Suffering from Anxiety

Peppa_Pig_5

Feel awful today. Since joining MSE I have cut down on our outgoings, paid extra every month on the credit cards and really cut down a lot on the interest rates being charged. Plus taken a second job as an Avon Rep.

However, since Friday I have been having these feelings that something really awful is going to happen, but they are constant, do not go away unless I am asleep, plus I keep crying. I have never felt like this before, my friend suggested they could be anxiety attacks, so got it confirmed with the doctor today and that is what it seems to be.

Doctor asked if there was anything I was worried about. I told her that I was being made redundant in August and have a holiday to pay for in June. She said that was probably what was causing it. She told me I have to take time out and relax.

The trouble is I didn't think I was worrying about these things, I new they were happening, but thought I had them under control. But maybe I have been trying too hard. I wanted to clear my debts by July 2007 at the latest, and have been so focused on this, but maybe I should give myself more time.

I feel a bit of a failure really, never thought I would suffer anxiety attacks. Just goes to show you never know what can happen.

Sorry for being a bit depressing, but wanted to get this off my chest.

Thanks for listening.

Peppa
x

GreyPilgrim

Come on guys. Group hug.

If it's any consolation, I still get anxious that there's another debt somewhere that I don't know about, thats going to come back and bite me. There's a parking ticket that I got when I had a company hire car back in about 2000 that at low moments I imagine is sitting on a database somewhere clocking up penalty charges...(moved house since then)...maybe I should get that checked out

But I feel a lot LESS anxious than I did when I had my head in the sand - I knew then that the debts WERE going to bite me at any second. If you've got this all down on paper and are facing up to it all (and it sounds like you are), then there won't be any bad surprises.

Are you sure there's nothing else bothering you that you're 'ignoring', and you're letting the emotion come out but blaming it on the finances? I hope you're ok.

GP

GreyPilgrim

Peppa_Pig wrote:

I feel a bit of a failure really

And just to add, you don't sound like a failure. Facing up to a problem and attacking it is NOT the mark of a failure. Maybe you are trying to make things happen faster than your means allow - but again, that not being a failure.

And I personally think a good bout of emotion is good. Trying to bottle things up and push them down is a surefire way to lose the plot and cause yourself bigger problems.

GP

mrcow

Are you insured?
Is your holiday something that you would consider cancelleling?

I only ask as if it's causing you that much stress that you have to see your doctor, it may be worth asking for a letter excusing you from going due to anxiety and stress. You could then put the money towards your debts, and you don't have to find any more money to put towards it.

Just an idea?

In_Search_Of_Me

Big hug...its awful when you're trying your best & things pile up. Hope you feel better soon...

Peppa_Pig_5

Thanks Greypilgrim and mrcow. As far as I know there aren't any other problems that I have. I just think I have been doing too much and concentrating too much on finances, and neglecting family life and my health. I would cancel my holiday tomorrow no problem mrcow, but family and friends we are going with are so looking forward to it.

peppa
x

Emmzi

Peppa,

huge hug. Problem is, you can't stop feeling anxious until you stop feeling anxious; and redundnacy is not an easy process, so much of who we are gets tied up and confused with our jobs. I cried for a week solid when I heard it was happening to me, and it took a while to get my action plan together and feel ready to do anything. What you're feeling is natural, and normal. It will pass.

BUT you are more ready for it than so many others... you're still a worthwhile person, who has endless patience and support for all the DFWs here!

wdamci

Did your GP check blood pressure

I too used to feel anxious when thinking about money, debt and other worries. Turned out i had high blood pressure (runs in the family although can actually be caused by stress / anxiety). I was given beta blockers and they really calmed me down as apart from my mind always being on overdrive i had a real temper problem.

Try relaxing, taking deep breaths and counting backwards from 10 when things get a bit tough. (I should take my own advice sometimes)

Hope your feeling better soon.

beanielou

You've done the right thing by going to your GP.
Hopefully you can take a step back now.
Maybe if you push your debt frree date back just a couple of months that would help.
Hope you can really relax & really enjoy your holiday.You deserve it,

QueenB.

You are not a failure, you have just been running yourself on overdrive.

As for anxiety attacks i used to suffer from them really badly and still do. They can be controlled and overcome.

HUGS

Pobby

Hi peppa.Sorry to hear about the anxiety attacks.I also suffer from them from time to time.Maybe you are pushing yourself a little to hard.We all have expectations of what we think we should be and sometimes they are not very realistic.Thinking of you.