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.

Oh Loki sorry to hear things are tough. Well done for ringing The Samaritans.
Good thinking about the food.
Hope you can get a bit of peace those evening.
Sing I hope you've improved this evening. I really hear you re the low level uneasiness that something is "off"

*this evening

Sing well done with your studying too

Afternoon xx
I'm hoping everyone on here is having an ok day.
I have gone downhill a bit today which I expected. I was able to have a lie in which actually doesnt do me much good in the long run. The day is delayed and any rest I might have had is counterbalanced by this immense guilt that I should be up and bright and breezy for my DS and DH. Even though my DS happily got his own breakfast then did some school work and my DH was around with him in between work calls. I was awake just in bed.
I have to keep telling myself that EVERYONE WAS FINE. NO ONE WAS NEGLECTED.
Silly isn't it?
So didn't eat til midday - not good- and generally a bit meh. I dont feel super anxious just low level.
Small goals already achieved though..cooked a brunch for everyone , showered, dressed (loungewear!) and put make up on.
All that felt a big deal.
These days where every little thing is a struggle are hard. Getting a shower felt traumatic! Can anyone relate??

to all

Loki hope you were able to phone the doctors xx

Wild that's amazing that you managed all that even on an off day, I know it doesn't always feel like a lot but it really is when anxiety makes it all so much work.
Loki hope you managed to phone the doctor today, I also made an appointment today to increase my setraline dose as I think my body is getting too used to it. People that have done it, is the transition from 25mg to 50mg as horrible as when you first start it?
Been fighting off panic all day, hope other people are doing better

Well done on making your appt Rosa
Sorry to hear you're having a panicky day. Hope it eases soon

Afternoon x x
Hi Wild - You should be proud that you got so much done. I can relate to everything being a struggle. It amazes me how other people make things look so effortless.

Hi Rosa - well done for making the appointment. Going from 25mg to 50mg was horrible for me. But I guess everyone responds differently.

I emailed work to let them know I wouldn't be going in. It was really hard for me to do. I now it's stupid but I feel like I've failed.

I phoned the doctors which I wasn't too nervous about. But it was a different doctor that I spoke to. He wasn't very good. He made me feel like I was wasting his time. Just told me to get work to support me. Which I know they won't do. I felt worse after the phone call.

Today's been awful. I've been very tearful. My DD isn't with me until Friday night. I've just stayed in bed. I don't know what to do with myself. Just so sad and lost. Managed to eat toast this morning. Seem to have lost my appetite.

Thanks Loki yes I have no idea how I used to look after my DS plus hold down a full time job with my DH working away in the week! Seems a different person.
Now if I get up and dressed its something to celebrate.
Really sorry to hear you have had such a crappy day. I hope you've managed to eat a bit more now even if it's just more toast. Have a bit of sugar in your hot drinks too.
Sorry your gp was unhelpful too. I have one that is great and one that is awful and it's luck of the draw. Ugh
It was definitely the right thing to do to call in sick thought it might not feel like it. You need space and time to sort yourself out.
Can you put on some comfort tv and take your duvet onto the sofa? I always watch Dinnerladies on bad days.
Thinking of you

I occupied/distracted myself this afternoon by messing about with qur drying clay and making a few things. It's a new hobby I'm just trying out but not had much energy for it. It kept my brain suitably busy and I didn't go down into full scale anxiety.

Thanks Wild, I'm trying to find something to watch on tv but not having much luck. I had a bit of cranberry cheese. Will try to eat something later with my Mirtazapine.

The clay sounds great. I like making playdough for work when I'm stressed.
What are you making with the clay?

Just had a look at a preview of the Dinnerladies. It looks good. I'll watch it later 😊
I'm not a big fan of tv but there's not much else to do. Especially as I have very little energy.

Just messing about really. Trying to make fridge magnets and have done a little bowl. Been inspired by Pottery Throwdown which is a lovely watch. Really positive programme.
Cranberry cheese sounds grear.
What about an.old film you like?

Dinnerladies is on my list! I remember seeing some episodes when it was first on, and I love Victoria Wood.

My comfort shows are mainly modern family and miranda at the moment. Although I’m trying to watch more new stuff so I’m watching a lot of series, some crime/drama as well. All good distraction! And I’m trying to read more.

I’ve not been so productive this afternoon and I’m stressed trying to keep the youngest awake so she doesn’t drop off too early and then wake up later. I feel absolutely shattered, haven’t been outside in 2 days and can’t bring myself to carry on with the laundry.

I did get my latest assignment back though and the feedback was great so that’s cheered me up!

Hi Sing, I love Miranda. She's great.
Sorry you've not had a good day 💐

Well done on your assignment 👍

Wild- someone I work with got me the cranberry cheese. It's lovely.

I'm going to finish watching Teachers . I've been trying to find a good mindfulness audiobook.

I made fridge magnets with the children at after school club. It was great fun. I used moulds, so really simple as well 😊

Sing great news on your assignment!
Miranda is a great shout. So funny.
Sorry you're stressed this afternoon

Ooh Dinnerladies is one of my favourite comfort shows too Wild, when I need something gentler than brooklyn 99. Hope that or Teachers cheers you up a bit Loki, or at least distracts you some.
Congrats on the assignment Sing!
I got an appointment today which is novel, and the GP agreed for me to increase the dosage, so I'm very proud of myself although a little apprehensive about the transition. Been forcing myself to do yoga every day even when I really don't feel like it, as even just a little bit of breathing and stretching is calming I find. Today's one was really nice.

Thanks Rosa, hope the increased dosage goes okay.
I haven't done yoga for a while. Glad you're enjoying it. I find things like baking and cooking relaxing. Just find I have no energy or motivation when I'm working.

Just had some sweet tea and cheese on crackers 😊
How can a job you love become so painfully hard? It's hard to tell if it's my mental health or the increased workload or both these things making it such a struggle.

I've always worked. I can't even imagine life without a job.

DB’s gotten better and is home so things have been slightly better Over the last few days. I managed to get a return to work date and turns out I can work more often which I’m thrilled about as I love my job even though I have to wake up ridiculously early and fall asleep almost as soon as I get home probably means I won’t have as much free time anymore as with all the assignments and work but I think that’s a good thing to stop the boredom and then getting intrusive thoughts. Earlier was too bored to do my assignments, too bored to watch tv which is prime time for spiralling! Hoping that this means that I’ll also get a normal-ish sleep schedule too instead of my currently messed up one. Though I had to wake up early today and was so anxious in the morning it was horrible.

I have the similar problems with meals, when I’m anxious I don’t eat then I get more worried that I’ll relapse back into my ED, I’ve been doing rather well with it at this point though I’m just ... bored of food! Like, I only like to eat the same things over and over and end up getting bored with them then I don’t know what to eat and the cycle begins all over again

Hope the increasing goes well rosa
That’s great on your latest assignment sing! Good feedback is always so nice to receive. I write for fun and post it online and while reviews are rare, it’s so nice when people leave a comment.
Sorry to hear you’ve been struggling Loki. What type of tea do you have? I recently have tried the Yorkshire jam on toast and it’s actually rather nice

Hi Tea, glad you're DB is back at home. Pleased to hear about your return to work. The early start is a struggle for me. I can't get enough sleep and I struggle to organize myself in the morning. I dread having too much free time, as I know that I will get low.

Glad you're doing better with eating. I alternate between eating too much and eating too little.

Yorkshire jam on toast tea sounds interesting. I have normal Yorkshire. Only because it's my DD's favourite. I'll happily drink any brand. I love tea 😊

So glad he’s on the mend tea
What kind of writing do you do? If it’s not too outing of course. I’ve had a dabble in blogging but I find my fear of rejection really impacts it. I’m not brave enough to promote it.

Great news about your DB tea
Good luck with your meds dosage Rosa
Loki really hoping today is a better day for you

This morning was okay. I actually had a bit of an appetite. I had jam on toast and enjoyed it. Rather than just eating because I know I should.

Feeling low and mithered about work this afternoon. I'm meant to be doing a phased return to work on Monday.I know I'm rushing back but I get so low when I'm stuck at home with no company. Feel like I'm turning this into my diary!

Hope we all have a good evening 💐

Haha I love all tea’s too Loki as per the username, Yorkshire have been doing some rather interesting flavours as of late which I’ve loved

Sky one day I hope to be able to write a book but naturally I’m rather nervous about that. I would like to do blogging but I don’t know anyone that would read it! For the time being I’ve been writing Fanfiction, I find it rather good to do as I can develop the plot and all the characters are already there and I can carry on with it and change parts of the book/movies to suit my way.

Love jam and toast! I’ve been having weetabix for breakfast. Loneliness at home is the worst! I find it worst in the middle of the night but it can hit at any time, so looking forward to work. Now just waiting for confirmation that I can go in. I think I’ve somewhat turned this into a diary too Loki so don’t worry about it! How you had a better day

Thanks Tea, I just feel so flat today. I stayed in bed all morning. Made myself eat toast at lunchtime. When I'm alone for a day or more, I feel like I've stopped existing for a bit. I know that sounds weird.

I messaged a couple of friends who I haven't contacted for a while. I've sat on the couch all afternoon just mindlessly googling things.

I was supposed to have a counselling session at 3.30PM but my counsellor hasn't phoned me.