Anxiety issues, need help please.

[Lisa_D]

Hi Connie,
I've struggled with depression and anxiety for years and been on my share of meds. My best advice would be to make an apt. with a psychiatrist. Family medicine doctors are great but they don't know psych meds the way a psychiatrist does.

It's very common to have reactions like sweats, nausea, etc. when adjusting a new med. A psychiatrist can help you find the med that works for your body. Also, when you have a concern like MC, you have even more questions/concerns to worry about. Will the med contain gluten? Is the med safe for my MC? A good psychiatrist can help you answer these and if needed may even help you find a compounding pharmacy so you know the drug is safe from contaminants.

In the meantime, some other natural treatments that I've found to help with mood include: fish oil, light therapy, acupuncture, yoga and meditation.

Good luck!
Lisa

[MamaBeabs]

Hi Grahm, all, I am currently taking .5mg twice daily Clonazepam. I have already tapered off of the night dose because from a Sleep Apnea study done on me I learned Clonazepam was mimicking that frightening feeling of awaking at night unable to breathe. Years ago I learned how to stop my panic attacks. Now I am using the same method for anxiety. Basically, it is kind of a mind-speak, welcoming the anxiety and telling it to do its worst (because it can't make you die.) There is a 21 second countdown where I invite anxiety to try harder to disrupt me because it isn't working. If it hasn't come on in 21 seconds, anxiety loses its opportunity. Really what the program boiled down to was total acceptance. If you can truly accept anxiety and allow it to be while you go on with your day, the threat (and the anxious thoughts, the building up to it) disappears. I never thought it would work but I have been panic attack free for ten years. Now I only take the .5mg Clonazepam as needed.

Tex, what is the book you wrote about magnesium?

I am having a lot of trouble taking magnesium. It gave me terrible diarrhea. I had to stop taking it and it was the kind recommended on this site. I have read so much on how it would help and my doctor believes this. I don't know why I am having so much trouble.

Good luck to you!

[Sue777]

Years ago I learned how to stop my panic attacks. Now I am using the same method for anxiety. Basically, it is kind of a mind-speak, welcoming the anxiety and telling it to do its worst (because it can't make you die.) There is a 21 second countdown where I invite anxiety to try harder to disrupt me because it isn't working. If it hasn't come on in 21 seconds, anxiety loses its opportunity. Really what the program boiled down to was total acceptance. If you can truly accept anxiety and allow it to be while you go on with your day, the threat (and the anxious thoughts, the building up to it) disappears.

I love this, and I need to find a way to start incorporating the "acceptance" part more. I intellectually know that that is the key, but I haven't mastered not freezing and panicking when I start to feel the symptoms. Did you learn this "21 seconds" technique through a website that I can access?
Sue

[MamaBeabs]

Hi Sue,

I hope it is okay to post this program on this Forum. The program (and website) is called Panic Away (I know, sounds corny) by Barry McDonagh. It is now in DVD format and at a much lower cost of $47.99 I think. I bought the ebook which I liked. The program explains everything, the science, the psychology and much more. It is very thorough. There is also a Forum. I met up with two ladies (with whom I am still friends 10 years later and we've never met.) We formed a private chat and supported our learning together because....acceptance is not easy! I am having a very difficult time accepting MC even though I know the importance of doing so.

The main technique is called 21/7. It involves the 21 second countdown I mentioned followed by a 7 minute guided meditation. Barry's voice is very comforting and soothing, easy to meditate to. I can only imagine his DVDs must be great. I no longer do the 7 minute meditation because I have a meditation practice 2x daily.

I still have the 21 second countdown mp3 on my phone which is great when in a stressful environment (for example, the upcoming holiday season, shoppers oblivious they are crashing into you, children crying for a toy, long lines, NOISE)- or even (for me) a long grocery line where I am stressed out that I might have a MC accident. It is great for travel, traffic jams, fear of driving (and even the occasional relative stressing out on Thanksgiving.) Portable, and costs nothing once you pay for the program. I like the program. The material was what convinced me it would work.

I was heavily medicated for anxiety back then. I needed a different way. One friend needed to get off meds and another has Fibromyalgia. We all healed our anxiety and panic attacks. I use the mp3 rather than talk myself through the 21 seconds (unless I can't access my phone) because Barry is very calming. I just keep earbuds with me and shop away.

I think I still have the mp3s in my downloads if you want me to email them. The material is very good though in learning acceptance.

[tex]

Tex, what is the book you wrote about magnesium?

Here's a link to amazon's listing:

https://www.amazon.com/Why-Magnesium-Ke ... 173282200X

Incidentally, if you're having trouble with even 100–200 mg of magnesium glycinate, look into using topical magnesium in the form of magnesium oils or lotions applied to the skin on your arms, legs, or belly, or Epsom salt foot soaks, instead of oral supplements.

Tex

[Sue777]

MamaBeabs said: "I think I still have the mp3s in my downloads if you want me to email them. The material is very good though in learning acceptance."

I would love to have the file if you think they can be emailed! I just ordered his book via Amazon Kindle... will start reading it tomorrow. Thanks!
Sue

[MamaBeabs]

Good morning Sue,
I have the MP3 files which attached easily to my "test" email to myself. I am happy to send them to you. Do you want to PM me with your email? When I sent the "test" email what was received were CD's 1 and 2. CD 1 has the 21 second countdown and the 7 minute relaxation meditation. There is more! It includes an introduction and the "Symphony" technique. A lot of people like that technique but I didn't use it much. It is worth a listen. CD 2 is Barry walking you through exercises to "End Anxious Thoughts." Very helpful. Just click on CD 2 and you will see the titles. All of the audios are valuable. I listened to them this morning. I can't believe it has been so long since I got them. Still love Barry's voice. It's always good to have someone for support when going through the process. Why don't we move to PM so that I can be that person for you? Just a thought. I recommend attaching the 21 second countdown to your phone. When feeling anxious in public, a set of earbuds and this audio can instantly change your experience.

[tex]

MamaBeabs,

You can send an email to Sue by clicking on the "email" button near the bottom of any or her posts.

Tex

[MamaBeabs]

Hi Tex, I didn't see the email link next to the profile photo. However, I received the PM and we are now on email. Thank you. I will get the site figured out eventually! At least I have a photo now! That was challenging to get the right size.