What can I do about my anxiety?

Dr. Pixie gives her advice on dealing with anxiety


Posted: 17 August 2011
by Selina Ditta


Q. I'VE BEEN FEELING INCREASINGLY ANXIOUS LATELY - FROM THINKING I'VE OFFENDED FRIENDS TO BEING CONVINCED STRANGERS ARE LOOKING AT ME ODDLY. I'M AFRAID MY GP WILL THINK I'M WASTING HIS TIME IF I SEE HIM ABOUT IT. HELP! Stephanie, by e-mail

A. It's your GP's job to help you work through this, so chat to him about your concerns and how your anxiety manifests itself. Tell him about your sleep, energy levels, work/life balance and all your recreational habits, especially if you ever smoke cannabis. Find out if there's any history of anxiety or other mental health problems in your family and, if so, mention this to him. Also, think about whether anything triggered these feelings about friends and strangers, and in the UK suffer with similar anxieties and there's lots of help out there.

■ Got a question for our health experts? Email Dr Pixie and co at askzest@zest.co.uk  


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worried that i wont get away on holiday to morrow like i worrie about every thing will i be well for work do i work hard enough , even though i am told i do

Posted: 30/05/2012 at 12:22

Don't worry about having worries. Worries are normal to some extent as we're human beings with thoughts and feelings. Find out about 'Mindfulness'. We can control the relentless jabbering thoughts in our minds. Be still from time to time, breathe slowly, live in the moment, relax. Bring the really important things in your life back into perspective.

Posted: 30/05/2012 at 14:36

Hi there i'm not sure what it is that makes me feel so anxious, i find that its usually at night, then i find it hard to breathe, sometimes i think its everything in my life but then i dont think my life is that bad so i quickly turn it around and presume its an under lying issue. i just know that its affecting my sleep and my mood and making me feel breathless that i get scared im going to die in my sleep. By the time my mind has thought all this out its half 3 in the morning and i have to be up to do the school run in a few hours. please help thanks

Posted: 30/05/2012 at 19:52

I worry about everything too. Recently I started getting insomnia because I was worrying about not getting enough sleep. I've found that audiobooks with relaxation techniques can really help you to take a moment out of your worrying and calm down. I'm also in the process of using a cognitive behavioural therapy audiobook to try and rationalise my worrying. If your worrying is having a negative impact on your life it may be worth talking to your GP they can give you a number to recieve therapy or councelling. Most importantly don't feel bad about worrying too much as it's counter productive. It's just a pattern of thinking that has become destructive and you may just need a little bit of help to change it.


Posted: 31/05/2012 at 09:11

Hello.. i usued to have anxeity attack at th end of 2011.. they were severer.. had to call ambulance first time, cos had no idea what was going on, thought same, that im going to die .... well, was told, thats cos i breat so quickly and by being scared of it, breathing gets even faster, and then is low oxygen left, so hard to breathe.. it still happens from time to time, but only small.. but even if i feel happy, or when i eat.. cant figure out why..... if you worry... talk... talk to your family, husband, parents, kids,GP or anyone.... share your worries.... and u see you feel much better after... even if you think you may not have those worries.... they are inside of you, you just dont want to accept it.. maybe you affraid of something....or not sure about something, and cant be without answer.... and you get stressed or nervous.. maybe only inside.. and your mind wont stop thinking about it.... then you get anxious.. maybe with the issue.. but maybe pnly with yourself, that you cant stop thinking of something ..... and then u cant sleep etc..... have a rest... relax, i strated doing Tai-chi... the best thing in the world, for body and mind.. or if you can try joga.. only couple classes and then you can practice 15 min at home in the evening.. and you will see than your body will be in balance with your mind.. thats what you need

Posted: 01/06/2012 at 23:04

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