2 Years Without Daily Medication
Happy 2019!!
It has now been 2 years without using my daily medication. I am so proud of how far I have come from since first starting daily medication back in 2014.
In 2018, I did not use my rescue medication once! Of course, I had little anxiety attacks, but I was able to get rid of them by techniques I learned that work for me (thank you internet). I didn’t realize this amazing fact until I looked back on my 2018 year and realized that I have the same amount of Ativan (my rescue medication) that I started 2018 with.
To find out what techniques I found work for me, I google searched how to get rid of anxiety attacks. I tried out many different techniques I found on websites, other blogs, and ones that I heard from friends who also have anxiety. I tried them all until I found ones that work for me. What I found useful, is to find a quiet place and quietly tell myself out loud that it’s only an anxiety attack and that I will be ok while taking a few deep breaths.
When I get panic/anxiety attacks my breath is really short, so I have to remind myself to take some deep breaths to get air into my lungs. I also pace a little bit to get some of the nervous energy out of my system. Learning that I need to keep myself in the moment that I am in; instead of going into that “I need to get out of here” place that I would instantly go into when I would have my anxiety attacks.
I also changed the way I have looked at situations. Although I have a bubbly personality, I used to have a negative thoughts. Not those kind, but I always found the negative in situations before I found anything positive. Last year, I realized that being negative only hurt me. I dramatically changed my outlook. It was not easy, however, I learned to be aware of my negative thoughts. Before I finish a negative thought in my head I turn it into something positive. Of course, I still have days where things may not be great; nonetheless I try to find the positive in every situation and figure out how I can learn and grow from what is thrown my way. To be honest, I think that this is a huge part of why I haven’t had much anxiety.
I am looking forward to what 2019 has in store for me. To continue to learn more about my anxiety each day and to try to help others do the same.
Until next time,
