My first meeting isn't in a month. I'm worried that it will take too long for the “help” to work and I'll have a hard time getting over all my anxiety. Do you have any advice for managing anxiety as I prepare to get support for it?
Concerned: I'm sorry you're feeling so stressed out. Before you run through your list, remember the power of deep breathing. It's not magic or medicine, but it is an option for symptom relief, and it's free and readily available 24/7. Understood:
1. Appointment with your primary care physician or gynecologist. That way, you can start care now and maybe even get you in line for mental health care.
2. Do you have support? Do you have friends, family, paid sitters, or other domestic help? Please call in all possible reinforcements.
3. Try all the free home-based self-care. Yoga (“Let’s try it”)yoga with adrien” (YouTube), other exercises, meditation, music, comedy, a warm bath, tea, and your favorite book/movie/show. Walking around the neighborhood with the twins in their stroller was a lifesaver for us. (I realized that ours could be lined up and interlocked with each other — but it got better!)
4. Do you have access to employee assistance programs (EAPs) through your employer? These often include immediate short-term assistance and can serve as a bridge to future long-term care appointments .
5. Support groups? Based on what you are using to self-medicate? Many are free to access. Alternatively, you can go the other direction and try parenting multiple groups.
6. Finally, long lists can be stressful, so streamline them. Narrow your list down to the absolute necessities, focus less on appearance, and give yourself permission to cross out anything from the start. I didn't mention partners, but if you have a partner, please work together.
Embrace what you are going through. You have taken a difficult and courageous action by taking steps to manage it.
· For the past two years, I have been incredibly anxious. My gynecologist tested my vitamin D levels and found them to be very low. My anxiety has gotten much better since I started taking vitamin D supplements. YMMV but I wanted to share! [Some support for this here.]
· New anti-anxiety drugs are surprisingly effective. For basic care, see your internist, gynecologist, or family doctor. Continue to feed, clothe, and cuddle your twins. The rest is details.
· Be really honest with yourself about whether your self-medication is taking on a life of its own. When you need treatment for addiction, therapy and anti-anxiety medications won't magically solve your problem. Ask your doctor to screen you for substance use disorders. If you need rehab, go to rehab.
· Why not read a little about anxiety, its causes, and how to deal with it? Andrea Boniol'sdetox your thoughts”
