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...
Its been awhile, but I'm back on the anxiety board. A couple years ago I had a rough bout with anxiety. I was having panic attacks, issues with hypochondria, and experiencing depersonalization.
Well, with the help of a counselor and some positive, happy life distractions (moving in with my boyfriend, graduating from college) I was able to successfully manage my anxiety and experience some much needed relief. Whatever happened in my life when my anxiety was temporarily eased, I truly wish it upon ALL of you (only not a temporary relief, a permanent one) =). It was a wonderful feeling.
Its been 10 months since then and my anxiety has slowly started to creep back up. I've been experiencing a lot of stress in my life. Maybe that's what's causing the anxiety flare-up? I'm working full-time as a cashier with my college degree because I can't find a job in my field. I've had many devastating turn-downs after job interviews and my current financial state has been on my mind constantly.
My anxiety almost feels like its evolved a little bit too. One of my main symptoms is intestinal issues. I'll get so worked-up that I feel like I'm going to throw-up and I have a complete loss of appetite.
I also have scary thoughts that aren't warranted by anything. I'm afraid I'll lose my sanity, that I'll be stuck feeling awful forever, that it'll get so bad that I won't even want to live anymore (this isn't actually the case, its all just my fears and "what-ifs").
I wish anxiety could be cured. Sometimes it scares me that it can only be managed. I know I'm hard-wired this way and that I just have to find successful coping techniques. When I am having a good day, though, I'd give almost anything to have it stay that way.
Well, with the help of a counselor and some positive, happy life distractions (moving in with my boyfriend, graduating from college) I was able to successfully manage my anxiety and experience some much needed relief. Whatever happened in my life when my anxiety was temporarily eased, I truly wish it upon ALL of you (only not a temporary relief, a permanent one) =). It was a wonderful feeling.
Its been 10 months since then and my anxiety has slowly started to creep back up. I've been experiencing a lot of stress in my life. Maybe that's what's causing the anxiety flare-up? I'm working full-time as a cashier with my college degree because I can't find a job in my field. I've had many devastating turn-downs after job interviews and my current financial state has been on my mind constantly.
My anxiety almost feels like its evolved a little bit too. One of my main symptoms is intestinal issues. I'll get so worked-up that I feel like I'm going to throw-up and I have a complete loss of appetite.
I also have scary thoughts that aren't warranted by anything. I'm afraid I'll lose my sanity, that I'll be stuck feeling awful forever, that it'll get so bad that I won't even want to live anymore (this isn't actually the case, its all just my fears and "what-ifs").
I wish anxiety could be cured. Sometimes it scares me that it can only be managed. I know I'm hard-wired this way and that I just have to find successful coping techniques. When I am having a good day, though, I'd give almost anything to have it stay that way.
I wish I had an answer for you or something to tell you to help you cope, but I'm actually experiencing the SAME degree of anxiety that you are. I have been experiencing severe anxiety or ptsd, or both (I'm an anxious person to begin with afterall) after the end of my abusive relationship. I currently had an episode of depersonalization and derealization where things seemed really unreal, like I couldn't see clearly and didn't feel physically present. I was mentally freaking out because I was certain I was losing my sanity. I even wanted to check myself into the hospital because I was so anxious. My doctor told me it's just severe anxiety. I still get worried that I'm going to lose my sanity because my therapist actually gave me more anxiety (I was seeing him for general counselling, then when my anxiety went up he refused to believe that I had an anxiety issue, I stopped therapy with him since then). My anxiety is always constantly up, like I worry about everything. I just wish that there was a cure.
All this to say, I know EXACTLY how you feel! Anxiety is so hard to deal with when it's related to thoughts. I'm currently having Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and it really helped me feel more in control of my anxiety lately. I just started CBT and I can say that it's really helped me feel better so far. I had an amazing day with less anxiety yesterday after my session. I think it could help you if your anxiety is like mine...thought related (sometimes I'll feel anxious for "no reason" and then make myself more anxious by worrying).
Hang in there! Just remember that you're not alone, and I'm sure there are others like us out there suffering from anxiety.
Anxiety does have a Curve, I call it the Curveball...each time I think I am there, I am back.
I know how you feel. I spent a better part of 10 months fighting bad anxiety and trying to figure out what to do and how to end it. I took steps I never took before, psychologist, saw a psychiatrist though I have not started medicating yet, I was making good progress. Made it was the time off from Work in August, no hustling around, etc.
My anxiety is back. I am a 38 yr-old male, I have experienced many symptoms and some come back worse than before. Arm pain, jaw pain, chest pain, etc. The past week my stomach has felt bloated, gassy, etc. I have an appetite, I can eat, but just don't feel myself.
I am sorry you are battling again with this, I understand. I wish it would simply go away, but I just think it keeps throwing the curveball, some days I swing and miss, other days I can knock it out of the park.
Good Luck!