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...

23,095 Members
43,245 Posts
2 Online
Anxiety Disorders
/ Anxiety Support Group

Finding My Way Out of the Box

ShakeyJ
ShakeyJ

Hello Group Members,


  Today I’m taking yet another step out of the box that my anxiety has locked me into. Being realistic maybe I’ll never get completely out, but I do believe the box will at least get larger as I discover the ways and take the actions needed to minimize or eliminate these paralyzing fears. I have read many posts on this forum and it’s so sad to see the extent of the suffering that anxiety has caused for so many of you. I do love the success stories and the words of support and encouragement that go along with it, and I pray that we all find the strength and the means to overcome these shared challenges, so that we can live our best possible lives.


Anxiety has cost me so much in terms of success in relationships, careers. There was a time it shook me to my core and I was ready to drink myself to death. Fortunately someone came into my life who (pardon the cliche) loved me till I learned to love myself. Having a renewed reason to live was great, but the anxiety hasn’t gone away. For years I found ways to hide it, I took all of the easy choices, used numbing agents like alcohol, porn, food. Every decision I made was based on safety, but as I’ve gotten older the hiding and self numbing has cost me so much more than I could have imagined. 


I welcome any positive advice to move forward. Equally, I hope I can be a help to some of you.



ShakeyJ
ShakeyJ
Thank you Simpsonsok, I appreciate your encouragement. I have never joined a forum like this, so it’s a little uncomfortable, but I need to try new things. My old routines weren’t working. I’ve been on 50mg’s of Zoloft for six weeks and have been seeing a therapist for that same amount of time. Still have a great deal of difficulty driving alone to new places, especially at night and have some trouble dealing with conflicts. I have made great progress by adopting a healthier diet and exercising, but have a ways to go. I’m happy and proud that I’m trying again. I hope the Zoloft will help a little more, but still not sure. Joining this group was another new step towards getting better. I am happy that I can share this stuff with others like me. Thanks and Hugs.
Community LeaderMid
Mid
Every change you make is helping, and some will work, some will have be changed a little bit. You are healing, and your anxiety works for you to help you, as it should.
Best wishes.
ShakeyJ
ShakeyJ
Yes Mid, I'm finding strength in trying new things even small things like going to a super market that I've never been to, or having that conversation I would normally avoid. I know I am on track, but still fear the unknown so much. Thanks for the encouragement.
Posts You May Be Interested In
  • Community LeaderMid

    Misplacing daily use items

    Posted by: Mid
    Last Reply: Mid
    9
    My day...today...misplaced my debit card...didn't realize it until I got to the register after shopping to a full cart.  Used a different debit card and pulled apart everything looking for missing debit card before I left parking lot.  Got home, dropped keys. So now I have a missing debit card, missing keys. A full cartload to unload and put away. I got everything put away.Dumped purse for a...
  • serenityspeaks

    Anxiety

    Posted by: serenityspeaks
    Last Reply: serenityspeaks
    8
    I don't really know how to label this but I having a rough week and I can't say it's one thing.... I have a lot on my plate which is nothing new and I try to cope in many positive ways and do but I still have my moments.My kids more so my daughters talk to me about everything which I know it's cause of comfort and we are close.... however I really struggle with the venting about their dad which...