Tips for dealing with anxiety

[HarrietD]

Do you have any advice about dealing with feelings of anxiety that could help other people living with dementia?

Are there things that you’ve tried which either have or haven't worked for you?

Is there anything you'd like to say to other people with dementia who are experiencing these feelings?

If so, we'd like to share these with readers of our magazine, Dementia together - please email magazine@alzheimers.org.uk or reply on this thread before 29 August.

Thank you

 

[Dunroamin]

Thank you Harriet,
Not really a problem for me. However I feel that my coldwater swimming keeps many feelings in perspective and contributes greatly to my general wellbeing.

 

[Shelleydvr]

Ummmm. Some small amount of anti-depressant... But it is becoming harder to keep the anxiety at bay..
Hence landed up back here to share with others... Of course, I had forgotten I had registered here. Not necessarily tips... but experiences.
A forum/support group for those with Dementia is sadly lacking , although there is a lot for the caregaivers..

 

[HarrietD]

@Dunroamin I'm very glad that your cold water swimming keeps your feelings in perspective, and helps a lot with your wellbeing. That's great to hear

Thanks @Shelleydvr for your comment. Whether it's tips or sharing your own experiences, it's all incredibly valuable.

I'm sorry to hear you feel that peer support for those with dementia is lacking. The 'I have dementia' area is intended to be a space for people living with dementia to support each other, so please feel free to keep posting in here for support from others.

If you or anyone has any suggestions on how we could improve the 'I have dementia' forum, you're very welcome to email us at talkingpoint@alzheimers.org.uk

 

[Shelleydvr]

@Dunroamin I'm very glad that your cold water swimming keeps your feelings in perspective, and helps a lot with your wellbeing. That's great to hear

Thanks @Shelleydvr for your comment. Whether it's tips or sharing your own experiences, it's all incredibly valuable.

I'm sorry to hear you feel that peer support for those with dementia is lacking. The 'I have dementia' area is intended to be a space for people living with dementia to support each other, so please feel free to keep posting in here for support from others.

If you or anyone has any suggestions on how we could improve the 'I have dementia' forum, you're very welcome to email us at talkingpoint@alzheimers.org.uk

I didn't mean to be in any way critical... It can be difficult for us to mavigate a website though.. And not having someone immediately available to help getting there is mot great.
I've already had some comfort from other de,entia suffer on here , readimg the words they put donw

 

[sdmhred]

Apologies I don’t mean to distract this thread - but I picked up a couple of people saying they found the site difficult to navigate when they had dementia. I too often lose threads. Is there any thought to an app which might be easier to use?
I will reply to the thread title - it’s having the time to write what would be quite a long response.

 

[mikeb2]

I have meditated for years now morning and night- even for a few minutes can help tremendously with anxiety -followed by occasionally mindfulness walking- even while suffering from stiff knee syndrome after fail Knee replacement so constant pain has well has the foggy days that come and go, My memory clinic consultant has constantly remark how well I cope with what I have, and still at work and its all due to my meditation practice

 

[HarrietD]

Thanks @Shelleydvr and @sdmhred for your helpful feedback. We did have an app but unfortunately it wasn't possible to continue and we had to close it, as announced here back in 2017.

It sounds like the community can be difficult to navigate for some people living with dementia, and we're always looking at ways to improve things so that it's easier to use. I also appreciate that it takes time to write a longer response. If you start writing a post, it should automatically save so you can always come back to it later.

Thank you @mikeb2 for sharing what's helped you. I'm really glad that meditation has been so beneficial for you.

 

[Jane R]

I've downloaded an app called "Calm." It has guided meditations (short or long. ) It has saved my life and helped sleep inspite of all the thoughts whirling around in my head.

 

[HarrietD]

Really glad to hear you've found the Calm app and their guided meditations so helpful, @Jane R

 

[Sylvie1]

My husband has Alzheimer's and one of the most beneficial things for me emotionally is Dance Movement Psychotherapy. It's not cheap but I have a 2-hour session once a month with a wonderful Dance Movement Psychotherapist when I can be myself, express my frustration, stress, fear, etc., both verbally and in moving to music. I can go into a session in great distress, on my knees mentally and physically, and emerge feeling lighter, nourished with recharged batteries. There are not many of these therapists about. To find one in your area have a look at the website of The Association for Dance Movement Psychotherapy UK.

 

[HarrietD]

Thanks @Sylvie1, it's great to hear that dance movement psychotherapy has been so useful for you. It sounds like it's a really beneficial release for you.

Just a reminder, this thread is intended for people who are living with dementia to share how they deal with feelings of anxiety - or if you're caring for someone, please feel free to share anything you've found that helps with their anxiety

 

[ged626red]

Hi,
I use a tip I got from an Empowered Conversations course on line I attended and it seems to help my wife - I tell her to breathe in then hold for four - five seconds and then breathe out and then repeat five times. It seems to work as it concentrates her mind and stops her lips chattering. We now use sertraline but really dont know if this actually helps. I have also just recently noticed her hand shaking.

 

[Izzy]

I’d not heard of the Empowered Conversation courses @ged626red.

Here’s the link in case anyone wants to have a look at them.

Our Online Programme

The team at Empowered Conversations understand that life has been more challenging for people affected by dementia over the last few years. We are here to help. Families and Friends supporting people living with dementia can access our FREE communication courses - Empowered Conversations and...

empowered-conversations.co.uk

 

[moffy]

I care for my husband with dementia. He has a carer while I go belly dancing. I had not been for a long time and was unsure if it was the right thing to do. However, for an hour I had to concentrate on something else and it really helped - and belly dancing is great fun anyway. I think that anything that requires concentrating on something would be good. I also have an art session with a lady I have known for years. Her son has problems and we spend some of the time talking about our problems. It helps that it is someone who is not family. I find my faith a great support too, especially at night if I can't sleep I pray.

 

[Roberts]

Unfortunately like most other people dealing with this I seem to be continually waiting for the next stress point, such as Adult Social Care social worker saying my Mother will get a care package and then being successfully ignored for several weeks.
I tend to use the app Headspace, this helps somewhat, but I find it is not enough on its own and have been seeing an anxiety counsellor at my own cost.

 

[Dollytatty]

Ummmm. Some small amount of anti-depressant... But it is becoming harder to keep the anxiety at bay..
Hence landed up back here to share with others... Of course, I had forgotten I had registered here. Not necessarily tips... but experiences.
A forum/support group for those with Dementia is sadly lacking , although there is a lot for the caregaivers..

I'm here if you ever want to chat, talking and knowing your not alone helps! And recognising each others challenges,relating... just them moments of ..yeah! That's happens to me and yes I feel like that. I think we need support on a daily basis. My phone is old so won't take certain apps, I honestly struggle daily. Be nice to click a button and just reach out and say it, just moan and get some support from fellow carers, even if the reaction is "Hey! We're here"
My Dad passed in April, Dementia. Looked after him for three years and Mum with Alzeimers. Still looking after Mum at home. So be nice to have that easy reach out to eachother button. X

 

[Dollytatty]

I've downloaded an app called "Calm." It has guided meditations (short or long. ) It has saved my life and helped sleep inspite of all the thoughts whirling around in my head.

I'm going to look for Calm now, thanks for sharing.

 

[Tricot]

Be nice to click a button and just reach out and say it, just moan and get some support from fellow carers,

As you see from the quote below, Shelleydvr is not a carer but is someone who is living with dementia so is looking for support from others in the same boat. From my experience carers thankfully do support each other very well on Talking Point.

A forum/support group for those with Dementia is sadly lacking , although there is a lot for the caregaivers..

 

[mikeb2]

What my OH would like is not so much writing on here but meeting up with fellow suffers like activities to do and share experiences places to meet etc that is what missing for fellow suffers ! sadly very poor in that aspect in my part of the country