Dealing with Anxiety

[Pinhead Larry]

Has anyone ever had something happen months ago but it brews to the surface every single time anything happens and makes you want to cry uncontrollably for about a week? Even tho you’ve already sorted the issue out with the person?

Something happened during an argument with my bf months ago which knocked my self esteem to rock bottom. We’ve since made up and got a lot stronger as a couple, but if something happens now that causes an argument, all the feelings of self hate and anxiety brew to the surface and I feel really low.

How do you get over things?

 

[MrsBsDayOff]

I’ve tried searching for a post on this so apologies if there is one already.

Currently I’m suffering with very bad anxiety. For months I’ve been waking very early with a suffocating feeling, my chest tight and heart rate high. At first it would go once I got up and kept busy but recently it’s through the day. I can’t think straight and it’s having a huge effect on everything.

I’ve suffered with anxiety and deep depression in the past but this is completely different. It makes me feel as though a huge weight is on my chest. I try deep breathing,exercise, stretching etc but it’s not helping much

How do you deal with anxiety please?

I have anxiety and mild depression too, and had the symptoms you describe - heart beating 24 hours a day, exhausted with worry, awful sleep, feeling low etc. My anxiety is largely under control these days. I had a very bad bout about 7 years ago and had to take a few weeks off work with anxiety and depression. I went to my GP who wrote me a sick note for work absence, and recommended therapy and medication. I went to a therapist weekly for a few months and it helped me reframe my thinking, I changed my attitude to work and family obligations with practice and reduced my stress levels. I had to stop trying to perfect everything in my life. I was eventually able to stop worrying about everything. I started taking a low dose of anti depressants which I still take to this day to help my mood.

My life has changed - it doesn't seem like it now but I promise you will feel better and anxiety will lift once you get a treatment that is suitable for you.

Have you gone to your GP yet? I think this should be the first port of call, they may be able to direct you to CBT therapist, medication options if that is right for you, etc.

This is a fixable problem if you reach out for help

 

[Ingognito.Queen]

Aw - I'm sorry to hear you're feeling like this and can completely relate.

Whilst at the graduation surrounded by people remember to keep your breathing controlled. Try breathing in for 4 seconds and out for 6 seconds.

Also - remember that other people can’t tell how anxious you are just by looking at you.

If you are as organised as you can be it will make the day flow that little bit better. What I would usually do in a situation like this is try and break the day down as much as possible.
For example:

• At 9am I'll wake up
• At 10am I 'll have a shower
• From 3-4pm I'll get ready.
• From 5-6pm I will travel to the graduation.
• From 6.30 - 8pm the graduation is on.
• At 9pm I will be home and the graduation will be OVER.
• At 9.30pm I can sit down with some snacks and watch a film/tv series.

It keeps my mind consumed with what will be happening AFTER the event. It might help to plan something nice for the day after the graduation.

 

[nimblefimble]

Anyone not sure if you said weird shit and get anxiety over it?

Like I'll think back on a convo and wonder if I told them to jump off a cliff then get anxiety.

Not trying to diagnose you haha but intrusive thoughts like this can come from ocd. Sometimes my ocd thoughts can convince me I have done all sorts, like hitting someone with my car, or breaking things in shops like glass jars is another random thing I have. Makes me so anxious like I absolutely have to go back and check for the peace of mind, the compulsion to check can be part of ocd x

 

[StatusWoe]

Not coping. I need sleep to feel less anxious, but can't sleep because I'm too anxious. Health anxiety is through the roof as well. Right now I'm having these muscle twitches in my legs (probably tiredness) and I'm thinking omg what's that?

 

[House of Tea]

Mental health issues are just as important as a physical issue. Just because you can’t see it, like a broken leg, doesn’t mean it isn’t debilitating and important to get checked out. It isn’t silly to try and be in the best health as possible and this problem is affecting you. For anxiety they may prescribe CBT. But go and see your GP. There is a stress epidemic in this country at the moment and they are used to seeing patients with stress all the time. Plus they might want to give you a heart check etc. Your occupational health would also be able to help you with coping mechanisms if it is stress. No shame in seeing them. Plus look online as well - but not instead of seeing a GP. See what things you can do in the short term to help you.

 

[lila11]

Does anyone else get very loose bowel movements when anxious? Sorry to be graphic but I get diarrhoea or if anxiety is milder, something approaching diarrhoea.

It is definitely one of my first symptoms when my anxiety start getting out of control. It’s pretty common I think.

 

[Jadejones9596]

Sorry to hear that you're feeling like this. I'm in a similar boat to your but haven't been single for quite as long. On one hand I haven't known this guy for that long, so I feel that surely if it does go wrong it shouldn't take long to get over, but I owing he exists it terrifies me that it might not develop.

Feel on top of the world when I'm with him but as soon as he leaves the anxiety hits again and sticks around even if he's given me nothing but reasons to think he likes me.

Sorry, I have no useful advice, but you're not alone in feeling like this. X

Thank you it really is nice to just talk to someone who knows how it feels! I get attached very quickly and with mydepression too I find little knock backs catastrophic right now. I’m terrified all the time at the moment!! Sending love x

 

[Confettiblur]

I had such a bad few hours of anxiety today, I came off Sertraline a few months ago and have been functioning relatively well off it but today I had to go to bed as it was the only place I felt safe. It was really scary, I think I need some counselling again.

in the mean time can anyone recommend any books or podcasts or anything on anxiety could help me to understand it better please? Thank you x

 

[Spidey2020]

Also flare up of anxiety currently. Mainly around my children being a good enough parent. Them having friends, growing up to be good people. Me affecting that, other parents not liking me.

This often leads to intrusive thoughts for me. Mainly things going wrong. And these play out in my head over and over.
---

My anxiety has massively flared up the over the past days. I’m moving out my current house share (rent is bills included) to a 2 bedroom house with one of my current housemates- so will be paying more and I can’t budget it for shit. But I’m worried I’ve made the wrong choice and the house is too small for us? Even though my housemate is excited for it.

I like 2 boys at the moment and one I had to block because it was toxic as shit. And the other boy I like I’m still talking/seeing as we agreed to be friends because he’s moving 2 hours away from me soon.

And I’m just anxious all around!

As somebody struggling too feel free not take my advice. I find decisions hard too. Write down all of your concerns are the practical concerns or emotional fear of consequences. Can you not make the budget work or find it hard to budget. Your intuition is usually a good thing to go with if very stuck.

 

[thenoodle]

I’ve got a dr’s appointment for anxiety cos it’s starting to affect me a lot more than usual. When it was hot a few weeks I went to get a beauty treatment and I got so anxious about sweating that I ended up literally dripping and got so embarrassed. I’m due back at work after a long holiday and I’m lying awake at night already anxious about it cos I don’t like my job and feel awkward around my colleagues cos I’m not confident like them. I haven’t seen friends in weeks cos I’m too nervous and think they’ll notice I’ve put weight on. Oh yeah I’ve piled weight on because I’ve been comfort eating.

How do I start a convo with my doctor about it when they ask what’s wrong? Even anxious about that lol. And will they offer to sign me off or do I have to ask?

I think it’s related to peri menopause so not sure if i can even be fixed.

Edited to add I don’t have actual panic attacks but some days I can feel my heart beating, it’s very much in my head anxiety rather than physical

 

[Suzesnooze]

Thank you. I’ve never been to a doctor for mental health related issues. What would they actually suggest, do you think? Therapy I guess?



Thanks Suze This part really stood out to me because I keep telling myself I’m not stressed now the project is over. And this current period is the the same every year. It’s like I feel like I shouldn’t be stressed right now because I can usually get on with it. There are certain colleagues who make it worse by the volume/tone of their voice which is why I want to get out of there a lot of the time. I’ve spoken to my manager who says I need to see occupational health if it continues. I think I feel silly for making a fuss over “nothing” as the pain isn’t debilitating and I know it’s not a physical issue

You can take medication for anxiety eg. Sertraline but it can take 6 weeks to kick in and often makes you feel worse before it makes you feel better. Or you may be offered CBT. I would take up the offer to see Occupational Health. But you are not making a fuss over nothing.

I’m in my 50’s now. I’ve suffered with anxiety since childhood. As I got older it turned into health anxiety and I hate health anxiety ! I have had good periods and bad but I have never been to the Dr about it. I do have two family members who took medication and had CBT. It didn’t really help.

Last year I started a new job that I absolutely love. It has made a huge difference and touch wood, my anxiety has been SO much better but I hate to say it out loud as I fear I will jinx it! But when I look back over my lifetime of anxiety I have realised that the times my anxiety went away were periods in my life when I was really happy and content. I’m not saying this is the same for everyone but it’s a pattern I’ve noticed. But life is so stressful at the moment i’m not surprised more and more people are suffering with mental health problems.

My daughter has also noticed the same thing that when she’s happy or busy and having a good social life her anxiety is better. But that’s why I talk about distraction.

There is no easy fix and anxiety is a viscous circle. But I hope some day soon you’re going through a good phase

 

[DCICassieStuart]

I have covid at the moment and my anxiety is through the roof. Has anyone else experienced this? I think I'm just frightening myself because I'm a week in now and no better and am afraid of being sick for ages and thinking awful things about long covid etc

 

[Maid22]

I've had an awful day, really out of my comfort zone, it's now impacting on me, I hate feeling like this.

 

[justheretoread99]

I’ve tried searching for a post on this so apologies if there is one already.

Currently I’m suffering with very bad anxiety. For months I’ve been waking very early with a suffocating feeling, my chest tight and heart rate high. At first it would go once I got up and kept busy but recently it’s through the day. I can’t think straight and it’s having a huge effect on everything.

I’ve suffered with anxiety and deep depression in the past but this is completely different. It makes me feel as though a huge weight is on my chest. I try deep breathing,exercise, stretching etc but it’s not helping much

How do you deal with anxiety please?

Sending love, because the physical symptoms are horrendous

I’m in the same boat at the moment. I’m 28 and I reckon I’ve had anxiety since childhood. Over the past few days I’ve had awful insomnia, my mind is constantly racing, there’s an awful pressure and pain in my chest that won’t go. It’s both physically and mentally exhausting.

The usual “mindfulness” and “breathing exercises” and “take a bath and watch a funny movie” just don’t work at all for me. It’s as if the anxiety is too strong for my mind to concentrate on something else and relax.

I self-referred to a talking therapies centre (via NHS) for CBT a couple of years ago. That didn’t help me at all but I know it’s been beneficial for others. Are you in the UK?

I also plucked up the courage last year to speak to my GP about it and was prescribed sertraline. They didn’t agree with me at all and I now take Propranolol (beta-blocker) and Amitriptyline (antidepressant). I’ve not been on them long enough to say that they help. I’m sure with a lot of medication you feel worse before you start to feel better.

I’m sorry if this post isn’t helpful at all because to answer your question, I don’t deal with anxiety, anxiety deals with me But I just hope that you know you are not alone and there is plenty of help and support out there, I hope you find something that works for you

 

[btw]

Hey everyone , I’m back here again how does everyone cope with anxiety when it comes to job interviews?
I’m struggling at the minute. I finished uni in July and I’m still yet to find a job. The job market I'm finding tough to even hear back from application for interviews.
Today I had an interview, it went terrible. My anxiety and lack of confidence just ate me right up and I crumbled. Stumbled over my words, I didn’t expand enough because I just wanted to shut down. I haven’t heard back from them yet but I know I haven’t got the job because it was the worst interview I’ve ever done. I just feel like I’m fighting a loosing battle. I am considering ringing the doctors tomorrow to see if they can give me any medication to help control my anxiety as it’s beginning to trigger my depression which I’ve managed for the past 2 years.

 

[TheGlossy]

Eating related - Does anyone experience this with anxiety?

Spoiler

Does anyone experience the following?

I sometimes get severe anxiety to the point where my whole body is shaking for days on end and I become so engrossed in my fear that I lose my appetite entirely and I wind up not eating for 1 or 2 weeks (mainly surviving on coffee and biscuits).

It happened to me last week and despite being hungry and wanting to eat, my mind would not allow me because if I ate it meant my fear would materialize. It’s as though my mind was forcing me to starve myself.

It’s super odd as I’m 32 and never had an eating disorder or body image issues.

 

[House of Tea]

Wise words from @Suzesnooze - I had bad anxiety last year. Felt like my throat was constricting and that someone was trying to strangle me. I ended up having an MRI scan because I had a parent with throat cancer. It was scary, debilitating and uncomfortable. I have got rid of it now, took almost a year, but if I have a minor stress, my throat starts to tighten. That is where I process stress. My husband gets stomach issues when he has anxieties. I also suffer from insomnia when I get anxious which exacerbates the issue.

 

[boomska]

I’m back lol my anxiety is round my ex who recently came back into my life about a week. We had frequent communication (I would say fell into bad habits- kinda acting boyfriend and girlfriend) . He’s told me he’s struggling with his mental health and got a lot going on atm- he had a “weird day” on Monday and didn’t respond to any of messages on Monday or Tuesday. I’ve decided to not message over the past 3 days until my anxiety for the better of me.
I’ve rang him- went to voicemail. I’ve texted on WhatsApp ( so I can see the blue ticks!) and all I can think about is what if he’s harmed himself etc. I couldn’t bear the thought if he has…
I’m full of anxiety and I don’t know where he lives to do a wellness check (he’s currently living with a mate!)….my therapist has tried to reassure me that he’s probs just ghosting me/taking time out from life as he’s done this previously in May lol ignoring people and then coming back…

any tips on how to calm my mind? X

 

[Carapop]

Does anyone else get very loose bowel movements when anxious? Sorry to be graphic but I get diarrhoea or if anxiety is milder, something approaching diarrhoea.

Yup. It’s a very natural response.

Is Stress Causing Your Diarrhea? Follow This Advice

Stress can trigger diarrhea by accelerating gut processes, which causes watery stools. Manage stress and eat a balanced diet to help ease symptoms.

www.health.com