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 have been a member here for a bit. I am in and out really, depending on how I am doing.
I had reached a really great point. I was keeping on top of my anxiety. When I get bad, sometimes I will ask my mom to come and stay with me for a bit because I am afraid to be alone (my husband works 2nd shift). I hadn't done that since before Christmas, a really good streak for me.
On Tuesday my anxiety reared its head and I did ask my mom to stay with me for a bit. She did and I felt better and Wednesday and Thursday were both fine.
Friday was a good day. I spent time during the morning with my husband running errands etc. He went to work about 2:00, my mom came over to watch my other 2 so I could get my oldest daughter from school and run an errand. Before I left I had a breath hitch (I don't know a better word for it-I am asthmatic), they always make me paranoid. I also have a pretty good case of indigestion which I take medication for. So as I was driving to get my daughter, only about a mile away, my indigestion kicked in big time. I became positive I was having a heart attack. I called my mom and she couldn't understand me. I didn't know what to do, I had to get my daughter, but I was afraid that I would collapse on the ground if I got out of the car. I called my husband, I told him that I thought I was having a heart attack, he tried to calm me down, but...I was just so convinced that something terrible was happening to me. He left work to come get me. I almost pulled over on my way to my daughters school and called 911. As it was, I pulled up in front of the school, but had to call and tell them I was going to be late (again, afraid I was going to collapse). My husband came and got me and my daughter. We took her home (I did not want her to know anything was wrong-she's only 6) and then my husband took me to the hospital.
The front desk girl was snotty, and speed walked back to the room. They hooked me up to an EKG, and it was fine. I saw the physician's assistant, who was so, so nice and understanding. She gave me 12 Lorazepam pills (I take Welbutrin). I felt better after we left. The next day we took the kids to Gurnee Mills and I did start to have another attack, but I took one of the pills and felt much better.
I have been so weepy. I feel like such a failure, and I just don't understand. Yes, there are things I am concerned about, but they weren't at the forefront of my mind when the attack happened.
My husband goes back to work tomorrow, and I am afraid to be alone. I am a 36 year old mother of 3 who is afraid to be alone, how can I possibly be a good mother.
I wanted to write this because I thought it would help me to write, but also I want to know if people can relate to this. Just the suddenness of it surprises me, and now being so weepy.
Thank you for reading this, I know it was long, but I appreciate it.
I had reached a really great point. I was keeping on top of my anxiety. When I get bad, sometimes I will ask my mom to come and stay with me for a bit because I am afraid to be alone (my husband works 2nd shift). I hadn't done that since before Christmas, a really good streak for me.
On Tuesday my anxiety reared its head and I did ask my mom to stay with me for a bit. She did and I felt better and Wednesday and Thursday were both fine.
Friday was a good day. I spent time during the morning with my husband running errands etc. He went to work about 2:00, my mom came over to watch my other 2 so I could get my oldest daughter from school and run an errand. Before I left I had a breath hitch (I don't know a better word for it-I am asthmatic), they always make me paranoid. I also have a pretty good case of indigestion which I take medication for. So as I was driving to get my daughter, only about a mile away, my indigestion kicked in big time. I became positive I was having a heart attack. I called my mom and she couldn't understand me. I didn't know what to do, I had to get my daughter, but I was afraid that I would collapse on the ground if I got out of the car. I called my husband, I told him that I thought I was having a heart attack, he tried to calm me down, but...I was just so convinced that something terrible was happening to me. He left work to come get me. I almost pulled over on my way to my daughters school and called 911. As it was, I pulled up in front of the school, but had to call and tell them I was going to be late (again, afraid I was going to collapse). My husband came and got me and my daughter. We took her home (I did not want her to know anything was wrong-she's only 6) and then my husband took me to the hospital.
The front desk girl was snotty, and speed walked back to the room. They hooked me up to an EKG, and it was fine. I saw the physician's assistant, who was so, so nice and understanding. She gave me 12 Lorazepam pills (I take Welbutrin). I felt better after we left. The next day we took the kids to Gurnee Mills and I did start to have another attack, but I took one of the pills and felt much better.
I have been so weepy. I feel like such a failure, and I just don't understand. Yes, there are things I am concerned about, but they weren't at the forefront of my mind when the attack happened.
My husband goes back to work tomorrow, and I am afraid to be alone. I am a 36 year old mother of 3 who is afraid to be alone, how can I possibly be a good mother.
I wanted to write this because I thought it would help me to write, but also I want to know if people can relate to this. Just the suddenness of it surprises me, and now being so weepy.
Thank you for reading this, I know it was long, but I appreciate it.
One if the things that helps me is to think about them when in a calm state and know that they have an end, usually quickly. Deep breathing can help. I say this because I know this, however, you are fortunate to have your mom come I over. I don't have anyone but friends to call and that's very hard, mostly on them. I also get embarrassed but when someone loves you (husband and Mom) they understand and don't judge. Be easy on yourself.
When I was younger my physical symptoms from anxiety would also take over, and a few times I ended up in the ER as well. I am 56 now, and thankfully some of the severity of those physical symptoms I have learned to handle. Sometimes they do still strike me here and there. But for me, especially if I have had the symptom before I can say, well I have had this before I know what it is. Or my husband will tell me the same. Of course, it might not be that easy for you to do that presently which I completely understand.
For me it was heart palpitations and a few times I also felt like I was going to suffocate...uggg both scary.
I would have myself completely convinced that my heart was going to just pitter patter me to death. Or I was going to not be able to breath, and I did not even have asthma, so I bet for you that feeling must be scary.
Once I had my daughter with me, she was little at time and my heart palpitations came on while driving out of town. It was before cell phones ( I sound ancient.) so I speeded to the nearest ER, it was such an ordeal, but of course you know the outcome, since I am here years later.
I was and still have great fears of medications, so I just waited it out, on and off I had episodes of the above mentioned. Therapy helped me to couquor the physical synmptoms of my anxidty a great deal. I still have heart palpitations here and there, but I do not even realte them to anxiety, rather just a mild disorder that come on at times, which more less did cause me anxiety.
For me the sudden doom, like I am going to pass out, or jus die also used to take over, ended me at the ER or doctors office.
I only had one daughter she is 29 now, so I am past dealing with children and anxiety together. But not completely, because as I sit here, my two little grandsons age 2 and 4 are here with me today, so I guess I still am in the same boat as you in some ways.
I am not the best role model, since as I have stated in other posts, there probably was and still is newer medications that could relive my symptoms, but I have had some unfortunate experiences with medications as well as unrealistic fears so I hold off taking them.
I also do not faithfully practice relaxation or eating healthy or working out on a routine, just do in in spurts. Bad me!
Presently my mental anxiety has gotten the best of me, uggg, making me have similar fears as yours...
And snotty people, yeah I have come across them, but the nice ones as you had are out there too. Also, I have of course have come across family and friends that just don't understand, that is why a support group like this is so comforting. My husband is understanding, but just does not really know what I am feeling.
It is sad that anxiety and depression too are both frustrating disorders that can make a person feel miserable and weepy, but please don't be to hard on yourself.
I know being a mother and alone with fears of having a episode is scary. Maybe if a symptom strikes, you can have a plan set. Such as first try to evaluate the situation and symptoms. If you have had the symptoms before, try to remind yourself that. If you have a safe medication to take and not make you unable to care for your children take it. Have a person you can call to calm you down a bit. If worse comes to worse 911 is still a last option. So, if it happens, it happens, but maybe nothing will happen.
Having a disorder does not mean you are not a good mother, it only means you have a disorder.
Is there a support group in your area, your local MHA Mental Health Association could referee you, or your doctor maybe too.
You can also post here, sometimes just clicking away your fears and thoughts can help a bit which is great for those who are isolated due to what ever reasons and can't get out.
The good news is you are here today, you are ok and hopefully it will be a much better day for you,
I am happy to hear that the medication works for you too, maybe with time your anxiety symptoms will diminish all together. Being a mother with a busy life can bring much joy, but can be difficult when experiencing anxiety along with it.
Hang in there and enjoy the pockets of happiness even in the days you have anxiety.
Patty