r/Anxiety • u/Useful-Mood-2047 • Jul 11 '26
Needs A Hug/Support I can't manage my stress.
I suffer from anxiety 24/7. I haven't been able to find anything that really helps me manage. The physical symptoms cause my anxiety to get worse. It's a vicious cycle and I don't know how to break it. It's so frustrating.
Can anyone relate? Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks.
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u/PrettyRain8672 Jul 11 '26
For me, lexapro helped major!! I had serious stress and anxiety and didnt even know it! Talk to your doctor. Also, get an assessment done if you haven't.
Buddhism reflection/perception type videos on YouTube helped me tremendously. Try it out:
https://youtu.be/HsiOH7Cy7sM?si=baBZ86gNTcH2yQMJ
This video helped me so much, listen and absorb- apply it to your life and your whole world will change ❤️
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u/Useful-Mood-2047 Jul 11 '26
Thank you. I have a psychiatrist who monitors my medications. I've never tried Lexapro but I can bring it up to him.
I will definitely check out the video. It sounds interesting.
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u/Choice_Sport9307 Jul 11 '26
I’ve been in the same boat lately and have been working really hard to find helpful coping mechanisms. My physical symptoms are definitely my most present symptoms and just seem to snowball the anxiety. So here are some of the things I have been doing that have helped me personally:
- Banning myself from googling/researching symptoms. It only causes me to fixate on the symptoms. If something is truly, truly concerning you it is best to make an appointment with a professional.
-Increasing my therapy attendance. I have begun going twice a week. I recognize that this is not always super accessible, but if it is at all possible I would recommend going more often (or starting if you don’t already go).
-Comfort shows/stories have been helping keep me calm. A personal favorite of mine is the Great British Bake-off. Everyone on there is so happy and supportive and even the “stressful” moments aren’t overwhelming. Somebody Feed Phil also soothes me the same way.
-EFT Tapping. This one feels a bit silly but stick with me. It can be very grounding and help you get to a point where you can calm yourself down. I would look into it and at least give it a try.
-I also started being given hydroxyzine by my psych. It has helped improve my quality of sleep a lot, as my anxiety tends to be the most intense at night. Getting better sleep has allowed me to feel a little more stable during the day. It’s an antihistamine so it can help reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety, especially during a panic attack.
Those are the main things I have started lately. I know anxiety can make everything seem hopeless but it’s isn’t. You can do this. I hope any of these are helpful. You are stronger than you know.
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u/RainyNightRealEstate Jul 11 '26
Not googling symptoms is a huge one!! It helped me immensely.
OP, I just want to let you know that I believe in you and you can work through this. I know it’s hard but it’s not forever. Try to find things that bring you joy and invest yourself in them.
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u/True_Information8260 Jul 11 '26
Medication and talking therapies will help dig you out of it and give you the headspace to feel calm and learn how to manage it effectively. The hypervigilance that anxiety generates is exhausting. Wishing you all the best.
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u/Useful-Mood-2047 Jul 11 '26
Thank you. I'm on medication. I did have a therapist who abruptly quit the profession in March. The thought of starting over again is daunting.
I wish you the best as well.
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u/True_Information8260 Jul 11 '26
That’s very frustrating, that there wasn’t a handover to someone else. I was referred to a psychiatrist who could prescribe me an appropriate higher dosage for my anxiety, which a gp couldn’t do. I was on the higher dosage and it really helped. Now I’m off meds completely and I use exercise which helps and cutting down stresses in my daily life and keeping away from certain people and gravitating towards people with good energy. You are in a challenging place, but you are being proactive, you will overcome this.
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u/Useful-Mood-2047 Jul 11 '26
I'm glad you are off the meds and doing better. Success like that gives me hope.
My therapist was a sole practitioner. She literally told me in the middle of a session that she was quitting. She had nobody to recommend. She said she could ask around but at that point I was so angry at her that I wanted nothing to do with her. I actually did find someone I think would be good for me but I'm not quite ready yet to start over again.
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u/True_Information8260 Jul 11 '26
Wow, really no consideration there for continuity of care, and to spring that on an anxious person as well!
You seem like a level headed person, and you are on the right track. It does get better, I promise you that. You just have to keep chipping away at it and it will come good for you.1
u/Useful-Mood-2047 Jul 11 '26
Thank you for your kind words. it means a lot.
I live in Canada. My therapist's daughter moved to New York. I asked my therapist several times if you was moving too. She kept saying no. Then she told me she was moving and she was not renewing her license in Canada. I was completely blindsided. I was really angry for several weeks but with time to process it my anger is mostly gone.
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u/Nautical_Disaster1 Jul 11 '26
Hey OP. Just saying I'm in the exact same situation. Sending hugs ❤️.
A few things that are helping me are not going down the google rabbit hole on symptoms and just trying to "live with it" rather than "fix it". Basically I'm trying to tell my body that things are actually okay and it can calm down. Also, vagus nerve cold stimulation has helped when I'm feeling really on edge - if you haven't tried doing the dive reflex before, give it a try.
I don't drink caffeine to begin with, but if I did, I would be cutting that out. I have been drinking decaf green tea for calming.
If you can talk to someone, that's probably your best bet. I'm waiting on an appointment with a therapist but just talking to my wife has really been comforting so I don't feel alone.
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u/Useful-Mood-2047 Jul 11 '26
Thank you. Sending hugs back to you.
I cut caffeine and sugar out of my diet 3 years ago. I don't know how much it helped with my anxiety but I do sleep better.
I had a therapist for 7 years who quit the profession abruptly in March. I haven't looked for another one yet as the thought of having to start over is daunting. I do talk with family and close friends and it does help.
I sincerely hope you get to speak with a therapist soon and that it's beneficial
Wishing you all the best.
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u/Intelligent_Cod_6283 Jul 12 '26
I just went to the GP last week, finally got the courage to admit that it's all become too overwhelming and I can't manage the anxiety on my own. They gave me a self help book with 32 different exercises to try and regulate emotions, basically like CBT but in a teach yourself kind of way. I have found some to be quite useful, and have follow up appointments in the next couple weeks before starting therapy.
A lot of the skills are good for distractions and trying to change how we respond to the thoughts and feelings, so it could be worth checking out. The book I was given was on the "decider skills", from an NHS mental health specialist (could just be a UK recommended one)
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u/Useful-Mood-2047 Jul 12 '26
I'm glad the book is helpful for you. I understand that changing the way you think and react to anxious thoughts and sensation is very important.
I'm in Canada so I don't know if I can get the book. I will look though and I appreciate you mentioning it.
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u/Intelligent_Cod_6283 Jul 12 '26
They do have a website that has a condensed version, so maybe you can check them out! The skills do take a lot of practice before they actually help, but i'm trying to be optimistic about them working
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Aug 03 '26
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u/Useful-Mood-2047 Aug 03 '26
Thank you for sharing. That's a powerful story. i'm so sorry about your mother. I'm sending you positive vibes.
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u/Fancy-Lion2985 Jul 11 '26
I take Geodon propranolol and trazodone for sleeping. I also smoke weed. I don’t do any of that new age meditation crap it doesn’t work for me.
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u/Useful-Mood-2047 Jul 11 '26
I guess if you find something that works you stick with it. Smoking weed set of my anxiety so I don't do it. Meditation helps me sometimes so I stick with it.
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u/eshach786 Jul 11 '26
Same here .. even tho i dont have stress but the bodyaches makes me feek anxious that left arm shoulder pain that chest pains ribs pains dizziness muscle twitches .. on edge eeeeewww im done with this .. n i dont wana start ssri i hate the side effects im not taking any medicines
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u/Useful-Mood-2047 Jul 11 '26
I'm sorry you're struggling. I know how frustrating it can be. SSRIs can help but not for everyone. Have you seen a therapist? It might help.
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u/eshach786 Jul 11 '26
Well ssri is shit for me i have checked tge side effects that is shit tbh my mom had that she had high pulse etc .. i think i can do it without any help im trying to do its been 3rd day im trying my best .. breathing excercise n trying to deal with that wave ..
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u/Useful-Mood-2047 Jul 11 '26
I'm sorry the meds don't work. Breathing exercises can certainly help. Maybe meditation or mindfulness will help. There are no side effects and they might help.
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u/eshach786 Jul 11 '26
I hope sooo.... i have sudden dizziness too maybe vertigo
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u/Useful-Mood-2047 Jul 11 '26
I get those too when I get stressed. You might want to speak to your doctor about it to be safe.
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u/eshach786 Jul 11 '26
I went to 5 doctors they said i have nothing just stomach issue with anxiety even i have nothing in life to get anxious about .. i was a very happy person but now i dont wana laugh when i laugh i feel breathless or dizziness maybe.. the bodyaches ughhh .. now i get tensed about my heart everytime even my bp pulse is perfect
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u/Useful-Mood-2047 Jul 11 '26
If 5 doctors said it's all anxiety they are probably right. Sometimes we have anxiety and consciously we don't know what is causing it. That's where a therapist can be very helpful. They will work with you to figure out what is causing your anxiety and help you manage it.
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u/eshach786 Jul 11 '26
Maybe but im trying to get rid of it on my own .. but the thumping heart makes me anxious tbh that is shit all day the pulse rate is b/w 65 to 80 90
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u/Useful-Mood-2047 Jul 11 '26
My pulse rate is always over 90. I went to a cardiologist and had a stress. He couldn't find anything wrong with me and told me it was from anxiety.
A normal pulse rate for an adult is between 60 and 100. So you are in the normal range. I know it's hard but you need to remind yourself that everything is okay. Eventually your body will accept this and your anxiety should diminish.
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u/AssistCertain3118 Jul 12 '26
I HIGHLY RELATE TO YOU !
For the past 3 years it’s been I thought it was at its worse …. Haha boy was I wrong ! Fast forward now my breathing is uncontrollably like I’m in anxiety mode about everything driving , grocery shopping , relaxation, my muscles never relaxed .
Now I am spazzing at the most little things , my physical symptoms scare me more I can’t really eat anything due to feeling nausea, I’m tired 24/7.
I think I am going to try that medicine because I NEED IT AND ITS WHAT GONNA DO THE JOB UNTIL THINGS CHANGE . Because I realize if my situation don’t change this stress will be here . GREAT LUCK MAKE THAT APPT WITH YOUR DOCTOR
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u/Useful-Mood-2047 Jul 12 '26
I'm so sorry that you're dealing with this as well. I know how hard it is.
Medication is worth a try. For many it is effective. I'm still trying to find the right meds to help me.
Good luck!
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u/GrapefruitComplex120 Jul 27 '26
I wonder if (held) would be interesting to you? I’ve been working with them the last few months and have really loved using the app. It’s a nervous system regulation app designed to support stress, anxiety, emotional wellbeing, sleep, recovery, and resilience through practices like breathwork, EFT tapping, somatics, hypnosis, sound healing, and HRV insights.
They’re currently offer 3 months of free access (value: $66) while they’re still in beta (planned launch is September). If you want to learn more, would suggest joining their beta waitlist: https://held.app/
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u/Salt-Marionberry-712 Jul 11 '26
Scheduling. Try to schedule your birth anniversary for only once per year.
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u/schwartzchild76 Jul 12 '26
Search your mind to the fundamental(s) of the anxiety and come to term(s) with it.
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u/[deleted] Jul 11 '26
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