What It’s Like Living With Anxiety

Although most people feel anxious or stressed at times, anxiety can make it difficult to relax. Anxiety disorder started slowly but then quickly. For a time, I had accepted these feelings as stress or nerves and tried to control them with regular exercise. My anxiety became overwhelming after some major life events.

It began as sleepless nights

When it was nearly impossible to fall asleep, anxiety became a problem. My brain was constantly buzzing like a ghost train, with no off-switch. It meant that I never felt rested enough to work. My stomach began to flutter, my mind was racing, and I felt as though my chest was full of fear.

Dr. Lisa Lovelace (a Synergy eTherapy clinician) confirmed that the above symptoms were typical anxiety symptoms.

DSM-V also lists the following symptoms as anxiety:
– Uncontrollable worry.
– Restlessness, feeling on edge or keyed up
– Feeling easily tired
– Concentration difficulties or mind wandering
– Irritability
– Increased muscular tension
– Sleep disturbance (difficulty falling, staying asleep, restless sleep).

I saw my primary care doctor, who recommended a watch-and-wait approach and continued exercise. Your primary doctor may also refer you for help with managing symptoms.

Finding an appropriate anxiety medication

My anxiety continued to worsen for several weeks. My doctor suggested that I try an SSRI to reduce my symptoms and restore my calm. Although I was nervous about starting a new medication, I reached a point that I felt I couldn’t live without it.

My doctor prescribed Zoloft to me in a small dosage. My brain responded slowly to the medication even though it didn’t show any immediate results. I noticed a change in my sleep patterns and felt more capable of handling daily stresses. Sometimes it can feel like trial and error. I was fortunate to find the right medication for me. There are many options, and it is okay to consult with your doctor if you don’t like the first one.

Lifestyle changes and alternative therapies

My primary care doctor also recommended me for talk therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) courses. Talking to therapy helped me understand my feelings, and helped me feel more confident in my decision-making. CBT was a great way to help me manage my anxiety. Stephanie Woodrow is a licensed clinical professional counselor. An anxiety specialist can help you with this.

Therapy helped me realize that I had to change my lifestyle to better manage my anxiety disorder. Shirin Payne, MD, Bethany Medical Clinic advises people suffering from anxiety to eat healthy meals that are unprocessed and whole. They also recommend that they limit their caffeine and alcohol intakes. Get enough sleep, and get regular exercise to help suppress anxiety.

Moving Forward: Living with Anxiety

The same medication has been my daily dose for five years. I still suffer from anxiety. However, I’m better equipped to handle stressful situations. I’ve made lifestyle changes and removed stressors. I also moved closer to family members and friends to build a stronger support system. My condition is managed by a lot of sleep, exercise, and rest. I also use the therapy tools that I have learned to help. It takes effort to manage anxiety, but it is possible. You can manage anxiety by persevering with your search for the best combination of strategies, treatments, and therapies that works for you.