The delight that is anxiety

[MasterChefz]

Why oh why oh why won't the bastard leave me alone..

Entering my head. Occupying my thoughts, terrifying me. Making me constantly feel on edge, scared and worried. Crying all the time.

It is absolutely shit.

GP hasn't been in touch for a few weeks, mental health services aren't great and it's very much a case of manage it myself.

Even though I have GAD, OCD, moderate depression and severe anxiety.

I hate it.

Please can anyone give me any ideas or suggestions for helping myself.

I've tried good diet, plenty of sleep ( except I am also peri menopausal as well so have those symptoms too- lack of sleep being one of them) as well as distraction techniques and calming ideas.

I am not sure how much more of this I can bear.

I really feel for you i am on week 5 of feeling this way and my life is on hold i don't want to got out or mix with people i will keep checking your thread to see if anyone can help with tips on how to feel right again it's a thought of the past that keeps popping up that is causing mine, my doctor is checking my thyroid levels first to see if they are okay hope you can feel better soon

As you know, we have 0% power over what thoughts pop up in our heads - no one can control what they think about.

What you can control though is what you do with those thoughts. We often assume our thoughts are truths and real whereas in reality they are just a series of random ideas.

Here is a list of the most common cognitive distortions, how to recognise them and how to combat them.

Writing down a thought can be successful in stopping the downward spiral of worrying and fear (F.E.A.R. = Future Events Aren't Real). Try using a thought record each time a negative thought enters your head. By analysing the thought you can decide if it's rational, true and realistic or whether you can discard it as nonsensical. It's a clunky process to start with but stick with it and it will become second nature.

Are you on any medication? I can never tackle my GAD unless my medication is right.

I also discovered that I was really deficient in vitamin d3 which was adding to to anxiety. The supplements from the gp really helped.

I agree with pinkflipflop. I couldn’t manage without my medication. It’s rubbish Op.

Thank you all so much.

Currently say here still not having showered and fighting off yet another anxiety attack.

Going to take it hour by hour . Plan now is to shower and wash hair and get dressed.

Hugs to all who have this. It's horrible.

Propanalol saved my life.

Anxiety is just awful

If you are perimenopausal are you on HRT yet?
In addition to the other really important health benefits it helps with anxiety. If you are on it have you thought about asking to adjust the dose?
Anxiety is a major symptoms of perimenopause.

I don’t have any suggestions I’m afraid - it’s bloody awful. And you have my sympathy.

I just wanted to give you a hand hold.

Have you had any CBT? Made a huge difference to DS's anxiety - he was having regular panic attacks. We live in Surrey, and he was able to self-refer to an NHS Talking Therapy centre. Anxiety still taps him on the shoulder occasionally, but he has various techniques to deal with it.

Hope you can find a way through.

@DameCelia

If you are perimenopausal are you on HRT yet? In addition to the other really important health benefits it helps with anxiety. If you are on it have you thought about asking to adjust the dose? Anxiety is a major symptoms of perimenopause.

My GP has talked about this and I've yet to start it. I guess I am worried really about side effects but I guess that anything is worth a try if it makes you feel better.

@CointreauVersial

Have you had any CBT? Made a huge difference to DS's anxiety - he was having regular panic attacks. We live in Surrey, and he was able to self-refer to an NHS Talking Therapy centre. Anxiety still taps him on the shoulder occasionally, but he has various techniques to deal with it.

Hope you can find a way through.

Brilliant that it has helped your DS.
I found that it never helped me. First time I had it and it was online. Found it so impersonal. Second time was on the phone. Never fully got to grips with it.
Currently meant to be having some sort of counselling but no one has really been in touch.

I am
Trying so hard to manage this myself.

It's absolutely awful.

Feel for you!
I'm on the up after a rocky few years.
Sertraline (actually taking it rather than giving up after the initial symptoms), a really good private therapist, and positive mantras every time I get worked up (sounds corny, feels weird to start with!!) .
Appreciate the therapist can be our of reach. But I was amazed how much more I get from working in with her than any previous nhs/work provided counselling.
Wishing you all the best

Op I could have written this today.

I've had bad anxiety again this last couple
Of weeks starting from a build up
Of small things and then work stresses on top.

Finances have been a stress Aswell

I take medication for mine however it's not Keri g me so stable but I'm sure I'm also menopausal (peri) and that's adding. To it.

@wtfisgoingonhere21

Op I could have written this today.

I've had bad anxiety again this last couple
Of weeks starting from a build up
Of small things and then work stresses on top.

Finances have been a stress Aswell

I take medication for mine however it's not Keri g me so stable but I'm sure I'm also menopausal (peri) and that's adding. To it.

Massive hugs from me.

Definitely speak to your GP. It hopefully will help you. They may adjust your medication or even offer you some HRT if you are peri menopausal.
I haven't had HRT as yet. GP has mentioned it though.

It's absolutely awful isn't it.

Today I have taken it hourly. I find that helps.

And to keep my mind as occupied as possible. As best I can.

Hugs to all 💕

Your post jumped out at me and I had to look at your username to check I hadn’t written this!
I absolutely get this.
I am 48 (and probably in perimenopause too!) and have had anxiety all of my life but bloody hell it has ramped up to a level I’ve never known the last few years.
I have GAD, health anxiety, OCD too with IBS and depression and a whole host of other physical symptoms which just exacerbates the whole cycle of symptoms/anxiety/symptoms and on it goes......
I’ve tried CBT endless times with minimal results. I listen to guided meditation etc but little helps, it’s like it’s infiltrated every cell of my body atm.
I recently joined Anxiety U.K. which gives you a years free with the Headspace app, I listen to it each night, it’s nice but not helping much.
With the subscription you can also get access to cheaper rate therapy. I started EMDR a few weeks ago and am hoping it will help, not sure though atm.
The mornings are the worst and in all honesty if I could I would either stay in bed all morning or get up and stare at the wall, I just hate it when my brain ‘switches’ on for the day.
It’s the physical symptoms for me too, if I didn’t feel so nauseous and with a constant ‘off’ belly each day I am sure my anxiety would be better.
I too am scared of the side effects of HRT regardless of what people may say about it’s safety but I suppose that’s the anxiety talking as I feel the same about antidepressants. I am so scared of side effects. I am my own worst enemy (well, my brain is!!)
I hope you find something which works for you soon. Anxiety is the absolute worst and ime just isn’t taken seriously enough.

hrt definitely helps; i would give it a go 👍🏻

Following

Anxiety is very debilitating.
I got through mine by feeling the fear but doing it anyway, carrying on as close to normal as l could manage. It was chronically uncomfortable.
Avoidance doesn't help but is understandable.
I also read up as as much information as l could to recognise and understand my symptons, why my body was reacting like it was.
It took a long time but l had to create a different way of thinking, not necessarily in a positive way, that will only get you so far, but changing my perspectives and trusting in myself and my capabilities more.
Self care is really important, our bodies love us, look how hard they work to keep us going, so it's about time we start loving them back, physically, mentally and emotionally.
Good luck.

I’ve just had another bout of severe, debilitating panic attacks. This time I was given propranolol and it was an absolute miracle. Took away all the physical side of panic attacks which was the biggest relief.

I think I may be perimenopausal too, but that’s a conversation I need to tackle with my GP when I feel up to it.

My DD (16) has fairly mild anxiety and sleep issues. We are trying hypnotherapy, just had one session but I really liked the ethos and it is solution based so trying to work on things affecting you. She enjoyed the relaxation and will try a few more to see if it keeps helping.

Hope everyone is doing okay .

Thank you for all your kind words. I really appreciate it.

It was my birthday on Saturday and I had a lovely day.

The anxiety has returned though and my chest is thumping so hard, it feels as though I can hear it.

Back to hour by hour and trying to keep busy.

Anxiety really is shit.

Glad you had a good birthday - it's mine today!

Have you tried breathing exercises to calm yourself? Box breathing is good;

Also progressive muscle relaxation can help if you have 15/20 minutes to spare;

I've been studying CBT for a couple of years now so if you want to DM me for some other ideas please feel free.

I delayed starting HRT for years due to worrying it would someone make things worse. Perimenopause made my anxiety worse and I wish I had got straight on HRT. I take oestrogel and Utrogestan as that type of progesterone has the least side-effects. NICE guidance is HRT before antidepressants in this situation.

• somehow

Here are the NICE guidelines in case anyone needs them, can be helpful if your GP isn’t very knowledgeable:
www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/ifp/chapter/About-this-information