From the article: Ways of Coping with Anxiety
People with PTSD experience intense symptoms of anxiety. As a result, anxiety can be difficult to cope with, leading to reliance on unhealthy ways of coping, such as substance use. However, there are many healthy ways of coping with anxiety. What healthy strategies have you found to be successful in coping with your symptoms of anxiety? Share with other readers what coping strategies you generally rely on when you are experiencing anxiety. You may also learn some new strategies that you have never tried before. The more coping strategies we have available, the better prepared we will be in coping with anxiety. Share a Coping Strategy
Yoga works for me
- I have struggled with PTSD for many years. I sought help from MDs, counselors, religion, nothing really helped me cope with the anxiety and mood swings. I recently began attending a yoga class, which has helped the most of anything I've tried. I have learned to calm my mind while becoming mindful of my body. Not to mention the feeling of satisfaction from strengthening my body.
- —Guest Library Lady
Techniques
- Try visualizing a "safe place." Mine is my basement. Its very nice, bar, music and that's where I feel most relaxed. Some times you have to stay together, like at work. In those time, breathing techniques and counting sometimes works. I havent found a fool proof method yet when I am fighting it at work, but its all mind over matter. Positive thinking plays a huge role. Im very active and this issue can get you down, but you HAVE to be strong. Don't give in. Fight the attacks because every one you defeat, make you that much stronger!
- —Guest KW
Relaxation
- Relaxation through meditation is a very good coping skill. Try this early in the morning. I'm a Vietnam Vet ("68-69").
- —Guest Euradell Johnson02@sbcglobal.net
Meditation/Emotion Regulation/EMDR
- I've received EMDR therapy with great success. Through mindfulness training, I learned how to monitor my emotions, as well as how to keep my CNS relatively stable through [Zen] Buddhism meditation practices.
- —Guest scgoldberg@msn.com
Mindfulness Works
- I have major depression,PTSD, BPD,etc....Throughout my therapy,one thing that helped most,was learning "MINDFULNESS" techniques.Taught by Dr.Marsha Linehan.Look up on internet -- it helps.It really works.It's not hard either.I graduated DBT/CBT.(Dialectical Behavior Therapy/Cognitive Behavioral Therapy).Look it up.It's very helpful.
- —Guest Liberty
PTSD and Anxiety
- I have severe PTSD and anxiety. What I do is dissociate, and I have always done it. My therapist does not feel that is the best way of coping but it is the only way I know. We are working on staying in my body which in and of itself is a struggle. I also walk and do kick boxing and that is helping. I have been told that this is a long process, but I will get there.
- —Guest gailann cioffi
Coping with Meditation
- I like both of these answers, I do the same. I go to a peaceful area and use the tools I learned. I almost always become calm. I can count on it. When a tool works for you, use it often.
- —nightowlgail
Coping Skills I Use
- My therapist teaches me cognitive behavioral therapy techniques which help me to change my negative thoughts. Sometimes a brisk walk helps. I make my home a calm place to be. I pet my cat several times a day. I visualize a stop sign and say the word out loud. I look at my night light which says "this is a test, it is only a test." I use my spiritual beliefs and use Animal Cards book by Jamie Sams. They are beautiful pics, and I read about the strengths of each one daily. It's available used on-line. I read Animal Speaks by Ted Andrews which expands on the first book (also available used). I play cribbage on-line or sometimes arrange a time to meet a fellow sufferer at the site. We just chat and don't play cards. I talk to people on the phone.
- —cribwinner27
Coping with Self-harm
- I used to do a lot of self-harming things. I did this to numb myself from the emotional pain. I didn't know how to handle the emotions or the pain. It helped at the time, but later I would feel the physical pain. It has been a year now since I have done anything to intentionally hurt myself. I have learned to somehow distract myself whether I walk my dog, journal what I am feeling or thinking, or leave the area that I want to do something to myself in. I also tell myself that this need to harm myself will pass. I am getting stronger each time and I don't feel the guilt feelings like I did after harming myself. I hope this response will help at least one other person. Give it a try is all I ask. I know before I would have just blew it off, too. Well now I know that I am hurting only myself by harming myself not others.
- —rea192962
Coping with Anxiety
- I have found that if I use distraction-like walking Princess-it seems to help me. Also I practice being in the moment. If I feel a lot of anxiety, I will remove myself from the situation -kind of like a 'time-out'. I do try and go back to the situation and deal with it. I use positive affirmation cards on anxiety and read them daily to remember them if I am unable to read them at that moment when feeling very anxious.
- —rea192962
