For what it's worth...

[Hypomommy]

Hey Everyone!

I don't post on here all that often, I do read every day and try to comment where I can.  I wanted to share a little with you so that hopefully it might help some of you who are in the throes of your anxiety.

I was finally diagnosed last year with anxiety after a very miserable two years.  What a relief to have someone finally understand me.  My doctor has helped me find many tools to help combat anxiety when it rears its ugly head.  First thing - I swore off Google and WebMD and other med websites.  I probably knew more about random diseases because of my googling then my doctor did.  She was astonished - and not in a good way. 

So I read somewhere that if you do somethign for 21 days, it becomes a habit.  I gave up google and the like for Lent.  40 days should do it?  Right?  Trust me - it was the hardest thing I ever did.  I was on this site many times a day just browsing for support to get me through.  I am happy to say that I was able to break the cycle of internet searching and haven't googled since the start of Lent last year.  It totally can be done - you have to have the drive to want to quit.  I kind of equate it to a smoker - you can say it's a good idea, it will be so much healthier for you - but you have to want to make this change. I had to find other things to pass my mind when the urge hit.  But I can honestly say now "there is nothing that makes me want to google."

I've also this year taken up exercise.  I've also found that going to the gym and trying to eat healthy has put me in a better frame of mind.  I enjoy the time to myself, listening to music and calming my thoughts.  I've learned by going to the gym that my brain runs on overdrive a lot.  It has helped provide peace. 

Am I saying I am completely cured?  Nope, I still get random aches and pains and palpitations - but I am not so quick to jump to a scary diagnosis.  Trust me it's hard there are nights where I jump on the chat board because I'm really worried and scared.  That always provides a good laugh and helps to calm me down.

Some of the big diseases that people worry about - MS, cancer, etc.  I have a friend in her 20's who was diagnosed with MS and her symptoms were nothing like what anyone has described.  But I can tell you for a definite fact:  2 years into her diagnosis - she is healthy, happy and loving life.  The only time she thinks about her MS is when she has to go to the doctor.  You would never even know that she has it by looking at her.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that there is hope and help for us all.  Floridayguy, sixpack, vardnas, gcalex (I think I spelled your name wrong) have SO MANY EXCELLENT POSTS.  I often go back and read them when I'm having a bad day.  And the biggest thing I think I learned from them is that you can make some headway with anxiety IF you are ready to make a change.

Anyway - I know I'm rambling - I hope that this post helps someone out there!

[Harmony]

This helped me!  I wonder if I have the strength to give it up....I am right in the middle of a huge anxiety flare with actual physical symptoms, but he googling sure hasn't made it any easier, that's for sure.
Congrats on sticking it out, I'm sure you feel a huge weight has been lifted!  Never being able to leave Dr. Google's office is a nightmare! 

[sixpack]

congratulations.

I LOVE, LOVE that you gave up googling for Lent.  That is surely ONE way to give you the umph to stick with it.  You don't need God mad at you.