Really bad anxiety! Help

[Vampyhooch]

Hi.

I have suffered with mental health a few years ago - anxiety and depression which got better over time however since the lockdown I have gone back into a deep depression and am anxious all the time.

Everyday I have the feeling of dread in my stomach constant butterflies and constantly on edge. Can’t seem to motivate myself properly. Got 3 kids and while they’re cared for and they’re needs are being met as normal I just feel like I’m going through the motions. It’s a struggle to concentrate and I just feel like I’m here in body but not in mind if you know what I mean? Suffering from a bit of depersonalisation as a result of the anxiety and just feel god awful.

I’ve rung my doctors this morning to see what they can suggest as I’m not currently on any meds (the last time I spoke to them 3 weeks ago they suggested therapy as I have a heart arrhythmia which is under investigation hence their reluctance to prescribe meds). I’m super sensitive to tablets aswell so worried that if they suggest some that I may not be able to get on with them due to side effects.

Just feel like I’m going a bit stir crazy really and need some support from someone who knows what I’m going through. Partner is very supportive but he doesn’t suffer with anxiety and depression and never has so it’s hard for him to understand.
My concentration is so bad I can’t even watch a tv programme read a book or anything :(

Probably most helpful in the moment with my anxiety is running. Pre kids I'd go and run till I was exhausted if it was overwhelming me. Sleep is helpful too. If you're not sleeping well it might be worth seeing with your doctor if one of the old sedating tricyclics would be safe or if one of the old sedating antihistamines like doxylamine or diphenhydramine would be safe for you. I need medication to sleep, when I can't sleep or get woken lots by the toddler I struggle a lot more with not being overwhelmed by my anxiety. Lockdown is not helping especially with my social anxiety. I hate what anxiety does to me.

Have you had bad experiences a a child which has almost taught you to expect something bad or disappointment in some way? I understand how you feel. Try to remember your body’s reaction is just hormones/your body and not ‘you’. I would suggest B6, B12, magnesium, iron and vitamins as these have a massive pull on your body and anxiety. Exercise and diet is important too, lots of good fats like fish, avocado, nuts as your brain needs it. If you can exercise and get really knackered it will help you. Mindfulness and meditation videos/anxiety come down videos are great. My counsellor told me that anxiety is something we feel when we are out of alignment of what we want or how we want to live - is there anything about your life you’re not happy with or want to change?

@GhostOfMe

Probably most helpful in the moment with my anxiety is running. Pre kids I'd go and run till I was exhausted if it was overwhelming me. Sleep is helpful too. If you're not sleeping well it might be worth seeing with your doctor if one of the old sedating tricyclics would be safe or if one of the old sedating antihistamines like doxylamine or diphenhydramine would be safe for you. I need medication to sleep, when I can't sleep or get woken lots by the toddler I struggle a lot more with not being overwhelmed by my anxiety. Lockdown is not helping especially with my social anxiety. I hate what anxiety does to me.

Generally I sleep ok but I do have nights where I don’t have a full nights sleep as I keep on waking up.

I’m struggling with not having time on my own at the moment with the kids at home constantly.

Probably drinking too much not excessively but a couple of glasses each evening to try and relax me enough and give my mind a rest.

Have been referred for cbt over the phone but can’t concentrate enough to make any positive thought changes with that and feel I need something to take the edge off?!

@Cocobean30

Have you had bad experiences a a child which has almost taught you to expect something bad or disappointment in some way? I understand how you feel. Try to remember your body’s reaction is just hormones/your body and not ‘you’. I would suggest B6, B12, magnesium, iron and vitamins as these have a massive pull on your body and anxiety. Exercise and diet is important too, lots of good fats like fish, avocado, nuts as your brain needs it. If you can exercise and get really knackered it will help you. Mindfulness and meditation videos/anxiety come down videos are great. My counsellor told me that anxiety is something we feel when we are out of alignment of what we want or how we want to live - is there anything about your life you’re not happy with or want to change?

Hi.

The main thing that’s bothering me at the moment is the lockdown. Feel so trapped and everyday is like Groundhog Day. I have my family around me but just feel so disconnected from everyone and stuck in my own head it’s awful. It’s like there is a glass between me & then.

Sounds like you’re brunt out from family life and need a change of scene and break, totally understandable. Can you get out of the house for a few hours a day?

It’s hard at the moment as my partner has just started a new job.... maybe in the evenings I could