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 ! My name is Mikaela and I'm new . Lately these past 5 months have been Filled with constant anxiety and public Panic attacks. I never struggled with anxiety before yeah I was shy growing up but that was because I just didn't know what to say to my peers eventually I grew out of it . Basically now I can't do the normal things that I used to do. I think my trigger is seeing couples. As dumb as it sounds . I am 19 and in February my boyfriend of a year went into prison . We were always long distance because he was in the military so I thought that I will be able to make it through but obviously I'm wrong. When I'm in public and I see a couple just minding their business it makes me so anxious to the point where I will literally cry in public because it feels like they're just staring at me and taunting me. No joke . I literally had a girl stare at me and start making out with her boyfriend . I only looked in their direction ONCE I don't want her man LOLL . Now I'm starting to have panic attack's and anxiety at home and I don't know what to do does anyone have any techniques I can use ? Thanks !
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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.
This very post is making use of my front line anxiety management tool. A not-so-funny part of anxiety is that it is a sneaky snake which can disguise itself in many, many forms. What looks like relationship anxiety on the surface all too often turns out to be something else, altogether. Getting my anxieties of the day into words and than sharing those words with people who can help me see things I might miss on my own helps me sort the proverbial chaff from the proverbial grain.
I hope you'll feel safe to keep venting and sorting, Mikaela. Your answers are in there. Welcome aboard.
I think him going to prison would give a person anxiety, for sure. You would be 22 at the earliest when he gets out. You and he will be completely different people by then. A lot changes in people between ages 19 and 22.
Why not work on yourself now? Do you work, go to school.... You are young and it would be a good idea to work on yourself and your future. Going out with friends is a good idea. Spend time with your family. Journal. Do hobbies that you enjoy.
Regardless of what happens between you and him, you can start right now with working on yourself and doing the things that make YOU happy, right here, right now. Living in the moment and enjoying your life.
Since he apologized I realize that I need to focus more on me and that’s why I said in the other post I’m on sure if we should say together or not. You also saying that I should focus on myself is Like a confirmation that I should do it so. My mental health is not the best right now with all of this going on but considering that I just graduated high school LAST YEAR I’m so young and I shouldn’t have to feel Like I’m older . I feel like I’m in my late 20s sometimes .
On a happier note yes I actually am starting a new job on Sunday ! It’s just a summer job and then right when the summer ends I start school. Thanks for replying :)
You've taken the important first step in writing it out.
Keep writing everything out, so you are able to sort through words, emotions, thoughts, feelings, and put your anxiety back in balance as your helper.
Best wishes as you find your better balance.
1) The 557 breathing technique is take 5 deep breaths in while thinking good thoughts about yourself like I am relaxed, I am at peace, I am strong and then hold the breaths for the count of 7 focusing on those words about yourself, then let out the breath slowly for 5 seconds letting go of any anxious, self-defeating, unhealthy thoughts. I do this one to three times a sitting.
2) The gratitude journal is writing down something good every morning and night something that went well in the day, or something I appreciate about myself. Taking our focus off of the anxiety and focusing on positive uplifting things really helps. What you think is what you believe. So thinking uplifting things you believe those things but the reverse is true - thinking negative self-defeating things, you will believe those.
3 Emotional Freedom Tapping - Look up the actual pressure points that you use, but you tap on those points while you repeat positive uplifting things to yourself.
I will be praying for you. Feel free to pm me if you'd like to chat. Hugs and God Bless
Keep going to that counselor, keep up with those meetings. Regularly meeting with her is important in helping you feel better.
You're going to be okay.... but if you keep feeling anxious, talk to your parents about how you are feeling and ask them if you can go see a psychiatrist. They are medical doctors that know all about anxiety and depression and all kinds of mental health.