and reading these have given me some helpful ideas. Anyway srry i have nothing to add, but i just wanted to say thank you

[vodkill]

I drink myself into oblivion. Unhelpful but that's what i do.

[Deoxyribonucleicacid]

Disney movies

[graveflower]

I don't handle my anxiety very well. :/

I try to practice squared breathing exercises, distract myself with something funny, or try to talk to someone (or sometimes myself) about why I'm feeling anxious and why I'm being irrational.

[SplittingApart]

Listening To my iPod with the volume as loud as it can be without making me deaf. It helps me forget about whatever is causing me to have a panic attack. Or writing a story that's really really disturbed and terrifying. It helps me get all my fears out and once I'm calm I can read it over and see how ridiculous they are. I've been having panic attacks since I was 3 year old and i'm on Zoloft. Those are the two thing that help me the most.

[SkinnyMD]

I cry or cut bad I know...

[Bathory]

I find that distraction is the best way unless I'm anxious about something I haven't resolved yet, but if it's just general anxiety I watch movies/TV shows that make me laugh, listen to music or play piano.