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...
This is my first post. I am desperate for help. I think about my anxiety symptoms all day, every day. I can't take it anymore. I have changed so much in my life (modified diet, reduced caffeine intake, barely drink alcohol anymore, meditate daily, exercise more, and try to minimize my negative thoughts). I am putting in the work and seeing little results. I have other medical issues with my throat and neck, the ENT couldn't figure out what it is, but my anxiety is making them a lot worse. I lose my voice almost daily and cannot turn my head in certain directions. I am becoming distant and losing my personality. It is a horrendous cycle at this point.
My mind is going to very dark places and becoming more difficult to stop these thoughts. I do not take medication but I may have to at this point. Does anyone have any advice? What am I missing?
-Mike
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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.
You are not alone. Lots of nice and supportive people here, who are also dealing with lots of anxiety. It is a struggle, but it can be controlled.
It sounds to me you need a second opinion on your throat and neck. Maybe call a different doctor and make an appointment to get that checked out.
For anxiety, I would suggest seeing a psychiatrist. They are medical doctors (MD's) that can discuss with you if medication would help you, and they can help you with talking to a therapist.
I take daily anxiety medication, and I talk to a therapist once per week by phone, which both help me to get a hold of my anxiety.
You are not alone. There is help out there. Making those phone calls and make those 2 appointments, is my suggestion. It could give you some structure in fixing your anxious symptoms, and get your life back on track. I know it seems overwhelming to have to make these appointments, but I think these 2 would help you a lot.
Keep writing it out.
It sounds like your anxiety is being exacerbated
by your health. I can relate to this because I went through something similar. You are not alone We can all relate. Girl. In Cali makes some great suggestions. Peace
have you tried routine participation in a support group? my own mental health issues are such sneaky snakes that i need a safe place to vent, sort and gain feedback on a) what i am dealing with THIS TIME and b) which tool is most likely to work for this go-round. taking allergy meds for an injured foot won't get me far and i have more therapy tools than big pharma has pills. it can get a bit confusing which i should use when. this very web site is one of the support groups i participate in daily to help with this very task.
welcome aboard. i hope this community helps you as much as it helps me.
for what it's worth
i often clench various muscle sets under the influence of anxiety. i often don't know i am clenching until those muscle sets cause chronic pain. my neck, shoulders and throat are among the muscle sets i have had this problem with. mindfulness and gentle stretches are my remedy.
1. Recognition Behind much anxiety lies a feeling that if you worry, you're being concerned and solving problems. Nothing could be further from the truth, anxiety usually frustrates decision-making and creates its own problems. So recognize whatever the issue, being anxious does not help.
If there are medical issues, work to address them, but worry does not help.
2. Try to talk to friends.
3. Exercise.
4. Take medication scrupulously as intended and monitor with your psychiatrist, it can be a guessing game of what combination will work.
5. Try meditation and yoga.
Take the time to write daily in a journal to help you sort out everything.
Problems that involve the throat require you to provide insight at to time, place, people, event, and food/drink status in order to figure out how anxiety is working to notify you of 'alert, alert, alert'.
I have to be careful to not raise my voice as it hurts my throat muscles from the exertion of the tensed muscles when I'm already stressed. When I'm in 'distress', I find being quiet helps the muscles relax and reduce my resting anxiety level.
You are not alone here.
We are all here for the same reason Anxiety hard to enjoy your life and be comfortable in any situations with out over analyzing every scary feeling we are having. Anxiety is triggered by your thoughts..... fear and anger is the strongest. When your over whelmed deep breaths and get moving change your thought and that panic will pass I promise you. I still get anxiety after many yrs but now I can work threw and no more panic. It def takes time to trust yourself you are ok.... just an anxious person. Take one day at a time and get back to enjoying your life:) I use to have panic attacks, stopped driving, quit my job it took over my life.....now have 2 teens ..weekend camper and living my life again with anxiety.
I know a lot of this is a result of my thoughts and negative thinking, it is just so challenging to deal with everyday, all day. I am naturally a pessimistic person and I don't choose to be but that is where my mind goes. I have read that people with my personality characteristics are prone to anxiety issues. Such as being a perfectionist, sensitive and emotional person, sensitive to sounds (especially repetitive ones), always seeking approval, don't take criticism well, etc..
Often times I get tired of fighting it every single day and just want it to go away. But I am not ready yet and I have some fight left in me. So I appreciate your welcoming responses ;)
Maybe a place to start is to try to be more optimistic. Being grateful, and writing down 5 things you are grateful for, each day, helps. It may sound corny, but being positive can only help in life, you know? Life can be tough enough, so trying to look on the bright-side is helpful.
And also, be careful about labeling yourself. Such as saying you are pessimistic and they are the kinds of people that get anxiety. I am not pessimistic at all, and I have had anxiety for over 25 years. I know someone who is completely pessimistic, and they have zero anxiety. Just sayin'.... putting a negative label on ourselves doesn't really help our situation, you know what I mean? Start that gratitude journal and think of 5 things each day that went well, that are going good, and that are optimistic. Some examples can be - "I handled that talk with that person pretty well today." "I am looking forward to making my yummy lunch today, I am actually a pretty good cook!" "I have great hair." "My dog really loves me." "I am grateful that I can walk and have two legs that work well"
Just things like that.... starting to look on the bright side of life. It actually helps, and it relieves some stress in our minds and bodies. Give it a try, hope it helps you!