The Less Talked About Eight Anxiety Symptoms

Anxiety is usually described as a feeling. Nervousness. Worry. Racing thoughts. What gets less attention is how often anxiety bypasses language entirely. It settles into posture, perception, habits, and micro-behaviors that don’t announce themselves as distress. Many people experiencing these shifts don’t feel anxious in the way they expect to. They feel tense, vigilant, altered, or strangely practical. They notice their body behaving differently and assume it must be a coincidence, age, stress, or temperament. Anxiety, meanwhile, continues working quietly in the background, reorganizing the system without ever introducing itself. These subtler expressions are easy to miss precisely because they look functional. They don’t interrupt life; they reshape how life is carried.

OCD Got Me Thinking: Is the First-Born Daughter Destined to Inherit Her Father’s Obsessions?

I am breaking away from the usual tone I use when discussing anxiety and medications for the same - this is not another discussion about whether valium is good for you or how to decode hidden anxiety symptoms. This discussion stems from my rumination: Few ideas lodge themselves into families as stubbornly as the belief that traits travel along specific bloodlines with intention. When a father struggles with obsessive thinking, rigidity, or compulsive behaviors, and his firstborn daughter begins to show signs of heightened anxiety or control, the narrative writes itself: this was passed down. The certainty of that story can feel almost comforting, because it gives shape to fear. It suggests inevitability, lineage, and cause. But psychological inheritance is rarely so obedient. The question of whether first-born daughters are “destined” to inherit OCD or similar traits from their fathers is less about genetic certainty and more about how biology, temperament, attention, and family mythologies quietly collaborate. What is inherited is not a disorder in the clean sense people imagine, but a vulnerability expressed through relationships, expectations, and early meaning-making.

7 Tips to Keep a Straight Face When You Run into Your Ex When Shopping with Your Wife

There are few modern tests of emotional discipline as precise as running into your ex while pushing a shopping cart beside your wife. The setting is deliberately unromantic—fluorescent lighting, dented shelves, the smell of detergent and baked bread—but the psychological charge is immediate. Time compresses. Muscles tighten. Old neural pathways, long declared irrelevant, light up with the enthusiasm of an unsupervised child. The face, however, must remain neutral. Not warm. Not cold. Certainly not expressive. Because this is not about unresolved feelings so much as unresolved theater. Everyone involved is suddenly performing: loyalty, indifference, maturity, continuity. The stakes are absurdly high for an interaction that should not matter at all. And yet it does. Which is why the following seven “tips” are less about technique and more about surviving a small but revealing collision between past identity and present commitment. And yes, this is something that cannot be solved by popping a valium - you need to pull your sh*t together!

Not Sure if Amitriptyline Suits Your Symptoms? Scan My Tryptomer Experiences

I have been taking Tryptomer on and off for more than a decade. It was prescribed to me for GAD - Generalized Anxiety Disorder - that still remains and keeps surfacing in ways that are hard to describe. The primary salt here is Amitriptyline. If you Google it, it shows up as a tricyclic antidepressant. This also means that this prescription medicine has been around for a long time. Tricyclic antidepressants are considered a bit old school in terms of their pharmacology age. Chances are high that if you have been visiting a psychologist lately, this drug might not show up at all among all the possible salts that could help you. Yes, it is intended as a long-term use prescription medication.

It is not meant for short-term measures, such as controlling the sudden onset of anxiety. This makes Tryptomer an unlikely contender to be recommended for someone who is still within the initial rounds of consulting, still young to understand how mind medications work, and how it takes a measured combination of some salts to first conquer the immediate symptoms, then provide longer-term relief, and then become a part of your long-term strategy to keep away the symptoms. If you are worried about any of the depression prevention or anxiety control medications becoming a chronic part of your life, stay away from Tryptomer. Like I said, it is typically used as a long-term measure, and people using it for a decade or a couple of decades is quite common. If you Google search the typical applications of Tryptomer, things like nerve-related pain relief show up, but honestly, it does not have pain-relieving effects, and assuming that it will work wonders to reduce bodily pains induced by a constant state of anxiety is just expecting a bit too much. Most of the pharmacy stores don't store this medicine in large quantities.

The old-world charm has perhaps faded away entirely, but it is effective for me, where I have a combination of GAD and anxiety-linked IBS. There is something surprisingly effective about how Tryptomer has helped me in controlling diarrhea-predominant IBS symptoms. That constant sense of worry about untimely bowel movement and sudden changes in body weight was first controlled via Tryptomer. Initially, when my symptoms were acute, I needed as much as 75 mg Tryptomer daily, divided across 3 equal doses of 25 mg each. It takes a bit of time to build up. Give it a week, and if you have been suffering from IBS associated with anxiety or depression, Tryptomer should give you some remarkable results.

Never take it on an empty stomach! This is one rule I have followed for the longest time. Take it after meals, and be patient with it. Tryptomer will get the job done, but if you suffer from acute panic attacks, this is not the best option. For me, getting hooked on to Tryptomer happened after trying and failing at least 4 other prescription drugs, including Valium, Anti-Dep, Tancodpe, and Fluoxetine. Valium is just a short-term sedative at best. I believe it presents the highest chance of abuse. When you are really choking with anxiety, any medication that can give you quick symptomatic relief also presents a higher probability of causing substance abuse. This is where I have done well to be patient, giving each of the prescription drugs for anxiety control some time before trying the next one.

Tryptomer has a stomach-binding effect. Hard to explain in strictly medical terms, but understand it like this - it tends to tighten up and cement the nerves that connect your gut to your mind. This is as basic a definition as you will find online. As a result, the typical symptoms of IBS-D associated with long-term sufferers, such as acidity, bloating, undigested food, and cramping, are controlled with Tryptomer. Yes, the pitfall of sudden weight gain is there, but it is not the drug alone that is at work. Like most psychotic medications, Tryptomer can make you a bit sleepier, and this is when your daily schedule should help you keep away from gaining too much. For many people, Tryptomer is an outdated medication for those with classical, textbook symptoms of depression or anxiety, but for me, it has really worked! 

If you tend to believe medical wisdom borrowed from Google searches, you are likely to find that Tryptomer has been used for migraine prevention and for serious sleep issues. The latter scenario might still work in higher dosages. But, to be used as a means of extreme, splitting headache caused by a flare-up at home or office? Tryptomer would not be my recommendation! 

• AVAILABILITY: not that easy to find in Delhi NCR.
• EASE OF USE: try to take it after meals.
• SIDE EFFECTS: dry mouth and bloating might happen at the outset.
• SEDATION ISSUES: not that serious.
• ANTI-DEPRESSANT EFFECTS: moderate to good over a period.
• ANXIETY CONTROL EFFECTS: good in low dosages and longer periods.
• IBS CONTROL CAPABILITIES: impressive for IBS-D sufferers.
• INSOMNIA SUPPORT: reasonably good without being extreme.
• CONSTIPATION PROBABILITY: a bit higher than other substitutes.
• KICK-IN PERIOD: at least a week, as a minimum.
• RANGE OF INTERACTIONS: not much, rather limited.

Prozac works but why not try the un-chemical way to feel good?

This discussion is not about whether Prozac helps with anxiety. Yes, medicines like Prozac can help you control your anxiety levels, but here, I am discussing some DIY methods that are not equally chemical and don't require you to chase around for a prescription. I have had issues with restoring my mental energy levels every time they get depleted over a few hectic days. Ever since I turned 25, a pattern emerged where, after a couple of days of sustained physical and psychological work, my mind would go into a caffeinated mode, unable to wind down, and as a result, my anxiety levels and the associated digestive symptoms would surface. The medicines I tried over the years to control this habit and its root cause helped to some extent, but there is a catch to using them. No matter what the pharmaceutical world says, there is a downside to every drug out there, prescription or over-the-counter. Once you get into the habit of using mood boosters, or in my case, mood-sustaining salts, there is a big chance your body and mind will stop evolving to help you navigate and manage different phases of your life, and some need you to be alert and calm. My continuous run-ins with these meds also helped me uncover some things that could boost the overall mood and energy levels. These mental health tips are not stolen from the web or blatantly rewritten to engage the search engines. This is from my cup of psychological wellness, and I am sharing some of it with you:

Take some bites: the easiest way to control anxiety on a bad day.

You need to boost your sugar levels, but just a bit, not to the extent that you get a sugar rush. A few bites of literally anything, spaced across one hour where you nibble and munch a lot rather than consume a heavy meal, can help. Don't gulp aerated drinks as they don't hold for much time. Try more bread, cornflakes, some ice cream, a smoothie, a shake, or a small sandwich that you keep biting into. Yes, chocolate helps, but in moderation. Nuts, roasted or with something sweet, can help too. Raisins work in some way and are also a physical energy booster. Bananas tend to make me feel sluggish, so I avoid them despite a whole lot of natural sweetness. This is not meant to cure your anxiety, and it does not help you to cure anxiety. This simple exercise can help you get over anxiety for a few hours and navigate a hectic day at the workplace when there is a distinct burden you are carrying.

Don't force sleep: slightly offbeat anxiety prevention tip.

Trying to route your mind towards a relaxing mode could have disastrous results. You could end up feeling more irritated and less energetic. Don't sit alone and do too many deep breaths...this generic advice does not help many people like me. You might want to lower the intensity of the lighting around you, put on some music, and start engaging your mind with videos or music you like. Trying to put yourself to sleep is often the cause of bringing about anxiety. Your mind starts to dig up answers. You start examining everything that has happened over the course of the day or even yesterday. The further you dig, the farther you are from a good night's sleep. Sometimes, this can make you overthink to the extent that a small daft of anxiety comes knocking. As a rule, don't lie down for too long just because it seems like the right time to sleep or just because someone recommended a quick nap. If you are not someone who is genuinely good at power naps, don't stress it. Don't go chasing the general rule of an 8-hour sleep cycle. Keep it simple - sleep only when you are naturally slipping into it.

Online window shopping or OTT indulgence: easy ways to control anxiety

For shopping enthusiasts like me, an easy way to maintain sanity on a slightly stressed day is working on an online shopping cart. Prune the wish-listed products. Cancel items whose items have just escalated. Try to read into the current sales campaign. Save items you might need in the near future. De-link or upload more of your payment cards. Update shipping addresses or link a digital wallet that can provide some savings the next time you actually buy something. Indulge in some online product comparisons. Overall, this exercise might not lead to actually buying great products, but it occupies your mind in a way that takes the focus away from something that has been bothering you. It also takes away the need to sip beer. Making a big bowl of homemade popcorn and catching up with that OTT show that has been waiting in the watchlist is another good idea. Let the OTT zombies chew down your anxiety levels. A bit of butter on the popcorn will not make you morbidly obese, and renewing the monthly OTT subscription is still a lot cheaper than getting dependent on valium or Prozac.

Find getting-rid-of videos: easiest tools for managing rising anxiety levels.

This must be the strangest advice for controlling anxiety, but sometimes, it actually works. There are a lot of videos on YouTube and Instagram where people are getting rid of some strange wart or mole, overgrown nails that challenge Shrek, or hair that has never been clipped for decades. How does this work? When you are watching this type of visual content, there is a feeling of superficial, artificial relief that kicks in as the ugliest nails are clipped off, unruly locks are shaven away, or blackheads are pulled out. This helps in unwinding in a private, aloof manner, and such content is available at all times. While I call it getting-rid-of content, it can be slightly overbearing if you are watching it for the first time. Believe me, nobody really likes watching ultra-magnified views of ingrown hair on the chin being pulled out, but when you are out of quick answers to manage anxiety, anything is worth trying. However, if you chance upon animal slaughter videos uploaded by PETA-type agencies and find the recorded killings somewhat calming, you probably need help - the idea here is not to turn sadistic.

Online & Offline Clean-up: the simplest way to distract away oncoming anxiety 

You need an instant boost of goodness, and this is closely associated with a feeling of accomplishment. You need instantly doable tasks that help you feel that way. How can you do it? Get on your smartphone or get on your knees. Dust away things that are cluttering your desk or room, and your mailbox. Kick away, dump, and delete everything that seems mundane or highly unusable. From glamorous Apps to what seems no-long-usable on the bedside table, eradicate, and kill stuff that is not serving any purpose. This keeps your mind busy, works up the body a bit, and you get a nice feeling of gaining more control. Plus, your room partner or your mom would have one less reason to scream at you - how is this a bad deal?

NOT sure-shot ways to reduce anxiety - find your own fix...

There are days when running or heavy weight-lifting, even stretching, and some burpees can bring back that feeling of being alert, a reasonably good mood, and restore energy levels to some extent. And there are days when all of the things shared above don't make any impact. Like I said, this is not swallowing a pill and slightly numbing your mind. The entire efforts here are on managing your anxiety without using prescription pills or things that can be addictive. Usually, having too much caffeine or sugar does not help. Driving around aimlessly also does not get the job done. In contrast, something as simple as sipping some form of fluids might not take away that feeling of low, but it can prevent ruining your mood. You have to try it all and find what works best for you. For instance, every time I am snacking on crispy, crumbly stuff, making all sorts of horrible eating noises, my mind seems totally distracted, as if the focus has been taken away from overanalyzing things. And in the work-from-home schedule that has been enforced upon us, anxiety can come calling in the most unusual ways. You have to find simpler, non-medicated ways of keeping up your state of mental health.

I recommend trying out:

• Slow, conscious exhaling with a slight humming sound

• Chewing your food more consciously, taking extra minutes to swallow each bite

• Listening to music that tends to make your mind travel, even if for just a few minutes

• If you are connected to paper & pen, try to write a bit, try to journal your feelings a bit

• If you are addicted to blogging, write about anything - it really works [personal website]

• Tightening the grip on a body part, almost to the point of making it numb, and then releasing 

Negativity Detoxification is serious stuff - not just another DIY detox bootcamp!

The need to detoxify from negativity has become paramount for maintaining mental and emotional well-being. Negativity, whether originating from external sources or internal thoughts, can take a toll on our overall health. This article explores practical and evidence-based strategies to detoxify from negativity, delving into the science behind these methods to provide actionable insights for cultivating a more positive mindset.

Understanding the Impact of Negativity on Mental Health:

Negativity, in its various forms, can significantly affect mental health. It cannot always be subdued with a few shots of Valium. Constant exposure to negative stimuli, be it through news cycles, social media, or personal interactions, can contribute to heightened stress levels, anxiety, and even depression. Recognizing the impact of negativity is the first step toward implementing effective detoxification strategies.

A meta-analysis published in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology reviewed longitudinal studies on the prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders. The findings highlighted a correlation between increased exposure to negative life events and a higher risk of developing mental health issues (Kessler et al., 2010).

Anxiety | Mental Health | Lionel Messi - It Happens to the Best!

This discussion about mental health, anxiety, and how being anxious chronically can happen to the best, people as good and great as Lionel Messi, is inspired by this article by Adam Alter, on Ideas.Ted.com

For many people, when celebrities talk about mental health issues, it becomes a bit easier to comprehend the problem and understand that it can happen to anybody irrespective of the amount of inherent talent or the fandom that comes with being the best in anything, ranging from movies to soccer. The latter has its smart, Messi, whose psychological challenges of holding up his performance in the middle of a growing, global fan following. The problems with Messi' preparedness for the big stage have been doing the rounds for some time. Reports suggest that he usually vomits and according to some sources, his vomiting is a bit of a chronic thing that tends to happen en route to a big match. It was in 2014 that reports emerged about Messi showing symptoms of vomiting and perhaps, the condition being associated with trouble in handling anxiety.

Still don’t know what that Zoned-out feeling is like but Daytime Zombie-ness? Been there…

I was watching reruns of That '70s Show, and I realized that, unlike the hippie-loving, herbally-explorative folks on the sitcom, I really cannot say that I know the feeling when you are doped to the extent that it seems like metaphysics and the afterlife have mated to create a realm of the unknown. I have had days of Valium excesses, many years back, and some instances of drinking silly, but largely, I have always been in control. Laughing or smirking a lot more than usual, driving a bit crazy, having that dreamy-eyed look – these are things that come close for me. When people talk about being high or having progressed into an alternate universe after doing joints, I am a true alien to the real feeling they are talking about.

Does Wind-Cutting Performance Say Anything About Your Car? KUV Mahindra 2016 Versus Old Swift Maruti 2005

It has been more than 7K kms and by now, I feel rather assured about the handling of my KUV100. Like I said in my earlier discussion, you need to allow the SUV-ish, compact KUV100 to grow on you. The dynamics are not as sorted as that of an i20, but once you settle in, the feeling is liberating. The KUV100 rushes like no other vehicle priced in the category. The acceleration is a bit too much for first-time owners, but a few months onwards, you know how to maneuver the little ugly beast - my bitch is in Dark Red Color. No,w about the real topic here – there is a feeling that I cannot properly explain when rushing through the flyovers.

Have You Used Self-created Pinch Points to Handle Anxiety?

This discussion will not make sense to everyone, simply because only someone from GERD, like me, can understand how debilitating Anxiety can become...it can literally derail your life and single-handedly decide your overall health status. Over the years of dealing with Anxiety, I have come across many Anxiety-management tools, some free resources and others, obesely priced for no apparent reason. While meditation does work it is not meant for me. Why? My mind tends to wander and ruminate a bit too much. I came across one lifestyle article nearly 3 years back and put the tip to practice - using a pinch point every time you felt that a sudden bout of Anxiety was coming. Yes, you can feel it like a wave of coldness, a wiry thing that feels against your skin, traveling from your upper shoulder area to your head. The trick is simple. Grab hold of something that can pinch you for good. Something like a key does the trick for me.