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...
I have had a pretty low level functioning for several years due to severe anxiety (I'm in my mid-20's). It's gotten better over the past several months, thank goodness. But as I step out into the world and try to function again, since I am so much more able to now, I am noticing more clearly what my automatic patterns are. Today in particular I'm noticing that I have the tendency to Withdraw and AVOID when my anxiety levels go up. That's how I cope with it, to bring them down (again, automatically, I've never really noticed this about myself before). I know it's good I'm learning, but I feel really down on myself about it, and lose a lot of hope that I'll be able to function. I'll do really well, being productive, etc. then a very stressful situation or a stressful/frustrating failure/overwhelming obstacle, often in response to getting very panicky, I just shut down. Go in my room, curl in a ball and watch TV, for hours, sometimes (too often) for days. I'm in a dangerous living situation, and I'm doomed if I continue this pattern. I have to break out. I just get overwhelmed with the anxiety and worry I won't be able to function, ultimately to cope with it if I try to function all the time. It's also depression, PTSD, and some agorophobia. I should probably give myself credit that I keep getting up and trying at all. But it's not enough, because that's reality. I'm in an increasingly threatening situation, and I will have to work and build relationships (I grew up in a cult, so lost most of my relationships) in order to get out of this situation and be safe. I can't let anxiety stop me--but I do. Cuz it's so overwhelming. :/ ...
I read a book called The Tools and it's about how avoiding our fears makes them intensify so we must enjoy the pain of confronting them because that is the only way to change. Yeah, well, easier said than done! But it probably is true, at least for the most part. I tried that today actually, but it didn't work. It may take time. But you aren't alone in your feelings. I suppose as they say, take baby steps. And it is wonderful that you are feeling strong enough to take those steps. Don't get down on yourself for not doing more. Just do what you can do and don't judge yourself.