How to control anxiety?

[Sharpkat]

Just looking for a bit if advice.

I have uncontrollable anxiety at the moment. Started a new job six weeks ago and it has come back with a vengeance.

Cannot eat or sleep. Keep being sick. Cannot switch off.

I don't take ADs anymore as the GP thinks they make me worse.

I have had endless CBT but it never seems to help.

Just need to calm down and get some perspective but don't know how.

Any recommendations?

TIA

I have had terrible anxiety and ADs didn't help me too much either.

I just about have it under control now. I imagine placing my anxieties in a box and closing the lid. I tell myself if the things I am worring about are still there in 2 week, I will lift the lid and reconsider the matter.

Putting in place a plan to deal with things but not immediately actioning them has really helped me.

Actually the other thing that helped was the realisation that the anxiety itself was a million times worse than all the things I feared happening. It robbed me of my whole life and at one point even death would have been preferable. At that point the anxiety became more manageable as there was really nothing to fear any more.

Really hope you manage to get it sorted. I know how debilitating it can be.

I'd say anxiety is a normal reaction to a new job. It's appropriate to feel anxious.
Only you know where the anxiety began or what is at the heart of it.
Sometimes CBT doesn't help because it isn't appropriate for you at that point in your illness or you didn't click with the therapist.

Sometimes it's worthwhile to try to practise some mindfulness. This can help you focus on the moment you are in. Not the dread to come whilst you churn and churn or dwelling upon the past.
Being able to recognise anxiety or anxious thoughts and eventually being able to see them peak and flow is a very good way for most people to help overcome their anxiety.

Try to watch some YouTube on mindfulness or buy some books and practise focussing on your thoughts and observing them

This sounds like hippy mumbo jumbo to me even but it really really works

Thanks both.

It is debilitating and has taken over my life. Broke down in tears today at work

Am going to follow all your advice and see if I can get on top of this once and for all.

Hopefully will get some sleep tonight which will help.

I can understand how ADs can make anxiety worse, but would it be possible to see if you could get something like propanolol to help in the short term while you get used to your new job?

I've started looking at the Mood Gym and Mindfulness to try and help with my anxiety.

Agree re mindfulness. Also:
Chamomile tea (cut out caffeine, reduce sugar etc.)

Regular walks to use up excess cortisol (stress hormone) in your system

Only 'nice' reading and 'easy' tv (avoid bad news/too much stimulating stuff)

Regular breathing exercises through day (hands on abdomen. Breath in through nose for 4 , out through mouth for 4. Abdomen should go up and down - not chest.)

keep posting here for extra support - lots of lovely friendly people who have been through similar.
Hope things start to ease really soon.

Really appreciate all the advice and support.

Feeling totally at sea with work. Split up with DP of 18 months at weekend. Fallen out with DM. And have massive health worries at the moment.

Just need to get through one day at a time and cope on an hour by hour basis.

Am making lots of notes of advice and will put reminders in my calendar to breathe and walk.

Thanks all x