Anxiety support, Hand hold or chit chat come say hi

[Fairydust26]

going through abit of a crappy time with anxiety/health anxiety at the mo so thought it would be a good idea to create this thread. I always find that when I’m feeling anxious writing it down makes me feel a little bit better so hopefully some of you might too and we can support each other through this crappy time as I know it can make you feel pretty lonely. I’m trying to not drag myself back to bed and write today off so I’ve made a cuppa put the heating on sat by the xmas tree and going to try and have a clam Saturday so come say hi

ChesterdrawsBang I know exactly how you feel but one day at a time that’s all it takes.

Reike I know it’s hard but try not to worry about it till then more than likely if your boss has been off ill she might not even bring it up (fingers crossed anyway). An okay day is better than a bad day in my books so yay for that😊.

Thanks fairy, I will try not too think about it too much. That’s maybe a good challenge to set myself.

I just looked on Amazon regarding the book by Claire Weekes you mentioned. There seem to be two. One is the one you mentioned and the other is called „Hope and help for your nerves”. Now trying to decide which one to go for. They both sound very good in the preview.

Ooo haven’t read the second one I’ll look into that. Also there’s a video on YouTube where she reads parts of one of her books not sure what one but it’s not the one I mentioned I know that but her voice is so comforting I often put it on and fall asleep to it I’ll find the link and post it here worth a listen too!.

Some of you lovely ladies might want to have a listen😊.

While finding out more about Dr. Claire Weekes I saw several people saying Dare by Barry McDonagh is very similar but a bit more modern. I also remembered a book by Thich Nhat Hanh called “No mud no lotus”. He’s a Buddhist but the main message is that rather than try to avoid pain and suffering we should accept it as part of living. As you can’t experience happiness without knowing suffering. So I guess the book is about how to handle the panic and fear and not letting it control you. I haven’t read it but it’s in my reading list and might be worth checking out. I always like to gain some new perspectives on my illness. Also I’m a bit of a book nerd and always on the hunt for new reading material

I’ll have a look into them books too recently got a kindle so turned into a book worm myself🤓.

Sorry I’ve been absent but my health anxiety has sky rocketed.
My phobia is that I’ve got a prolapse, I find it difficult to even say or type the word.
I saw a consultant almost 5 years ago who told me that my walls were a bit weak but it would be fine.
Saw several gps since then who have said the same thing.
Currently seeing a physio to work on things but in my head I’m still bloody terrified.
I’m snapping at everyone, on edge all the time. Seriously thinking of asking to try prozac which was my other option at my last dr visit

Sorry your feeling that way bigfatmeanie ☹️you completely have my sympathy I know how hard it is I got through waves of it myself. Maybe you should go back to your gp and discuss how much this is really effecting you medication may help. The best bit of advice i can give is don’t google!, Try and keep yourself busy & if them worrisome thoughts pop into your head acknowledge that it’s there then let them them float away. Hope you feel better soon.

I don't wish to upset anyone here, I know you've all got enough on your plate BUT.. I have a ds13 who suffers from anxiety. Not having any previous experience of this in the family i'm trying to better understand.
I don't have anyone in real like i can really discuss it with nor do i know anyone with his condition, so i apologise ahead if i use the wrong words.

DS has Tourettes, and Tourettes and OCD/Anxiety seem to go hand in hand. This is the underlying cause of his anxiety. what i'd like to know is those of you who have anxiety on here, do you have another underlying condition OR what has caused this anxiety in you OR is a chemical imbalance of the brain that triggers it at some point?

Have you had anxiety since childhood?
I know if affects life but, have you been able to go to university for instance, have a career? how did you manage it with the ups and downs of relationships? can it graduate into something else e.g bipolar etc these are all my worries about my son .

I went to university AnxiousMum2. I had no diagnosis at that point. I have ASD. Anxiety is often co-morbid with other conditions ie they occur at the same time. Universities will have mental health support, so don’t worry on that score. Obviously it’s a while away for your DS but he’ll be able to get in contact with them.
I’m still fairly young and haven’t got a career, but that’s mainly because I don’t have a clue what to do! Not had a relationship either, so I can’t advise on that front. I thought I wouldn’t make any friends at university; whilst I only made a couple, that’s still more than I originally thought! There’s such a wide range of people at university. Even if your DS doesn’t make his best friends in the first week, he’ll make some eventually. I think there can be a lot of pressure to be having the time of your life and be making your best friends from the word go when you’re at university.
There are people on here who have jobs/partners so they’ll be along to give advice.

Hello AnxiousMum2,

I don’t have any other conditions apart from general anxiety, social anxiety and depression.

I think the cause were several factors. For one I have always been a bit of a thinker even in kindergarten. I had a vivid imagination and that contributed to me overthinking everything. Also I was very shy when I was apart from my immediate family.

Another factor was my father. He’s a perfectionist and expects the same from me. He would always criticize me for the littlest things. So I grew up believing I always had to give 110 % and if I didn’t it wasn’t good enough. So I would say upbringing CAN have an effect to a child’s mental health.

I went to three different colleges, always leaving after one year because I thought i wasn’t good enough and dreaded going in. This led to the actual outbreak of my anxiety and depression. I broke down and that made my mother drag me to our gp.

Regarding your questions how we succeed in life....after different types of therapy I was strong enough to start at a college that specialized in students with mental health problems. I had a guide and a therapist at the school so whenever problems came up I could talk to them. This helped me a lot. It was important to me not to keep my illness a secret. Everyone was very open about it and understanding. That was a huuuuuge factor. I finished the course in three years.

I live in Germany so I’m not sure how the situation is in the UK or elsewhere. But it might be a good idea to get some information wether things like that exist. It doesn’t have to be a school but it helped me a lot to just have some professional guidance while I completed my course or in your sons case school.

Hope that helped you a bit

AnxiousMum2 it’s hard to pin point where anxiety comes from its could be inherited, chemical imbalance, your environment the list goes on however I feel like I’ve always been this way as if it’s in my dna. I have times where it doesn’t effect me at all and I’m a fully functioning adult and others where it absolutely floors me. I don’t see why you couldn’t have a full fulfilling life with it it’s just a little bit harder for people like us hope that helps?.

Oh and regarding relationships, I have a boyfriend who suffers from similar symptoms. We’re both aware of our illness and how it shows. I guess it really depends on the partner. I had boyfriends who had no idea about my illness because I hid it well. Obviously these didn’t last. But it is possible to have a relationship with a non sufferer. But in my opinion only if there’s a lot of trust involved and understanding. You need to communicate a lot. So to be honest, I take a long time to let somebody into my life. I need to make sure they’re trustworthy so that I feel comfortable around them.

AnxiousMum2 I currently have a Dp and a young Ds who is very understanding of my anxiety relationships can work just like anything it depends on who you are as a person. I also haven’t been to uni or have my dream career that’s due to me having no idea what I want to do yet but I’m never saying never!. Your Ds is still very young Try not to worry what the future may hold just be supportive that’s the best you can do.

How’s everyone feeling today? The suns shining here so that’s put me in a good mood and about to tackle the housework. Might treat myself to a cuppa and some fancy biscuits when I’m done.

I don't have a diagnosis, but I am pretty certain I'd be diagnosed with ASD. My eldest daughter (aged 12) was diagnosed with ASD (Asperger's) when she was 6, and she also has generalised anxiety disorder, so it can go hand in hand with other things.

By way of reassurance, I have been to university (twice), and before I had my children I had a successful career in a medical field, which I hope to go back to once things settle down. I am also very happily married, and have been for almost 15 years.

With my daughter, I make sure that she doesn't feel ashamed about her ASD or anxiety, and try and be quite open about it. The hope is, that she will become her own advocate, and will be able to speak up and seek help as and when she needs it throughout life, without feeling ashamed or embarrassed. I didn't ask for help for a long time, and although my life has been good in the main, I do wonder what it would have been like had I got help for my depression and anxiety earlier.

I'm feeling slightly better today, thank you Fairy. I went over to our new house this morning to see how things are going (it's a new build, and the kitchen/bathrooms are being fitted this week), and I'm really pleased with how it is looking. We've been living out of boxes/suitcases for months, and had most of our things in storage before that, so I'm looking forwards to the move, even though it is causing some stress. After that I had to go and do some supermarket shopping which took my mind off things for a while.

I've had a few heart palpitations and things today, but I think it is slightly better than yesterday.

Hi Anxiousmum

I think my anxiety stems from childhood. I had an emotionally abusive stepmother from age 7-10. I became a perfectionist because I was always striving to get approval from my Dad and Stepmother, and that drove my anxiety further (since no one can be perfect). In a strange way the perfectionism helped me achieve educationally and I attended a top university. Unfortunately that was when things started to unravel and the long buried trauma of my childhood surfaced. Since then I've drifted, changing jobs every 2-3 years because i get overwhelmed and stressed and look for something new. Perhaps if I'd been supported better as a child things might have been ok for me, who knows.

Difficult day today. Reflux is particularly bad and I'm imagining all sorts of horrors. Today I'm convinced again I have cancer in my oesphagus. On a more positive note, I've had my first telephone appointment with the local IAPT service and was told there wasn't a massive waiting list for CBT so I should be seen in the next month or two.

Not such a bad day today Fairy, I felt super anxious in the morning but as soon as I went outside it eased a tiny bit. I had to have a blood test and I was tempted not to go, but felt better afterwards for facing it.

Hello Fairy

Glad to hear you’re doing good today. I’m having an okay day again. Only worked until midday so that was a positive I guess

Unfortunately the weather here is quite grey and dark so no sunshine to lift my mood. But I’m starting to hear birds chirping away. Still hoping for spring soon!

I’ve been feeling quite moody lately. It doesn’t take much to annoy me which annoys me even more. But well...there’s always something

Thanks you all so much for your replies and sharing. So it looks like anxiety can stem from all different kinds of things. Im glad to hear Ken that university is possible and really pleased to hear that inspite of the anxiety, most of you are getting on with your lives. Well done!

Is anxiety the same as intrusive thinking? do you all have intrusive thinking with the anxiety? ds has intrusive thinking and its very upsetting because its always something unpleasant. Or is that something separate? i'm also hoping someone will be able to tell me wether it graduates its other mental health conditions e.g bipolar etc? i'm sorry for asking all this but i'm just so worried for my boy.

AnxiousMum2 I don’t really get intrusive thoughts but re other mental health conditions I have had a bout of depression before. It’s hard to say if it was to escalate into other forms of mental health or not sorry if that’s not much help.

NotEnoughCats,inthewoods4 & Reike glad your all having an somewhat okay day😊

Fitzsimmons that’s a positive step hopefully you won’t have to wait to long and it works for you fingers crossed🤞🏻.

Do you ever get nervous in the evening about the following day? I find I'm relieved I've go through the day, but then worry what the next day will be like.

The other thing I find hard is that I work from home so I spend the day alone. It's sometimes hard to distract myself!

OP thanks so much for your reply.

Inthewoods -Do you get to have a break during the day? can you build in a break and go for a walk to the park or something like that?