Would any one like to join in an anxiety support thread?

[Heatherandmoss]

I’ve seen lots of posts recently about people having a bad time with their anxiety and I thought an on going thread might be good do people can bob on and offer and receive support, share tips and just generally empathise with some one going through the same thing.

I’ve had anxiety since I was about ten ( I realised after my psychiatrist was able to help me pin point my earliest memory of it)

I think there is a bit of misconception of anxiety as some people think it’s just general worry - but it’s not.

When my anxiety rears her head it’s so physical. I sweat, my face can go numb, pains in my chest. I have a feeling like some one is kicking my front door in and I’m scared for my life and I could just be hoovering. Anxiety jolts me awake when I’m asleep and it rolls down my body like thunder. It makes me catastrophize at 3am and my feet start rubbing against each other ( weird) My anxiety makes me walk in to the kitchen with my kids empty dinner plates and suddenly feel so so over whelmed I struggle for breath and tears leak out in a gasp of raw emotion - all done silently so my kids can’t hear me.

I’ve had to give up drinking alcohol because Jesus the anxiety the next day was shocking and lasted days until I suddenly stepped out the anxiety room.

My anxiety has been bad since November as I’ve got some things going and I’m worried my heart is going to pack in because of the extra ‘thud thud thud’ overtime it’s being doing!

Exercise does help me take the edge of sometimes. I nearly went to the GP the other day as it was rotten but at this moment of time I need to be switched on.

Today has not been to bad. I’m considering it a win.

So I’ve you’d like to join in or have some where to say ‘holy fuck it’s bad today’ hopefully more people will be here and you will know some one knows how bad your feeling.

I just actually don’t know what to do with myself. I can’t get out my own head if you get me? Since the Dr phoned it feels like all my symptoms have returned.

I think it’s the fact that I have contacted the Dr (a massive thing for me) done the tests (also a big thing for me), been told my samples been lost, and to do another, then been told my results are fine, then my results aren’t fine, then told to do another sample and then that not come back before the weekend!
For a person as anxious as I am over cancer that is a lot to have in a week.

Hatemyhusband- sounds like you've had a rough week. Thinking of you 💐

I wonder how many people are going to struggle with normal life and socialising when lockdown ends? It's going to be strange for a while.

I'm going for a walk this afternoon. Then back to Netflix. How exciting our lives have become! I'm half joking cos I enjoy walking when I have company and the weather is good 😊

tea sorry you are stressed about your bloating. Hope you feel better tmrw.
Hatemy fingers crossed you managed to find a bit of peace in your day. You've done so well contacting your dr and going through all the tests. I am rubbish at that.

My day was ok today. We had a trip out for a walk with a coffee. I'm just trying to celebrate all the tiny victories during the day however small.

It went away today woke up and it was gone! Trying to celebrate the small victories here today too

Hi everyone, looks like I wasn't the only one that had a late night. Despite taking Mirtazapine at my usual time, it took me hours to fall asleep. Just couldnt switch off. Hope I'm not the same tonight.
Glad you had a nice walk @wildthingsinthenight
I had a good walk. I went to a local pub with a friend for chips. I also took some drinks and snacks with me 😊. The weather was lovely. Then did some gardening in the church gardens. Tired myself out, so spent all evening watching Ugly Betty 😊
How is everyone?

Hatemyhusband that does sound incredibly stressful! 💐

I am feeling ok so far today. Woke up to discover DS had left the freezer unsealed and fear of food germs is quite an anxiety trigger for me - but I went through it all with DH and we’ve been able to keep most, chucked a few bits and then some is being used up today, so I feel quite good about that, as I think at some points in my life I would have totally freaked out and wanted to throw the lot. Also taking the chance to clean the freezer (work in progress as obv can’t leave it open) so I’m pleased I’ve managed to be practical already today.

Sleep is improving as the 3yo is sleeping better. So that’s helping a lot too. Arm really hurts after the jab yesterday but otherwise I think I’m ok if a bit headachy still.

So so glad I got my assignment in yesterday. Want to make progress on the final one today, but also need to get DD1 to do some school work. Ugh.

Sing - glad you've had a good start to the day. Good luck with your assignment and homeschooling. It's hard trying to juggle everything. Is your child back at school next week?

Yes, well I think so anyway, not sure what’s happening with tests. Should probably read all the emails 😳😂 she’s currently in 3 mornings a week anyway as they let her attend in lockdown. DS is home ed anyway and this week we managed to get back on track a bit so that’s a relief.

Sorry you found it so hard to sleep, it’s so frustrating isn’t it!

Insomnia is the worst! I’ve found that either I can’t fall asleep or if I do sleep easily I end up having a nightmare first one in a while last night it sucks. Sorry you’re having trouble sleeping too Loki

Am also worried about going back to normal. Part of me wants a normal summer though at the same time not really. Likewise with lockdown, I was so mad when I found out about it but now I’m used to it and not sure how it’s going to end

I'm relaxing by the water. Letting the sun soothe my sleep deprived, stressed brain.

Gorgeous Loki

First day back at work went quite well. My IBS played up this morning. Back to work meeting was hard. I don't feel comfortable talking about my mental health with my new manager. It was quite a hectic day but I coped well. Next week is going to be strange, when all the children are back in.

How is everyone today? X

Glad your first day back went okay Loki, I hope you get more comfortable with the new manager as time goes on.
I forgot to take my sertraline until mid afternoon (usually have it with breakfast) so I've been feeling really anxious all day, sick and shaky which is probably down to the disruption in medication. Hope other people have been having a better day!

Aww, that's not good Rosa. I tried Sertraline a few months ago. It sickness was absolutely awful for me.

Hope your day gets better 💐

Great news about your day Loki Well done!
Oh no Rosa what a shame. I'm awful for forgetting my meds. I now put them in front of the kettle last thing at night. Working so far xx
J
I had a positive day. No idea why! Managed to get loads of ironing done and some reading snd watching TV. Made a nice dinner too.
I hope it continues! Not sure it will but enjoying it while it's happening

That's really good wild. You've done loads! Glad you had a good day. Sometimes there just doesn't seem like there's a reason or trigger for the good and bad days.
I suddenly feel very tired. Hope I sleep well. Feel like I could crawl into bed right now!

Have had an OKish day apart from falling asleep on a call.

My baby DB has gone to hospital so fucking terrified. But also tired and ready to sleep

Thanks Loki - sertraline generally works quite well for me and the sickness/ loss of appetite dissipated after the first couple of weeks (as long as I take it at the right time!), but I guess it depends on the person. That's a good idea Wild, I have mine in the kitchen too but apparently seeing them right in front of me isn't enough I've set an alarm for them now. So glad you had a good day, that's great to hear!
Tea I hope your DB is okay

But late but I'd like to join

Thinking of you re your DB tea
Hi rabbitholes
Had some anxiety this morning re my DS going for his covid test at school but of course it was all fine. Was imaging all sorts. You knows how it is...
Been a walk and got some food bits so this is day 2 of feeling somewhat positive!
Now feel like I have done a marathon though. Shattered.
I can't normally manage 2 "doing things" days on the trot and I'm flagging a bit but not feeling too anxious.
Hoping you all are having good days today ❤

Hi rabbit
Tea I hope your brother is ok soon
Wild I so relate to the two “doing things” days. I can so rarely manage more than that. I’m not even sure if the achy tiredness I’ve felt the last two days have been because of the jab (I have had chills which presumably was related) or because on Sunday I did too much.

Feel kind of unsettled today. Not really sure why - it’s that sort of low level “I know I’m anxious about something but can’t settle on what” feeling, like everything is just slightly off kilter. Sometimes those days feel worse than the obviously worrying about something specific.

Tea - hope your DB is okay 💐

Hi rabbit, welcome to the thread 😊

Sing - I hope your day gets better 💐

Wild - I'm glad you got lots done. Sorry your shattered 💐. Hope you can have a lazy evening.

I've been back at work 2 days. I'm unbelievably tired. Not sure whether this is going to get better or worse. Really hate this exhaustion 😴

Would normally feel great on such a sunny day. But even the sun can't fix this!

Sorry you’re so tired loki hopefully it’ll get better as you settle back in.

I forced myself to move the laundry on and eat something. I think the anxiety is worse when I don’t eat properly, the meds are an appetite suppressant which is good overall (I have a lot of weight to lose) but if I forget to eat anything I end up feeling wobbly and then get too anxious to fix myself something. So I sometimes end up eating sugary stuff which just exacerbates the problem when I crash and get hungrier later. Really starting to think I need to go back on the old meds (assuming the escitalopram works on the anxiety side) as all that stuff was better on those.

Have managed some of my studying as well though so feel a bit better about that.

Sing - well done for getting your studying done.
I know what you mean about eating properly. Even going to long between meals can trigger my anxiety.
I've been crying on and off since finishing work. I think hunger played a part. Might try having a drink and snack as soon as I finish work in future.
I phoned Samaritans because I was so overwhelmed by my work situation. Going to phone the doctors tomorrow.