I feel like a prisoner in my own mind. Every other day I’m dying of a new disease and I just can’t take it anymore. Panic attack after panic attack, constantly researching symptoms and self diagnosing.
When will it ever end? Some days I just feel like giving up, my anxiety is destroying me slowly.
Anxiety can feel like being trapped in a constant loop of fear, doubt, and exhaustion. It’s like your brain is stuck on a channel you didn’t choose, and the remote is missing. But the good news? That remote isn’t gone—you just need to reclaim it. Let’s start with some strategies that might feel tough at first but can change everything:
1. Stop Googling. Seriously. Just stop.
Every time you hop on Google, you’re giving your anxiety more power. It’s like handing a loaded gun to the voice in your head that says, “You’ve got something fatal.” Google isn’t your doctor, and it’s never going to tell you, “Hey, everything’s fine. Have a great day!” Instead, it’s going to feed your worst fears. Delete those medical bookmarks. Trust me, your peace of mind depends on it.
2. Train Your Rational Brain.
When anxiety strikes, it hijacks your thoughts with what ifs. But here’s the trick: You don’t have to believe everything your mind throws at you. Next time you feel that spiral starting, pause and ask yourself:
- What’s the most likely explanation?
- If this were serious, would it have been worse by now?
- Can I wait a couple of weeks before freaking out?
Odds are, your fear will pass without you needing to act on it.
3. Take Control of Your Thoughts.
This one’s hard, but it’s everything. Right now, your mind is running the show, but it doesn’t have to. Imagine you’ve got two voices in your head—the anxious one and the rational one. You get to decide which one you’ll listen to. The anxious voice is loud and convincing, but it’s not the boss. You are. Practice shutting it down when it starts to spin stories.
4. Focus on Your Physical Health.
Your body and mind are connected. Get outside, move your body, eat foods that fuel you, and get your vitamin levels checked (low vitamin D can amplify anxiety big time). These aren’t magic fixes, but they lay the foundation for better mental health. Sleep especially is non-negotiable—protect it like it’s gold.
5. Trust Your Doctor.
Doctors spend years training to spot what’s real and what’s not. If they’re not worried about your symptoms, take that as a win. They’ve seen your situation a hundred times and know what’s worth investigating. Stop second-guessing them and start trusting their expertise.
6. Talk About It.
Anxiety thrives in isolation. The more you keep this inside, the more it grows. Open up to someone—a friend, a therapist, or even a community that understands what you’re going through. You’ll be shocked at how many people have felt exactly what you’re feeling. You’re not alone in this.
7. Make the Choice to Live.
This one is hard to hear, but it’s true: Anxiety will consume as much of your life as you let it. Every day, you have to choose to push back. Choose to believe you’re okay. Choose to stop poking, prodding, and checking. Choose to put your energy into something that fills your tank, not drains it.