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...
Hi All,
I just joined this group, and have never really been an online fourm type of person. I read some of he threads in this group, realizing that I'm truly not alone in tackling this. Recently, through intensive therapy and some active periods of self-learning and self-growth, I started to recognize where it all began. Not to be corny, but it truly did start in my childhood. I had an overall happy childhood with loving parents-- nothing was actually "wrong". However, I remember feeling the 100 pound weight on my chest at the age of four. I remember having my thoughts spiral. I remember never sleeping / not sleeping, since the age of three. My anxitey (without my knowing) took over so many parts of my life, and especially took over sleep. To this day, I am a terrible sleeper. If nothing is wrong, I glean my brain for something to be anxious about. I started keeping a graditute journal, doing meditation with imagrey, and being more honest with myself. I knew I was somewhat anxious, but recently by diving back into my old behaviors, especially concering abnormality with sleep, I've realized that anxiety is a part of me. It's shocking how it's related to every aspect of my life.
For sleep, I couldn't sleep in a room alone. I thought someone would come after me, or something was after me. I was absolutely terrified. If I wasn't terrified, it's almost like I was bored but my body didn't want to let go. I had bunk beds with my sister and struggled even in a bed by myself. I was convinced that if I was alone, something bad would happen but if I was in the prescence of someone else, I would be okay. I know my parents loved me, and thought it was weird, but never saw it for as abnormal or a clear symtom of anxiety. I'm hoping to connect with some people on this group, and constantly try to feel better/ be in control of my anxiety. I'm building my tool box now for emotional regulation. I'm so sick of my anxious brain running my life for me. But will I ever truly be in control? What would anxiety in control even feel like?
All the good vibes out there for everyone today.
-
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.
-
Years ago, I won a mirrored armoire from my job. It's in my bedroom but I rarely stand in front of it. Yesterday, I had to have a dexascan done so I had to change into a gown. There was a full length mirror in the changing room. I'm aware that I gained 5 to 7 pounds over the last year from cheating on Keto but I didn't know what it looked like. It was a reality check.
Great epitome on your anxiety. Glad it lead you here. Emotional support makes a huge diff in managing my own anxiety.
"But will I ever truly be in control?"
My own anxiety treatment required me to let go of the notion that anybody, myself included, ever will be in control. We don't get to be masters of the universe. Once I was able to let go of the futile effort to be *in control*, I was able to put that energy I had been putting into my controlfreakitis into more effective anxiety management.
But that is me. . .
Gentle support while you find what works for you. Welcome aboard.
Find my mom afterward. From the age of 5- 5th grade I would wake up in the middle of the night and go get my mom to sleep in my bed because i would awake in a panic. It’s maddening to deal with this all our life, but you’re not alone!
One of the first steps is writing it out and you've done that.
With sleep, writing in a journal and setting up a routine for winding down the brain and body, is one of the best ways to find the balance to get rest.
Best wishes.