What do you do when you constantly feel like you are on alert?

[purplepandas]

Any recommendations for what to do when you feel like you are in a continual state of high alert please? I know this is 90 percent work related and my stress levels are just through the roof ( not that they care). I literally feel like I'm on a knife edge physiologically and cannot calm down. It's making me feel ill and my response to situations that might piss me off minorly normally is way off piste now. Can't alter work or home load and cannot sign off. Any recommendations? Struggle watching tv as just can't focus.

Thanks 💐

You have anxiety.

Go and see your doc, get a prescription for an SSRI which will help you get your head above water.

Have some CBT a therapy at the same time, which will give you some tools. (It’s vital you work on your head as well as take drugs).

Make appropriate lifestyle changes - sleep, food, exercise, fresh air, social support.

Look for a new job when you can

I hope it gets better soon

Agree with PP.

In the short term, try the 5 senses grounding technique (Google for instructions but it’s really simple).

Also guided meditation on YouTube is helpful for sleep. There’s an app called Headspace where you can track the peaks and might help as a starting point for discussion with GP.

Obviously you need to get to the root of the issue but I hope this helps while you’re waiting.

Hope things improve soon.

Going for a brisk walk can sometimes help me with this.

Calm App has really helped me. Try the Daily Calm meditations on there. Breathing exercises as well.

I have this too OP and I have got it under control more or less - a lot of it was changing jobs, but I still work in the same field and I just have more experience so I’m able to spot my triggers and try to fix things first, and also knowing that I’ve now experienced many stressful situations and I’m still here, and nothing was ever as bad as I’d made it out to be in my head!

things that help me:
Definitely exercise and fresh air - if I’m physically tired out it’s impossible to stay awake worrying.

cooking - a creative act and the physical contact with vegetables etc is supposed to really help which I think is true. I’m also not a very good cook so I have to really concentrate on it which helps take up some brain space.

switching off with a book I’ve already read or a show I’ve already seen. Preferably comedy or period drama.

I have never taken any medication and mediation apps do nothing for me but I accept that they are vital for other people.

do you have a supervisor you can alert to how you’re feeling?

Have a look at it might help you.

100% this. I was constantly on 'high alert' before starting on sertraline. That drug has changed (maybe even saved!) my life. No doubt about it.