What are your coping techniques?

[Derekkest 2]

I have had HA for close to 30 years. I am not on medication as I do not like the side effects.

I have good days and bad days. Lately it has been rough and wanted to know how others cope?

I usually look at statistics, specific symptoms, and than rational it out.

[ZenCube 59]

Problem with benzodiazepines is that they are very (and I mean very) detrimental for your health, which for us folks is even a more sinister fact than for the non-HA anxious peeps out there. Brain cancers, Alzheimer's, sleep apnea, dementia... All that good stuff is brought to you by these stress reducing, sleep inducing drugs. One has to rely on different venues to cope with stress in the long run. 

I've discussed that topic with my doctor and we came to an alternative plan of action. Benzos would be replaced with antihistamines and very low doses of neuroleptics which help with anxiety, while sleep is taken care of by melatonin and herbal teas. Cannabis was also on the menu and still is as it works wonders for relaxation and sleep. 

The next step was to implement relaxation techniques based on breathing, and meditation via mindfulness courses. 

Third step was increasing the weekly load of sporting activities. I went with body weight workouts and lots of road cycling. As long as you don't skip your workouts, it probably is the golden cure for stress. 

All in all, I'm coping now, without benzos and without antidepressants. A feat I'm kind of prouf of, but that was quite demanding to achieve. But frigging worth it.

As for specific HA strategies regarding symptoms, it now all comes to : never Google, never test, always ignore until it fades away. It usually does. 

[Holls 1505]

I do therapy every two weeks and walk and ride my bike to keep my head clear. I absolutely never, ever google. I try to eat heathy Bec when I eat healthy, I feel healthy 🙂 hugs everyone!! Trying to find what works for you is a huge step in the right direction. 

[jonathan123 2368]

Hi. Holls. How are you? So there are a few of the old members left. I have been away for some time and it's good to be back. In these times of so much anxiety is it any wonder mental health suffers. I think there will be a big upsurge in mental health problems when this is over. You are so right. Trial and error is always the best. Some do odd things to make themselves better and why not. This is a very personal journey we are all on. There is no magic wand as you know, and that's why it is difficult to generalise. What suits one can be rejected by another. Good to see you again.    Best wishes.    John.

[Holls 1505]

On 10/19/2020 at 12:55 PM, jonathan123 said:

Hi. Holls. How are you? So there are a few of the old members left. I have been away for some time and it's good to be back. In these times of so much anxiety is it any wonder mental health suffers. I think there will be a big upsurge in mental health problems when this is over. You are so right. Trial and error is always the best. Some do odd things to make themselves better and why not. This is a very personal journey we are all on. There is no magic wand as you know, and that's why it is difficult to generalise. What suits one can be rejected by another. Good to see you again.    Best wishes.    John.

Hi!!! Sorry I don't get on much anymore. I realized it was actually a trigger for me. I come on here and there. I'm glad to hear from you! I hope you are staying safe during these crazy times. Hugs. 

[jonathan123 2368]

There is no 'fix all' in anxiety. Everyone will find their own way. For some medication is a must, especially in the early stages, for others it's a no no. You can only be guided by your doctor. Now I know doctors do reach for their prescription pad as soon as you mention anxiety, but in some acute cases it is justified. Acute anxiety can be a serious issue, and medication may be the only way to get relief. The subject of medication has come up so often over the years on this site. It's a very controversial subject. I do agree, that long term medication is not good. But anxiety is a mental disorder and has to me treated at it's source, the Mind. Distractions can help, like exercise and various forms of entertainment, but in the end it still comes down to our attitude to our problem.  

When we get relief through distractions we have to be careful that we don't delude ourselves into believing we have solved the problem. It's a bit like drinking. It can relieve our fears for the moment, but they come back again when we are sober. I am not saying we should sit with our head in our hands. No way!! Take every opportunity to get out and mix (as much as you can these days!!),  but keep in mind that it's our attitude and our acceptance that will eventually allow us to come back to some sort of normality.

[jonathan123 2368]

Hi. Holls. I do understand. Crazy times! Oh yes. It's like one of those disaster movies, but in real life. The hero comes up with a vaccine within weeks and saves humanity!!! 😀  None of this helps anxiety, not one bit, and the mental repercussions have yet to be felt. Us humans need each other, and to be cut off from normal contact is not good. I hope you are managing to cope. Take care and look after yourself. And a hug for you. 

[BrightPhoenix 78]

On 12/17/2020 at 5:20 PM, Holls said:

Hi!!! Sorry I don't get on much anymore. I realized it was actually a trigger for me. I come on here and there. I'm glad to hear from you! I hope you are staying safe during these crazy times. Hugs. 

Easiest way to keep those triggers controlled is to just stick to PMs.  So glad to see you again Holls!

[MARC 431]

I try to distract myself with work and things I enjoy doing. 

[PennyPanic 276]

I've recently started walking intentionally for exercise (almost) every day while listening to an audiobook or podcast or whatever. It distracts me and gets me to walk farther. On days that I exercise I feel much better physically and mentally. I'm not a super athlete or anything. I walk at my own pace and it's pretty relaxing and fun. It helps..a lot. 

[Bobnnat 496]

Hey Holls and Jonathan! I hope you’re both doing well this past crazy year. Thought I’d check in again.

[jonathan123 2368]

Hi. Bobnnat. Good to hear from you again. I do hope you and all of us have a better New Year than the last one. It seems ages since the old crowd were on the site.  But time is irrelevant in anxiety. One day can seem the same as another. Talk about 'Groundhog day !!!!!!!

Take care. 

[Holls 1505]

On 12/31/2020 at 6:41 PM, Bobnnat said:

Hey Holls and Jonathan! I hope you’re both doing well this past crazy year. Thought I’d check in again.

Wow big hugs!!! It's been a long time. I'm doing well despite this wild year that has spilled over into 2021! I hope you and your family are well.

[TurnipPatty 1]

People who struggle with health anxiety can learn to change their relationship with the troublesome thoughts that accompany health anxiety. One such approach is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, that teaches mindfulness and acceptance of our inner world and aligning values with actions and goals. People may never "get rid" of their propensity to worry about their health but they can learn to detach from their mind and thoughts while committing to stopping certain behaviors that increase the anxiety (e.g. symptom checking on google). They can live their meaningful lives fully without having to suppress worries but instead accept them because often times trying hard to make these thoughts go away turns out to back fire and they get stronger.

[MotherOfMaya 18]

I have also had HA for the better part of my life. I am 38 now and I think my first go-round with health anxiety was when I was about 10 years old. I have had other anxieties as well though, like being afraid of amputees and ufos as a child. The last straw for me was when I was convinced I had diabetes due to ridges in my fingernails....I finally gave in and went on Zoloft, an SSRI and it helped me so very much I was so mad at myself for not doing it earlier. There was a stigma that I carried with me for so long that prevented me from even admitting to my PCP that I had severe anxiety but I was so glad I finally did it. I have been on meds now for close to ten years and it was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. 

I do still have flare-ups of health anxiety that even focuses on my children at times, but it happens when I have a lot of other external stressors going on. I have been in an HA spiral for the last few months but I have a lot of huge, life-changing things going on and I think that it's an unconscious way for my anxiety to have a singular focus. 

I have been in therapy on and off for years but funny enough, I rarely talk about my HA but I find that it helps me weed through all the other BS in my life and therefore helps the HA. 

I also try to watch funny, engaging television, get outside with my kids, drink wine on occasion, and talk to my friends. I also have a stupid Paint by Number app on my phone which provides mindless distraction a lot of the time!

[Doug97 19]

I have citalopram, pregabalin and zolpidem for now. I'm also seeing a clinical psychologist once a fortnight. I'm using an app called Curable, it's unbelievable how much that has helped with my pain. I'm also trying to practice mindfulness and meditation, and reading books about it and about anxiety. I've also found this site and another one incredibly helpful.