This may not be an epilepsy-related question but I thought I would ask. I don't have a firm grasp on my anxiety and sometimes it controls me. What are some strategies that some of you use?
Reading, light work out or a good long walk to think. Keeping your mind busy helps.
Thats part of the deal with most meds they cause anxiety, but so doesepilepsy, but that, what works for me, might not work for u. But just by understanding that its caused by either one and just do what u do, but in moderation, meaning know ur limits on whatever it might be. Dont fight it, learn what works best 4 u. Go with it like "everything will soon pass" Thats what i say, no it will not stop anxiety, but it will disappear a whole lot faster sometimes you can't stop the train but you can slow it down
Hobbies, meditation, therapy, talking to someone you trust, listening to music, dancing, humor, deep breathing.
Although I've had the surgery, my mind still can gather the stress I had for the 45 years of seizures. My thing for the last 2.5 years has been hiking and biking. To show others and myself that I rule, not the seizures. It's working for me, and as we each have our strong points and passions, it helps to work on your own passions. A great help for one's ego also, when seizures can get you down.
I have big problems with anxiety and depression along with my seizures. Some things that help me when I am feeling anxious are just finding ways to distract myself, whether it be going on youtube and watching random funny videos, to listening to music, drawing, anything. I even have something called a "distraction box", I read about them online. You get a shoebox or photobox, and fill it with items you can use to calm, relax, or distract yourself. It can have all kind of things...Bubbles, candle, coloring book, favorite candy, stress ball, small puzzles, etc. Mine has bubbles, tiny jigsaw puzzle, bag of sand and shells from my favorite beach (it it soothing to feel the sand and smell the slight beachy smell that is left in it), markers to draw on the box, glow sticks (they feel good to me when they snap, and I think they are pretty in the dark....and no I'm no high lol), playdoh (trust me on that, it can be relaxing to squish). I'm not a girly girl, but I've even de-stressed by painting my toenails. Anything that diverts your focus to something else.