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...
have been suffering from anxiety and panic amongst other things for the last 10 years. I've tried to do much with little relief and I just want help. I want my life back. I feel weak both physically and mentally. I don't feel anymore, I just dont know what to do anymore.
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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...
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I did the dumbest thing today. I charged my earbuds, unplugged the block and put the block in my little bag instead of the earbuds. I wasn't happy about that when I got to the gym. What a dummy!
In my 20s I lacked confidence to a degree that 'shyness' became a real problem for me. At times I just wanted to curl up in bed to avoid social situations. I had to make a living, though, and a new job that put me face to face with lots and lots of new people, and a personal makeover of my appearance, helped me immensely.
Then 20 years later I was dealing with years of stress build-up from major negative life events. I was doing all right, getting by, but then I got a boyfriend who was not only not trustworthy, but a very, very social person. I ended up in relationship situations with him where I became so angry over things he did, that I just didn't recognize myself--he was a cheater and he brought out the worst in me at a very difficult time in my life. In addition to that, he often pulled me into social situations where my lack of confidence was a hindrance. I believe that I had a form of social anxiety that was exacerbated by the fact that he was stressing me out all the time, when also I had to deal with the deaths of my parents, a divorce, living in a new place, major financial challenges, and a new and stressful job. I was hitting overload and my boyfriend's bad behavior was pushing me right over the edge.
It only made things worse that when I needed to be able to go out for the evening and enjoy some live music and a nice meal, and so on, I had become so self-conscious that I couldn't enjoy myself. So there was little relief to be had from life, if any.
In other words, some of the things that could help me ease stress and find relief from a troubled life, were just stressing me out more because of the anxiety I felt in restaurants and during other types of fun occasions and places.
I told my doctor how I was feeling and she suggested I try an anxiety med. I made sure she knew that I was NOT depressed, despite the troubles I was experiencing, and that I really just wanted something to take the edge off so I could relax in pleasant or fun social situations and get the benefit of the occasion. She understood and prescribed the anxiety med she'd told me about.
The reason I emphasize depression vs anxiety, is that a lot of folks automatically associate an anxiety med with depression, and that is not necessarily the case. Even a Physician's Assistant reading off my meds a few months later said 'Oh, are you still depressed, taking the ______?' I explained I was never depressed, that I took that med for social anxiety. She understood then. It's important to make the distinction.
Anyway, the med was a little crutch for me but who cares--it helped me, and I no longer need it. I went off it on my own because over the years I was able to place myself in so many social situations and other types of situations working with lots of other people, that I came out of my 'shell' to a great degree and had more confidence.
Some people with social anxiety avoid social situations and their situation only gets worse, and they become defensive about it. That is sad because they miss out on a lot of life! It's better to get an anxiety med and start placing yourself into the situations that take you a little outside your comfort zone, and it will get easier and easier.
Wishing you the best. You will be all right. Call a counselor, or your doc, and make an appointment. Don't let weeks go by while you suffer.