Anxiety Coping Methods
Do you suffer from anxiety? or Panic Attacks? Share your coping methods here for other to read and try! Anxiety is a horrible mental illness. It is something some of us suffer from on a daily basis (including me) Most people are looking for the help and support they need. and sometimes they check the forums. So this forum is for listeners and members and whoever needs these coping methods. Share your anxiety story and your coping methods here! :)
I had to go to a therapist for the better half of a year, and although she wasn'tan amazing helper, she did teach me a couple of coping techniques for anxiety.
1. There are pressure points at the tips of your fingers and in the skin in between your fingers, if you gently press into the pads of your fingers one by one, and count to ten before releasing them. Do this on all of your fingers and press into your palm for twenty seconds. continue on for your other hand. if you need a more severe result then repeat this on the skin in between your fingers.
2. carry an object that isintricate with you and trace your fingers over the design breathing in and out during the process. start at the bottom right hand corner and start up, then retrace it going backwards.
These may not help for you, but they are keeping me calm when i need it.
Thanks for the great tips :)
I learned the first through self help and my therapist taught me the second. 1) Breathe in, counting to four in your head. Make sure your stomach expands as you breathe in - you can put your hand there to feel. Hold your breath for four seconds, then slowly breathe out. Do this for like four breaths to calm down. 2) Imagine in as vivid detail as you can - sight, sound, smell, taste, touch - a place where you feel safe and calm. Fully immerse yourself in it for a few minutes, perhaps with your eyes closed and breathing deeply (you can combine it with the deep breathing in tip 1). Then, slowly bring your awareness back to your immediate surroundings while still "pulling" the feeling of safety from your mental "safe place" with you. Then open your eyes when ready.
I've had anxiety all my life but I didn't really start to see it as a problem till 4th grade. I would feel panicky and worried about what others were thinking of me constantly. It wasn't I'll last year that I opened up about it andstarted to find ways to cope with it. Now when I feel anxious I take a deep breath and I do whatever it is that scares me. I try to ask question in stores more and every once in awhile I will order my own food. I always feel so proud of myself after wards. A few weeks ago I went into a fast food restaurant and ordered food alone. I felt like I was gonna throw up but I was very proud after ward. So my best advice is to take little steps and try once in awhile to do the things that scare you, because it really boosts your confidence.
