|
|
Post by xpistissopheiax on Aug 21, 2013 5:17:59 GMT -5
I'm starting nursing school this week and I'm finding that unfortunately I'm overwhelmed with anxiety. My first class is this morning and I didn't sleep at all last night b/c I felt so anxious. I was curious if any of you might have any advice for dealing with anxiety spiritually? I tried praying several times and I still couldn't sleep, although fortunately now that it is time to be awake I do not feel especially tired. When I was on internship before I often found that I couldn't sleep the night before, and I don't want to get into the habit of taking sleep meds again. I thought I was going to be in good shape heading into school since I've lost a good bit of weight in the last year, have been exercising daily, and have changed my diet so it is much healthier, so I'm just very frustrated that I'm back here where I used to be. =/ Any advice would be welcome  Thanks! |
|
gord
New Member
Posts: 14
|
Post by gord on Aug 21, 2013 10:00:43 GMT -5
Meditation old chap. Zazen specifically. Helped tremendously with my anxiety. Our minds are a mess. Going this way and that. Slowing the mind down is key.
I turned to meditation when I realized prayer was useless (for me anyway). All the best.
Peace
|
|
|
|
Post by Soulgazer on Aug 21, 2013 12:15:42 GMT -5
Anxiety is part of the "fight or flight" mechanism. Your physical side is gaining dominence over your spiritual side. Try some meditation, or put yourself somewhere where you can be of aid to someone else. Also---don't be embaressed if it turns out to be a chemical imbalance. These ol' monkey suits can be persnickity.
|
|
|
|
Post by phantasman on Aug 21, 2013 12:58:51 GMT -5
Glass of wine in a hot soothing bath before bed does wonders. Just saying......
|
|
|
|
Post by xpistissopheiax on Aug 21, 2013 20:39:53 GMT -5
How often would you guys recommend meditating? Is it something I should be doing regularly or just focus on that when I'm stressed? phantasman If I started drinking I'm afraid it would be straight to 40's of King Cobra, and then everything would be down hill after that |
|
gord
New Member
Posts: 14
|
Post by gord on Aug 21, 2013 22:00:48 GMT -5
Everyday if possible, but don't make it a chore. Start small, 5 minutes in the morning or so. Maybe 5 minutes at night and move on from there. Don't have a goal, just meditate to meditate. Find a quite place and sit and stare at a wall. Don't close your eyes, take in the world. Try to think between thoughts. If a thought enters your head, acknowledge it, then let it go. Never get frustrated because you get distracted during meditation. Just try and be a spectator to your thoughts and let them come and go without being a part of them.
It made a world of difference to for me as I used to get a lot of anxiety. It makes you realized thoughts are just thoughts and not really you.
Peace.
|
|
|
|
Post by waywardwanderer on Aug 21, 2013 23:54:11 GMT -5
Meditation helps for me as well. I would also recommend find a physical activity that is demanding but fun, for me its martial arts but for my wife its running, just gotta find what works for you.
|
|
|
|
Post by phantasman on Aug 22, 2013 10:54:41 GMT -5
phantasman If I started drinking I'm afraid it would be straight to 40's of King Cobra, and then everything would be down hill after that Wimp. That's why you stay in the bath. lol |
|
|
|
Post by xpistissopheiax on Sept 8, 2013 20:45:54 GMT -5
Well I'd been very against meds to treat anything, however my anxiety became so severe that I didn't really have a choice but go to the doctor. Thankfully I did b/c the meds they gave me have helped tremendously. (Although my symptoms aren't gone they have become much more manageable).
It's actually interesting seeing how they've worked, since for me the fear of having anxiety or a panic attack was actually causing me anxiety/panic. So not having panic/anxiety, when I'm afraid that I am, has kind of broken the cycle a little, and I find I'm less and less afraid of having anxiety.
I tried the mediation and it was helpful for a little while afterwords, but I found I had trouble making time for it, and it was very difficult and frustrating as cluttered as my mind was. I should probably continue to try it in the future.
I feel like one of my biggest issues now is trusting God completely to either get me through school, or that He will take care of me if I flunk out. I don't know that I've had that problem before, but the more difficult things get, the harder it is to trust God. After I'd started school, I'd felt like God had abandoned me, and I think it became one of the specific thoughts that triggered panic. I know that's not necessarily rational, but I can't help feeling that from time to time still.
|
|
|
|
Post by phantasman on Sept 13, 2013 17:57:52 GMT -5
Some meds are great for anxiety. After my mother died when I was 30, I kept getting panic attacks. So bad, I would drive to the emergency room and just sit in the waiting room in case I thought I would die.
12 years ago, a doctor put me on Paxil. I still take it each day, and have never had an anxiety attack since. And WalMarts $4 for a months supply, makes it quite affordable now.
|
|
unix
Junior Member
busy with full-time studies
Posts: 82
|
Post by unix on Sept 14, 2013 5:51:52 GMT -5
My ex-girlfriend, who happens to also be my best friend and will be perhaps all my life, uses Atarax right now. It doesn't cause addiction. This is in Sweden, I'm not sure whether it's called the same in the States. It was actually developed for some allergy. It makes her tired though, if You take that into account it can be used at any time of the day, maximally once a day, when needed. Ask Your doctor what it's called in Your country and whether there's some equivalent that is very modern medicine just like that one and that doesn't cause addiction and perhaps doesn't make You as tired! The Swedish medicines can be search for free on the internet, here are the search results for Atarax: www.fass.se/LIF/home/soktraffar_all.jsp?searchtext1=atarax&searchtext2= |
|
|
|
Post by phantasman on Sept 14, 2013 11:52:28 GMT -5
I believe it's called Vistaril in the states, and used as a antihistamine. Like any antihistamine (Benadryl), sleepiness is a side effect.
On the other hand, Paxil is an H2 blocker, and causes the body to make best use of serotonin (neurotransmitters) by not breaking it down as fast. Usually, no side effects.
Just a comparison I've already had to research for myself.
(Dr. Dan will be out of the office till Monday) ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by xpistissopheiax on Sept 14, 2013 16:13:02 GMT -5
The Dr. I went to gave me Zoloft which I thought was for depression, but it seems to be working fairly well. It's completely destroyed my libido, which while I'm not really using it for anything, I'm still not sure if I appreciate the side effect lol.
|
|
gord
New Member
Posts: 14
|
Post by gord on Sept 15, 2013 18:42:43 GMT -5
I tried the mediation and it was helpful for a little while afterwords, but I found I had trouble making time for it, and it was very difficult and frustrating as cluttered as my mind was. I should probably continue to try it in the future. You don't need much time. Even just 5 minutes a day is helpful. And everyone's mind is cluttered. Don't let it frustrate you. The point of meditation is not to have success at it, but just to do it. Have no expectations. |
|
|
|
Post by phantasman on Sept 16, 2013 11:43:14 GMT -5
The Dr. I went to gave me Zoloft which I thought was for depression, but it seems to be working fairly well. It's completely destroyed my libido, which while I'm not really using it for anything, I'm still not sure if I appreciate the side effect lol. lol...the same with Paxil They do say it comes back over time. Or there's another pill to help that out as well.  |
|
Thanks!
