Anxiety....I hate it.

Nurses General Nursing

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If it was not for Allnurses, I would lose my mind. It's funny how I will never see or know any of you, but yet I feel this is the only place of comfort I can come to. I'm having horrible anxiety today. It just comes from out of the blue. I try to close my eyes and sleep, but it makes it worse. How do I get through this today?

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Well, the best thing I can suggest is that you may wish to consult with your primary HCP......

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Specializes in Hospice, LTC, Rehab, Home Health.

Until you can see your PCP; if you are anxious about a specific thing -- ask yourself, is this something I can do anything about right now? If so, do it. If not, accept that whatever it is is out of your control and turn it over to your higher power -- God, the universe.. whatever it is that you believe in. You may have to do this several times before it becomes natural but it works for me.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Capacity/Bed Management.

Hey loveishope, I too suffer from anxiety, usually i try to take deep breaths and practice progressive muscle relaxation. I also suggest seeking help from a therapist, they can really help you understand and work through it. Best of luck!!

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Get some CALM !!!!!!!! (Peter Gillham Natural Calm Raspberry Lemon)

It taste great and it works !!!!!!! I get mine from vitacost. ;)

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I'm also a newish grad, graduated in Dec 2010. I definately have SOME anxiety in unfamiliar situations, but it does sound like you are possibly experiencing over the top anxiety. Definately see your PCP. I would also suggest going to more experienced nurses on your floor when you are in a situation where you are unsure. I find if I tell them what I'm thinking they can then either agree that's what they would do, disagree and tell me how, or just correct the parts of my thinking that are incorrect. Usually I am spot on or they give me additional ideas on how to help my patient.

I would also suggest finding some way to destress when not at work. Work is not life. You need to be more than just a nurse to be able to take care of yourself too.

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

flarn had some wonderful advice. sometimes our anxiety tends to snowball, and we worry about everything. if you stop for a moment and ask yourself, "can i take care of this issue right now?" then it will put some perspective on your angst.

if you worry about many things, put yourself to work and list the things that are bothering you. some kind of action on your part to make sense of chaos will make you feel like you are gaining control.

when i get overwhelmed, i stop myself and start thinking methodically. i take small bits of a task and complete them. you can use this method with anything.

examples:

problem: work is becoming my life. i am working too many shifts in a row.

solution: ask a staff member to switch shifts so you can break up your week. schedule a mini-vacation, even if you are going to stay at home and watch the inside of your eyelids!

problem: i have too many bills and not enough income.

solution: take all of your bills out and see what you can do without. it might hurt at first, but the relief of not having to pay another bill is well worth it.

problem: i can't sleep at night because my mind is full of worry.

solution: ask yourself if the issues you are worried about can be addressed at once. if not, put it out of your mind. it takes practice, but you can do this. if you have an ipad, download "sleep pillow". it has a range of sounds that are calming. i use the 'fan noise' to drown out my husband's snoring! it also has a timer on it so it shuts off whenever you program it to.

anxiety is present in almost every nurse. some more than others, and believe me, you can control it. you just have to take it one step at a time and break down each issue.

good luck to you honey!

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Can anyone recommend any homeopathic remedies for anxiety that have been proven to work?

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I recommend the "Anxiety and Phobia Workbook" by Edmund Bourne. It helped me through a time when I was so paralyzed by anxiety that I couldn't even leave my house.

Step by step chapters on the thinking that creates that unstoppable wave of anxiety and how to reframe your thinking, relaxation exercises, information on medications, holistic strategies, just a really great resource. I still pull it out from time to time when I'm feeling overwhelmed and I've forgotten how to manage my stress.

http://www.amazon.com/Anxiety-Phobia-Workbook-Fourth/dp/1572244135

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I suffer from anxiety .. . .and if it's just intermittent, you might manage it w/ certain remedies, but if it's constant, you should see a doc and get something for it ...AND get some counseling. Sometimes all you need is a bit of re-wiring.

I get horrible anxiety now w/ my new job ...and so guess what ..I'm switching jobs!! I dont' care anymore ...there is REASON for a lot of this anxiety -- and that is a poor work environment where I am most often in over my head w/ no help and constantly being piled on with more ... good reasons for anxiety in MY book.

So, I'm leaving the job get getting something less demanding. I might give up a few dollars but will retain my sanity. You CAN sometimes make changes in your life that will get you out of a bad environment.

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Specializes in Medical Surgical-Oncology.

remove what is causing the stress or take a bubble bath :)

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Do things that bring you joy. What is more important in life than having fun and happiness?

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