Clancy Gray
Hello everyone. My name is Clancy and I am 15 years old. I have had anxiety ever since I remember with the subject of my anxiety changing as I got older. In 2008 my anxiety got to the point where I could not go to school, I could not sleep in a room by myself, it was ruining my life as well as my families. I was brought to a psychologist and diagnosed as having a severe panic attack disorder. My family did not want me being put on any medications so we opted for natural treatments. I would like to help out other people by sharing the techniques that have helped me through the years :)
- Drink tea before bed. The mix of herbs helps relax the mind and body.
- Muscle contraction therapy. This is how it works: when you feel anxious, wherever you might be, stop and slowly contract all your muscles one at a time and hold them for one minute. Release all of them simultaneously and relax for one minute. Continue the pattern until the anxiety fades.
- Worry Dolls :D this is specifically helpful for younger children with anxiety. You can buy them online or make them yourself. Several small dolls are housed in a container or box, when you become anxious pick up each one at a time and tell them your worry. They now hold you worry for you instead of it burdening you. It sounds silly but it really helped me when I was younger :)
- Last is always breathing. In though your nose out through your mouth
As of now my anxiety and panic attacks have severely decreased. I only have about one attack a month. I realize that with my condition they will never not happen but I now know how to control them when they do happen and how to make them shorter and less severe :) I hoped my tips will help you I know how tough it is living with these conditions :)
Hi Clancy,
I suffered with anxiety and depression since I was a kid too (although I didn't realize I had 'anxiety' until many years later). I know a lot of people get good results once they find the 'right' combinations and doses of meds, but I never had any luck with that, and after losing my job/s and the insurance that came with that, I've been stuck trying to find alternative treatments.
I've had good luck with a simple breathing exercise (inhale 4 seconds, exhale 4 seconds) that I learned from www.freeanxietyhelponline.com. It's pretty basic, but it helps my anxiety attack go away.
I'm finding exercise to be a good stress reducer and preventer too.
Glad you're doing better. Chris