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.

Hi, how is everyone?

I'm finding it hard to focus today. I made courgette frittatas and fried chicken. Just using stuff up, as I feel too drained to go shopping. I've had a bath, which I thought would help me feel better, but still feel meh.
I'm going to do some baking.

Hi Loki
Cooking a meal, a bath and baking are great. Little victories!
Baths often make me feel weak as I have low blood pressure so I feel really tired afterwards.
I hope the rest of your Saturday goes well.
It's my dad's 80th today. We've been with him as he is our bubble. We watched football and had pizza and birthday cake. Also prosecco which is the first alcohol I've had since my 50th on 3rd Jan. It doesn't agree with me at all. I didnt have much but feel yuk now. Ok in spirits though so far

loki did they call in the end? Or at least let you know why they couldn’t?! Well done on the cooking

wild glad you could spend your dad’s birthday with him

I’ve been a wreck today. Physically I’m not doing great and my arm is aching again a week after the jab . Increased meds start tomorrow and I’m scared although some people say the anxiety side effect actually gets better on higher doses so I’m giving it a chance. But I’ve just been a ball of panic and rage again tonight, ended up having a go at both my DDs (I did apologise). I am so so sick of feeling like this

Sorry you're not feeling good Sing, I hope the ache goes away soon and the increased meds go smoothly.
Wild that sounds lovely! What did you bake Loki?
I've been pleasantly surprised by a lack of side effects from increasing my meds, I've been clenching my jaw a bit but no loss of appetite or nausea (which is good, I hate being sick and I'd definitely freak out!). And after 5 days of feeling bloody awful, I've actually been quite happy and calm for the last few days. I do get that feeling that it's just a fluke though...

Hi Sing - sorry today hasn't been a good day for you. Hope the increased meds goes well.

My counsellor phoned half an hour later but I was on the phone to my doctors to see what had happened. I had to make an another appointment.

Hi Wild - I don't know anyone else who experiences this but a hot bath makes me sick. This only happens when I'm stressed.

It sounds like you've had a really good day, apart from the alcohol not agreeing with you.

Hi Rosa, glad the increased meds went well and you've had a good few days.

I was going to bake shortbread but didn't get round to it. I love making cookies and shortbread. And my DD loves eating them!

Sing
I hate the feeling knowing I am being unreasonable and snappy wirh my family and really not wanting to be. It really upsets me afterwards. I really hope today is a bit better for you.
Rosa love the positive news!

I hate being irritable too. It's hard isn't it. You know you would respond differently if you were well. I'm sure your family understands Sing.
Wish the sun would come out. Just been for a walk but really wasn't in the mood. It's so grey and miserable. And my head is too cluttered.

Ah thanks. I do try and always do the right thing by apologising and explaining. I think it’s also embarrassment for me - I don’t tend to shout or anything but I get really controlling and pick a fight over really silly things, I feel so petty!

First day on new dose. Ok so far but feeling physically crap anyway (still not sure if random flare up or lasting side effects from the jab). Haven’t got dressed in a week now.

Must go eat something, I got hyper focused on my assignment which I have now finished and submitted, so even though I feel useless as a mum/housework person, I have achieved something

Hi everyone, work went well today. It was a tiny bit overwhelming with all the children back in but I coped well. It was strange explaining how unwell I've been over the past few days. I know I don't have to but I like to be open about my mental health.
I'm tired now but feels like a normal amount of tiredness! Not the horrible exhaustion that I felt last week. My noise sensitivity is playing up tonight.

Hope things continue to go well. My doctors given me a fit note for a phased return. Hope HR will let me do it. I'll end up in and out of work if work don't support me.

How is everyone? X

That's great Loki!

Well done loki! Tell them what you want and need to 💐 it’s a huge adjustment after time off sick, even without covid stuff - hope the phased return is allowed.

My anxiety has been ok the last couple of days. I just feel ill still. Managed a short walk earlier but felt worse since.

Hope you're feeling better soon Sing 💐
Well done for getting out for a walk.

I’ve found myself getting easily triggered and rather wobbly today. Managed to get a lot of work done and go for a walk which was good albeit tiring really need to get some more Goddamned exercise done was doing ok for a while and now I don’t know

Poor you Sing hope you feel better tmrw.

Tea I'm sorry you've had a wobbly day. But great news you got lots of work done and a walk.

I get anxious at this time of the night. I sleep badly so often have to nap in the pm meaning I'm not tired at bedtime. Well I'm always tired but can't wind down til late.
My DH and DS go to bed at 10.
I've been feeling poorly today but not too bad mentally. I met my friend for a walk yesterday and was out a really long time for me. My body can't cope with this because of the long covid and nerve damage in my hands arms legs and feet and I was in a lot of pain through the night and all day today. Had to have codeine regularly which is horrible when it wears off.
Hope tmrw is better!

I hope everyone has a positive day today :)

for everyone on here.
Hope it's sunny where you are

Hope everyone is feeling better today, seems like most weren't great yesterday
I've been much better anxiety-wise over the last few days, but I was being cocky thinking I'd increased meds with little in the way of side effects, and today I feel sick and lethargic, which is no fun. Ofc it could be something else entirely, but I'd rather it were side effects really bc that way I know what's going on!

Wild - sorry you've been in a lot of pain 💐Hope you enjoyed your walk.

Rosa - sorry your not feeling well today. Hope you're better soon 💐

Tea - glad you had a good walk and got lots done. Hope you have had a better day today 💐

Sing - I hope you have felt better today 💐
How are you doing on your new dose?

Today didn't start well because I didn't sleep well last night. I just made it to the doctors yesterday before they closed. I got my fit note for a phased return. Work have accepted it and I'll only do mornings for the rest of this week.

HR have asked if they can speak to my doctor. I'm a bit surprised by this but will consent to it. If that's what it takes to get support at work. Work are now saying that I can see occupational health because of the time I have had off.

I would have preferred to have been supported when I asked months ago. But at least things are looking better for me.

I spoke to my counsellor after work today. She's not a proper counselor. She's just someone at my doctors surgery that you can book an appointment with to talk to. I'm being put back on the waiting list for more counselling.

I cooked a healthy meal this evening. Salmon goujons wraps with lemon mayo 😋. Just need to tackle all the housework !

I'm having a wibbly few days. V weepy.
I dont work now and always see that as a blessing for my MH usually but today I'm not sure.
Although if we weren't in the pandemic I would be meeting friends, going to the library, shopping etc, having a friend over so it's everything all wrapped up together probably. Plus peri menopause.
I feel extremely worried about my DS and about our relationship these past few days. Logically I know he is just 12 and grumpy

Sorry to hear that wild, sounds hard. Hang on in there with your DS, I know I was horrible at 12!

Loki your dinner sounds delicious. Hope you can get some proper support from work soon.
Nausea has disappeared again, yay! Still v sleepy but I can work with that.

Hi Wild, sorry to hear that you've had a wobbly few days. I understand what you mean about meeting friends and going to places. Before lockdown I didn't need meds. My way of coping was getting out to shops, cafes, parks, cinema, eating out and bowling. I kept myself very busy. Without all that my anxiety and depression are so much worse. The loneliness is unbearable at times.

Thanks Rosa, it was the first time in ages since I cooked a proper meal. Glad the nausea has gone. I hate feeling sick. It's awful, isn't it. I get nausea when I'm anxious. I always have chewing gum on me, as it stops me from being sick.

Sing & Tea - how are you doing today?

Today's been okay. I only worked in the morning, so got home 2 hours earlier than normal. I got some washing up and tidying done.
I did some Pick Up Limes meditation. It's my favourite. Haven't meditated for weeks. I find meditation hard when I'm very stressed.

My stomach is very bloated and uncomfortable. But other than that, things are going well today.

Yesterday was okay, had off parts and good parts. Mostly wanted to sleep tbh and after my nap was mostly great. Though the bus wobbled and almost fell and I wasn’t too worried about that just laughed to be fair! Though I do have a tendency for a nervous laugh and laughing when things are awkward
Managed to get a good nights sleep though

Hope everyone’s doing Ok

Oooh @Lokikitty the salmon goujon meal sounds yum! I like lemon mayo, would I just mix some zest and juice in or something? I do love a dip or sauce with pretty much anything. I think it’s a texture thing, I like contrasts so I have something crunchy and something creamy :o

Yikes at the wobbly bus @teaandcustardcreamsx

@wildthingsinthenight I am finding parenting a teenager so bloody fraught. And really she’s not even rebelling or anything (yet) or even particularly grumpy, never answers back etc. It’s just so hard worrying about them and trying to communicate properly and aaaaagh

@RosaDiazRocks hope the nausea stays away!

New dose had been mostly ok. It seemed true for me that the higher dose was actually better. I haven’t tried adding the escitalopram yet - still feeling really rough since the jab.

Unfortunately today I’m right back to shutdown mode. It probably doesn’t help that I have PMT I think. My PIP renewal form arrived too and I’m freaking out over it TBH. The physical conditions I have are really variable and I panic about saying something wrong because some days I’m ok (by my standards) and other days I can barely move. If I could afford to just not bother I would ignore it, the anxiety it causes is massive.

I’ve tried being kind to myself about it today - tried looking for some paperwork but let myself not properly read it or start filling it in, and accepted that today’s a write off. But I still feel like crap as I have just been mindlessly scrolling on my phone all day.