Calming Down An Anxious Mind

[NickNasty]

Allright:

So about three weeks ago, I was informed that i would not likely be getting funded for my last year of graduate work--which sent me into a talespin of anxiety, fear, anger, etc. While I have since been able to figure out a survival strategy for my last year--I still can't seem to shake the funk I've gone into...I'm having small panic attacks (which I have a history of--though not for almost two years) and have just been really moody when I'm alone. I'm trying to find ways to cope but it's tough.

I've been involved in a meditation-stress-reduction class for awhile (and prior to the shit hitting the fan) and that has helped a little. Being around friends and my lady have also been good...but despite it, and despite the fact that I have alot I should still be thankful for I still feel emotionally stuck and wondering what to do? More meds (i take clonopin right now)? More therapy? Or should I just try to ride it out? Help/Suggestions are appreciated.

[msicidron]

fuckin meds. stop taking that shit. its probably the reason you feel so vaguely anxious.

What you need to do is sit down, smoke some herb, let your mind flow, and identify what it is that's really at the root of your anxious feelings and your tendency toward having them (not just what's setting you off at this point in your life).

P.S. Koshiva great post. i'd like to formally second everything you said thanks for taking the time to sort and explain your thoughts where i was very lazy

[Linkey]

buy some kava root. it seriously helps with anxiety.

[msicidron]

buy some kaya. it seriously helps with anxiety.

fixed

[macenzy]

meaning you took the kaya or you fixed you problem?

[msicidron]

Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu uuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhh

[NickNasty]

try and discipline yourself to get hold of your mind so you dictate it rather than it dictateing to you

this has always been my biggest problem--some negative event will happen and my mind will take that initial'shock' of the event and carry it to all other aspects of my life---my thoughts, no matter how untrue they might be, start to dictate how I live--I believe everything i think.

i think the Mindfulness Meditation work I'm doing has certainly helped, as has exercise, etc. In fact, just before this last bad time I was weaning off klonopin and saw a therapist maybe every 4 or 5 months just to check in.

it just seems like this time i can't lift myself out of it or find distractions (save my girlfriend and friends, who obviously can't be there all the time) that are effective.

The tough part is I can see my thought processes, understand their falseness, see that I have blessings, see that I am blessed in distinction to others, but still can't stop the thoughts from coming in and dominating my attention and fucking with me...and I just wonder if short term use of meds or something might help dig me out--i'm at a loss right now...

/end rambling

[Dandaweedman]

The mind is the most powerful thing you have.
Breathing is the only thing that works for me. When you feel the first insidious thread of anxiety start controlling your breathing, a little longer out than in works for me best.
I found out some months ago that I have been having the grand daddy of panic attacks for about 26 years.
I knew I had panic attacks, just assumed they were all the same strength person to person.

I don't much like them, but still haven't found a way to stop them.