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'm 34 and have dealt with anxiety for a long time. I've learned a lot about it, helped others with it (I work in mental health) but can't seem to get mine under control. And the weird thing is, as I've gotten older, I feel like it's gotten worse. And it's so intertwined with my own self-esteem and self-worth, that I really feel like I will never function the way I used to in the better times, again. I have a counselor, I've analyzed and dissected my issues and childhood, but can't seem to change. And my anxiety isn't just situation based. There are times situations raise it, but it's a constant, on-going anxiety to where I never feel I am at my baseline. Anyone I talk to--family, friends, co-workers--it's like I'm not me. I'm so anxious about speaking and talking that I fake it so much that I'm almost living in my head. And I'm not avoiding situations as I deal with people every day, regularly, and just talk and deal with it. But internally, I'm an anxious mess and literally am not stuttering when speaking with people and words are coming out of my mouth that I don't mean. It's like I'm speaking and then thinking. I've tried some meds, really not big on that and don't feel they've been helpful. I do think I can get more sleep but I'm a single mom of 2, so it's not very realistic. I've pretty much made myself unapproachable to people outside of work/home and feel completely undesirable to any man that could ever look my way. And even if he did, I probably couldn't handle it, no matter how badly I wish I could. I'm sure I would teach him to treat me like I'm unworthy b/c that's pretty much my personality anymore. And I'm so tired, and get so mixed up with speaking now, I can't really hold a conversation with a man, or anyone for that matter, and when I do I am constantly in fear. I just feel like there is nothing that can help me further. I've exhausted all options and really don't know what else I can do, short of trying hypnosis. But pretty doubtful about that. I'm looking for any advice, words of wisdom, support, anything lol. I feel like a lost person who once knew herself and her way so well.
You need rest whenever you can get it; and you need a counsellor. You are very lovely to look at (assuming that's your pic) and need to build your self esteem. You need special 'alone' time, where you do what you want, even if that's watching soap operas or reading whodunnits - the thing you feel like doing. You have to do that. There has to be a time in your week when you can unwind and just do what YOU want.
Are you taking multivitamins and drinking enough water? Are you eating well? That can make a huge difference I have found.
the other thing I got was an antidepressant. I was on that for two years, and it was wonderful. I think it's important to go on it with the expectation that you will go off after a couple of years; and give yourself that between time to just regenerate a bit, get a counsellor to deal with current problems, and let the backlog float downstream and away.
I always have felt that anxiety was like a logjam in a river. You had to remove the logs, one at a time. But after you got rid of enough, the whole thing went in a big roar, and then you could be normal again.
I still have minor attacks occasionally, but nothing like the full-time nightmare that I had in my darkest days. You will get better too. It will come right if you find a way to take care of yourself.
I am not saying you, or anyone else who has anxiety, was sexually abused but I do believe what my therapist says "anxiety is fear leaking out in any way it can. We are not born with anxiety. It comes from trauma". And one traumatic event can cause anxiety to start. Hypnosis creates a safe, calm place for healing to take place. Hypnosis is nothing more than an extremely relaxed state where your subconscious is more available. You are in control the entire time and are very aware of what is happening.
If it is the only thing you haven't tried I would say give it a shot.
I do not know how you are carrying on, quite frankly. After I had the nervous breakdown I always bang on about (just cos I love talking about it so much :D) I have had to learn to find time in my day for me. i have had to learn to let go of a lot of chores. My vacuuming, for instance, happens fortnightly. :D Which is obscene... :D
But I don't kill myself. And this is good. Better to be alive and messy than dead in a sparkling house.
Exercise is not 'me' time. Exercise is more work. Unless you love hiking or something, in which case drag the kids out with you and hike. But otherwise, when i say 'me' time I mean the very things you love. I don't care if that's lying in a bubble bath eating mangoes till you explode: you HAVE to find something regenerative in a day that is otherwise only ever sucking your life away.
You can't give indefinitely without 'getting'.... rant rant. :D I will stop now!
My doctor prescribed Buspar. I am taking only 7.5mg nightly and it has helped. What it has done is it has stopped the endless anxiety producting thoughts which increase anxiety and cause panic attacks. I have also settled into my job. Could changing your job help? I have found that doing things you don't like increase anxiety.
Is the kids' father any help with the kids, or did he completely skip town, leave for good?