I now have a twitter to promote awareness for anxiety and depression. @Stressblog2. Feel free to share this blog with friends, family or anyone you know who is suffering from anxiety and/or depression.

I was hesitant to start antidepressants. I started out on a very small dose of an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), called Zoloft and my psychiatrist said that it was the best antidepressant because it had the least serious side effects.

So, do you need medication for anxiety? Medication should only be used if you find anxiety is stopping you from enjoying your life in multiple ways. It took 5 months before I decided that I was done with anxiety and wanted to try medication. I did my best to use self help, so I would exercise. Medication, exercise, therapy is a triple defence against anxiety that I really like because I find all three methods help me out in different ways. You shouldn’t rely entirely on medication, it may not work the same for everyone.

Therapy has helped so much for me. Talking to someone made me feel appreciated and as if I could lessen the burden on my shoulders. After my first therapy session I left unable to get rid of the smile on my face. Every time I have my therapy sessions, I always run down the street beaming (drawing looks from passersby, but I always feel too happy to care). These past few weeks I have been feeling almost perfect, as if I had never been through anxiety. Something my therapist said and I think is important, “Some people give up on therapy and medication the second they feel better, and end up relapsing…” so even if you feel better, it’s safer to wait for a doctor to tell you to stop taking medication or for your therapist to tell you it’s ok to stop coming to sessions. Talking to a trusted friend helps too, I was terrified that my friends would see me as weak, but they all said they supported me 100% and were there for me. So, having a good friend to talk to can help you out.

When my poor mental health reached its peak 3 months ago, I found myself freaking out about freaking out. It started to be a problem, I wouldn’t eat, sleep or want to do anything. Seeing a therapist is a great way to track down the root of your anxiety, and at first I was reluctant, but honestly it helps.

Before that I used an app called Youper which basically tracks how you feel each day and can assess the severity of depression or anxiety that you are going through. Another thing that I would do was to drink some type of herbal tea, so chamomile, rooibos or lavender tea all work well (personally I preferred chamomile which can also help sleep). Lavender oil was like gold for me. Even a single drop on my pillow before I went to bed made me feel calm and at ease. Another tactic is to run a hot bath and add a couple of drops of lavender oil in or lavender bubble bath. Not only did it relieve me of my troubles, but also will relax muscle tension if you’ve had a tough day.

Prior to me realising what the root of my anxiety was, I kept on diagnosing myself with all these ailments online. When I went to consult a doctor about the possibility of me having a panic disorder I was understandably relieved to find out what was ‘wrong’ with me. Being the curious person I am, I looked up the science behind anxiety, and knowing how it worked made me feel less out of my depth with anxiety. Knowing what needed to be done gave me a goal to work towards.

Panic attacks are not fun. Anyone who has suffered from anxiety can tell you that. I myself am overcoming this hurdle life has thrown at me. Although I haven’t had a panic attack in a month, I still remember vividly how terrifying they are.

So, if you’re having a panic attack, make sure you keep breathing. When I would have panic attacks, I would get myself to my parents or whoever was on hand at the time. Make sute you’re around someone you trust. Drinking water was something that managed to help me get through them. There is a product called Rescue Remedy, which is made of plant extract really helped calm me down. Another thing was Lavender oil. I would put it on my pillow and let the aroma wash over me and significantly helped. Distraction is also another technique, but doesn’t work as quickly. It can be something like watching some tv, listening to music, simple things that don’t require much concentration.

Try to figure out what’s on your mind. It may take time, but once you figure out what sets you off you can begin the road to defeating anxiety.

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton