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...
Ive really been feeling down and burnt out the last couple of weeks. Im in therapy, have a good support system, and am trying to do all the right things. I still feel exhausted and just unhappy. Im sure it has to do with the pandemic and trying to adjust to this new way of life and all the emotions that come with that. Ive also had some life changes lately that have been really stressful. Ive started drinking a lot more too as a way to self soothe and just calm my anxiety and mind. I usually have a drink or few at night because night time is when I feel the most restless, or during the night if I cant sleep. But Im seeing it start to become a problem and it is concerning me. And in the end, drinking likely only will wear me out more and worsen my nerves. Im trying to meditate and exercise daily as a way to cope and self regulate, but this doesnt always help and I get angry with myself. Ive written down goals for myself and created a thought record too. But I think I need to practice being better at feeling uncomfortable because theres so much I cant control right now.
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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.
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"don't be a hate hole" has been one of my recent mantras which seems to be escaping my mouth more and more often. it emerges when i am faced with the endless list of chores i would rather not deal with. insurance. head lice. bureaucracy. in-laws. the list goes on and on and on and on, ad infinitum.reality checks requested. am i making sense?"ever'thin they is but loving leaves a rust on your...
I've been called a "AA" personality all my life (i.e., I typically need the opposite of motivation). I had a near death experience due to stress I put myself under (the first of 3 major surgeries in 15 months).
This was in the middle of a project. Upon completion, I felt drained like I never had before. I could not do anything. That was about 17 months ago and i still feel like i'm on empty.
From what I read, there is something called the Cycle of Anxiety. In my case, I avoided opening mail because I got angry from it. I have money, I just got anxiety from stupidity I saw in the mail. So I don't open it anymore (causing anxiety over that).
In the workplace, I absorbed as much work as i could. I slept 4 hrs a night for ages. I never had issue falling asleep. I kept my mind from cycling through other concerns. I was avoiding ... until things came to a life-threatening head.
Drinking was a crutch for me too. I find that MMJ is way better. I do caution that THC may make you unproductive, but I am experimenting with CBD in its place (1x per day, only before bed). I found (for me) mmj was much better than meditation (but not as good as exercise -- which i could not do for health reasons but am getting back into now).
What i can say, is that having stopped drinking, I feel better than I have in years. My memory improved, I dropped weight, and i just feel good on waking.
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Look at the above as perspective. I propose that you speak to your therapist about the Cycle of Anxiety. Ask if your lack of motivation is really avoidance aimed at insulating yourself from what you're brain does not want to encounter.
Best of luck!
You've taken the important first step in writing it out.
Any form of treatment for anxiety includes breaking the cycle of how your response to anxiety creates unintended consequences. Anxiety is natural. Anxiety is a part of us.
Any tool you use can become a burden in itself when it becomes necessary to increase and you still feel anxiety continuing.
Writing it out in a journal is a step. Practice doing stop, pause, breathe. Focus on specific task. Mark it off as completed or the part that is completed.
There are many ways to figure out how you want to proceed to improve your well-being. Taking a daily walk is simple, easy, and provides a natural way to find something to smile about.
Best wishes as you find your better balance.