How I did it: i'm not sure how i did it... it was really just a matter of time. in the beginning, when it was really bad - as in all of a sudden i felt down all the time, & there was nothing i felt causing it - i decided i wanted to sort it right away, & spoke to friends regarding how i felt, researched how i was feeling, learned breathing techniques, went for walks, & eventually saw a counsellor. after time, i sort of got used to the feeling, & constantly told myself this would not, & could not, last forever. i would try to relax, keep myself busy, see friends, have someone i could chat to when it got really bad (& it's so bizarre thinking back to the times where it was really bad, as i can't imagine that feeling just now, which is a good thing). i'm just insanely happy to be happy again. of course, i still feel twinges, but with the regularity of them (& by regularity, i mean that they occur somewhat monthly), i'm happy to put them down to hormones, & revel in the fact that i don't ever feel as bad as i used to, & that i can rationalise the feelings in a way i never could before.

Lessons & tips: remember times when these feelings didn't take over your life, & know you can have that back. learn breathing & relaxation techniques, keep yourself busy classes or going for walks, exercise, & have someone to talk to when it's really bad.

Resources: internet research, counselling (although i would take note of the type you should look for, & remember you could go on a waiting list: i fortunately could se someone through my university, but my doctor put me on a list that i never heard back from, & subsequently makes me wonder if he even put me down for anything), having someone to talk to who had been through the same thing (it's amazing which people have felt the same in the past, friends who i'd never have pegged as the anxious type).

Sep 26, 2008, 03:33PM PDT | 1 comment | 3 cheers