Anxiety Sufferers?

thelittlestranger

Hope this is the right place to post.

I was just wondering if anyone else here suffers with anxiety? I'm 21, and have severe anxiety. I've been off of work for a few months now and it's starting to get me down even more. I am normally VERY hardworking but throughout my life I've had to stop or give up because my anxiety holds me back.

I believe there's a depression thread somewhere on the forum, and while I have also been diagnosed with depression, I'd love to hear from some people who are experiencing or have experience anxiety. It would just be nice to have a chat with people who understand and perhaps share any helpful hints and tips.

kez_s

Hi, sorry to read you are suffering from anxiety, I suffer from it too, you'd be amazed how many people actually do! Mine has recently come on due to a medical condition I suffer from and it's triggered this reaction.

Little things that help me are lavender oil on a tissue or pillow if you get it at night time. Sometimes fighting it can make it worse, if you accept that what's going on is just anxiety and nothing more serious it can soften the symptoms. I face mine head on, I'm always pushing myself and confronting situations rather than avoiding them and often after about 30 mins or so it starts to calm down. When you're having a good day, go & do things on the spur of the moment, especially if at other times you avoid doing things due to it. I find when there is no pressure on me to do something and I just go and do it, I really enjoy myself.

I don't suffer from depression though I've known people who have but it can often be the case that the two go hand in hand.

If you want to know anything else, feel free to shout of send me a pm!

universalady_2

I have suffered anxiety since having an inner ear problem, so about 18 months now. However it's been getting worse in the last several weeks. I am determined to not let it incapacitate me, I refuse to be scared of going out incase I have a panic attack. Fighting it constantly leaves me very tired and also on edge so a bit of a cycle really.

I have given up all forms of caffeine, rarely drink any alcohol, take a vitamin B complex as well as trying to keep a regular pattern of sleeping, although that sometimes is quite hard if my brain just won't switch off I've tried lavender oil, rescue remedy, kava kava etc etc, but haven't found these have helped longterm tho, although useful if feeling particuarly anxious or stressed

I do have safety behaviours which I think helps me when I have anxiety/panic attacks, but I'm not brave enough yet to try to try to go without them. I've had CBT, which helped slightly, but even following it now, doesn't seem to make any difference to how I feel.

I try and look at it, that in weeks/months/years I WILL be back to the usual confident, happy go lucky kinda gal I used to be, but it may take time

itsmethatswho

kez_s wrote: »

Little things that help me are lavender oil on a tissue or pillow if you get it at night time. Sometimes fighting it can make it worse, if you accept that what's going on is just anxiety and nothing more serious it can soften the symptoms. I face mine head on, I'm always pushing myself and confronting situations rather than avoiding them and often after about 30 mins or so it starts to calm down. When you're having a good day, go & do things on the spur of the moment, especially if at other times you avoid doing things due to it. I find when there is no pressure on me to do something and I just go and do it.


I completely agree. I know how you feel, i suffer with depression and anxiety, my doctor told me my anxiety stems from my depression. How do you feel about being off work? Ive always found it harder to not work, as then you can crawl inti a hole, and that doesnt solve anything. I find to push myself. Helps me to cpnquer my fears, and makes the anxiety a little less once i do it again. For example, i struggle to be around new people in unknown situations, i would work myself up and end up having a panic attack. So when my son was born i forced myself to go to mum and baby groups and though i had sweaty palms, palpitations, and jelly legs throughout; i made myself go back again and the more i did it the less daunting it was.

vodkachick68

I used to suffer with panic attacks and anxiety,but as others have said i have managed to conquer my fears and force myself to do things and focus on the positive things in life. I am still on anti-depressants 2 years later which help me immensely. I made the decision to split up with my husband back in april cos i was really unhappy in the marriage. I never thought i could manage with my kids by myself but hey i am happy and yes i do still feel down sometimes and feel like i'm going backwards but i do alot of relaxation and deep breathing exercises which really help. It can be a hard slog but hang on in there as there is light at the end of the tunnel:D

fluffnutter

Anti-depressants when things get really bad, CBT to help give you some long-term coping strategies and learning to just accept yourself. And keep off the booze - worse thing in the world if you're an anxious person anyway.

I wouldn't wish a panic attack on my worst enemy - vile things.

coinxoperated

Hi! I recently posted about the same thing although in currently working. I had so much amazing advice, I would definitely suggest you have read at some of the replies!

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4227451

I brought Bach Rescue Remedy and it has helped me so much so far. I don't take it every day, but just knowing I have it makes me feel so much better.

You can get through this. PM me if you want a friend who understands! I'm female and in Birmingham xxxxx

grey_lady

There are anti-anxiety medications your GP can prescribe, but if you don't feel able to approach your GP then I can recommend 'The Panic attacks workbook'

So proud my link worked :-)

Yorkie1

Having lived with it for many years, I have found that an increasing understanding of my diagnosis, and acceptance of what I live with, have helped a lot.

Anxiety and depression are often 2 sides of the same coin. For years I was diagnosed as depressed because that's what I was presenting with. It took an expert to take a step back and say that anxiety was actually my condition, with the other symptoms related to level of anxiety.

Over time you learn to live with the symptoms, to know that they are not harmful. You learn coping strategies and, hopefully, get some appropriate talking therapy to assist. Many people recover fully or significantly. The trouble is that when you are experiencing real difficulties, it is almost impossible to foresee that happening to you.

One time when I was off work, the doctor gave me 'homework', which was to get out of the house daily and interact with someone. Even just going to the corner shop to get a newspaper or similar. It was a good idea. It forced me out, prevented me from being a hermit and helped me forget about myself for a short while.

If I'm not feeling 100% even now, I find that sitting at home on the PC or watching telly actually makes me feel more anxious on one level. Over time you learn what is actually helpful, as opposed to that which simply feels least challenging.

And good luck!

kez_s

universalady, I really empathise with the inner ear problem, I have suspected M!nière's disease and it would affect my balance terribly on occasions I would have falls, etc., and this in turn would cause panic attacks and anxiety, it's not too bad nowadays but things like colds, false lighting, etc., can trigger it off and it can be really scary.

The anxiety wasn't so bad back then it was more panic attacks, this time however it's the other way around, the anxiety has taken a strong grip in a way I've never experienced before, I know exactly how it's happened, the medical condition I suffer from caused me such major problems that I was constantly in a state about it and eventually when your that anxious all the time it doesn't come back down again...but slowly and surely I am getting there and it does with most people and I'm sure at times it will come back.

It's something I don't really discuss with anyone and only those extremely close to me know about but I wanted to respond as it's such a scary thing to go through I would hate for someone to suffer with it in silence. Thinking of all those who've responded to, panic attacks are vile things and "itsmethatswho" described them pretty spot on!

Fire_Fox

State and trait anxiety at different times .... I don't *think* I've had a panic attack, but close. I guess I'd know if it was a panic attack and not 'just' anxiety???