“What can I take for my heightened anxiety right now?”

Stop watching the news! Get outside, breathe, and find a positive hobby.


Dr. Martinez

I am not a psychiatrist, therefore, I cannot recommend psychotropic medication. However, as a psychologist, I definitely recommend significantly limiting your news consumption (online media, etc.) to about once a week or so. This will help decrease anxiety that is constantly being heightened and maintained by your attention to this. News-watching creates a false sense of "control" when in reality we are just constantly being exposed to negative stories. There are many more positive things going on around us, and we are missing out on our day to day interactions with people who are meaningful in our lives. Take up a hobby or learn a new skill (painting, learn a language, meditation, cross stitch, etc.) to replace all the time you would normally watch TV.

I would not suggest a pill for that kind of anxiety – I suggest you join a group meditation class. There are many on line, and also some at many houses of worship. There you will learn to reach a state of equilibrium, and also make some friends with whom to share your feelings and thoughts. And you will have a skill that you can use the rest of your life. Believe me, every life will have stress – more, less – so you might as well learn to deal with it in a productive and satisfying way!

Peace – yes, inner AND outer peace

Dr. Marian K. Shapiro

You can find information about how to handle the stress of COVID-19 by following my page https://www.facebook.com/ledbetterpsych

See this link...
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/anxiety-medication.htm

and consider reading this...
https://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety