Howler
30-01-09, 17:21
So, just wondering what people have found helpful in coping with their health anxiety. I am just coming up to a year from being diagnosed (although I know I suffered for many years before that) and have been looking back on the experience. So, in answer to my own question, I have found the following things helpful:
-Using the same GP; she's been able to monitor my progress and knows me fairly well by now.
-Citalopram; I've been on this since last March and its made a real difference to my levels of anxiety, apart from the side effects of course but the benefits have far outweighed the downsides.
-Counselling; fantastic to be just listened to; I always felt almost euphoric coming out of my sessions having let go of so much angst and fear.
-Keeping a diary of my symptoms; this has meant that when something 'new' happens (muscle twitching, dizziness, memory problems, visual disturbances) I have been able to look back and see that I have 'had' that before and its likely to be a product of anxiety.
-Giving myself room to breathe and let go; I have learned not to beat myself up about having a mental illness. It's my responsibility to deal with it but it certainly isn't my fault.
So what about you guys?
Ed xxx
-Using the same GP; she's been able to monitor my progress and knows me fairly well by now.
-Citalopram; I've been on this since last March and its made a real difference to my levels of anxiety, apart from the side effects of course but the benefits have far outweighed the downsides.
-Counselling; fantastic to be just listened to; I always felt almost euphoric coming out of my sessions having let go of so much angst and fear.
-Keeping a diary of my symptoms; this has meant that when something 'new' happens (muscle twitching, dizziness, memory problems, visual disturbances) I have been able to look back and see that I have 'had' that before and its likely to be a product of anxiety.
-Giving myself room to breathe and let go; I have learned not to beat myself up about having a mental illness. It's my responsibility to deal with it but it certainly isn't my fault.
So what about you guys?
Ed xxx