To ask you for some anxiety help

[Justchecking2020]

I am losing it tonight. I had a panic attack over my Asda app. I thought I had cancelled the order I gave waited three weeks for cry I hadn't but I panicked so badly.

I found out there is some very local cases of CV with all symptoms, literally on my street.

I am struggling to calm down. I need to go to bed but my heart won't stop racing, my mind is freaking out.

I know everything will be ok in the morning. Well not ok. But bearable.

I need some way of calming myself down. Some breathing exercises or something. I have to get a grip. I can't think.

Right. Got ready for bed. Still panicking. But I can do that lying down and trying to sleep.
Luckily I know that anxiety makes you think you are dying but in reality everything is fine...it is just my brain stuck in high gear.

I don't like the rapid breathing but my night machine will help with that.

Keep safe. Good night.

Hi. I really hope you’re ok. I have terrible anxiety and depression. Ironically I’ve been mostly housebound for 30 years so I’ve been quite calm with the whole CV thing. However today has been awful and I’m not sure why. I normally have shopping delivered on a Sunday and it’s not coming tomorrow as I couldn’t get a delivery so that’s on my mind but it’s not just that. The only way I can describe it is that I feel “bothered”. I’m very agitated and although I’m not panicking right now I don’t think it would take a lot for me to have a melt down. I think a lot of people are feeling like this because everything is so out of control. There’s nothing but uncertainty about everything and it’s scary as hell. I’ve become very good over the years at putting things at the back of my mind to enable me to get through the day but every now and again I have a day when it all resurfaces and I freak out. Hopefully tomorrow it will all bugger off again but not knowing is terrifying. I hope you’re feeling better and are managing to sleep. Best wishes to you x

Hi, op. I'm so sorry you're feeling so awful, and I know exactly how it feels. You are right, you will be fine and the worst part of anxiety is fearing the feelings anxiety causes. It's such a vicious circle!

I very, very highly recommend the DARE book by Barry McDonagh. But the digital version so you can have it on your phone to read whenever you need support. It is amazing and SO helpful.

I hope you got some rest.
These are things which help me:

Limiting news and social media
Writing down my worries to review in the morning
Bubble baths
Candy crush/tetris type games on my phone
Reading
Baking/cleaning

These might not work for you, but distraction is the only way I can stop the thoughts spiralling.

I got asleep around 4am, so got 3 hours sleep. Kids will be up soon.

Thanks for the book recommendations and other suggestions. They are all on my list. I suspect in the coming weeks, I will need them.

Hi op 👋 how are you feeling ?

Calmer today.

Just everything built up. It is not just that I am struggling to find enough good food for our family but because I am buying for my parents too, I worry about letting them down too. It is hard enough to keep them inside as it is, if I mess up the food order they WOULD go out and it would be my fault.

Anyhow if Tuesday delivery arrives that will help.

I aim to buy the book mentioned on this thread and see if that helps too.

Sorry you are feeling so bad, I can recommend the Headspace app for meditation and mindfulness

@Justchecking2020 For what it's worth, I think you're doing a fab job. Your family and parents are lucky to have such a conscientious lady looking out for them 🙂.

I find audio books and podcasts a great distraction / comfort in the night. Especially listening to one I've already heard, on low volume, I think the familiarity calms me.

No doubt you've got your hands full and I know it's a cliche but if you don't look after yourself, you can't look after anybody else, so MAKE TIME xx

JenNtonic Thank you for saying that. I don't think I am doing very well you should see my laundry pile !

Yet I spend this morning looking doing nothing except look at my 9yo rock collection, while she explains about them, lol

Kids still seem happy enough, which is a blessing. My mum was tearful on the phone this morning and I said it is ok to feel upset that this little bit of normality has been taken off you. (Mother day visits)

@Justchecking2020 Awwwww the rock collection made me smile.
The laundry will always be there but those type of times won't.
You're slaying it 🙂😁.
It's bad about Mother's Day, we've "postponed" ours until, we'll, god knows when actually but hey ho. You gave good advice to your mum, it IS ok to be sad and upset 🙂