Anxiety Support Group
Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...
Where did that lot come from? I thought I was doing reasonably well with controlling my anxiety. It's been some time now since I had a disturbed night. But then last night happens. 2 hours sleep (I suppose that's better than none), had to get up 3 times due to anxiety. Decided to stay up the third tim. What's the point of going back to bed anyway.
I've got an idea what my problem is. I'm frightened of getting old(er) and being left on my own. When I worked I used to leave work at 5.30 and walk home. On my way I had to pass a ladies house who I had got to know. Not great friends, but well enough to talk to. Her husband had died some time earlier and she was on her own. A lot of times I would come up to her house and see her out in her front garden pottering around. She wasn't doing much really but was waiting for me to come along so she could have a chat. She was so lonely she desperately wanted to talk to someone. She knew what time I would come along and so she waited for me.
That's what frightens me now. That I might land up like her, with no one to talk to. I am sure that's what's in the back of my mind and what wakes me up in the middle of the night. I know I can join clubs and whatever but I've never been a mixer. I've always been a bit of a loner. I know I will possibly be on my own.
But as I said, I thought I might have been coming to terms with this problem a bit. Seems I was wrong though.
Do you ever come to terms with it though???
Thanks for listening anyway.
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I haven't written in my diary on my computer since May because I thought that my computer was dying. I got away from writing but my computer is hanging in there. I think that I will start writing in it again. It's so therapeutic.
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First, I hope everyone is doing well, and continuing to fight that good fight! Keep up the great work on yourselves; I'm rooting for all of you!So, I started doing therapy at the beginning of the year, when I was in my most depressed state, but with my therapist, I made big changes and steps in the right direction. But, over a month ago, she couldn't take my insurance anymore, and I had to stop...
The reason you're staying awake after that could be because of the thoughts you mentioned. I also have issues with getting older and often think I'll end up alone.
Thing is...that lady you think is so lonely...that MIGHT be true...but she does have someone to talk you..its you! IF you happen to find yourself older, tending to your garden, I know you'll find someone like you to talk to.
That should offer some comfort.
That's a pretty good answer.
I've never been a gardener. Never enjoyed it at all. Perhaps it's time I started.
Keep venting and sorting, Wellington. Your own answers are in there. Vent freely. Vent often. Listening. .
You are not alone.
But, as they say, change is the only constant. One thing I've been trying to work on is reframing my feelings about change. Sure change means loss, but it also means gaining new things. Relationships change... I get to watch my kids grow and become who they want to be and see what they do with their lives. My wife and I get to change and watch it all happen together. We're not young and tone and what-have-you, but we're healthy and we can care a lot less about what people think of us. Well, in theory, that's a whole other set of issues right there.
I guess what I'm saying, and what the others have been saying, is that change, aging, can come up with all kinds of positives we just don't see because we're too busy focusing on the bits that we don't like.
Sending peace and always ready to listen.
Thank you all for your brilliant suggestions. They really are a help. I know getting old is something that happens and should be accepted. At least as best you can. Difficult at 2 in the morning when my brain is telling me different and coming up with all sorts of problems..
Has anyone ever tried mindful meditation and has it helped? I have been toying with the idea for some time. I'd love to hear anyone's views on this. Or any meditation for that matter (or is it all mindful?.
Thanks again for your replies. It does help to talk doesn't it, what ever way you do it.
I had toyed with meditation off and on for years, but after I started having more anxiety late in the summer I became much more serious about it and it's really helped me. I do like 15-20 minutes a day (which I'd really like to push up to more like 30) and I've noticed a change in my relationship to anxiety. To help me get going with the meditation I got a subscription to Headspace and it's totally been worth it.
Best of luck, and keep writing it out. Always ready to listen.
Thanks for your reply. Like you, I've toyed with meditation for years. I have known that there is definitely a place for it. But I just haven't taken it seriously. I do think now though that it's time I did.
I have tried deep breathing in the middle of the night and that has helped. Now perhaps regular meditation might help calm me down in general, and help me sleep better in the first place. It's got to be worth a try.
Thanks again for your reply.
Mindfulness has worked wonders in managing my psych symptoms. I start every day with a personal inventory to become more aware of what I have to work with on any given day. When I find myself running with handicaps, I put the handicaps of the day on my mindfulness list and watch them as objectively as possible while my day progresses, pausing for self-care breaks whenever the handicaps seem to be escalating.