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...

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Existential dread

Hannah_025
Hannah_025

The times we are living in are so dark. I am also plagued with anxiety. I started medication a few months ago. I see a psychiatrist, pcp and a talk therapist pretty regularly. I have days where I feel like I can take this on and beat it, then I have days like today where I'm trapped in this constant state of dread and wondering what's the point? Life just hasn't felt as sweet since I started dealing with anxiety. It's like I unlocked this certain part of my brain that makes me see everything through (whatever the opposite of rose is) tinted glasses. It makes me question my job, my personal relationships, myself. I'm only in my thirties and it haunts me to think about dealing with feeling like this forever. Before anyone asks, I'm not suicidal - I have health anxiety and a lot of my worries revolve around me dying. I'm afraid I'm going to have a heart attack, or die in my sleep. I worry about my dad. Who will look after him if I did die? I think about how my husband might not miss me because my anxiety seems to have taken over both of our lives. I think about how he likely wishes he would have married someone else, anyone else but me. I'm not the same person I was before anxiety grabbed a hold of me. I once was so bubbly and outgoing, I lived a carefree life. I'm scared of everything now. It's hard to drive, be alone, travel. Lately everywhere I turn it seems like it's more bad news. Corona virus is mutating faster than we can handle, the world is on fire, scientist say we may be past the point of no return with global warming. I just want to feel as hopeful as I used to feel about life. That there was so much more to learn and see and do. How can I do anything when I feel so anxious or just generally bad all the time? Can anyone who has had severe anxiety and panic attacks tell me that things honestly get better? Is my anxiety now morphing into depression? I'm assuming you wouldn't be on this site anymore if things got better - maybe I'm searching for answers in the wrong place...


smgp1209
smgp1209
I started my struggle with anxiety and panic attacks two years ago. After starting on a medication regimen and therapy things got so better!! There is hope! Keep taking your medication and give it time to kick in. In the meanwhile see your therapist and try some self care at home, mindfulness meditation, yoga, calming teas like chamomile and valerian root, ice packs on your wrist and behind neck when you feel panic. Taking walks outside. Lots of videos are free on YouTube for these things. Also educate yourself on what is going on in your body when you experience anxiety and panic. Another great one is the DARE response. It’s a book. I hope something I’ve said helps. I wish the very best for you!!
koolman
koolman
I know what you mean about "dark times". The only thing we can do to combat this is to flood the world, the world in our immediate vicinity anyway, with OUR light, OUR goodness, OUR aggressive positivity. Try to do something helpful for at least one other person everyday.

As far as death, well, death is inevitable and, sooner or later, ready or not, we're all going to make that trip into the great beyond, so might as well make peace with that fact, and trust that, on the other side, there is absolutely nothing to fear, and there is so much love and peace waiting to embrace us, infuse our very being and nourish us.

Meanwhile, take care of your body and mind while you're here, to focus not on death but improving the quality of LIFE. Do some type of vigorous exercise, hard enough to make you sweat, every day. Turn off the news. Spend time in nature, in a garden, in the woods, at the beach, enjoy a creative art form like I do with photography. Spend time with small children. They know nor care not for the darkness of this world--they just want to play, create, build things. It helps.
mtd
mtd
Been there, know the doom and gloom of those dark days. I had a black cloud that hung over me. The good news is that it can be treated effectively, by you! Along with the help of a therapist trained in anxiety disorder, daily relaxation meditation, being mindful, educating yourself about what anxiety is and how it works, and getting your thinking back in “order”. Look, more than likely, you had anxious behavior before it morphed into what you are now experiencing. You had negative thought patterns, a critical inner voice and tended to be a perfectionist. All this contributed stress to your mind, you became overloaded. With all the help and information available now, there is every possibility of overcoming this dark time. And the best person for the job is you, seeking help and putting it into practice. Medication helps some but it doesn’t change our thinking patterns that contribute to our condition. We are the only one who can do that. We have to work with the medication. I’ve had A & D all my life, at 62 yo, I am in recovery. Days are better, the black cloud is gone, the world doesn’t seem so bleak anymore. I can separate myself from the turmoil in the world. My confidence in myself is getting better. I can recommend a great book on Amazon called” It’s Only Anxiety.” Also a great website full of great information and help, it does cost some, around $50 for a year sub. Well worth the money. It was what helped me get started into recovery. If you want the name, pm me. Some of these forums poo poo on giving that kind of info. I ‘m not affiliated, just want to help someone else with a reputable site I know for certain helps. There’s a lot of people/organizations peddling snake oil out there. Best wishes and brighter days.
arfie
arfie
You are assuming wrong that I wouldn't be on this site any more if the anxiety got better. My own anxiety has gotten considerably easier to live with since I learned how to manage my condition. My therapy support network, including this website, is a vital part of my anxiety management. I happen to think highly of my fellow sufferers who help me through without harsh judgements and stigma. Even (especially?) on the good days, I don't feel an urgent need to abandon the healing network. Anxiety is a manageable condition, not a character defect.

These are, indeed, confusing times we live in. The confusions and contusions are easier to sort with a little help from my therapy friends.
GirlinCalif
GirlinCalif
I've been living with "severe anxiety and panic disorder" (my official psychiatrist's diagnosis) for almost 25 years.

I would recommend letting your therapist and your psychiatrist know how you are feeling. Be honest with them. They can help you, if you tell them what you're really feeling. Medication/therapy can do wonders to help curb the anxiety. You might need an adjustment to your medication. Or some more work in therapy. Have to tell them, so they know.

I wish there was some quick fix or magic potion, and believe me, I have wished for that for many years... but all we can do is keep going, keep living, make the most out of our life. Appreciate the small things. Have goals for things that you can look forward to.

Keep writing it out, journal your feelings and thoughts. Concentrate on all the good things in your life, such as your husband, kids, job, Dad. Focus on the positive parts, not just the negative things. Realize some of the things you wrote are out of your control and let those things go. Live each day to your fullest. It sounds trite, but there are lots of things to be happy about. If we just look around. The more positive you can try to be, the less worrisome life will seem. And believe me, I can be the biggest worry wart! Worrying doesn't seem to change the outcome of things, so I try to just go do something else, keep busy, and forget about the things that worry me. Easier said than done, but practice helps.

Best wishes.
ready2live
ready2live
Hannah_025 you described my life with every word. Its like you don't really live life anymore you just exist. I feel the exact same way when it comes to my husband. Telling myself he would be happier with somebody "normal". I definitely get everything you are going through. You are not alone feel free to message anytime.
Hannah_025
Hannah_025
Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond. I appreciate every word of wisdom, advice, and input. Yesterday was not a good day. I fluctuate between feeling hopeful and like I’m improving and then have a few bad days and question if I was ever getting better at all. I know a lot of this has to do with making new neural pathways and practicing mindfulness and positive thinking all the time, especially on bad days. It just feels impossible some days when you feel so physically off, and your mind just follows suit. I did not mean any disrespect by saying maybe people who had healed may not be present. That was me just catastrophizing that there would be no good news here either. Sometimes good news feels like an expired currency. I love the advice about doing something kind for others regularly. The funny thing about thinking you’re dying all the time is it truly makes you reevaluate the way you speak to and treat others. I’ve been taking special care in the way I end conversations, phone calls, conversations with other staff at my work. Even the way I journal- things that I normally wouldn’t pay any attention to. I know death is coming sometime for all of us, I just didn’t think it would consume my subconscious so ‘early’ in my life. I hope that I can continue to learn and apply some of the things you’ve all described. Wishing you all peace and strength as we continue on. Here’s to many more good days, for myself and all of you.
arfie
arfie
I like to use physical analogies to help me stay hopeful with the never-ending nature of my mental health condition. I encourage myself with the same enthusiasm I encourage folks with diabetes, blindness and a kajillion other life-altering conditions.

Keep your eye on the prize. A full, rich life is possible, whatever your handicaps. Do what ya gotta do while you go for it.

***Clink***

To those many more good days.
hikerjim7
hikerjim7
Hannah, it is great to see the good advice you are getting. I will add that my wife and I will pray for you. I am 80 years old, so I am aware that I am not far from death, but I believe that the savior who has held my hand all these years will not stop holding it as he walks with me from here across to eternal life. I am concerned about the same world problems that you are, but I know I can only be responsible for myself and making whatever contributions that I can. This Bible quote helps me keep my thoughts on the positives: “whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is anything praiseworthy --- meditate on these things.” Jim
Hereforyou
Hereforyou
I am on here to help others get through!! It does get better and it will get better! God helped me find that living in worry of the future will leave us in this state of mind. We have to live in the very moment with trust that God is in control of what’s next, we can’t change the future no matter how deeply we worry about it! I read a study book that changed my way of thinking and got me out of my own head of worries!! It’s called “Get Out Of Your Head” by Jennie Allen
It completely changed my ways and if I feel that anxiety creeping back in I grab that book and start reading to help me stop it in its tracks!
Hannah_025
Hannah_025
Thank you so much for the kind responses, prayers and advice. I appreciate it more than you know as I work through this rough period. Wishing you all many more years of peace and tranquility.
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