How to Get a Grip on Anxiety

Therapy/Counseling is nothing to be ashamed about! It's perfectly healthy to talk to someone every now and then. I would get an appointment ASAP.

My mother had anxiety for years and was very resistant to tell her doctor about it. She is also very resistant to taking medication.

My siblings and I wrote a letter to her doctor without my mother knowing (I know, we're sneaky) to let her know we had concerns.

My mother was relieved to have the doctor help her - she gave her some medication to take every day (she actually takes her 1/2 pill at night, so she can sleep because her worries were keeping her up) and her life has changed so much. She takes an exercise class, learned how to relax, knows how to let go .. she is so much happier and enjoying life. We wished we'd gone to her doctor so much earlier.

I sometimes get anxious, especially over one child I have, and I've had to learn to let go of feeling responsible for him at all times - he's just as capable as my other kids, but I'm overprotective of him. In my case, I'm able to just remind myself before I go too far, and my son will remind me too - I've been told to "take a chill pill mom".

A good friend of mine just went on anxiety meds just to get a grip on her life - and once she has control (she's going through a nasty divorce) - she hopes to learn how to better manage it, and wean herself off the meds. My husband was the same - went on the meds just so he could cope, then made changes in his life. In his case, he had to get to a good place to be able to deal with his family who were quite dysfunctional. Once he dealt with them, he weaned himself off the meds. So sometimes they can just help you deal with things that seem insurmountable.

Good luck :)

I could write quite a bit about this, but generally I just agree with everyone else, therapy works for anxiety. A good therapist will help you with triggers (lack of sleep, nutritional issues, mass media exposure, certain relationships or people, on and on) as well as coping strategies.

Just know that you are very much not alone, and you are aware of your issues and trying to find solutions, whereas many people are not. That is a great first step, IMO.

Wish it were as easy as 'Don't Worry, Be Happy' but some brains aren't wired that way.
If you and your son are having issues then get it treated as a family.

A.

Welcome to mamapedia!!! I'm sorry you are suffering with this.

You need to see your PCP and ask for a referral to a psychiatrist. This isn't something that should just be dealt with with drugs. You need to talk about WHY you have these issues and WHY you can't let things go.

You need to help your son as well. I don't know how old he is, but he needs to learn to deal with things appropriately so that he CAN let go and solve the problem instead of obsess over it.

You can also contact your insurance company and find out what psychiatrists are approved and start calling around and find one that "fits" you. Not all psychiatrists are alike, you will need to find one that works with you, getting to the root of the problem and not just giving you drugs and a pat on the head.

Good luck!!

you absolutely do need to talk to a counselor. you need to have a couple of good reliable tools in your toolbox to which to resort when the negative thought patterns start to take over.
you need this for you son for sure, and for yourself too. we all bequeath negative stuff to our kids, but if they also see us coping it turns a negative into a big positive.
why would medication or a therapist be a 'last resort'? you already know it's having a negative impact on your life and that of your little boy. why the reluctance to get help?
you should speak to your doctor and your pediatrician and get some recommendations on how to proceed.
good luck!
khairete
S.

Sometimes panic/anxiety does not have a root. You may have "triggers" that make it worse, but sometimes it is just faulty wiring in your brain. If this is the case for you, medication will help tremendously. Therapy definitely helps by teaching you coping mechanisms for when anxiety comes on, but medication has helped me remain stable and 99% anxiety free for YEARS.

Please seek therapy for the sake of your family. There are many very helpful books about anxiety, and medication may be in your future, but start with cognitive behavioral therapy.

First of all, stop blaming yourself. This is not something you should just "talk yourself out of" or "just stop doing". This may have a basis in some emotional issue that needs resolving, but it is often a chemical imbalance. This is as real an illness as diabetes, flu or measles. You can't just stop having those either. Nutritional deficiencies play a big role - I found that effective supplementation took care of my depression 95% of the time. I didn't have the anxiety but I have several colleagues who did - some had anxiety and depression, some had panic attacks, some had obsessive thoughts. Some people use medications, some use talk therapy, some use nutritional supplementation, some use relaxation techniques/meditation, some use a combination, shifting the emphasis as they go alone.

There is help, there is hope, you are not alone. It's not something people talk about all the time, but I've been amazed in my work conferences and workshops when people open up about it. No one would have thought I suffered this way. So don't let anyone tell you "it's all you" but don't expect others to just be able to provide the listening or in-depth support you may need.

Exercise.

I have some Alprozolam on hand for when I feel extremely anxious.

You would probably be helped by sone counseling/therapy.
You probably don't need a referral.
Just find a therapist that accepts your healthcare.
Good luck!
(I think the fact that you really recognize the problem is a smart first step!)

My daughter needed to see a therapist to get her anxiety under control. My BFF has taken anxiety meds for years. Both are (for the most part) anxiety free.
I would try therapy first, then medication if that isn't enough. We got therapist referrals from our doctor, and went from there.

I'd talk to the ped first and tell him or her what you've told us. The ped needs to know this about you and your child. That way you and the ped can put together a comprehensive plan to get help for you both. The reason I say you both is because I think that your counselor and the child's counselor should work together.

And yes, your doctor needs to be a part of this. But I think that the ped is very important.

I think the best thing to do is see a psyciatrist.
First they meet with you to talk & discover the issues & the roots of it.
Then if necessary they can prescribe medication.
There's nothing wrong w/ seeking professional help.
It DOES help to talk to a professional.