(03-09-2016, 09:59 AM)MBajihri Wrote: Has anyone overcome this, or at least gotten to a point where you can function fully and push it aside?Â
I wouldn't say I'm anywhere close to "overcome", but I've at least gotten to a point where it is somewhat manageable except at the worst of the worst times. Â
I was diagnosed with Leukemia when I was 4, and through a combination of chemical imbalances, side-effects of treatments, stressful situations, an EXTREMELY bigoted and self-absorbed family and other things, I've pretty much been dealing with severe anxiety for 30+ years. Â Not fun, not fun at all. Â
And nothing aggravates me more than the "Get over it" mindset some people have. Â Do they think we WANT to be like this?!!?!
I have been on and off medications for years, but it is touch and go. Â When a medication stops helping, I get scared because I've had some REALLY bad reactions to some anti-anxiety meds and I am terrified history is going to repeat itself while searching for a new one. Â This last time was fairly lucky since I only had to try two before the third one worked without any major side effects (an occasional vivid nightmare, a little nausea and a minor migraine once or twice a month, but otherwise works fairly well).
Most of my management techniques are silly or sound pretty stupid, but they work for me.
One is something I learned from a kid I knew going through treatments for cancer at the same time I was.  She had a "lucky charm" of sorts that she imagined helped keep her safe.  I adapted a similar technique using my (of all things) DC Comics Lantern Rings.  I'll hold one or slip one on my finger, close my eyes, do my breathing exercises and envision a bubble of light energy surrounding me, protecting me from whatever.  If I've forgotten my rings, I'll start chanting the Sith code (because Jedi are scum) (out loud when alone, silently in public) and imagining I'm gaining power and strength from The Dark Side of The Force.  I know it is ridiculous (and before anyone asks, YES, I know they aren't real), but it works for me.
Sometimes I use a distraction, like watching a comedy, fantasy or sci-fi movie or TV show, reading a novel, playing a video game or some other thing that can help me not focus on the anxiety. Â Other times, I start writing. Â If I focus on something else intensely, it can help the anxiety come down or go away since I'm "ignoring" it (imprecise term, but hopefully you get the idea).
I just hope anyone else with anxiety issues finds something that works for them. Â Doesn't matter how silly it might sound to others, if it works for you, it works for you.
