A new anxiety, never had this before. Advice please

[MumOfGorgeousness]

Hi,

With everything in the news, something in me has altered. Now I'm scared in large shops - going in and instantly checking for exits, nervous standing by windows, scared of group gatherings...I had problems in a shop yesterday of my heart racing and videos playing in my head of what could happen. Noticing I was closely looking at people making sure they seemed decent. I'm using meditation to get to sleep and sleeping well, but daytime are proving difficult. In that shop I grabbed a few things quickly, didn't want to linger and felt a rush of relief once I was out.

I've turned off the news, removed myself from Facebook news businesses and all the political accounts I followed before, stopped listening to phone-in talk radio and put on radio 4 for the comedy and drama. What else can I do? It's like nothing I've ever experienced before.

Now I am thinking, I have always had a very 'on' alert sense to possible danger like smoke smells, but haven't felt this bad and always been fine once I've seen it's safe. Do you think it's connected? I have a ridiculously vivid imagination and right now, I wish I didn't.

My children are enjoying being absolutely showered with love, kisses, cuddles and all the nice things they want, but my mind continues to work overdrive and it's very hard to keep working on not thinking such awful things.

Any advice please? Maybe everyone is feeling like this?

Sounds like you have anxiety. If you feel it is overwhelming you then go and talk to your GP- don't feel embarrassed. Lots of people go through this.

Thank you for replying. It's just not me, I'm a happy, lighthearted type.

What could a doctor do, do you know?

A doctor may prescribe anti anxiety medication, or if you don't want that, perhaps therapy is available?

I recommend you seek help as you have identified it is having an effect on your life.

Btw with all that's happening in the news it is perfectly normal to be anxious. Just don't let it take over your life.

Thank you so much.

I'm feeling a lot better today because I've been listening to radio 4 plays and discussion about other things. Turning it off when the news comes on. Unfortunately I saw something awful on Twitter and as soon as I did, my heart started to beat faster. I shut that down and read no further.

This is hard for me, I'm usually a bit of a news addict.

Same here Mum, hard to avoid awfulness these days, I haven't been on Facebook much as I find it all so stressful, and not helpful at all when I'm depressed.

I used to be able to cope with it all but at the moment when I'm trying to get myself well I have to understand my limits / triggers.

Anxiety medicines usually come with side effects anyway. There is so much that can be done the natural way. Have you tried Valerian? HarmonyTherapiesLondon in Holland Park is a nutritionist who specialises in anxiety symptoms. I would give them a try!