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...
So, last night I went to the ER for trouble breathing due to ashtma and anxiety. They looked at me and my oxygen levels and the ashtma part looked ok, but my pulse was insanely high (the highest was 176!!) due to anxiety, so they wanted to do blood tests and give me fluids. But I have a history of white coat syndrome so my pulse gets insanely high whenever I go to a doctor's office. So they gave me a pill for anxeity (which did not seem to help) and my dad and I agee that I should just leave the ER.My parents have told me that am a lier and that I am selfish for going to the ER when there was nothing wrong other than axiety and some slight asthma. They want me to "pull it together" and "try to stop focussing on myself for once". They think this is all some plan to get out of my job (which I hate btw) and school (which does cause me a lot of stress). They're telling me that "all this anxiety has to stop, there's nothing anyone can do for you". "How are you suppost to function on your own like this. "If school is to much for you quite and get a real job". "You need to stop the bullshit", etc. I KNOW my parent love me and all, and they're trying to help, but I honstly think that they do not understand how hard it is to deal with anxiety and that I can't just "calm down and pull myself together" at whim. I have seen doctors for my swallowing, and my throat looks fine. I know I have ashtma but I think my anxiety makes it way more worse than it is. This is what frustrates my parents, is that my throat is physically fine and I only have mild ashtma but my anxiety blows it all out of proportion. My parents know I have a long history of panic attacks and anxiety, but they expect me to act like I don't. I have had anxiety attacks since I was 14, I'm 20 now. I want some real help, but neighter me or my parents can afford a therapist, and we also do not want me to go on anxiety meds. I tried going to the anxiety coucelor at my university but I could only talk to her on the phone due to covid and the sessions didn't really help. She basically just emailed me packets about breathing and other technique that can easily be found online, and that have never helped me much, so I stopped talking to her. I am now extremely scared to go to work this weekend as I fear another attack. I took a sick day already this week because of Asthma and I do not know what to do. I am 100% lost. Should I talk to the couselor again, should I try to live with my friend to get awa from my parents even thouhg I would really miss them? I have no clue. Absolutley not clue at all. I am lost for words, because I am just so lost and confused.
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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.
I know what it's like to have parents that love but don't understand. My mom has gotten much better at not telling me to just 'stop having anxiety.' She understands now that it doesn't work like that. Hopefully your parents will see that one day.
Do you think you'd have more or less anxiety if you moved in with your friend?
I hope one day my parents will understand how anxiety works. But as far as moving out goes, I am not completely sure if it will help or not. My friend is very understanding and nice, and she knows about anxiety considering she has it herself. On the other hand I have never left home before because I can't afford to dorm. So, leaving I think it would cause a lot of anxiety at first but then maybe I would get used to it. It would be nice living with someone who understands and who doesn't think I'm just a lying, lazy, basket case. I think I might stay a few nights next week and see how it goes.
As far triggers go, I have never really been able to pinpoint them exactly. However things like horror movies and really bad thunderstorms seem to be a trigger. Also, something that makes an anxiety attack worse are when my parents specially my mom try to "calm me down" even after I tell them to just leave me alone so I can calm myself down.
Thanks for your response
And scary movies seem fairly easy to deal with. Just avoid watching them. I guess it depends on what you consider horror though. Because a comedy, or love story movie can even have horror elements. You juts have to be prepared for something like that.
As far as your parents go, im sorry they don't understand. It's hard for anyone to fully understand unless they experience anxiety...better yet, your specific type of anxiety. I have found that not talking about my anxiety with those types of people has helped me greatly. I have chosen my few 'safe' people that I know can relate or at least listen. And the ones that dont, I just don't tell them about it. If you're not going to get anything positive out of telling them, then why bother?
Did anything happen around four years ago to kind of make your anxiety start manifesting?
Wow, I am really just putting this all out there, I'm really tired of keeping all this to myself, only a few people know about my issues with anxiety. I'm glad I can share it somewhere were hopefully someone knows what I'm dealing with.
Take a moment to write out each sentence in the journal section. This will help you sort through the patterns of thought, emotions, feelings and words.
You need to take the time to step back from your parents' response to accept your anxiety. You are aware they do not experience your anxiety. That is their response.
That being said, look for ways to manage it to a calm balance. Once you are able to do this with your parents, it will help you to do better as you work through the other things you have mentioned.
You are much stronger than you realize.
Get everything out and see how you feel. I do think that some more intensive therapy could be beneficial for you. Considering you're having to go to the ER for your intense panic attacks.
While I wouldn't wish the insider view on anybody, I am eternally grateful to have places such as this one where people **do** understand and I can feel less alone with ^it^.
Keep venting, Alexandra. It helps with the sorting. Your answers are in there.
Gentle support while you sort. You are not alone. It is possible to have a rich, full life, in spite of ^it^.