Help With Anxiety

Originally Posted by Kristin050585

My boyfriend has very bad anxiety for any kind of medical problem that pops up. He has tried many traditional and nontraditional things and not much has helped. This is the third time this has popped up and won"t go away. He also has other conditions with his thyroid, ibs, and other problems. Trying to get off ativan now and has some withdrawl. I wish I could help him more. I can only do so much, especially when he lives a couple states away.

Has he ever had food allergy testing, or done an elimination diet? For example, many people with IBS and anxiety find a lot of relief from going gluten free.

He is already restricted in his foods. He can not have oil, butter, lots of sugar, dairy. He eats really healthy on top of this. I could never eat the same foods he does, but he has been dealing with the food thing for about 10 years now. He basically eats gluten free for the most part. Whole wheat everything and fat free and sugar free.

I got severe anxiety around 6 years ago, and it's now under control. There are many methods that can help, and this is what worked for me.

Firstly understand that it's baby steps...I was so impatient and wanted it gone there and then which didn't help with the anxiety.
It used to kick in, and I would instinctively start panicking. DONT RUN FROM IT.
Focus on the feeling, and breathe slow and deep.acknowledge that you are feeling it, and tell yourself that it will be okay.
Avoid processed foods. A lot contain preservatives that I now know kick in nausea, panicky feelings, headaches, and increase my anxiety. Eat as clean as possible.
Avoid late nights. I'm an avid night owl and would go to sleep well past midnight for a few nights in row, and by the end of the week I would be feel mentally unstable.
Don't avoid situations, but take small steps in facing your fears.
This is a bit extreme but I had major claustrophobia and fear of not being able to escape if in a crowd. I decided to do the mosh pit at a P!nk concert. I was having hot and cold sweats, major nausea and total exhaustion...and she hadn't even come on yet! Lol
By the second time she came back (I've done four mosh pits of hers) I was in a place where the fear was conquered much more than before and I could enjoy it.
If you've done something that would normally give you anxiety, give yourself a pat on the back and praise yourself for doing well! Well done for getting through it!
Say no when you need to. Spend time pampering yourself and taking time out to focus on yourself.
Look for natural remedies...like they've stated here, Bach flower does take the edge of it.
Meditating on a regular basis as well as spiritual cleansing helps too.

But most of all keep breathing and KNOW it will get better! I've been there and this will be you before you know it! x

Originally Posted by autumn

Has he ever had food allergy testing, or done an elimination diet? For example, many people with IBS and anxiety find a lot of relief from going gluten free.

I did a detox and felt fabulous after going off dairy and any white refined foods (white sugar, flour, white rice) my anxiety was at nil during this. And yes, I have IBS too