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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ClearSkies on December 10, 2007, at 13:57:43
I didn't want to post this on the medication board, as I don't want to treat this with Xanax:
I've got a cycle set up at the moment where I'll experience some real anxiety (the insurance problem, trying to get our business up and running, the holidays); my body then reacts to the mental signals with its physical clues. Trouble breathing deeply, throat tightens up, lower back goes into spasms. Really uncomfortable, but NOT a panic attack. And once my body is telling me it's anxious, I'm more prone to experiencing more anxiety (because my body is already saying, "yes! of course you're anxious, because you ARE anxious!" (Is this making sense?)
My T did some "brain gym" exercises with me that helped a tiny bit to distract me enough to get through our last therapy session, but the results are very short acting and I find that my body really wants to get back to this perpetual state of anxiety. I can't keep touching my elbows to the opposite knees all day long...
Meditation has become a joke. No, not really, it's quite sad. I can't meditate when I'm like this, because all I can do is notice how anxious I'm feeling. I've tried music, but that's not getting through. I'm not able to concentrate enough to relax and read.
What helps you to calm your body down when you're feeling anxious?
CS
Posted by muffled on December 10, 2007, at 14:07:08
In reply to Holding anxiety in body, posted by ClearSkies on December 10, 2007, at 13:57:43
think of something really random and silly. Maybe if sex not a trigger for you.Think bout how silly IT is. A giant cosmic JOKE!
Or mebbe think of nice things that are nice to you.
Distraction.
Distraction is #1 FOR ME.
DBT stuff mebbe useful
Dunno.
Sooryy not much use.
OK.
Try not to be anxious so much I hope you aren't anxiety sucks.
Me (((xanax)) we buds me and xanax.
Bye,
M
Posted by Bodhisattva on December 10, 2007, at 14:15:07
In reply to Holding anxiety in body, posted by ClearSkies on December 10, 2007, at 13:57:43
The smell, and texture of a rose.
The sound of the wind.
A child's laugh.
A friend's laugh.
A friend's smile.
Even the sound of silence.All of these things, and their infinite intricate details. How I am actually able to perceive them fascinates me. I fill my thoughts with the world, and create nothing of my own. I can even see the stress leave my body, exhaled as if into the winter air.
On occasion, I select a part of my body. Say a hand or food, sometimes starting at the shoulders. I concentrate on relaxing it, letting it go limp. No muscle movement at all. I move from the area I chose to start with to the rest of my body, radiating outward. I find this most relaxing, and it can work anywhere so long as you are not standing.
Just slow yourself down. If you are always looking for flaws in the world, you'll never stop counting them.
Posted by frida on December 10, 2007, at 14:16:11
In reply to Holding anxiety in body, posted by ClearSkies on December 10, 2007, at 13:57:43
Hi..
I am sorry you are feeling this way...
I know how hard it can get.
What helps me is to play and cuddle with my pets...
or to distract myself...to watch a movie for example..
and one thing that's been really, really helpful is to do some "physical" work...to feel safer. My T suggested I did this and I've been doing it for two years now, with a lovely person that now I really feel close to...My T said that I hold "fear" in my body, and all those memories and bad stuff...and it truly helps to do this.
It helps, my physical T helps me to feel safer in me ... and she usually holds my hand as well or gives me a hug(for me that's very moving and it helps the little girl who needs that kind of safe comfort). I find that to have someone near who is safe and to be able to share the fear...and when I'm really anxious she usually notices..and we work on it...and she helps me find safe places.I don't know if this is clear...
but that's mostly what I do...
also, if I can find the energy (which is hard sometimes) i do something that involves the use of my hands..like drawing...something to express what i'm feeling...hope some of this helps,
Frida
Posted by lovelorn on December 10, 2007, at 14:44:59
In reply to Holding anxiety in body, posted by ClearSkies on December 10, 2007, at 13:57:43
Just a suggestion : a hot bath and dim the lights or light one or two candles; the warm water should help with the tension in the body, and a bit of deep breathing with a warm cloth over your eyes as you try to empty your sight and mind of anxious feelings, try to let it drift to more peaceful visual images.
Posted by ClearSkies on December 10, 2007, at 15:18:44
In reply to Re: Holding anxiety in body » ClearSkies, posted by lovelorn on December 10, 2007, at 14:44:59
Great ideas! Thank you all for your responses - I'm going to get busy :-)
CS
Posted by rskontos on December 10, 2007, at 17:42:04
In reply to Yes to everything!, posted by ClearSkies on December 10, 2007, at 15:18:44
Clear Skies, I do that especially in certain situations. Can you when it happens make yourself go blank. IN that moment just go blank. Get flat. Kinda takes the fuel out of the anxiety fire to have no emotions to feed it with.
Then go out and do the all the wonderful things everyone suggested. I found blank works if you are in a situation where you can not do the other stuff like social settings etc.
rsk
Posted by seldomseen on December 10, 2007, at 20:51:33
In reply to Yes to everything!, posted by ClearSkies on December 10, 2007, at 15:18:44
the funny or die website by Will Ferrell really does a number on my anxiety. I highly recommend the "landord" video.
Seldom.
Posted by star008 on December 10, 2007, at 21:12:53
In reply to Holding anxiety in body, posted by ClearSkies on December 10, 2007, at 13:57:43
Sometimes clear skies.. all I can do is breathe. I thnk there are probably alot of good things to do.. Like exercise,,(blah).. to work it out and take your mind off things.. A fast walk, whatever..But if you are like me you really don't want to do any of tht.. Breathe in through your nose.. slowly.. exhale while pursing your lips.. It helps to gt things under control and calms you down a bit.. have to do it alot though This will pass.. too much with the holidays and everything else going on. I also try to block out the future things..Do what I have to do and let it go.. It will work out if it is supposed to. Do what you need to do and leave the rest alone. tale half and xanax.. a quarter.. I don't like it either.. makes me tired. But I don't like the anxiety either..
Posted by Daisym on December 10, 2007, at 22:33:02
In reply to Re: Holding anxiety in body » ClearSkies, posted by star008 on December 10, 2007, at 21:12:53
Hi CS -
Have you ever tried two nostril breathing? You breathe in through the left and out through the right. You can hold one side closed if you need to.
And hot water - either showers or a bath can really help.
The other thing that might work is pressure touch. Have your husband push firmly on the top of your tail bone as you lie down - he'll need to hold it for a good 2 minutes and then work his way up your spine.
Sometimes telling yourself that this time next year you won't be dealing with this works. I tend to project myself into the future when I can.
I hope you feel better soon.
Posted by Phillipa on December 10, 2007, at 23:37:08
In reply to Re: Holding anxiety in body, posted by Daisym on December 10, 2007, at 22:33:02
Ride my bike even though I don't want to and sleep. Phillipa too much sleep lately as anxiety is also sky high.
Posted by ClearSkies on December 11, 2007, at 6:59:04
In reply to Re: Holding anxiety in body » ClearSkies, posted by star008 on December 10, 2007, at 21:12:53
> Sometimes clear skies.. all I can do is breathe. I thnk there are probably alot of good things to do.. Like exercise,,(blah).. to work it out and take your mind off things.. A fast walk, whatever..But if you are like me you really don't want to do any of tht.. Breathe in through your nose.. slowly.. exhale while pursing your lips.. It helps to gt things under control and calms you down a bit.. have to do it alot though This will pass.. too much with the holidays and everything else going on. I also try to block out the future things..Do what I have to do and let it go.. It will work out if it is supposed to. Do what you need to do and leave the rest alone. tale half and xanax.. a quarter.. I don't like it either.. makes me tired. But I don't like the anxiety either..
I can't actually do this when I'm anxious. If anything, I start to pant and hyperventilate because I'm worried about my breathing. What helps me more is to do something that will distract me from my breathing so it can resume something close to normalcy. (It took me many months of frustration and dizziness to find this out for myself!)
CS
Posted by ClearSkies on December 11, 2007, at 20:50:41
In reply to Yes to everything!, posted by ClearSkies on December 10, 2007, at 15:18:44
Today I rode on my bicycle (first time in {mumble, mumble} and it felt good to DO something). Went to a yoga class and the teacher placed crystals on our chakra points during shavasana (sp?). I'm ashamed to say that I SNORED and woke myself up - guess I relaxed a bit too much.
And I went to see the chiro for my back pain. He did something to adjust my jaw and presto! back was fine. This connecting the dots business is crazy-making, but I know I will sleep well tonight, and my anxiety has fallen down a few notches thanks to all my efforts.Thanks to all for your suggestions, and for giving me the push I needed to actually do something to feel better.
CS
Posted by Phillipa on December 11, 2007, at 22:32:41
In reply to Re: Yes to everything! - update, posted by ClearSkies on December 11, 2007, at 20:50:41
Isn't riding a bike fun!!!! You feel free like the breeze and it relaxes you too at least it does for me and builds up the leg muscles a good thing. Phillipa
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