topic Re: ? about severe anxiety in Wellness

? about severe anxiety

wagirl — Mon, 13 May 2024 20:20:42 GMT

I was wondering if anyone here has dealt with severe anxiety. I have a relative that is going thru such an awful time with it ----I don't know much about it other than using google for some info. She is going thru therapy once a week but from what I witnessed recently, she needs way more than therapy!! Not looking for "cures" just what type of intervention there is--I need to see if I can steer her toward something. Feel just awful that I can't do more than be a shoulder to cry on.

Re: ? about severe anxiety

Tori3569 — Mon, 13 May 2024 20:49:33 GMT

Yes, I've had anxiety / panic disorder and OCD since I was a kid but not diagnosed until I was in my 30s and I finally sought help.

I've been in therapy ever since, but also take a combination of 3 anti anxiety medications. Started with one and the other two added over time. I don't even want to know what my life would be like without these medications, but I can see why some choose not to take that route.

I still struggle at times so it's not completely under control. I had a potentially serious health scare a few weeks ago and could not get out of my own head. It was torture. Thankfully it was nothing in the end but I realized once again that I need to keep working on myself.

Re: ? about severe anxiety

ThinkingOutLoud — Mon, 13 May 2024 21:09:03 GMT

First, I'm sorry they're dealing with this. Therapy can only do so much so it's better to spend time and money on what can get rid of it once and for all. Have them find someone that does the emotion and/or body code (they don't need to be local). Another option (which is free) is eft (google/youtube nick ortner or brad yates).

In the meantime, some tools:

- turn off the news and all other stress-inducing programming (tv, movies, music, etc)

- music can be helpful - check youtube for long-playing versions (search for anti-anxiety or some such)

- lavendar essential oil is calming

- clean up any clutter and keep it at bay

- utilize color therapy (ie wear and surround yourself with blues/lavendars, stay away from reds)

- the blue sky reduces heartrate (if cloudy - google a pict or visualize)

- positive affirmations (i am calm, i am safe, I'm grateful that I feel at ease, etc)

I know there are other things but this is what comes to mind. Search this forum as this has come up before. Hope that helps and they find real relief soon.

Re: ? about severe anxiety

Tori3569 — Mon, 13 May 2024 21:11:30 GMT

I forgot to add something else I've found that helps me. Remembered after reading @ThinkingOutLoud 's post. I have been using Osea Vagus Nerve Oil for about a year. I just take a few drops in my fingers, inhale and rub on my temples. Not a cure all but does help.

Re: ? about severe anxiety

Kachina624 — Mon, 13 May 2024 21:13:50 GMT

@wagirl. Some family member probably needs to express concerns to her doctor and let/him steer her toward the help she needs.

Re: ? about severe anxiety

Jannygaz — Mon, 13 May 2024 21:31:54 GMT

I have dealt with "generalized anxiety disorder" since I went through menopause about 20 years ago. I have done therapy, meditation, eating right and all that is recommended. However, I also needed medication. First time around I used Paxil with great success. After 5 years, the anxiety/panic attacks went away. I was able to get off the meds. During the pandemic, it came roaring back. Why I thought I would get through a worldwide pandemic without my anxiety returned is beyond me. I am back I. Therapy and doing all the right things and am taking lexapro. It's really done the trick. My guess is that she may need medication

Re: ? about severe anxiety

Puppy Lips — Mon, 13 May 2024 21:35:32 GMT

I have a son who started to have panic attacks about 10 years ago. He finally sought help and was put on some medication. At first he had trouble sleeping when he was on them. I guess he got over that and his medication was upped a few times. Fast forward to over a year ago. He ran out (because he never plans ahead) and decided to just go off them all together. He really did not like how they made him feel. He was doing really well for awhile Then, a few months ago, he had a really bad panic attack, one that felt very different. He actually thought he was dying. His friends took him to the emergency room. Our son told them to call us, his parents, but they didn't (for which I scolded them about). Anyway, they did a bunch of expensive tests, which yielded nothing but a huge bill.

When my son was in therapy, the lady told him this kind of thing is hereditary, but we know of no other relatives that deal with this. We did not know much about it. He still won't go back on meds, and I am okay with that. Who knows what years on those drugs will do to you. But having a panic attack is no picnic either.

So sorry your relative is going through this. It is way more common than you think. Hope she feels better soon.

Re: ? about severe anxiety

paixmcdao — Mon, 13 May 2024 21:53:07 GMT

@wagirl wrote:
I was wondering if anyone here has dealt with severe anxiety. I have a relative that is going thru such an awful time with it ----I don't know much about it other than using google for some info. She is going thru therapy once a week but from what I witnessed recently, she needs way more than therapy!! Not looking for "cures" just what type of intervention there is--I need to see if I can steer her toward something. Feel just awful that I can't do more than be a shoulder to cry on.

Does she feel that something more is needed?

Re: ? about severe anxiety

2sisters — Mon, 13 May 2024 22:02:49 GMT

If she is in therapy it's up to her and her therapist to see if something more is needed. I think you being there to understand and be a shoulder for her to cry on does help tremendously! Speaking from experience that does a world of good for her.

Re: ? about severe anxiety

KLm — Mon, 13 May 2024 22:03:39 GMT

For the last three years I have used an Apollo Neuro. You will have to google it to find info on it b/c sometimes I think I'm the only person who knows about it. I think they also do the oura ring, but I don't have one of those.

Despite the cost, I have benefitted from my Apollo. I'm not diagnosed with anxiety, but I don't really have to be to recognize some of the symptoms. I don't participate in the Apollo Vibes sessions, only the free modes that come with the Apollo. Right now I am running calm 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the evening/night.

I describe the benefit this way: before I found Apollo I had a running undercurrent of feeling ill at ease, like something was about to happen, but I could not tell you why I felt that way. Soon after beginning with my Apollo, I no longer felt that undercurrent.

The Apollo works with the parasympathetic nervous system, so that it "communicates" through different vibrations/modes to "settle" (I guess) issues with the nervous system that we are not consciously aware of.

I suggest this as an aid. Not as a substitute for medical intervention when necessary. A tool. It has worked for me. I'm dedicated to its use.

Re: ? about severe anxiety

Tori3569 — Mon, 13 May 2024 22:45:39 GMT

@KLm, Very interesting. I'm going to look this up. Thanks

Re: ? about severe anxiety

NYCLatinaMe — Mon, 13 May 2024 23:47:57 GMT

@KLm Never heard of Apollo Neuro before and I am intrigued. Do you do this first thing in the morning? Does it put you back to sleep? Is it a wrist piece of equipment?

Thanks for sharing!

Re: ? about severe anxiety

limeade — Tue, 14 May 2024 00:05:35 GMT

Medication can make a big difference and also diet can play a huge part. Eliminating sugar and other empty carbohydrates can help a lot. Also cognitive therapy to help keep the attacks from escalating. Good old fashioned Claire Weekes books are still great resources.

Re: ? about severe anxiety

sheetsheba — Tue, 14 May 2024 01:41:11 GMT

Severe anxiety is horrible to go through. Several years ago I had an anxiety attack at work (work load of two positions with no help). I thought I was having a stroke, it was very scarey. I was put on Paxil which ended the attacks. A couple years later I switched to Zoloft. After I retired I tried to taper off of Zoloft but after a few months I was suddenly in a state of deep depression. Needless to say I started back on the medication again. I was never referred for any counseling by anyone.

Re: ? about severe anxiety

KLm — Tue, 14 May 2024 04:59:14 GMT

@NYCLatinaMe I use it throughout the day. As I remember to turn it on. Or if I need to switch between the modes. For example, if I am feeling stressed and I need to switch to the calm mode. The app is on my ipad, and it also has buttons on the device that I use to restart it if I am away from my ipad.

I usually don't sleep with it on although I have. Part of their claim is that it increases your sleep and its quality. The "vibes" that I mentioned (I don't use them; that is an extra fee) supposedly helps you get back to sleep if you wake during the night.

Minimum 90 minutes/day, 90 minutes/night. For me it is easier to run in hourly sessions, 2 in the AM and 2 in the PM. I only run the energy mode for 30 minutes at a time.

It really is worth looking into. I may not have delved into a use that would benefit someone else b/c this thread focused on anxiety. The modes are: energy, social, focus, recover, calm, unwind, and sleep. Right now they have a Good morning Vibe and a good evening vibe, which they call smartvibes.

From the app: "Sleep is the underpinning of good mental health and is a big part of your benefits score. Playing Apollo Vibes during the day is essential to getting good sleep at night, and playing Apollo Vibes to unwind and fall asleep will help you restore your body and wake up rested and refreshed."

I am a customer, not a rep or anything. I wear it most often on my wrist but sometimes on my ankle. It is a rectangular device on a velcro strap.

Re: ? about severe anxiety

KLm — Tue, 14 May 2024 05:01:26 GMT

@Tori3569 I hope you find it interesting. I think their main claims are sleep improvement, but the thing I personally noticed is what I described in my first post about it. Just a reduction in that tense feeling I continually had.

Re: ? about severe anxiety

CalminHeart — Tue, 14 May 2024 11:33:05 GMT

@wagirl wrote:
I was wondering if anyone here has dealt with severe anxiety. I have a relative that is going thru such an awful time with it ----I don't know much about it other than using google for some info. She is going thru therapy once a week but from what I witnessed recently, she needs way more than therapy!! Not looking for "cures" just what type of intervention there is--I need to see if I can steer her toward something. Feel just awful that I can't do more than be a shoulder to cry on.

Anxiety is horrible and she needs to get it under control or it'll ruin her life.

Step 1. She needs to see her doctor asap. There is nothing wrong with anti-depressants or anti-anxiety meds. There are a lot of options. Avoid the scheduled/addictive meds. I'd rather take medication and be normal/enjoy life than not take meds and suffer.

Step 2. Then she needs some therapy, preferably with with a counselor who uses EMDR therapy. EMDR is excellent. It uses both sides of the brain vs only talking which uses just one side of the brain.

You can't fix anything. You can suggest things but if she doesn't do it, you have to decide if you can handle being her shoulder. Don't let it take over your life.

Re: ? about severe anxiety

wagirl — Tue, 14 May 2024 14:15:41 GMT

@paixmcdao ---From what I can understand----coming from her mom---there was a recent event that put her into a tailspin---she is prone to panic attacks anyway and also has heart palps that are not life threatening but can be a nusiance--she doesn't sleep well if at all--which to me is a huge part of all this---must be a family thing--I sleep horribly too. She has had a few meds prescribed but they make the heart issue worse and that increases her panic attacks. Mom is at her wits end from not knowing what to do--so I am stepping in to help. I will try to suggest things---and will do some research, but in my mind---I think someone like a clinical physcologist is what she needs--she needs someone who deals with meds more so than her primary or therapist. I can only suggest---She only feels like a complete failure at this point---so nothing truly gets into her brain except misery. Action is needed!! Will try to help. She is close family--I need to help.

Re: ? about severe anxiety

ECBG — Tue, 14 May 2024 14:26:48 GMT

Anxiety can have a host of different causes. But no matter the cause, anxiety changes the chemistry of your brain. One of the issues that many people with anxiety have in common is that they tend to suffer from low levels of the neurotransmitter, serotonin. Some people have a genetic predisposition to this.

Serotonin is the feel good chemical.

Many times it has to be taken chemically.

Re: ? about severe anxiety

wagirl — Tue, 14 May 2024 15:56:55 GMT

@ECBG --yes there is family history of mental disease--the grandmother suffered from it and from what I hear so did a close cousin. Am trying to glean as much info as I can without being too pushy.