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...
Hello. I am looking to join an active support group for anxiety. I am 20 years old, and have suffered from anxiety and panic attacks since I was a child. A year ago, I had a miscarriage (the father of the baby expressed his satisfaction about it) was ex-communicated from my family and church, and because of some bad decisions of my own I have ruined almost every meaningful relationship in my life.
My anxiety has recently spiraled completely out of control, and turned into constant fear. I can't put my shoes on without panicking, because I'm afraid there may be something in them.. like a spider or glass. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I can't help but check them countless times - this process has even made me late for work or kept me from leaving the house. Another example is brushing my teeth.. I often have severe feelings of panic because I feel that my teeth will fall out while brushing them. I also have to use a new toothbrush every day to reduce my anxiety about getting sick or spreading germs by reusing one. These are just a couple of examples of everyday tasks that I struggle with lately. This motivates me to finally reach out for help with my anxiety because it's now getting in the way of my ability to function.
I do not know how I will be able to afford professional help. I am working on that but in the meantime I have been looking into my symptoms and they seem to be results of anxiety, depression, panic and even possibly the beginnings of OCD. I am afraid and realize that I am losing control. I pray for answers about what's wrong with me and how to control it. Hopefully someone will be able to relate!
My anxiety has recently spiraled completely out of control, and turned into constant fear. I can't put my shoes on without panicking, because I'm afraid there may be something in them.. like a spider or glass. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I can't help but check them countless times - this process has even made me late for work or kept me from leaving the house. Another example is brushing my teeth.. I often have severe feelings of panic because I feel that my teeth will fall out while brushing them. I also have to use a new toothbrush every day to reduce my anxiety about getting sick or spreading germs by reusing one. These are just a couple of examples of everyday tasks that I struggle with lately. This motivates me to finally reach out for help with my anxiety because it's now getting in the way of my ability to function.
I do not know how I will be able to afford professional help. I am working on that but in the meantime I have been looking into my symptoms and they seem to be results of anxiety, depression, panic and even possibly the beginnings of OCD. I am afraid and realize that I am losing control. I pray for answers about what's wrong with me and how to control it. Hopefully someone will be able to relate!
-
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!
-
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.
Keep on moving forward and staying "in the moment". When you check your shoes, mark it and move forward.
It takes time to change the thought process of patterns, and writing it down is an important step.
Best wishes.
Lexapro is commonly used for this if it turns out to be "GAD". The OCD part is where a psychiatrist might need to be involved. Most cities/counties have a free health clinic if you cant afford a doctor or dont have insurance.
Don't worry too much about it, but go see your GP and ask for a mild SSRI to help you. You might need this for a couple of years, okay? You probably have a huge amout of rediscovery of yourself to do, a huge backlog of memories to get through, pain and woe to deal with and of course enormous grief. I got my GAD at a time of grief. Grief knocks you around something awful.
As to counselling, go to your local Salvation Army community ministries or Catholic social services and see what they can help you with. Sometimes all they will want is a donation. I was paying $30 a session with my counsellor from Catholic social services, he didn't push any religion my way, but was the most absolutely kind and stable wonderful person in my life (he was very old and very peaceful and gentle.)
There is always a way to deal with these things without having to pay a fortune. I'm saying this because you're clearly on the edge of losing your job, you are developing fixations that are taking control of you, and you need to stay strong, keep moving forward, and recover from the pain and woe you have been through without the price tag getting any higher!
You will come right, things will come together for you and the pain will ease. Time is your friend. :)
This is all JMHO of course: a fellow sufferer almost out of the woods. Almost. :D
I ended up getting into an anxiety support group and learned practical ways to battle it in my mind and deal with other issues that were at the root of it. Medication can sometimes be necessary if you don't feel like you can function normally. The 1-2 punch of counseling and medication worked for me!
Have you been able to find a counselor and go to the doctor? If you're interested I could PM you with a recommendation. You might also want to check out other online forums like anxietyforum.net.
I'll pray for you. I'm sorry you had such a bad experience with your church, family & friends, especially after suffering a miscarriage. The truth is that God loves you and hurts with you. He is the greatest healer and restorer of things - including relationships! You may feel like you have ruined everything and there's no hope, but He is a loving God who will even restore your hope, too, if you ask. There are good things to come. I believe if we're still breathing, He's not done with any of us! Love, peace & hugs to you~
FreeButterfly70
The test is inexpensive and if your doctor can't do it, 23andme can do it for $99 (a saliva test). If your doctor can test it, folate levels should also be checked.
IF you have the gene mutation it typically manifests as anxiety in children, miscarriages in young adulthood, stomach problems (IBS) and other issues. Later in life it can impact heart health.
And the treatment is cheap, easy with no side-effects. If you have the mutation, you can't convert the folic acid in food into folate your body needs - especially your neurological system. The treatment is to avoid folic acid in food and to take a special type of methylated folate. Folate is just a B vitamin.
I SO hope this is what's going on for you because it is SUCH a simple fix.
http://www.magellans.com/itemdy00.aspx?T1=MTP578