Get back in your box, anxiety!

[merryandbrightdelight]

Posting for traffic.

ive had health anxiety off and on for the last six years - had CBT, counselling, medication, everything. Started to manage it myself the last year or so because I was in a much stronger place mentally.

I’ve had a gorgeous last day of the school holidays with my girls, came home and did tea, possibly had too much or what I did have just didn’t agree with me, and felt very uncomfortable afterwards. Naturally, an hour or two I had some chocolate and a biscuit.

managed to have about an hours sleep then ddog wanted to go in the garden - when I stood up I just felt rotten, like one of them sand timers where the contents goes from flat lying on its side to rising up again now it’s stood up. I have horrible burning at the back of my throat and feel yak.

rational me says this is heartburn (I’m also burping, tasting what I had, then my throat is burning) tea has either been too rich or not agreed with me, and there’s a chance it may, or may not, make another appearance, but either way, I’ll be fine.

irrational me says WORRY! There could be something wrong. This could be a heart attack.

does anyone else find that they could have been doing well for months, then one stupid relapse like this when they’re in a really good place kickstarts the worrying again?

sorry for the ramble, the worlds asleep, dh, DDs and ddog are asleep, and I’m just here feeling sad and annoyed. Albeit grateful for a lovely day today!

Yes! So bloody frustrating.

Whenever I get those heart attack symptoms of tightness in the chest and the “yak” feeling in the throat, I pop a Rennie and a propranolol, do a square breathing exercise and it usually disappears. Then I feel like an absolute idiot for spending hours wondering whether I’ve finally met my fate 🤦🏽‍♀️ I can deal with the mental anxiety quite well usually, it’s the physical symptoms that get me.

However, at the moment I’m in a constant state of anxiety where my inner monologue is just “yeah but what if this happens…” “okay that might not happen but this might…” “yeah but remember when this happened…” “what a lovely day you’ve had, would be a shame if something awful happened” “oooh that twinge in your left arm isn’t good. is it because you’ve been sitting in an awkward position for an hour? No, it’s because you’re moments away from death” “Ooh nice headache, let’s worry about that for hours rather than just loosen your ponytail” 😂😂😂 It’s exhausting!

I almost think it’s our brain’s horrible way of rationalising our anxiety? So when something does go wrong we think “ah, told you this would happen.”

Don’t beat yourself up, you’ve had a lovely day with your children, enjoyed some good food, and hopefully have the rest of the weekend to enjoy also 💐

I thought it was just me that has these thoughts. I convince myself that,, I've got gall stones. Hence the upset stomach, burping, nausea and feeling as though I have something stuck in my throat . I'm having a rest from heart attack this week.
And this is why I can't go on holiday as the anxiety really ramps up and I find it hard to speak or eat as .my mouth is so dry. Once I get through security I'm absolutely fine. It is so overwhelming. 😕

I have health anxiety and also I have lower back problems and I woke up at about 5am feeling much stiffer than usual.

Ny anxiety has been at a low level for months but suddenly due to my back stiffness this morning I am in a huge spiral. It is very very annoying,

Sending empathy!

I had acid reflux and now don’t eat anything fat rich or caffeine rich after say 6.30 pm - especially before bed -don’t eat something so your stomach is fullish then lie horizontal to sleep - that’s the way to acid reflux.

Thank you all for your comments, It’s so reassuring to know that so many other people feel the same about this, but still really said that we suffer with it so much. It did make me laugh about the ponytail -@AnthonySoprano🤣

I suppose the way we handle it and how we recognise it speaks volumes about us though - we’re challenging it and moving forward (even if we still do think the worst!)