Anxiety has been a lifelong issue for me as well. I take something for it, however it is very addictive and therefore a double edged sword. However my life has changed because of it. I am in the process of weaning off of it while trying to transition to a pill free way of handling anxiety. Walking, diet and meditation have been helpful in the past. Also when I am really distraught, or OCD is kicking in- I try to figure out a puzzle, riddle, or word problem to get my focus elsewhere. I have several books for just that purpose. Of course that's only at home but it still helps. And sometimes I just clutch a stuffed animal and tell myself it's just chemicals, and it will pass.