Coping strategies

[Chris]

Perhaps we could gather our best coping strategies here. How to deal with stressful situations?

Let's figure out different ways to solve the issues!

 

[triceps]

Anxiety is exhausting so I take naps when I'm tired. I also do a lot of the deep breathing stuff. When really anxious I'm unable to concentrate enough to read a book but am able to surf the internet or play some older strategy computer games as a distraction. I live on a forty acre farm and have plenty of walking trails that seem to help. The problem is that my mind continues to race when walking and actually have anxiety induced difficulty walking at times. I think the greatest coping skill is that I'm very open to others about my anxiety disorder. If they have somewhat of an understanding or acceptance, great. If they don't, I figure that's their loss. I save much mental energy by not trying to hide my condition in public, trying to act normal.

 

[JCP]

I have severe social anxiety, I'm sure this isn't healthy, but when I absolutely can't handle a situation, I pretend I'm in a video game (e.g. The Sims). It makes it less real and I can cope until I can escape.

 

[triceps]

I have severe social anxiety, I'm sure this isn't healthy, but when I absolutely can't handle a situation, I pretend I'm in a video game (e.g. The Sims). It makes it less real and I can cope until I can escape.

Are you getting the help you need like therapy or medication? I've had social anxiety since I was 13. I finally learned that you'll only have a few true friends in life and that I should not care what anyone else thought. That attitude, when I can stick to it, has helped me tremendously. And I think it's fine to use video games as an excuse and distraction if you choose to.

 

[JCP]

Are you getting the help you need like therapy or medication? I've had social anxiety since I was 13. I finally learned that you'll only have a few true friends in life and that I should not care what anyone else thought. That attitude, when I can stick to it, has helped me tremendously. And I think it's fine to use video games as an excuse and distraction if you choose to.

Thanks Triceps, Iv'e tried therapy twice, unfortunately i didn't help me much. I terms of medication I self medicate with natural supplements. It helps somewhat, one of the natural remedies I take is very helpful for SA, but it's quite addictive, so that's annoying.

That's great you have that attitude, I wish I would not care what anyone thought about me, but when I'm in a social situation my social anxiety overwhelms me and doesn't allow me to .

 

[determinator]

If anyone has any tips to avoid awkwardness when talking to some types of people please let me know... maybe something that can break the ice or tension in the conversation.. sometimes when i speak to certain people (ie work colleagues or whatever) it feels so tense and im sure they feel it too because I'm so tense or stressed about it..

 

[AGatha]

I find that if I start to have a panic attack about something when driving - the only way to get through it is to sing "A,B,C,D......etc". Oh and breathing helps too

 

[scharley1973]

when im driving i talk to my dad. he passed 2 years ago unexpectedly :'( i just ask him to get me where i have to be without having to pull over because i cant breathe or the surge of anxiety is so bad my chest hurts, heart is racing and i feel im gonna die i talk to him the whole way. if its only a 15 minute trip or an hour drive to go see my mom

 

[lerap]

What I do in situations when I feel anxiety coming I just concentrate on my breathing. I also heard that your brain senses danger and flips out, which causes anxiety, so if you tell yourself that everything will be ok and there isn't any danger and everything is all right then after a few minutes you are fine. I haven't tried it in really stressful situations but it seems like it would work.