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  • Anxiety, is there a magical answer?

    Greetings All,

    Over the past couple of years I've started to have small and minor anxiety attacks. This doesn't happen very often, but they are starting to come more often and more regularly. I do not like it. I've done a few exercises, breathing practices, and so on, to try and diffuse these feelings, but I am wondering if others have anxiety and what they might do to help. Also, what are your thoughts on why this happens? I was told by a friend that it could be my psychic abilities expanding, but my logical mind doesn't believe that. I don't know what it is coming from, but I would love to find some simple ways to deal with it that doesn't include taking drugs.

    Any ideas, help, and information would be amazing.

  • #2
    Re: Anxiety, is there a magical answer?

    total non-magical answer coming here:

    I have some PTSD, and I when I get triggered I can have something fairly similar to anxiety attacks. I hate it when they happen, but its something you can learn to deal with.

    First off, counseling helps a lot, and there is a lot that can be done to help without any drugs. If you haven't seen a Councillor/therepist, I'd recommend it. I have yet to take any meds, and I'm doing great.

    Anxiety attacks are a super complex thing, and I'm not going to try to diagnose you over the web. Sometimes these things crop up over old issues that you wouldn't have guessed at. For me, its an obvious thing I'm well aware of the causes of, but it isn't always. If you had any sort of trauma or abuse in your past, that would be a kicker, but it doesn't have to be that.

    You seem to be on the right track with those sort of exercises. Finding a way to feel in control of your body during the attack is seems to be a key.
    hey look, I have a book! And look I have a second one too!

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    • #3
      Re: Anxiety, is there a magical answer?

      Again, nothing magical - other than mindfulness. Try to keep yourself in the present moment and focused on whatever you're doing 'now'. Meditation can help with mindfulness. Sitting, finding your center, and pulling yourself back to that center every time your mind wanders is all you need to do for that.

      My husband has GAD and gets panic attacks often. A few things have helped him minimize the impact it has on his life.

      Firstly, he cut out the caffeine. Stimulants can have a bigger effect on mood and emotion than people realize. A lot of cold, flu, asthma and allergy medications can have a stimulant effect, and sometimes those can't be avoided - but if someone's topping off their asthma inhaler w/a cup of coffee, they can stop drinking the coffee. Even small amounts of caffeine can sneak up on a person.

      It's important to identify and recognize your triggers. Keep a journal or diary tracking your anxiety. See if there's anything that sticks out. Try and pinpoint what it is that's happening when you begin to feel anxious and avoid those situations if possible. For my husband, a lot of it is medical issues. He's afraid of death and dying, so any consideration of cancer or major diseases, doctors' visits, doctors' offices, drug commercials on t.v., etc. all trigger him to an extent. He used to watch House, which is a veritable cornucopia of exotic diseases and disorders, so he stopped watching it. I used to watch a lot of forensic/true crime tv, and 'medical mystery'-type shows, so I don't watch those around him. He's worked things out with his doctor so he can get a little extra medication so he doesn't have to go in for as many office visits over the course of the year, and if I have a doctor's appointment, we try to plan things for him to do so he isn't stuck in the waiting room (I don't drive, so he's stuck taking me to the doctor).

      Another thing that's helped him is physical exercise. One of his anxiety symptoms is that he gets antsy and restless. Sometimes he gets on the stationary bike we have and just peddles for virtual miles. We got a Wii so he could do something distracting at the same time. Just burning off pent-up energy helps him a lot. Plus he gets the endorphin boost, and it helps him breathe deeper and more normally than shallow panting.

      Don't feel like you absolutely, positively have to 'face your fears' whenever they crop up - it's ok to 'run away', so to speak. Do something that takes you away from the anxiety for awhile, something that will consume a lot of your attention, like an intricate puzzle, or pick up a hobby like woodworking or needlecraft - my husband started making jewelry. It helps him to leave things unfinished so he can pick something up in the middle when he needs a distraction instead of having to think of something brand new to start on.

      Lastly, don't let the symptoms scare you. For the most part, the feelings you have that are associated with the anxious moments will go away.
      The forum member formerly known as perzephone. Or Perze. I've shed a skin.

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      • #4
        Re: Anxiety, is there a magical answer?

        I started having issues with anxiety a few years back, there are a few things that have helped enormously:

        - meditation. Even just generic meditation not intended to directly fix the anxiety has made a huge difference, probably dropping it by a good 50%. I can count on one hand the number of panic attacks I've had since I started meditating, whereas they used to be a regular occurance.

        - Gradual exposure. If you have a specific trigger, try to gradually acclimatize yourself to it. But I wouldn't try this without a mental health professional to guide the process.

        Medication - If your attacks are heavy on physical symptoms, try a low dose beta blocker like propranolol. They reduce the physical manifestations of anxiety, which helps you stay calm and prevents the panic attack spiraling further. I'd recommend avoiding benzodiazepines (valium, xanax, etc) unless you literally can't leave the house, and even if that's the case, stick to occasional, short term use. Benzo dependence will only make things worse.

        As far as magic goes, I highly doubt there's any method whereby you could put the props together, say the magic words and make your anxiety disappear like they do on TV. But there are self trans-formative processes whereby you can rid yourself of negative personality traits. Probably the best guide to this is the early stages of Initiation Into Hermetics by Franz Bardon. It's not instant and it's not easy, but it works if you put in the work.

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        • #5
          Re: Anxiety, is there a magical answer?

          Originally posted by perzephone View Post

          It's important to identify and recognize your triggers. Keep a journal or diary tracking your anxiety. See if there's anything that sticks out. Try and pinpoint what it is that's happening when you begin to feel anxious and avoid those situations if possible. For my husband, a lot of it is medical issues. He's afraid of death and dying, so any consideration of cancer or major diseases, doctors' visits, doctors' offices, drug commercials on t.v., etc. all trigger him to an extent. He used to watch House, which is a veritable cornucopia of exotic diseases and disorders, so he stopped watching it. I used to watch a lot of forensic/true crime tv, and 'medical mystery'-type shows, so I don't watch those around him. He's worked things out with his doctor so he can get a little extra medication so he doesn't have to go in for as many office visits over the course of the year, and if I have a doctor's appointment, we try to plan things for him to do so he isn't stuck in the waiting room (I don't drive, so he's stuck taking me to the doctor).
          Everything she said was great, but this is really key. Recognizing and learning that to avoid triggers helps SO MUCH.

          Once I learned that I didn't have to "face them" and in fact it was way better to not, because it never helped... I was much happier.
          hey look, I have a book! And look I have a second one too!

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          • #6
            Re: Anxiety, is there a magical answer?

            Originally posted by Malflick View Post
            Everything she said was great, but this is really key. Recognizing and learning that to avoid triggers helps SO MUCH.

            Once I learned that I didn't have to "face them" and in fact it was way better to not, because it never helped... I was much happier.
            Sadly it's a bit difficult to avoid triggers when they are things that are abundant in society; like driving, people driving around you, plastic bags, and those dreaded windchimes! xD Personally, I have never bothered with any magickal method to helping out my anxiety disorder. I find that the pills I have been prescribed work enough that I can last a few hours after popping them.

            As for the question on this thread, I really have no answer besides going to a psychologist/psychiatrist about these anxiety attacks.


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            • #7
              Re: Anxiety, is there a magical answer?

              Originally posted by WinterTraditions View Post
              Sadly it's a bit difficult to avoid triggers when they are things that are abundant in society; like driving, people driving around you, plastic bags, and those dreaded windchimes! xD Personally, I have never bothered with any magickal method to helping out my anxiety disorder. I find that the pills I have been prescribed work enough that I can last a few hours after popping them.

              As for the question on this thread, I really have no answer besides going to a psychologist/psychiatrist about these anxiety attacks.
              Yeah, the freaking drug commercials with their lists of side effects are a pain. My husband's also got problems w/animal abuse, and some days it seems like every other ad on tv is a drug ad or that ASPCA/Sarah McLachlan commercial. All my husband really does is watch tv. /facepalm
              The forum member formerly known as perzephone. Or Perze. I've shed a skin.

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              • #8
                Re: Anxiety, is there a magical answer?

                Thanks for all the input. I have a horrible suspicion that caffeine no longer works with my body. This is really making me sad, as it is the last vice that I have held on to. (And I don't relish the thought of "coming off" caffeine.) Overall, slow and steady is what is going to win this race.

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                • #9
                  Re: Anxiety, is there a magical answer?

                  Originally posted by Phoenix LeFae View Post
                  Thanks for all the input. I have a horrible suspicion that caffeine no longer works with my body. This is really making me sad, as it is the last vice that I have held on to. (And I don't relish the thought of "coming off" caffeine.) Overall, slow and steady is what is going to win this race.
                  Caffeine withdrawal isn't all that bad. The worst part is the headaches that happen on the first day. Just keep some Tylenol handy. You can also 'step down' your caffeine intake - instead of 2 cups of coffee, drink one for a couple of days. Then switch to a tea or hot chocolate for a couple. Then no caffeine.
                  The forum member formerly known as perzephone. Or Perze. I've shed a skin.

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                  • #10
                    Re: Anxiety, is there a magical answer?

                    Cutting off caffeine is a really good idea, people tend to underestimate it's stimulant effect, but it compounds anxiety in a really nasty way. If you use any street drugs, workout supplements, or are on any stimulant medication for ADD/narcolepsy, you'll want to stop those too.

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                    • #11
                      Re: Anxiety, is there a magical answer?

                      Originally posted by Aeran View Post
                      ... any stimulant medication for ADD/narcolepsy, you'll want to stop those too.
                      Please consult your prescribing doctor before arbitrarily stopping any medication for diagnosed ailments.
                      The forum member formerly known as perzephone. Or Perze. I've shed a skin.

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                      • #12
                        Re: Anxiety, is there a magical answer?

                        Originally posted by perzephone View Post
                        Please consult your prescribing doctor before arbitrarily stopping any medication for diagnosed ailments.
                        Good point, I figured that went without saying but yeah obviously you want to talk to your doctor about it.

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                        • #13
                          Re: Anxiety, is there a magical answer?

                          If you haven't yet, you might want to get checked for any heart defects. I was diagnosed with anxiety disorder in my early 20's, only to find out much later than actually what I have is premature atrial contractions, which are responsive to stress and trigger a cortisol reaction almost indistinguishable from an anxiety attack. Unfortunately, because the PACs are stress-reactive and cortisol is a stress hormone, it becomes a feedback loop that's hard to break out of. Once I knew, though, I was able to break that cycle and now it is rarely a problem.
                          We will be the jerks the world needs.

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                          • #14
                            Re: Anxiety, is there a magical answer?

                            Okay, I'm going to pre-empt this with the fact that I suffer from some pretty major anxiety issues. I'm on klonopin and a few other medications right now to try and help, and as it stands, I don't leave the house without at least one person I know because doing so causes me to have an anxiety/panic attack, especially when faced with crowds of people that I don't know. Finding out what triggers your anxiety might help. In my case, I haven't quite figured out what my triggers are yet. Sometimes, narrowing down your triggers can take a lot of time. If you notice that you start to feel off after A or B happens, write it down or something so that you know. If you notice that you start to feel off EVERY TIME A or B happens, it's a pattern, and that's good to keep note of as well. Keeping notes can also tell you if there is no pattern (as is my case, unfortunately). But sometimes diet changes, therapy, and journaling, keeping track of things can really help you to try and get a better hold on things. I'm not saying it works for everyone, but it might work for you. There's not really a cure-all as everyone is different, but it's definitely worth a try. Even meditation might help to calm you down a little. Or finding something to focus on when you feel like you're about to lose that control.

                            Does that make sense?
                            It's a really, really cool thing, to be able to show people that you can be yourself, and you should be proud of yourself, and you should own who you are and what you're about, and never make apologies for it.
                            -Adam Lambert


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                            • #15
                              Re: Anxiety, is there a magical answer?

                              Originally posted by Phoenix LeFae View Post
                              Greetings All,

                              Over the past couple of years I've started to have small and minor anxiety attacks. This doesn't happen very often, but they are starting to come more often and more regularly. I do not like it. I've done a few exercises, breathing practices, and so on, to try and diffuse these feelings, but I am wondering if others have anxiety and what they might do to help. Also, what are your thoughts on why this happens? I was told by a friend that it could be my psychic abilities expanding, but my logical mind doesn't believe that. I don't know what it is coming from, but I would love to find some simple ways to deal with it that doesn't include taking drugs.

                              Any ideas, help, and information would be amazing.


                              Magically, in the sense of casting a spell and it all goes away within 48 hours... not so much. However, shadow work can be helpful, if you're ready for that kind of direct self-identification and working through your issues. Meditation and grounding techniques can really help as well; along with physical activity (walking, running, biking, yoga, anything that tires you out and burns of excess energy).

                              Panic attacks are basically a release of adrenaline in response to something that triggers your fight or flight response. In order to really deal with it and stop it, you'll need to identify what it is that is causing you anxiety. Keep yourself calm (this is where grounding and meditation really come into play) throughout the day and as soon as you feel yourself start to become nervous, stop what you're doing and try to identify what it is that is causing it. It could be an ant walking across the floor, or it could be a certain individual, or a certain type of situation. Only you will be able to decipher that.

                              The only drug that has ever really worked for me is a tranquilizer that I only take when I know my trigger event will occur. Other than that, the best medicine is to be nice to your mind and your body (eat, sleep properly, and give yourself a break when you need it). The best cure is to work your way through the triggers.

                              A lot of people will need external help to identify and sort through their triggers, I would strongly advise talking to a counselor about it before you go about digging into any wounds you may have.


                              On my PTSD, I would strongly advise not going about dealing with it the way I had. I would have panic attacks every few hours, for absolutely no reason, and I was in a rather unstable place in my life. I refused to leave my apartment unescorted for over a year, I wasn't sleeping properly, and I was completely emotionally numb for the better part of 3 years. It took me about 18 months to think that maybe something was wrong... and I didn't have the resources to really seek out a therapist at the time. I would definitely have done that if I had the means to; and looking back, I should have looked harder for those means, but I was terrified of social situations so I (stupidly) didn't. Instead, I started letting my nightmares show me what was at the root of my suffering and began there (I would get nightmares daily, and it was the only time I would ever feel anything). I started looking toward shadow work, identifying the darkest parts of my psyche that I violently did not want to see and started to edge into what caused those wounds. I talked to a lot of people about related topics (for example, I was absolutely terrified of authority figures, so I befriended a local police officer over the internet and asked him about his work, what he was legally able to do, what my options were for anything out of the ordinary, and his thoughts on his work). Same thing for a variety of triggers. It actually took me several years to dig into each of these base triggers in order to identify the biggest root fears, but at least now I can handle being around authority figures and a variety of my old triggers without any issues whatsoever. With my situation, treating the anxiety itself didn't help me at all. Treating its cause was, and that was painful.

                              On another note, there were a couple things that allowed me to go about healing myself in this manner that I probably wouldn't have been able to do if those things weren't present in my life at the time. I did have social contact, and I met 2 friends that really listened to me (even on my crazy days) that I could always find if I had to. One of which was a cancer survivor and although his experience was different, it really helped us relate to each other and share our stories. I played an online mmo with these two friends so I also had the semi-physical connection as well; I think if it was purely over skype or something it wouldn't have been as helpful (plus there was the distraction of harvesting pixel plants and ores to help ease the anxiety topics). Another thing was that it was at this point where I really started getting visits from my otherrealm guides. Or it's really at this point when I started becoming aware of them and working with them on a daily basis. I had been strongly pagan-oriented for over a decade prior to this time in my life, but here is where it really opened up for me beyond the basics. Without that kind of connection, and the consistent presence of my guardians, my healing strategy would never have been possible. These things combined, plus my renewed interest in art and music, really helped me out.

                              You'll be alright, you'll work through this and you'll become stronger for it.

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