Anyone else getting more and more anxious the older they get?

[headphonequeen]

I remember my grandma being a worrier and my mum too but now, at the age of 49 I am becoming a worrier too. Despite being on HRT, practically giving up alcohol, eating well and exercising regularly I constantly feel slightly on edge, don’t sleep well and sometimes have sort of mini panic attacks where I can’t quite breathe properly. I’ve got so many good things in my life and no real problems but the slightest thing can send me into a spiral of worry. I used to love spending time on my own etc but now prefer it if I’m with others to distract me from the on edge feeling I usually have. I don’t want to go on antidepressants because I’m not depressed, but I really want to overcome this. Help!

Yes, I am a similar age and feel anxious and sleepless a lot of the time.

I do the same as you, no alcohol, good food, walk every night, exercise etc.

But your symptoms sound more serious and like you need to go to the GP - something thyroid related maybe or vitamin deficiency? Or a regular mindfulness or yoga practice? Panic attacks are horrible and I would be investigating those.

My mums got terrible anxiety and the minute from the change she’s 51 go to the gp op x

I was very anxious in my early and mid twenties and then it sort of disappeared overnight. No anxiety in my thirties but I'm in my forties now and spend so much time worrying. But then I do have more to worry about as lots of health issues in family members. I would love to be one of those people who can push things aside and not spend all their time panicking about things out of their control.

See your GP and get some bloods done as suggested above. Also you may need your hrt adjusted- you generally start on a low dose which can be increased as required.

Combine that with some yoga, mindfulness, relaxation apps and hopefully you’ll see an improvement.

Yes. Because: Little children, little problems ( which you can fix with icecream). Big children, big problems.

Mine has gone, pretty much, despite now drinking lots of coffee, alcohol at weekends.

Counselling and exercise helped me. It's not always a physical problem.

I was thinking about this the other day, I’m early 50s and going through peri. I have adhd (but not medicated) and used to be quite reckless and impulsive, make stupid decisions etc. Now I think a lot more before I do anything and consider the consequences and I’m now more fearful of things I never used to fear. So for me, I feel like it’s brought me down to a “normal” level of caution! So yes I guess I am more anxious now but at a level that I should have been all along! So I am looking at it as a positive in my situation.

I do think it’s worth a trip to the GP and see what they suggest. I can’t see that you can really do anything more than you’re already doing.

No. I've developed a severe case of Couldntgiveashititis the older I've got. To the point that I sometimes don't know about the latest news stories so I try to make a point of listening to the news headlines. Anything below headlines, I'm not very interested in other than local news which I'm shit hot on

I’ve been avoiding asking the GP, but maybe that is the route to take.
Older DC are definitely more of a worry than when they were little and actually most of my anxiety is around them. The thing is they’re pretty good and i definitely shouldn’t be (and have no reason to be) worrying about them as much as i do.

@headphonequeen yes !! 100pc yes! I need to go see the GP about starting HRT but I keep putting it off as I can't face it.

But I've gone from someone who went around the world, planned the trip myself, arrived in countries with no accommodation booked and just winged it. To someone who in the last few years is paralysed by analysis, had a panic attack the other day (the second one in my entire life) and just seems unable to cope with anything. I even had a full blown melt down about the fact my work wardrobe was out of date and needing something doing but I couldn't figure out what clothes to buy to sort it out.

Now I type it I realise I really must do something about it. My poor husband!

Although @Davros it's also combined with yours. I don't listen to the news, pay little attention to stuff, and yet anxious about anything in my personal life.

For me I'm the opposite. I spent my youth anxious and having panic attacks. I'm more relaxed now.

Yes. I'm blaming my hormones. I'd go back to my GP if I were you and ask for a review.

Me too. In my teens and twenties I think I had lots of worries - would the world end, would we all die in a nuclear war, would I have a 'career', would I be happy, etc etc. Now, age 71, all gone. Serenely happy. I think the change started in my mid 30s.

Hrt isn't a magic bullet. It's worth doing a bit of work to get to the bottom of what's causing the anxiety.

I'm with you.
Started HRT 6 months ago but I was post menopause....tbh not sure it's actually doing anything at all! Anxiety about adult DC is huge....can't fall asleep properly until I get a text saying 'home'. I'm lying there in the dark full of worry and angst thinking the worst scenarios......and I absolutely hate myself for being like this.
Had CBT years ago when DS1 was in 6th form and out roaming around.
I don't want to go down any more meds route.
Maybe need to up the HRT - currently on 1 x 25gm patch....should I apply 2 anyone know?!

dgirluk I am somewhat anxious about family members, all of whom have "challenges" but I wouldn't classify it as actual Anxiety. I try to do my best for everyone but I know I can't make them do something or not do something! And I can let it go