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...
Hi Everyone:) I hope you day has been anxiety free! Does anyone get so anxious and stressed out you literally can't think, your memory is shot and you can't concentrate to the point it is embarrassingly obvious in general conversations?
I think I have driven my best friend away because she dents know what to say to me anymore because I have gotten that bad. I am doing everything I can medication wise etc has anyone else been through this?
I think I have driven my best friend away because she dents know what to say to me anymore because I have gotten that bad. I am doing everything I can medication wise etc has anyone else been through this?
As nice as it is to know I'm not the only one, I hate knowing you all go through this as well. I wish I had some good advice to give, but unfortunately, I am trying to figure this out myself. I think both PatternSkies and djchurn give good advice - try to be compassionate towards yourself. You are struggling, but are doing the best you can. And taking a time out when you need it is always a great idea. Are there any things you do to help calm yourself down? For me, taking a hot shower helps, as does yoga, listening to music, or going for a short walk. In the moment, focusing on your breath (counting the breaths, deliberately trying to slow it down and take deep belly breaths) helps as well.
As for your friend, I am wondering if she knows of your struggles with anxiety. Would you feel comfortable explaining this to her? I think if you are comfortable, it might be helpful for her to know that you really do care about the friendship, but that you sometimes find it difficult to focus when feeling overwhelmed. I think she would understand and likely really appreciate the honesty.
Take good care.
I used to stand there at work desperately trying to grasp onto what the boss was saying... total incomprehension. I thought I would spend the rest of my life in menial labour. I would do anything I could to remain listening... I could drift away in the most important conversations. Stabbed fingernails into hands, pinched leg inside pockets. It barely worked.
The only thing I can suggest is time and not really socialising much until you are better. It does get better.
Get lots of rest. LOTS of rest. Sleep when you can. Limit all activity you can limit. It's really solitary for a while but if you protect yourself from messing up, you can avoid the constant anxiety attacks. and if you're like me, being solitary is fine, if it means no attacks.
You have to limit your interactions enough that you are no longer in a constant state of fight or flight.
A hundred years ago you would have been put in a sanitorium for a couple of months, with no pressure or stress. 'Brain fever' they called it, and the cure was utter rest and no excitement.