Hello Starcat,
I am so sorry you are having anxiety like this. I can totally relate. For me it helps to get out of bed and busy my mind with something else. Anything to take my mind off of whatever is happening with my body. I know this means less sleep, but I don't like associating my bed with anxiety, so it helps.

It also helps to self-soothe; I speak to myself as if I were a loving caring adult trying to calm a frightened child, while softly stroking the back of my hand. Sounds silly, but it REALLY helps me. I round this out by jotting down my feelings: notating why I think I'm feeling this way and what I think I can do to change the way I look at and react to things. It helps to re-focus my mind on finding solutions as opposed to concentrating on my anxiety.

How are you feeling now?

Hello Starcat. Welcome to DS. Sorry for what brings you here but glad you are here.

By the time I reach the end of a week so bad that I am suffering insomnia, I am generally using more coping mechanisms than I have the energy to type this morning. That level of anxiety doesn't go away with a wave of any of the magic wands I've tried.

Posts such as the one you made here are one of my most reliable coping mechanisms. They help me sort the psycho snot knots of ^it^ all and offer me the comfort of knowing I am not alone with ^it^. Sometimes I even pick up new coping mechanisms to try in the struggle of ^it^.

I, too, am wondering how you are feeling now. Did making this post help any?

Stabilizing support while you find what works for you. Welcome aboard.

P.S.
I get stress hives from my anxiety. Mine most often look like bug bites. Itchy little buggers. Sometimes they come in rash formats. This season I am using topical, OTC Lidocaine to relieve the itching.

I slept for 2 hours which is good. I am wondering if also the itching is anxiety related.

I went to the doctor twice and he said it was an allergic reaction and I wasn't giving enough time to let my reaction get better.

Time to try to sleep again. Thank you all. Nice to talk to people who understand ♡

When my anxiety was at its worst, my skin was so itchy that I routinely scratched gaping holes into myself. Not as clean or safe as cutting, I assure you. Those scratch scrapes were serious business. I had to tape pot holders to my hands so that I wouldn't scratch scabs and/or new holes while I slept.

My med pros call it, "Psoriasis" and/or "Eczema." By whatever name, ^it^ runs through my highly dysfunctional birth family like a freight train. I, strictly personal, credit psychotherapy as my greatest source of relief. My sibs and their off-spring are still getting allergy tests, etc. Scratch, scratch. . .

Hi! I too have had a harder-than-usual time lately. I have turned to a few close relatives, smelling different essential oils to see how each one makes me feel. Meditation. Reading a lot of Buddhism books. Working on accepting my suffering and making space for it instead of fighting it all the time and driving myself bananas.

When I start to feel anxious or badly I try to focus on my breathing, hold my chest/heart with my hands, tell myself that its okay to feel this way and hold myself like I would a dear friend and apologise to myself that I have to suffer like this right now. I tell myself that I'm here for myself and that I'm not going anywhere and that we will get through this. When anxiety comes up I know that my something in me wants to be heard.

I hope you feel some peace today and feel loved.

Hi, Starcat, so sorry you are suffering, but I can relate. I got hives the first anniversary of my Mother's passing, too. So, when anxiety manifests itself physically, the physical manifestation needs to be addressed, so treat the hives as directed by your Dr. I see lots of good suggestions in this thread. I would add that walking helps me, even if it's pacing indoors. I think it tricks some part of me into thinking I am getting away from whatever. It also dissipates some of the energy inside of me. I give a big thumbs up to breathing exercises . Believe it or not, I also find singing helpful. I'm sure that has to do with breath, and also doing enough other things that I can't maintain my horrible focus on whatever is troubling me. Glad you found this forum. Let us know how you are doing.

Hey Starcat, I actually ended up here because a bladder infection brought new anxiety symptoms for me. My skin at times felt itchy and tingly. I went to the ER and they told me it was my anxiety. I went for a whole week of attacks, palpitations, freezing, shaking, itching, you name it. My best way to cope is to watch a Disney movie while laying on my back slightly elevated. Somehow, Disney movies always calm me. Especially the emperors new groove. It doesn’t feel as dark. My sister also got me going outside for a bit as well. She said it makes her feel better, and honestly, it works for me. Just breathing in fresh air. Not my panic sweat air. I hope you feel better!

Oh love, I am sorry you are going through this and I am sorry for your loss! Anxiety, depression and grief can lead you to feeling like you are falling apart. I know as I too suffer from anxiety allergies and insomnia especially around the holidays and the anniversary of my grandmother's death.. She was like my mother and I love her dearly! . It has been 10 years since I said good-bye to her. What I can tell you is you will always miss your mom but with time things will get easier. This past holiday was a turning point for me as I didn't become overwhelmed with sadness & insomnia. What I have found is that dwelling on the past in a negative way leads to health issues. So this past year, I focused on the past in a positive way. I set out to find ornaments that represented good memories in my life. Vacations, trips etc. that brought joy and happiness. Then each time I would get blue, I would look at each ornament and think about my blessings. I also broke the cycle of insomnia with accepting that I can function without a full 8 hours of sleep. Taking the pressure off! When I struggle with sleep, I get out of bed (breaking the association of the bed & anxiety over not being able to sleep). If I can't sleep for a 20 min span- I just get up and do something to occupy my mind (fold clothes, journal, read a book.) I also spend time in prayer- again an action that refocuses the negative to positive. When I start feeling tired, I go back to bed- if another 20 mins goes by- I'll play a bedtime story on my Calm app. That typically does the trick. It really is about refocusing our minds- not allowing the negative to overtake us & embracing the positives and blessings in our lives. I pray you find peace, healing, love and sleep!