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...
Hey Everyone,
I just joined this group today. I wanted to give a little background on myself. I've had anxiety since I was a child, and I'm 33 now. I've been on an antidepressant since 18. I usually have panic attacks and come out of them unscathed. However, this is the second time in two years that I've had a generalized anxiety episode. It's been going on now for two months. I upped my meds and added a benzo just to help me function for short term use. Sometimes I just need to talk to other people who feel this way. The depression in the beginning of theeisode was so bad I was suicidal. Luckily, I'm not in that space anymore. Still feeling a little hopeless though. I'm hoping someone can relate? Thanks for listening.
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I haven't written in my diary on my computer since May because I thought that my computer was dying. I got away from writing but my computer is hanging in there. I think that I will start writing in it again. It's so therapeutic.
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Years ago, I won a mirrored armoire from my job. It's in my bedroom but I rarely stand in front of it. Yesterday, I had to have a dexascan done so I had to change into a gown. There was a full length mirror in the changing room. I'm aware that I gained 5 to 7 pounds over the last year from cheating on Keto but I didn't know what it looked like. It was a reality check.
Welcome to the group. I understand the hopelessness. It has definitely helped me to see others sharing similar experiences and know that I’m not the only one who struggles to rein in spiraling “what ifs.”
Any responsibility is a trigger for me. It doesn’t have to be a lot.
Welcome and here’s hoping for better days ahead.
Just wanted to make sure that you are working with your doctor regarding changing your medication doses. We really need to check with our doctors before we change around doses... so I was just checking with you about that :)
As for me, I have had anxiety disorder for over 20 years and I am on meds and do talk therapy (once a week).
I, too, love the "Spiraling what-ifs." My "what if" habits are so psychotic that I declared "I.F." to be an acronym for "Idiot Factor" and proceeded on a lifelong campaign to, "Get the I.F. out of ^it^." "If" is entirely too useful a word to disregard entirely, but my life and projects always run more smoothly when I can get the I.F. out of ^it^. When I let myself spiral unchecked through the "What Ifs" of life, I spiral straight down the psycho drain every time. My current I.F. spiral has maskites pegged as an alien invasion force who really have probiscis in place of mouths and microphones which make them **sound** human. Works in progress to get the I.F. out of that one.
Ah. . . The places an anxiety powered brain can go. . .
You are not alone, JMel. Welcome aboard. Hope you find stabilizing companionship here.
Best wishes as you find your better balance.
I feel you about having a flare up recently. I was "in remission" (I have got to com e up with a better phrase for that) for many years and then in July anxiety decided it wanted to start coming over to hang out again, and each time it showed up the visits lasted a little longer and he was a bit more of an arse.
Hope you are able to find some peace. Sending good thoughts.
The tools that really helped me are thought clouds - any negative thought I would immediately take it out of my brain and in my mind watch it float off on a cloud. Then I would come up with a positive thought to replace that negative one. Another is deep conscious breathing. - 5 deep breaths in breathing in the peace all good things I want in my life - holding it for 5 seconds, and letting it out for the count of 7 and as I let the breath out I also let go of all the negative feelings, thoughts, and letting go of the things that are holding me back from feeling good. I sometimes do this cycle 3 times. I also spend time focusing on God, praying by myself and with friends, and listening to uplifting encouraging Christian music - my favorite is called Way Maker.
I have learned depression is not who I am but what I go through at times. The episodes are temporary so I have to remind myself of that. Lastly, I do put ups not put downs for myself. So if a put down comes to my mind I do not say it but instead say NO to the put down and immediately replace it with a put up (which I have made a list in case I can't think of one at that moment.). I hope this helps. I will be praying for you. Reach out anytime and if you want to pm me, I am happy to chat. Hugs and God Bless