Managing Your Anxiety - How to Manage Your Anxiety

Written by HealthyPlace.com Staff Writer

David: Here's another comment from a long-time sufferer:

ogramare: I would have to disagree. I have had severe anxiety disorders for 55 years and there is no one near where I live that offers the kind of treatment you are proposing. The only thing that has given me a measure of relief is finally finding some anxiety medications that help----but I do feel that it is now a little late in life to ever get well. Some of the treatments for anxiety have been worse than the disease.

David: On the other side, here are some positive audience comments regarding recovery from anxiety and panic attacks, so everyone knows that it is possible:

kappy123: I am currently in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) seems to be working and I feel better.

cosset: After 8 or so years of panic overpowering me, I've gotten mad at the attacks, and I tell them, "go ahead, panic, go ahead die in the panic.. I am still going in Kmart" :) It's worked so far, but I am sure I still have a way to go to become panic free.

Dr. Carbonell: Cosset, I think what really helps in what you're saying is that you've stopped trying to protect yourself. When you accept the panic, you start getting better.

Neecy_68: I have been on anti-anxiety medications for two years. Is it harmful to use them for long periods of time? I am scared to go off. I am afraid I will have worse panic attacks than before I was on the anxiety medications.

Dr. Carbonell: You should really develop a plan with the physician who prescribes them. Don't stop taking them on your own. As to long-term effects, it depends on the medication.

kappy123: Birth control pills made my anxiety/panic worse is this possible?

Dr. Carbonell: Yes.

David: Here is information on specific anti-anxiety medications and their side effects.

Lexio: Birth control pills brought on my anxiety and panic after 10 years of being panic free.

David: Here are some of the things that have worked for audience members in relieving their panic and anxiety:

SaMatter: I try to hypnotize myself through an intense/in-depth thought or daydreaming type of situation. I have also been trying to imagine something I really like when they come on. No matter how irrational that thought may be.

linda_tx: I have done self help tapes for anxiety. After six weeks into the tapes, I was out of my house again.

camilarae: One good solution to controlling the panic is to remember and learn how to breath correctly.

codequeen: The most helpful solution I've found to anxiety, for me, is to read or watch something funny, such as, comic strips, Dave Barry columns, and Marx Brothers movies work best for me.

angel3171: Relaxation tape with guided imagery has helped me along with deep breathing.

Dr. Carbonell: It still amazes me, after many years of practice, how powerful the breathing is. And humor is great!

David: Here's another audience question:

nino123: I am new to this kind of chat and I would like to ask why it is said that panic attacks only last approx 10 minutes. Mine can last 2 to 3 days?

Dr. Carbonell: Nino, I would guess that what's happening is that you're having numerous panic attacks during that time period, rather than one uninterrupted attack. This is often what I find when I review this carefully with clients.

David: I am getting some general questions about what is anxiety and the diagnosis for it. We have a lot of excellent information on our site in the HealthyPlace.com Anxiety-Panic Community. Look under "sites" and "conference transcripts."

wildchic: I get nervous when my family travels far. How do I handle this?

Dr. Carbonell: You mean, when they leave you home alone?

David: No, when she travels with them? I suppose she has a safety zone that she feels comfortable in.

Dr. Carbonell: You could look at what precisely you fear as a result of being away. Many people, for instance, get focused on knowing where a hospital is, thinking that they may have some medical emergency as a result of anxiety. Others just have this sense that they might feel like they have to get home "right away", and they won't be able to.

But in general, fears of this type don't indicate an actual danger. They indicate panic, which needs to be addressed by accepting, and coping with, the symptoms themselves. And it will make a difference if your family is understanding of these fears.

David: We have quite a few people tonight, Dr. Carbonell, who are apparently affected by travel:

codequeen: On the same note...I'm attending college, and I always get very anxious every time I leave my family (I'm fine once I get settled in). It's gotten better since I started taking meds but it's still a problem. How would you suggest dealing with this?

Dr. Carbonell: Notice that what you're describing here is anticipatory anxiety. You're fine once you get settled in. Many people forget this aspect of anticipation, and think that, "if I'm this anxious now, how much worse will it be when I get there!" So it will help to remind yourself that this anticipation is the high point of the anxiety - it will only go down from here.

David: Here are some more helpful recovery tips from the audience:

Ken36: My favorite is to keep reminding myself that it's just a physical feeling, and try not to label it at all. I still feel the physical feelings but they pass quicker if I don't find something to blame the physical pains on. It separates me from the problem.

SaMatter: A tip I use is to let people know that I am experiencing a panic attack. Most people are sympathetic.

Another tip I've found that helps, is know yourself, and what situations can aggravate or instigate the attacks, and plan around them. Give yourself an "out".