Hi l2at24

i have anxiety constantly (mine is from adderall abuse, I am assuming yours is natural). Whatever the cause, bigman is right that excercise like a nice, clam walk outside can help because it releases endorphins which make you happy and calm you down. However I don't think that a gym bike is a good idea because anxiety causes chest pains and heart palpitations so raising your heart rate (especially in the midst of an attack) is very dangerous. You have to find something that calms you, so fresh air can definitely help you breathe and walking can relax your muscles and ease the constriction. But you need to identify the cause of your anxiety. Does it happen when you are in a confined space or in an open outdoor area? Maybe in a public or crowded setting? Maybe only under certain situations or during certain times of day? Jot down every time you start to panic and look at the pattern. Then you can find a solution by removing youself from that situation/place or at least minimize the impact of the anxiety by immediately doing something that calms you down. Some people need to close their eyes, lower their head between their knees and breathe, counting as you inhale/exhale. Some people need to call a friend they find comfort in. Its very personal and many people have bizarre little rituals to stop a mounting attack. Personally, I need to turn on music or the tv or call a friend, b/c for me anxiety hits mostly at night when i'm alone and its quiet. So noise is a distraction that drowns out the panic. You may feel different. Whatever your situation you need to figure it out, b/c anxiety can be very dangerous to your physical, mental, and emotional health. If it is severe/invasive to the point of interfering with your daily life, you may want to see a doctor and perhaps get medication for it. Hope all is well...Post progress!

It seems like it just happens out of the blue. Different times and situations. I think because it scares me, and I keep thinking something is wrong it makes me more anxious. I went to the doctor and had an ekg done. Everything was fine and he recommended exercise for anxiety also. Thanks so much for all the advice.

I just want to suggest not to go only based on a clear ekg result. I had an ekg and it came out fine this summer, but my body was under stress and I kept fainting and having chest pains and anxiety. So be careful...Doctors don't always know what they're doing as sad as that is. Another example- I went to 3 doctors who all said the painful lump that randomly appeared in my breast was just normal breast tissue and to leave it alone, and only the 4th doctor saw it was a cyst that needed to be drained...And they had all done freakin cat scans and mamograms and everything...You never know- get a second third and fourth opinion- if you feel there is something wrong with your health don't let a medical diploma on the wall convince you you're paranoid. Like that saying goes: what do you call a doctor who graduated at the bottom of his class? A doctor.

yeah, I was thinking the same thing. I've just read a lot of forums that say, "been to 4 doctors and no one knows what's wrong with me!".Lol so, i'm wondering if I should even waste my time.

Its not a waste of time. Its your health, and if there's nothing physically wrong with you, you should go to a psychiatrist and get anti-anxiety meds if the symptoms persist, b/c anxiety may eventually put so much stress on your body that something will be wrong.

Think about it, if people can have heart attacks when they are suddenly shocked (by an attack, a tragedy, etc), what makes anyone's physical health impermeable to anxiety?

Not trying to tell u to be paranoid, just take care of yourself and don't ignore these symptoms.

I knew a girl who is practically a vegetable now because her anxiety and stress over school and succeeding drove her insane and her body just shut down.

Oh, my. I'll get a second opinion.

I agree with bigman. Telling someone with anxiety something like that only makes them more anxious. I've been dealing with an anxiety disorder since my son was born 5 years ago. I've gotten better on my own. My doctor had me on librium for a little while...When I took it at night, it didn't help much the next day...And the one time I took it when I got up, I had a severe vertigo bout 8 hours later and was a zombie for the rest of the night. Not exactly the best way to try and care for a baby. So I went the self help route and it's worked wonders. I would suggest anything by lucinda basset. The attacking anxiety and depression course looks cool, but it's expensive. I simply bought her book "panic to power" and the mental exercises in that helped me get through my wedding 3 years ago. I went from not being able to drive around the block to taking 20 minute car rides....Without meds. I don't agree with meds because they're really just masking the problem, not helping it. And they can take just as bad a toll on your body (if not worse) than the anxiety itself. Check out a book called the pdr guide to prescription drugs. It lists all of the common side effects for the drugs that are most commonly prescribed for anxiety. And in nearly every one, one of the first side effects is "nervousness" "agitation" and/or "anxiety". Kind of counter-productive if you ask me.

Right on the mark, vanessa! Sometimes I *feel* as if i'm completely out of my mind....But I know it's all in my head :p

that's exactly when I started. Right after my second daughter was born. And headaches too. Mine isn't bad, but I would like it to be gone all together. I think my anxiety/stress stems from the .U.S going to war, and having two surprise babies back to back while the .U.S was in a war. You know, because you worry about your children so much, and to bring them into the world today is very scary. Would 'panic to power' be good for me to read?

I think that book would help anyone with mild to moderate anxiety who's willing to open up and work with themselves. The exercises take some time and effort, but they're well worth it. I've had to sort of "rewire" my brain in a sense. When I start thinking negative I have to re-evaluate the situation and talk myself through whatever's scaring me at the time. It's called "compassionate self-talk" and it's been a great tool in helping me along.

So yes, I think the book would help you :d

it's good that you've pinpointed what you think is causing your anxiety. I read that anxiety is more common among women anyway, and especially after childbirth. The physical and psychological changes your body goes during pregnancy and childbirth are jarring. Plus, your physical chemistry changes. I've always been a nervous person, but after having my son things just went downhill....And quickly. I was a *mess* for quite a while there. It's stressful...And since you've had two back-to-back and you've been worrying about the war...Well, I think it's a good possibility that those things are what your anxiety is stemming from. I think mine is being aggravated a bit by my birth control, as well. I hope to get off it sometime in the next year and hopefully my body will somewhat return to normal, lol.

Lucina bassett's books are great because she suffered from anxiety for most of her life. She went through the hell that a lot of others did with medication after medication and psychiatrists...And nothing seemed to help. But her exercises outlined in her books are great. And reading it made me feel like I wasn't alone.