Hello sorry to trouble people on a Saturday night!
I was looking for some advice/ tips to help manage anxiety and feelings of self doubt.
Prior to having my little girl I was confident to an extent. Not much got me really worried or anxious and somethings I would never fret about. If something worried me I could cope and over come it quite easily with help and advice.
Fast forward a few years and I'm struggling with anxiety and worry about anything and everything. A lot has happened in the last few years and especially in the last couple with my health. I am on medication for it and it has I believe made a difference in my mood and esteem. I'm more irritable and tired. I get overwhelmed quite easily and I get anxious about things that I wouldn't normally think twice about.
Lockdown was a challenge as I had to shield. As guidelines eased I wasn't in a hurry to get out but since then I am really anxious going for walks and being out and about. A few weeks ago I did a trial walk to my work place with my husband and daughter as I was due to return off furlough. When i got there I became too overwhelmed and had a panic attack. I couldn't stop crying when i got home and felt drained by the end of the day. I realised I need to get help so I self referred to our local mental health support service and researched local counselling services as well. I have had so far a few private counselling sessions which has helped me to look at what's gone on and to help me prepare to go back to work. I have enjoyed being back at work and it helped me regain some confidence again.
I've also had to prepare for an operation next week which was something I didn't think I would need but in lockdown I had to have check ups and was told I needed to have it done. So I will be off for a couple of weeks at least for recovery. I do have a support network in place which I am really grateful for.
This last week has been a rollercoaster of emotions in the build up to next week. I've really struggled with tiredness and pain from my medication side effects. I've being worrying about things for long amounts of time even though nothing bad has happened. I doubt myself and what I do incase it's wrong. I also struggled with separation anxiety yesterday while I was at work and my daughter was at nursery. Today I felt overwhelmed after going for a walk and grabbing a couple of things in our local shop. I haven't been in there since lockdown happened and felt overwhelmed as the aisles felt really small and cramped. So worried I did something wrong or something bad was going to happen.
I don't feel like "me" anymore. I am really into my sport/ exercise but the last couple of years it's knocked me back and I don't have the energy or confidence to do much of what I used to do.
Any advice is welcome.
Thank you x