How to recognise that there is even a problem?

[thebearandthemare]

I’m not quite sure if this will make sense but hopefully someone will have some advice. I can recognise I have significant physical symptoms of anxiety (racing heart, tight chest, on edge) but I don’t feel that I should have medication, therapy etc because to me, my worries are very genuine. So I’m stuck in this cycle because I tell myself well of course you’re anxious, it’s a stressful situation (e.g some worrying medical test results, concerns about the health of my children, worrying about finances).

Does that make any sense? How do I know that I’m over-reacting and how do I know I’m not just in a stressful situation and need to deal with it? I just don’t feel that there’s anything that can help and I feel I’m consigned to this forever. It’s not to say that I don’t think other people have real worries, it’s just I can rationalise their situation more and notice if they could be catastrophising. However, for myself it seems like everything around me is a source of enormous anxiety.

Thank you if you’ve read my ramblings! I’d be interested if anyone else has felt the same.

@thebearandthemare sorry to hear you are struggling. I think I can relate to your dilemma.

In my case I had some worries and maybe low mood during lockdown. Then I became aware over a short space of time that my son had some MH difficulties. The initial realisation was a shock and very frightening for me. Then after his first session with a therapist I got a phone call to say he had disclosed feeling suicidal. They didn't offer any further info or advice and I crumpled with fear.

All this led to me struggling very very much, and falling into a hole that I desperately needed to clamber out of in order to help DS.

My GP suggested counselling and antidepressants for me. But I questioned how this could work as my fears are very real, triggered by real events and to some extent my son's MH is out of my control.

But I decided to try. It has really really helped me to cope. The antidepressants were tough initially but they have somehow helped me cope with a very difficult situation, anxiety is very manageable, I function more effectively and even have some good moments.

Medication doesn't take away your worries but it does help you to controlthe worry and not have it control your life

Even if you have genuine totally understandable reasons for feeling stressed anxious, medication and counseling can really help.
A few years ago my eldest DD was seriously ill, I was struggling care for her and working and I was at breaking point, in my mind I wasn't ill, my dd was -me taking medication wasnt going to change that.
However eventually I did go to.my GP I was prescribed anti depressants and had some counselling, it made me feel less overwhelmed and able to cope. So what I am saying is even if you have tangible reasons for feeling the way you do, medication and therapy can help you cope and improve your mood.

Would it help you cope with your worries if you could reduce or control your physical anxiety symptoms? If yes them counselling and/or medication would be appropriate. Neither can make your problems go away, but they can help you relax and see things from another perspective.