How to deal with anxiety that is ruining every day

[Cornwallian]

I get awful anxiety in the run up to big events and it ruins my life for days. I worry things will go wrong, I will get sick, someone else will get sick, it will be awful etc. I think about this all day every day and can’t sleep for days leading up the event. These are all events I love and have chosen to plan.

A case in point is that we are going on holiday on the 27th to India. I chose this, saved for it, chatted excitedly about it as we planned. Now I’m dreading it. I’m sure one of us will get the dreaded flu going round and not be able to go, or be really ill there. Im worried that an old leg injury I have which is playing up will get worse while there and I won’t be able to move. I am scared the in laws won’t cook the Turkey properly and we will all get food poisoning and be horribly ill on the long flight. I’m worried I haven’t packed properly. I’m worried I won’t enjoy Christmas because I’m worrying.

im so cross that I can’t control my mind and enjoy Christmas and the chance for this amazing holiday. But I can’t control my mind and I’m not even sleeping for the worry. My stomach is jumpy and I am getting irritable with ppl for no reason.

Does anyone else get anxiety like this and do you have any tips for controlling it?

Medication was a game changer for me!

Honestly I tried everything, mindfulness, counselling, breathing techniques, meditation etc etc. Stopped working this year and my anxiety then ruined a few things so I made a GP app. I'm now on meds (BP meds for anxiety) and it's been life changing, I've noticed such a difference. It doesn't stop the thoughts but it stops my body's physical reaction to the thoughts, which then stops me spiralling. So I might still have an anxious thought but because my body doesn't react to it it's then so much easier to practice the mindfulness and get my brain back on track.

Thanks. I’ve always avoided medication other than the occasional beta blocker for stage fright. I’m open to trying anything though. What is BP medication? Is that similar to beta blockers?

It's beta blockers! They've honestly been amazing. Have a review with my GP who said there's no issue being on them then deciding to come off in the future, they've made all of the difference.

Im interested in this too, i only have propanolol

Escitaloprám has changed my life. My dad is end stage cancer and I'm going through redundancy at work. I'm coping with it all. If it's enabled me to do that with the bug stuff you can imagine what a breeze the little stuff now feels like. I was the person who would get anxious about an appointment at the hair dressers! I wish I'd been brave enough to try medication sooner.

But I can’t control my mind

Yes you can. When you start imagining all these awful things remember the Mark Twain quote - "I've lived through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened." You are pretending (as it's called in children) that something is going to happen with absolutely no evidence that it will, but you are choosing to believe it.

One option is to write down the thoughts down, preferably on paper rather than on a screen. Seeing them in black and white allows the logical part of your mind to assess the actual probability of the dreadful thing happening. Once you can see how absurd it is you can screw up the piece of paper and throw it away, the thoughts will go too.

The next option is to flip it. For every negative thought stop and imagine the exact opposite. Christmas lunch is going to be lovely, the best ever. You'll get a surprise upgrade on your flight. Your leg is going to be far better than you expected and the holiday is going to exceed all your expectations. (The reality is probably that neither the really bad or the really good scenarios will happen but dreams are far more pleasant than nightmares!).

Finally, know that whatever happens, you'll cope. Humans are amazing at adapting to change, both good or bad.

Have a lovely holiday :)

I am very familiar with India. I am Indian.
A few things that may help:
India has very good, cheap, English speaking private medical care. If you are ill, go to an upmarket private hospital and you will get great care. Better than here.

Not packed properly? You can buy clothes there. All the big brands are in metro cities or you can buy Indian clothing.

Don't worry. English is widely spoken and you can sort it out.

Citalopram changed my life

I'm starting citalopram I'm the new year. I sincerely hope it changes me.

Prozac and CBT. Mindfulness and daily gentle exercise outside.

It’s called catastrophising and quite often links to events in the past that have made you feel completely out of control.
lentilweaver gave you some really good advice so screenshot it and read it 3 times whenever you are feeling so out of control.
I also use citalopram and pro panolol.

Thanks for the really thoughtful answers on here.

I think I am going to ask the GP for a prescription because the last few days have been pretty bad and I’m currently sat in the dark, hiding from my family and sobbing over fears about getting sick on the plane. I am trying breathing and stuff but it feels like such a battle to keep calm at the moment. Not sure why it’s worse lately as I normally cope with it but I def need to get on top of this.

how was it OP?