What are the ways to fight an anxiety except by medicating yourself?
483047
Taking a B-complex vitamin is a good remedy for stress/anxiety.  I don't know whether you consider vitamins and supplements "medicating yourself."  I've also found that finding a task/hobby/activity to really concentrate on is helpful -- relieves you of all of that scary free time when your mind can roam to painful memories.  Try origami -- no joke.  It's good because it makes you use your mind and your hands and requires a lot of focus.  Good luck.
774069
Christine, first you must know what is the root cause of your anxiety/panic attacks.   I agree with you that drugs will only mask the root cause and will not resolve the root cause that is still inside of you.    \n\nThere is what is know as "anticipatory", reaction to anxiety.   When you feel an anxiety attack coming on you must do everything in your power to not allow the cause of the anxiety to take over your entire body.  If this happens then you will have a full blown panic attack.   \n\nWhen you feel anxious or a panic attack coming on, your very first action is to try and think of someting beautlful, or do Yoga breathing exercise.. (Just breath through your nose, taking in as much air as you can hold).  Don't allow the the stomach muscles to force the air out.  You want to control the air by letting it out as slow as possible through your mouth.   \n\nPractice this Yoga breathing exercise at home, so that you will get in the habit of doing it right.  (Usualy two or three max., taking in all the air you can through your nose & letting it out very slow through your mouth will make you feel very relaxed.  \n\nI do it myself.  An it works 100%.    \n\nA phobia of any kind, requires behavior modification, reality therapy or hypnosis.  (If say you have been through therapy an it is obvious it did not work for you).   \n\nYou must be conditioning your mind, with your social phobia, becasue you say that is getting better.  (This means that you must be exposing yourself little by little with being around people.\n\nNow you will have to try and find out why your panic attacks are increasing.  As soon as you feel a panic attack coming on look around yourself, or think of what it is that is own your mind at that monent..  (Perhaps what is around you or what is on your mind at that given moment may be the cause of the panic attack).  \n\nThen if you find the cause, you will need to find an alternative solution to resolve the problem.  This is what I do for my patients.   I find out the root cause an I never tell them what they must do.  I provide them with many alternative solutions and they must pick which one is best for them.  If they ask me about the choice, I can tell them what is the light at the end of the tunnel.\n\nWish you all the best, as panic attacks are no fun.  Plus I am proud of you that you will not let any psychiatrist put you on a controlled substance like Aprazolam, Tafil or Xanax. (All the same drug).  Names depends on what country you reside in.\n\nClinical Psychiatrist, France\n\nExcuse my english
801214
Ask your general practice doctor for a script for a couple mild sedatives.  I have a friend who's in essentially the same situation, and it's worked well for her.  Otherwise, a small dose of an anti-anxiety med may just do the trick, also.  Make sure you let your MD know what it's for, as he/she may have an even better solution.  :)  Although... I work in a hospital where exams/dental work done under general anesthesia isn't completely uncommon, so you're definitely not alone in your dilemma!  you should try and go before you wind up with a lot of work that needs to be done, though!  Good Luck!
1131919
Concentrate on your breathing.  If you start to panic, just start thinking slowly about your breathing, breath in and out again, and in, and out, do this slowly, don't take huge breaths or fast breaths, just in and out.  Then think of something happy, something that you enjoy, do NOT concentrate on what you are panicking about, say if you are anxious because of all the people, don't sit and stare at them, or think about them at all.  If you have to, go into the bathroom and imagine that you are somewhere else, vedge out for a minute until your nerves get calm again.  \n\nI would also suggest talking to a doctor, they can prescribe medicines that you can take when you first get that panicky feeling, or even before you get into a situation that you know you may feel anxious about.  This stuff has worked for me, I have found that I can breathe my way through just about any panic attack, I haven't had one in about seven months now.  Try it, and seriously, talk to your doctor.
976822
Been there. Breathe and remember that it will pass. \nI usually have to throw up to get past an anxiety attack. \nTake an antihistamine. It should help the anxiety for the time being.\n\n Then get yourself some medication.\n\nPraying works by keeping you occupied until your body can get back to normal. You could recite poetry or a speech if you don't know any prayers.
193390
I suffer aswell..ive tried loads of things. I have refused to go on tablets because they only help the symptoms of the attacks, not the root cause of them.\nIts taken me five years to talk about it with someone. I have gone 3 times to a hypnotherapist / psychotherapist and it has really helped. Ive found out why I feel like this. Im learning what triggers the attacks and the hypnotherapy is helping me to change how i think about myself etc.\nExercise is vital really to managing them. Going for walks and all..it helps the anxiety to subside.\nIve cut out sugar and coffee in my diet aswell, these things kind of make anxiety worse. its true that food has an effect on your mind and body.\nAnyway....if you want to talk then you can pm me or mail me cos i know what youre going through.
736629
Chat with your doctors and or hospital.  I go to a free stress class to help with depression, anxiety, and stress.  I have had a heart attack.  Also you might want to contact a threapist for one on one threapy.  I am also happy to be alive and not feeling depressed.
1164349
"FRIENDS" trust me friends are the main source to fight anxiety. My medicine is the care of my friends. I feel relaxed when i pass my time with my friends i share with them make jokes go out for walk even when i have no money. By this i shift my attention from worries to happiness.\nTrust me u don't need any medicine u just need care, love to cope anxiety. Share with ur friends ur worries or they will eat ur brain. "TRUST" well u have to trust someone. See how much care and love u have, u have just posted a question and got many answers. Everyone is bussy but they spare their time to answer ur question it mean they care about u they love u...isn't it ?? Then why depression?? \nOk let me have an offer for everyone who need... Don't have friend or love or care ?? Share with me i will try to give them all.\nNow be HAPPY like this -------> :)
945069
Your words are exactly what I am dealing with myself. However, I have been self-medicating with alcohol to deal with this anxiety for over 10 years and I now have a serious problem. I thought I would never overdo it but I have as time has gone by ... I am now seeking treatment and wish that I would have pursued other options for my problem. A therapist of mine had great words ... medication - no matter in what form only covers up the underlying problem. Working through the problem and understanding it is the only answer.
409991
I get anxiety attacks all the time, and I refuse to take medication for it, so I started going to a counselor for it. Here's what she told me... and it works really well.  Every night before you go to bed (or once a day) relax your whole body.  Start at your neck/shoulders and work your way down to your toes.  First, tense up your muscles for 5 seconds, and then relax for 5 seconds, breathing deeply throught the whole thing.  Do each body part seperately.  If you do this every day for 30 days you will automatically start doing it.  So then every time you get an anxiety attack,  instead of freaking out and tensing up,  your body will relax and you'll stay more calm.
340989
If you are taking any medication prescribed to you, continue taking the meds as the doctor told you, time is very important when taking them. The best way for you to get rid of your anxiety is to take 30 minutes everyday and do breathing exercises, if you don't know how to do it: Sit in a silent and relaxed place and relax your entire body, first close your eyes and think of a place that you would like to be, and star breathing, inhale all the air and fill up your longs as much as you can, then exhale slowly and repeat it at least 10 times, it will take about 20 minutes then you have 10 minutes to relax and just stay sited - NEVER TRY TO DO TWO OR 10 THINGS AT THE SAME TIME - and trust me no one is following you, and remember: THE ONLY POWER IS WITHIN YOUR MIND, BODY AND SOUL, YOU ARE THE CONTROLLER. - PLEASE FEEN FREE RO SEND ME MESSAGES IF YOU NEED HELP!
774405
Something is causing your anxiety.  Speak to your doctor.  Medical or mental, help is available.
101822
It is impossible to "get rid" of all anxiety. And it wouldn't be good to do so. Normal anxiety is a way we can tell when something isn't quite right. It is a problem if your anxiety is so high it impairs you from living your life. If this is the case, talk to a counselor who can help you learn more about the triggers for your anxiety and how to cope. Good luck!
39744
I had mine treated with hypnosis and relaxation techniques.  Many things can trigger an attack but by learning how to relax and by using breathing exercises will help.  Counselling will help in addressing the issues which bring on the attack and learning how to deal with it.
793706
Meditation....sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes and take slow deep breaths in through your nose and out your mouth.\nOne of my favorite CDs  to play @ the same time is David Lynch\n"Deep Breakfast".\nAlso...keep repeating affirmations @ the same time over and over again. If your looking @ medication, an anti anxiety drug is a solution also
630612
Don't go for any medication cos that will just mess up with your body. Think positively, act positively. Take deep breath, exhale slowly before you do anything. Negative thoughts can ruin your day and the people around you. Most of these negative thoughts are your beliefs and it will bring your morale down, and ultimately make you feel edgy and impatient.
158244
I had anxiety problems once in awhile and I just told a doctor. He gave me medication for any time the feeling accured. I also learned that when I had anxiety attacks, which wasnt often, to breathe in a paper bag for awhile. The carbon dioxide you breathe in, with less oxyagen in you system calms you down. Hope I helped you out. advise, see a doctor for sure.