Coping with Symptoms and Side Effects

Therapy and meds are a big one. But some coping strategies are: making lists, mini dance party, accomplishing something small, eating a healthy meal, asking myself “is this thought helpful?” and if it isn’t then excusing it. I do worst-case scenarios too. Seems odd, but if I am worried about something, I think it all the way out as if everything I’m afraid of were to happen. Then I ask myself, “So? Would you survive?” You’d be surprised how often the answer is yes. Even if it is true that everyone hates you and if you ended up in a job that isn’t the job you want and if best friend stops talking to me, so…I can still survive and find different friends and a job that I like, it’s just different. It’s just a thought process that helps me. I try to remember thoughts are all thoughts, some might look different or be bigger, but they are all just thoughts. I imagine thoughts like clouds. They all eventually can float away and they don’t actually hurt me or anything. Maybe these are all kind of weird, but they help me.

Going on a walk because I mostly experience anxiety when I’m inside

Physically leaving the area where I felt my anxiety is getting bad or start feeling worse physical symptoms, sensory grounding (like listening to music or feeling something hot or cold to take my mind away from the anxious thoughts) and once I'm as calm as possible I head back and try again with a lower anxiety level. Sometimes changing scenery is all I need.