Threshold for being overwhelmed is very low

[TheOrigRights]

I do have a lot on my mind and on my plate, but I am finding that small things are tipping me over.

By the time I got through to the customer service I was calling, I was in tears. They when what they advised me to do (online) didn't work and the website said I had to call, I burst into tears.

Is this normal? I've had a bout of depression before and I am in perimenopause. How do I know if I should just get through this or whether I need to speak to my GP (just adding that to my todo list fills me with dread - e-consult, probably vague or unhelpful response e.g. call us if you want).

I know people with LOADS of major things they are dealing with and they're not always crying.

Everyone has a baseline level of anxiety. Yours sounds above normal for now therefore takes less to get you above that which is manageable. I've been there, already there now in fact and it's a horrible place. I recommend taking some time out to do something you will enjoy. Rest, eat, watch tv, have a bath, take a walk, read a book, paint a picture, bake a cake or whatever will help you relax without telling yourself to relax because that never really works. Have you tried mindfulness? Exercise helps as does a healthy diet, enough sleep, plenty of water and being on the right medication if you need it for the menopausal symptoms.

I’ve been in this state following an enormously stressful year. Small things send me into a panic. I have tried as much as possible to reduce any demands on me, sleep well, and do a lot of yoga to keep me healthy. My nervous system is overwhelmed from being in fight mode for so long. It will take time to feel normal.

This analogy about capacity for stress might be useful - applies to anyone really, not just PTSD sufferers - we all have limited capacity for stress and whether your cup is already full up even the smallest thing can tip you into overwhelm.

www.healingfromcomplextraumaandptsd.com/ptsd--stress

@Starseeed thank you for sharing that. I found it enormously helpful and it articulated how I feel - I over-react to noise and small things. I should probably seek help as I’ve had to deal with some major life issues.

Can you ask your close friends or family if they recognise a change in you from your normal levels of coping/anxiety? If you seem more on edge.

when you say you have a lot on is this normal life levels of stuff on that hasn’t actually varied much which might suggest if you feel different it’s more down to a change in you or has life been particularly stressful lately that might have ramped up your stress levels? I’m which case perhaps if you ride it out you will ok again when life settles down.

I have a very stressful life and deal with big things all the time. It is always the small things that tip me over and turn me into a blubbering mess.

Some of my friends have been really affected by anxiety during perimenopause though and they all have been helped by HRT so may be worth a chat with the doctor if you think it is related.

Thank you all for your responses. I read them all and have been thinking about what has been suggested.
I'm doing some thinking this week to see if I can identify what's up a bit more clearly. Things are a bit more calm this week which allows me to get on top of day to day stuff and have time to myself.