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.

The weekend went okay. There was some family drama but it didn't ruin the weekend. It has been too hectic though and I'm now over tired and struggling to sleep. I hate being on my own for too long but also find it exhausting to be around people for too long. It's a hard to find the right balance.

I went out for a buffet meal tonight. It has been so warm that I didn't have much of an appetite. Which is a shame as the meal was expensive.

How is everyone? I'm hoping that the people that haven't posted for a few days are doing really well and haven't needed to post. Hope it isn't because they feel worse and haven't felt up to it. I do worry!!

@Lokikitty - glad your weekend went OK.

I was a bit low and anxious yesterday but I managed to get out and enjoy the glorious weather. May as well make the most of it!

That's true Easter. You never know how long the good weather will last.

Hi, how's everyone doing? X

I've had a very busy and tiring week at work. It has been good though. The place I do agency work at is lovely. Wish I could work there permanently but it's too far away and hard to get to on public transport.

I've got to self isolate for a week. My sister has tested positive for covid and I went out for a meal with her. I get quite low when I'm stuck indoors, so need to find a way to stop myself going crazy from the isolation.

Hi Loki! Sorry to hear you need to isolate. That's unhelpful. Hope you don't get ill!

I'm ok. Suffering from a migraine for days now. So much so that there's no room for anxiety.

Really struggling with being bigger than I was a few months ago. Disgusted with myself. 😞

Sorry to hear about your migraine DuckingMel. Hope it goes soon.

I think most people have put weight on over the past year. I managed to lose a few pounds, only to put most of it back on. It's so hard to lose weight and very easy to gain it.

I know it's very hard to lose weight when you're middle aged. I might have to buy a new pair of jeans or two, which I have been resisting so far. However I just can't fit into anything any more, so needs must.

An old flame got in touch and wants to see me for a coffee. I am dreading it. But another part of my mind thinks that if he is disturbed by my weight gain, then he is not worth bothering with...

I didn't manage to make the job applications in time, as too exhausted and then got the migraine. However, I will have more time and energy when the holidays start in a few weeks, so will be able to do applications, then.

I know what you mean DuckingMel. I had a fast metabolism in my twenties. Things have definitely slowed down in my thirties.

Hope your date goes well. There's no reason why it shouldn't.

That sounds like a good idea, focusing on your applications in the holiday.

I normally dread the summer holidays. I will be counting down to them this year because of the way things have been at work. I'm going to make or buy a calendar, so I can cross of the days.

Hi. I am OK. I feel better in the sunshine and I'm trying to take one day at a time.

Hello I'm new here ,
I have health anxiety and since I was 18 I have had a fast heart rate. I'm 26 now. In January 2021 I was rushed to hospital because my heart rate was 171 I spent the night there and after many tests they didn't find anything at all. I have a 24 HR tape which just showed sinus tachycardia and I had an echo done which showed my structure is fine.

My resting HR is 90
When I'm up and about in the house doing stuff it's 110
When I'm out walking in 140
If I'm out running it's 170
In my sleep it's 70-80
When I wake up in the morning it'll shoot to 100
My heart rate is never below 70, is this going to kill me?

I am 5ft 7 and weigh 86kg ( a year ago I was 107kg)

Anyone else have a heart rate like me? I'm so scared I lay awake at night crying.

Hi Moxxi, sorry to hear that you've had a difficult time with your health. Your resting heart rate doesn't sound like anything to be concerned about. You could make a doctor's appointment to put your mind at ease.

I've always had a naturally fast heart beat. I became aware of this in a maths lesson when we had see what our resting heart rate was. My maths teacher laughed at me and told me I should see a doctor if that was my heart rate. When I went to see a doctor, I was just told that it's normal for your heart rate to go up and down depending on how you are feeling.

Hope you are feeling better soon 💐

Easter- glad you're okay and the sunshine is helping. I couldn't go anywhere today because I'm self isolating. I spent some time in the sun, doing some gardening. I also did some decluttering.

@lokikitty thanks for getting back to me. I thoroughly appreciate it. what is your resting heart rate and did the Dr ever say it was dangerous? I've seen just about every GP in Huddersfield and I think they think I'm making it up even tho I have so much evidence and had like 7 24 HR tapes. The latest one I had my average heart rate was 101 with a max of 160 and low of 72 that was 4 months ago. I have gotten into fitness since and started a beta blockers. It's come down by 11 but I really want a resting of 60ish. Do you think I'll ever get there? "

Hi Moxxi. A heart rate in the 70s is fine. Mine is there, too. When I was ultra fit and slim, it was in the 40s. Normal heart rates vary. However, nobody can reassure you, if you've health anxiety. Have you been offered counselling?

Hi Easter. Good to hear that you're doing ok. For me, sometimes, good weather is anxiety inducing as I think I should be out and about basking in the sunshine on a beach or with a picnic in a nice park, and I don't feel up to it. Especially now that my clothes don't fit due to quite rapid change in weight (comfort eating and alcohol).

@DuckingMel my resting heart rate is 90 :( I am on the waiting list for CBT x

Moxxi, I hope you can access that CBT, soon. Hopefully the heart rate will settle along with your anxiety.

I'm feeling deflated and tired, today. I'm at currently away from home and need to make my way back with three buses. Don't feel up to it. I wish I still had my car, despite the driving anxiety.

Moxxi, hope your not waiting long for the counselling. My resting heart rate is 80. Anything between 60 - 100 is considered normal. So even 90 is perfectly fine. It's easy to get overly focused on something when you are not in a good place.

DuckingMel, sorry you're not feeling great. 3 bus journeys are awful aren't they? I do them in the school holidays, when I do agency work.

I know what you mean about good weather being anxiety inducing. It looks like everyone is off to barbecues or the beach with family and friends. It makes me feel like I'm missing out and I feel more lonely. Or if you don't feel up to going out, it feels like you're wasting good weather because we don't get a lot of it.

I'm self isolating until Thursday. I've contacted work to let them know but they haven't got back to me yet. I've ordered pcr tests in case they would rather I take a test. Then I could return to work on Tuesday if it's negative. I hate not knowing what I'm doing.

Got some bad news last night which I'm still trying to process. Feeling a bit strange and distracted at the moment. I can't go into detail but a vulnerable family member has disclosed something that has shocked me. It has also brought back memories from the past.

Hope everyone is doing okay and enjoying the beautiful weather.

@DuckingMel wishing you a safe journey. Put some music on and just think about happy times on the bus journey. Bless you.

My absolute biggest fear is my heart rate. Look at these measurements from my Fitbit. How am I even still alive. It's been this way since 2013. Lowest was 89 and that was in my sleep. I really do believe I'm going to die young. :( Xx

Sorry you're struggling Moxxi. Is there something nice that you can do today to distract yourself from your anxiety? Thinking of you 💐

Moxxi, I'm glad that all your checks ups have been ok. Just try to concentrate on that. Here, have a

Thank you and Loki for the kind well wishes. I hate buses, but will try to use time to meditate or mentally organise myself.

Anxiety about work tomorrow is surfacing. I really need a new, better paying job. Getting one in this job climate will be hard, though.

Hi, how is everyone today? X

Work have asked me to isolate until Friday. So I've got 2.5 days of isolation to go. The first few days felt really strange. I feel lost without a routine. I'm feeling a bit better today. I've been quite productive so far. I've done gardening, cooking, baking, cleaning, decluttering and paint by numbers over the past few days.

@lokikitty sorry you are having to isolate. Sounds like you have found some nice ways to spend the time, glad it's not too long to go now.

@Moxxi welcome, hope you find some support here.

We went to see family over half term. It was short but nearly all went smoothly. Just getting back into school routine again now. I had an anxious evening yesterday (learned DH is going away for a few nights soon, which I think might be why) but I feel more positive today. Finding the heat a bit much this afternoon though!

1 day left of self isolation. I don't know why I find being at home so stressful. Too much time to think, I guess. I tried to do some decluttering but it just got too much. My flat actually looks worse because I've pulled everything out from under the bed and cupboards but been unable to organize it all. I'll try again tomorrow.

How is everyone doing? It's gone very quiet on this thread.

I'm fine, Loki. Glad to hear that being out helps. I'm the opposite. I'd happily hole myself in the flat for two weeks.

I've too much to think about and too much to write. Maybe on another day.

Hi everyone - I'm not a sufferer of anxiety (been on anti depressants for years though!) but my OH is currently going through a very tough time with it. The events of last year caused him to be admitted to hospital on two occasions with tachychardia with was eventually diagnosed as stress induced. He had every test under the sun on his heart and bloods so knows that mechanically he is ok. Hes on beta blockers and Sertraline and had his first counselling session last Friday. Future appts will need to be on a Monday morning and he was stressing all weekend about telling his boss culminating in a massive panic attack at 3am Monday (we don't live together). he's been off work all week - his heart rate is back to around 80 - still too high for him but not racing however he feels that it is. He is sweating lots, vomiting/dry heaving, not sleeping, weight is dropping off him, can't bring himself to leave the house. He has a meeting with work tomorrow and I'm going with him for silent but moral support.

Does anyone have any suggestions about what I should'/shouldn't do when trying to help? I know everyone is different and coping techniques vary hugely but as sufferers, if you can offer any tips about things which really make it worse so I can avoid them it would be great -I'm really struggling!

Hi blobby10 - it's sounds like you and your OH have had a difficult year. Hopefully the medication and counselling will help him to feel better soon. You are being very supportive, which will be helping him.

What kind of things have you tried to do to help? Have you spoken to him about any support that he needs? Sorry that you are both struggling 💐

My dd has had a difficult first year at uni. She struggles to deal with stress. I've tried to make sure that she eats well and have done meditation with her. I encourage her to get out for a walk, even if it's only for 20 minutes.