Anxiety

The last thing anyone suffering from anxiety can do is rationalise it....and it certainly never helps if anyone points out just what they have to be thankful for.

Its certainly apart of my life and I've had a referral from GP to some group sessions that were good to attend but did little for long term coping. I've also had some very good private counselling from the Mindfulness school....a type called A.C.T.

I think the best thing that helps me is dipping into a couple of books that remind me I'm not alone and explains the processes of the build-up of anxiety. One is 'Making Friends with Anxiety' by Sarah Rayner - the other is The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris. Also Ruby wax's book is good 'Sane New World'.

I do not think anxiety ever goes away and I do think some of us are more prone....that being said you can help yourself to accept whats happening and work with it. And that is my main point...no amount of helpful loved ones offering support will ever really sort this out....its good you care and understand but hes got to find his own coping mechanisms...and learn to live with himself.

All the best.

I recommend going to his GP and asking for some fluoxetine. Worked wonders for me, with no side effects whatsoever.

I have to disagree about self-help books. They don't work and will most likely end up in the Oxfam bookshop.

I would echo jings advice but without asking for anything specific - the GP will know what is best. Some members of my family have been helped/continue to be helped by Citalopram.

True about Citalopram. My DD got that for fear of flying which was, in fact, tied in with general anxiety. I got fluoxetine because I was finding it hard to leave the house.

I have never looked back since starting on fluoxetine.

Rejecting self help books out of hand is a personal thing....just as I have chosen not to go down the 'chemical' route. I say...if it helps....and the solution does not cause more problems than the anxiety, then go with it.

I'd certainly agree with any advise to go to GP.

GP's are usually good at supporting patients with anxiety or depression, they see enough of them to get good experience. One of my adult children had a period of work related anxiety. Her GP was brilliant, lent her his own self help book on CBT and anxiety and suggested she find herself a CBT therapist (waiting lists on nhs 6 months long). She had 5 sessions with a CBT therapist, read the book and 3 years on is managing any feelings of anxiety well. She didn't want to go the drug route. It's whatever works for the individual isn't it.

The Living Life to the Full online programme seems to be quite helpful. I don't know the link but Google should do it. Worth a look. I particularly liked the booklet called "Why does everything always go wrong"!

A daily 20mg dose of Citalopram helped me so much. I attended the Dr about something unrelated and came out with a prescription for Citalopram. Dr saw my (unmentioned) anxiety and lack of enthusiasm - Thank you Dr.

My H is the one who suffers from extreme anxiety but I am the one on 20 mg of Citalopram. It is the only thing that keeps me on an even keel, dealing with him.

Some of you are really lucky to have good GP 's ...I have six at my practice and everyone is hopeless. They miss medical problems and as for anxiety....well I actually had one telling me virtually to " pull myself together"...anxiety is a horrible condition.....

Thanks for all the advice but will try Hilda's advice and I have already sent for the book Making Friends with Anxiety.

Yes I am always anxious, a veritable Cassandra!