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I’d always had subtler social anxiety, but when I finally had a full-on panic attack manifest as symptoms similar to a heart attack, it was the tipping point. I realized I had to get it under control.

What’s working for me is various breathing exercises such as pranayama. Meditation. And investigating the real root of the anxious thoughts. Everyone is different though and has to experiment to find what works for them.

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    I’ve learned through this process that so much of managing anxiety for me is about getting some distance between myself and the worrying thoughts. Observing my thoughts without judgment or desire to change them. It gives me a new perspective on my own thought patterns and sometimes I realize how mechanical my worried mind can be.

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    The physical act of drawing or writing it out is calming, too. Having an outlet to fall back on is like having a good friend around who’s willing to listen to anything.

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    It can seem pointless on the face of it, to do nothing but just write about anxiety. But I think it’s perhaps the best medicine because the last thing anxiety wants you to do is accept things as they are. It’s a relentless itch to act urgently, even if it doesn’t really know what it wants to do.

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    Anger

    Multiple personalities

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    Late night dwelling

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    The caffeine-anxiety connection

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    Thoughts of chaos

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