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 all, I hope you're having a great Sunday. I have been struggling with severe GAD for what feels like my entire life, and I am just now gaining the courage to share my story. I have a lot of problems, but I'm going to focus on the one that triggered a nervous breakdown in which I've been unable to fully recover. During my childhood, I developed a red mole on my nose. I didn't think anything of it for years, until for whatever reason it started to bother me during my time in college. I became so self-conscious about it that I was unable to make eye-contact with anyone, even my girlfriend of 10 years. I began developing tension headaches in the presence of anyone. They are so debilitating and painful that I lose my train of thought easily and many times have to lie down just to get over them. I was so worried about the mole that I decided to have it removed about 6 years ago.
After the procedure fully healed, it left a rolling scar on my nose that is bigger and more distracting than the mole itself! I was devastated. I became unbearably depressed and anxious, and I began developing daily panic attacks. I've become so isolated from other people (including my family) and just feel like a freak all the time. I can barely even watch people on tv without developing these tension headaches. To make things even worse, I began my professional career right after the procedure was over. Talk about a double-whammy of stress and anxiety. I'm lucky enough to still have a job, but some days I would just rather be dead than show my face in public. I'm also fortunate to still have my girlfriend, but it has definitely put a strain on our relationship.
In today's superficial world, unfortunately many people are defined by their image. Knowing that I will likely have to deal with this issue my entire life makes me extremely sad and scared. That being said, I finally made the conscious decision to confront my fears. I started using YouTube videos to begin practicing my eye contact again. I also have asked my girlfriend to participate in the practice for a couple of minutes a day. I even get my cats involved (lol). I started journaling as well, and I write down every single negative thought I have as each occurs. On Friday alone I counted 247 worries! It's just crazy how much time we spend in our own heads instead of focusing on the present and the future.
I know it's going to be an uphill battle, but I am putting in the work now to better myself. No more excuses. If you're reading this, know that you're not alone in your struggles. I think that reaching out to others going through the same hardships as yourself can be a major step in your recovery. If you ever need someone to talk to, please feel free to reach out to me. I may not be able to solve your problems, but I will always be willing to listen with ZERO judgements. Thanks for reading.
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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!
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Ever since I stopped doing therapy because of insurance, I've been feeling that old tense and irritable sense of anxiety and stress. I hate that. I was making so many strides and changes during therapy, my therapist would acknowledge all of my progress and accomplishments, and I miss that reassurance. Today I thought about it, and I made those changes! She would always tell me that I chose to...
Self-image and self-esteem are huge elephants in my own psycho baggage car. My good looks used to be a destructive force in my own self-image/esteem. Would I have **had** to survive child sex trafficking if I had been born ugly? One can't help but wonder. . .
Whatever the challenge to an individual's self-image and/or self-esteem, it makes a HUGE difference in how we navigate the world and manage our anxieties as we do so. It is, indeed, crazy how much time we spend in our heads. Outside support definitely helps in finding our ways out.
Gentle support while you find your way. Welcome aboard.
What makes things worse about one's struggles is that strangers and even people close to you just have no idea what you're going through or how difficult it can be to change your thinking. I have tried my best to stay positive over the years, but I'm always able to find something to pull me back into misery.
The silliest situations create anxiety for me, but I can't just keep avoiding everything that bothers me. It's especially hard because I have no close friends. Friends are supposed to be an escape from your troubles, and I feel like I've rarely had the opportunity to make/keep good friends. You start blaming yourself and think that there must be something wrong with you.
You seem to be pretty active on here. I find it admirable that you're willing to reach out and listen to so many people. Here's hoping I can also provide a helping hand to others in need.
My willingness to reach out and be so active here is not **for** other people. I'm no candidate for sainthood. I am so active here because support is one of those places where the more I give away, the more I have available when **I** am in need.
What goes around comes around.