hi all,
i find my symptoms get much worse when i'm anxious or when i'm stressed (maybe that's the same thing, i don't know). what techniques have people tried to manage the anxiety or stress? i now it gets discussed a lot here but i'm hoping to get a comprehensive list. techniques, supplements, whatever.

help much appreciated.

You can use the search forum feature for past postings on anxiety , quite a bit of discussion & information.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/search.php

The most important concept is to accept that the PCS brain is much less tolerant of stress. Then, work to unstress and uncomplicate your life. It will usually mean some serious changes and even sacrifices.

For many of us, we know for a fact that we cannot tolerate certain environments and activities.

So, avoid the stressors that are avoidable and learn to moderate the rest. It may mean avoiding certain family situations or family members.

Reducing stimulations in our lives also helps. Music, environmental sounds, job sounds, visual stimulation, and even tactile stimulations need to be reduced

I really like guided meditations. There are some good free ones if you google "UCLA meditation". The ones with the singing bowls I find particularly calming. I never was into meditation, but once I really gave it a good try, I found it to be very helpful to calm my mind.

Other things that helped me: acupuncture, massage (even if you just get a partner or friend to do it), breathing techniques and stretching, recognizing the anxiety and talking about it, epsom salt baths, sun bathing, exercise, just facing the anxiety and saying I'm not going to let you control me , therapy

Thanks for the suggestions! If anyone has others, please share. I'm particularly interested in stresses that simply cannot be cut out but must be managed.

What kind of stresses cannot be cut out ?
What have you done to try to manage them ?

Maybe we can suggest other ways to reduce the stress from those situations.

Driving and workplace stressors for sure, at least for me.

At work, for example, since I work outdoors 100% of the time, I wear dark sunglasses all the time and work at a slower pace. I also avoid workplace gossip and keep to myself and that helps very much. Try to limit laptop time and also, being out in the open air just helps in general, too, though!

While driving, I definitely wear dark sunglasses and just focus on driving. Trying not to turn the head too much either helps.

Stress in general, I always try to stay positive and think "it can always be worse". I think about my dad being in the nursing home for five long years before he passed in one. That could've been me but I'm thankful it wasn't. I have a positive mantra I keep repeating in my head when I feel stress getting to me. Little changes go a long way but sometimes it can take much discipline. Intermittent stretching and Tai Chai go a long way as well.

My best to you in recovering!

Nick

Mark: I'm particularly interested managing stress from work. I have tried meditation but so far been unsuccessful at sticking with it. Going to attempt again since it seems like it helps everyone. I have tried working out (as much as my symptoms would allow me) and that seems to help a bit but I need more.