topic Freezing response to anxiety in Anxiety

Freezing response to anxiety

askignquestions — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 02:06:56 GMT

I've been dealing with crippling anxiety for a long time, but its gotten much worse the past few weeks. I'm once again in a freeze mode, where I can't seem to do much. I dont' know if part is depression too, since those thoughts are popping up too. But I need help. I am supposed to be working, but I didn't manage to make it in today. I just don't feel safe anywhere, like I need to curl up, hide, disappear. I've been nauseous and shaky and not breathing right for weeks now.

Are there techniques for anxiety when you get frozen in place? I haven't been able to leave my room today because I'm too anxious. I'm trying to work from home, but my mind goes completely blank. And I have to report on my work progress Tuesday, but I've been frozen all week.

I know the techniques for when you are in an energy panic attack- grounding, breathing. But what if you are stuck in place?

Freezing response to anxiety

blondguy — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 03:26:37 GMT

Hello askignquestions

Good on you for the great thread topic

I understand the anguish and frustration that you are experiencing and it is debilitating after having chronic anxiety for 13 years.

When anxiety begins to effect us on a daily basis its no different to a physical illness...like diabetes or heart disease.

Im unsure if you have been seeing your doc but I hope can make a double appointment with your GP as soon as you can. Its not your fault that this condition has become worse. We have to gather our strength and seek medical help. I really hope you can.

Anxiety is a massive drain on both our mental and physical energy with all that adrenaline working overtime.

At present you would be exhausted thus bringing about being 'frozen' all week.

Super regular counseling is crucial as it will decrease the severity of you anxiety greatly.

If your GP recommends meds they will provide you with a solid platform on which all the various coping techniques will work more effectively thus providing more peace of mind too

You are not alone in your struggle. There are many gentle people on the forums that can be here for you.

In hope you can post back even if you just want a chat 🙂

Please be gentle with yourself

Paul

Freezing response to anxiety

askignquestions — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 05:44:18 GMT

I have a Dr, and I have the ability to call her to set up an appointment this week, but I'm worried that I'm making a big deal of nothing. I honestly don't know what she can even do anymore. I'm already on meds, but even the "rescue" meds aren't working well. I'm just so tired of this. But I don't know what more can be done. I'm on meds, I'm seeing a therapist, but it got really bad anyway. It just feels hopeless...

Freezing response to anxiety

solabear — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 08:59:16 GMT

Hello, I really feel for you, i had terrible anxiety about 7 years ago when I couldn't leave the house and couldn't breath properly, I was frozen like you until the doctors finally found the the right medication for me. There are so many different meds out there and you have to find the one that suits you. sometimes it takes a while before they find the right one for you. I would go back to the doctors and ask for another one to try, because you shouldn't feel this bad if you were on the right ones.

Sola xx

Freezing response to anxiety

blondguy — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 09:52:03 GMT

Hi askignquestions

Thanks heaps for posting back!

Solabear has great advice in her thread above....

Solabear mentioned "I would go back to the doctors and ask for another one to try, because
you shouldn't feel this bad if you were on the right ones"

I promise you are not making a big deal out of nothing.

Your health is paramount. They can treat this....Yes it does take time and determination but there is light at the ned of the tunnel. You dont have to go through this....Anxiety symptoms will reduce if you really nag your GP and let her know whats on your plate.

you are not alone here

Paul

Freezing response to anxiety

askignquestions — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 23:37:50 GMT

Thanks, I guess I'll call on Monday.

Freezing response to anxiety

solabear — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 23:49:31 GMT

How are you feeling? I hope you're coping ok. I'm here to listen if you need to talk. I'm concerned about you ...you can talk about anything here.

hugs

Sola

Freezing response to anxiety

askignquestions — Sat, 01 Jul 2017 00:22:28 GMT

My mind is blank. I'm trying to read and do work for Uni, since I haven't done much of anything the past few weeks. But I keep disappearing and going blank, just staring off, freezing up.

I don't really have much to say. Thanks for checking in though, I appreciate it.

Freezing response to anxiety

solabear — Sat, 01 Jul 2017 01:28:31 GMT

oh...I'm so sorry to hear that. Sending hugs your way.

Don't put pressure on yourself about work, the most important thing right now is to help yourself and get better. I know it's impossible to talk, read and write when you feel this way.

Have you tried breathing exercises and meditaion? When I'm really panicky I practice being in the present. It's important to breath through your stomach ..not your chest. And focus on your breathing, watching or feeling your stomach rise and try to be thoughtless. It's a very effective relaxation technic. Or try to walk around in the house and just keep focusing on your breathing. It works for me. Also high dose of Magnesium and vitamin B helps with relaxation. You can also find guided meditation on YouTube.

My thoughts are with you

Freezing response to anxiety

askignquestions — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 00:42:28 GMT

I haven't been doing meditations, but I've been trying to breathe. Like breathing through the nausea, trying not to get sick- is where I'm at today. Yesterday was a lot of sitting, but I got through. Today I just feel sick and want to cry because of it...

Thanks for reminding me about the breathing.

Freezing response to anxiety

solabear — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 04:48:43 GMT

Have you tried high dose of magnesium and vitamin B? and eat lots of bananas, and drink lots of water.

My thoughts are with you

Hugs

Freezing response to anxiety

cakeboss — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 09:30:28 GMT

I know the feeling when your anxiety wont settle.im having couciling at the moment .Ive got a stressful situation trying to be sorted out in my life at the moment.Its somthing that is going to take time.It has set of my anxiety .Ive had my medication put up which is actually making things worse.Ive been told by the doctor that it takes time to work the medication going up.Its actually made my anxiety worse nausea and cant eat and feeling like i cant settle.Im in regular drs appointments.I suffer anxiety attacks panick attacks lately.Im trying the relaxations cds .Its horrible going through the nausea does anyone else get this with anxiety .

Freezing response to anxiety

cakeboss — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 09:42:36 GMT

Hi there i feel you when you say about the nausea.Ive been suffering the nausea to .I wake up and its there and its so hard to try and eat.Ive recently had medication put up because of some stress in my life.Ive got a great gp and counciler but yea last few days nausea has been so bad.Is there any ways in which you find help stop the nauesa .I find music is my savior its hard isnt it as you just want the nausea to stop .My gp is doing a routine blood test just to make sure not anything else.I dont have nausea all day its worse in mornings .I am trying to keep busy and distract myself from thinking about things that havent happened .

Freezing response to anxiety

blondguy — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 14:59:08 GMT

Hey askingquestions

I hope you are doing reasinably okay......seriously..

Solabear just posted above with "Have you tried high dose of magnesium and vitamin B? and eat lots of bananas, and drink lots of water"

I just heard this on the radio today...Solabear is spot on. I am going to try it myself...sounds like a plan!

Cakeboss also has a great post above too!

Paul

Freezing response to anxiety

askignquestions — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 00:54:47 GMT

Thanks. Saw my dr yesterday and we tinkered with my meds a bit. I'll see her in a week again to check in.

I eat a banana every day for breakfast, so I'm on the right track I think. I'll look into the other things.

Freezing response to anxiety

solabear — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 09:06:23 GMT

How are you feeling? I'm just saying hello and checking on you. It's good that you eat a banana for breakfast, I eat at least 2 a day and take Magnesium and Vit.B. ...it really works for anxiety.

My thoughts are with you, look forward hearing from you.

Freezing response to anxiety

CycleBreaker76 — Tue, 08 Jun 2021 10:29:20 GMT

This is the first time I have ever been on this site. I literally was googling 'freezing up' not knowing what I would find. It led me almost straight to this forum. As soon as I read what you wrote I registered on the website. I was so blown away by how you described your 'freezing' sensation, as it is exactly what I am feeling right now and over the years have felt many times before, but never given it a second thought, just dealt with it. I am very interested to see what responses you get that offer help or strategies, because the feeling for me right now is so intense and quite debilitating. Thank you for posting the question.