topic Anxiety, panic, and just coping. in Anxiety

Anxiety, panic, and just coping.

QldMouse — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 23:08:11 GMT

Hi,

I know I'm not alone by any means (Thank you Beyond Blue) but somehow that knowledge does not help.

Trust me I've read a lot, been to a lot of therapy, made a lot of progress. But.

That awful feeling of panic, then stupidity sets in, irrational behaviour kicks into high gear, breath gets difficult, speech becomes impossible, and then the chest pain and headaches set in. In spite of wishing for the ground to open up and swallow me, it does not. I have to deal with my issues.

In spite of a desperate need to connect with people I drive them away, and run away myself. I am so tired of being an anxiety riddled social lepper. And I have so tried. Now out of visits on my mental health plan, and can't afford the therapy I need, what do people do?

Thank you all.

PS. to White Rose you lovely contributor, it is so nice to see your avatar but so sad to hear your news. I am thinking of you and so hope you recover and feel better very soon.

Anxiety, panic, and just coping.

White_Rose — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 23:13:10 GMT

Hello Mouse

Just finished posting to the other person and saw your post. It is lovely to talk to you again but sad to learn you are still struggling. I have to go out to my volunteer job but thought I would drop you a brief line first.

Mary

Anxiety, panic, and just coping.

QldMouse — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 23:21:44 GMT

Thank you, have a good day. I have to work now too. I owe, I owe, its off to work I go!!!

Anxiety, panic, and just coping.

White_Rose — Mon, 22 Jul 2019 03:58:32 GMT

Hello Mouse

I am sad you are not managing too well. I thought when you stopped posting that life had become better for you but it seems not. When did you stop seeing the psychiatrist?

Your description of a panic attack is absolutely right. All those symptoms and feelings are so hard to handle. Afterwards the feeling of stupidity is almost as bad. When you were seeing the psych did she make any suggestions on how to manage these?

It's unfortunate you are out of mental health plan visits. How do you feel about seeing a counsellor from another organisation? Relationships Australia make minimal charges I believe. Depending where you live you may be able to access Anglicare services or the Salvation Army. Your GP may know more about what is available.

We do have a thoroughly human need to connect to people. It's hardwired into us. And that's what makes it so hard when we get scared or anxious about meeting people. It's the two-step shuffle. One step forward and one back. Where do you think is the best place to meet people? By that I mean where do you feel most comfortable generally. This may be a good place to start talking. I remember you said in your original thread that often your fellow workers would come and tell you their troubles. While that's not a direct help for you it can be practice in simply being there. Of course I am presuming you are still in the same job.

Is your daughter still around? I remember she was a great support for you. Perhaps you can talk to her. We all need someone who simply accepts us as we are. You said I know I'm not alone by any means (Thank you Beyond Blue) but somehow that knowledge does not help. I think that is right at times. It can be a comfort to know you are not the only person who feels this way but it's more helpful if you can talk to someone with a similar experience than simply 'know' others have it just as hard.

I think it's great that you are responding to other threads and can offer your experiences to others. So often we can help another and find it has helped us also. I know I certainly find this.

Here is a link to Anglicare services. https://betterrelationships.org.au/services/ Perhaps they can offer some help. I know they do not charge for their services.

Mary

Anxiety, panic, and just coping.

Doolhof — Mon, 22 Jul 2019 04:45:57 GMT

Hello Mouse,

Like Mary, I am sorry to read that you are struggling and not knowing where to turn for help and assistance.

Hopefully reconnecting tot he forum may provide you with some sense of assistance, care and comfort while you try to locate assistance as well where you are living.

Panic attacks really are a weird experience aren't they! I'm not saying that I enjoy them at all, I just try hard not to put myself down after one, realising I have very little control over them. They can be extremely inconvenient at times. Well, maybe always!

That needing people and yet driving them away is a difficult situation to balance out. It can be so easy at times to misinterpret another person's actions as well.

Is there one thing you can work on this week to help you to reconnect with someone? Even if it is just smiling at a stranger on the street or saying hello to someone.

I saw on Facebook, there is a shop in Holland that now has a shopping counter set up especially for people to have a chat as they are purchasing their goods. The store also has a café area where they encourage people to gather and chat to one another. Talk about connectiveness!

You mentioned you have made a lot of progress. Congratulations on that. I know down days can pop in now and then. Hopefully you can recall some of what works for you and put those things into action.

Hope you manage to get through this day okay.

Cheers from Dools

Anxiety, panic, and just coping.

QldMouse — Tue, 23 Jul 2019 06:41:58 GMT

Hi White Rose,

Sadly, it is a long story and I so hate long stories but I stopped seeing my old therapist over 15 months ago when she moved, changed jobs, life and got married. She still checks in on me from time to time which is so nice.

In the meantime, the rollercoaster has continued. That is life right. . The peaks and troughs feel like they have been taller and deeper this year, and trying to keep on a brave face and hold all the threads together while trying to keep all the balls in the air … you get the idea. But I have been making baby steps getting out with people, and really like it.

I’ve been bushwalking with a club and its mostly been fantastic. I had a horrible trip with one leader and am struggling to even be around her. It is a work in progress.

This years mental health plan was with another Psychologist, probably the most experienced yet and very easy to talk with, very understanding. But only 10 sessions are subsidised, and my financial situation is very tight, I can’t afford her ongoing.

Thank you so much for the links, I will check them out.

Take care.

Anxiety, panic, and just coping.

QldMouse — Tue, 23 Jul 2019 06:43:18 GMT

Hi Doolhof,

it is lovely to see you too. Very interesting about the trends in Holland, I wonder if the café sells those special Dutch cookies from Amsterdam!!

I’m shocked at how bad the attack from two weeks ago was, trigger after trigger and compounded panic as my “flight mode” kicked in. Literally I was supposed to carpool but I drove about a 100km on my own in a very poor state of mind. Then the lady in charge said later “if you want to do your own thing then just go” and I drove 100km back feeling very isolated, sad and having a hypo. Not good.

Fortunately I had two very excellent bushwalks on the weekend just past, which had restored my faith a lot. But then back into the work week and facing life has been a challenge. And it is only Tuesday.

The journey continues, one foot step at a time.

Thank you and take care.

Anxiety, panic, and just coping.

BoltRog — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 09:54:34 GMT

Wanna be friends? Haha we can be social leppers together.

BoltRog

Anxiety, panic, and just coping.

White_Rose — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 14:40:15 GMT

Hello Mouse

I am so pleased you are managing baby steps. I think that's the best way to go although it is frustrating at times. It's a bit like learning to drive. Feet, hands and brain get tangled up and what looks easy in a competent driver is a whole new ballgame for the learner.

I am sorry you lost your psych as you got on well with her and made good progress. I can also understand the cost involved. As you are still working your Medicare safety net provision does not kick in until you have accrued $2133 in out of pocket expenses. Keep up to date by looking at the Medicare web page. I understand you can access a few more sessions aft you have used up the ten sessions. Check with Medicare or your doctor.

Exercise is great for addressing mental illness. Bush walking sounds far more enjoyable than walking round the streets or going to the gym. It's great you have people to walk with. So pleased you have received posts from two other people here.

I am falling asleep again. Haematologist tells me I am short of B12. Not sure how many injections I need, how often do I have them and who is going to give them to me. My GP gave me the second shot today and will do so again next week. Oh joy. At the moment I fall asleep in the middle of doing anything. Not a good look so I am hoping the B12 will do the trick. I need some sleep. It's 12:30 am when all good people are safely tucked in theory. Do you have any thoughts on Henry.

Love,

Mary

Anxiety, panic, and just coping.

White_Rose — Tue, 30 Jul 2019 05:41:39 GMT

Hello Mouse

I have just read my post and feel quite shocked. I have no idea who Henry is and I think I must have written this in my sleep. How very disconcerting. I think I had best not post late at night. Oh my word, I do feel silly.

Mary

Anxiety, panic, and just coping.

Doolhof — Tue, 30 Jul 2019 07:36:56 GMT

Hi QldMouse and All reading,

There are some bush walks near us I would like to go on and tried to talk my husband into joining me but he is not interested. I am concerned there is no mobile phone coverage in that area. My ankle is still not 100 percent so I would feel better if someone was with me in case I have another injury.

Hope you have managed to do some more activities you have enjoyed to help boost your level of good stuff that is happening in your life.

It is helpful when we are aware of our triggers and can find an off switch! That is not always possible though is it! Guess what we need to do then is work out how to move on from those events.

I know I have bolted out of Church a few times due to panic attacks that have been triggered by what I am not sure!

Hoping you have some nice things planned for the coming weekend.

Cheers from Dools

Anxiety, panic, and just coping.

Doolhof — Tue, 30 Jul 2019 07:38:56 GMT

Hi Mary,

I was volunteering at the home for the elderly toady and managed to get so many names wrong!

As long as I remember who I am I guess that is all that matters!

When I start signing my name as Doolhof outside of the forum then I will know I have problems!

Cheers from Dools

Anxiety, panic, and just coping.

White_Rose — Tue, 30 Jul 2019 22:24:11 GMT

Hello Dools and a wave to Mouse

I have signed my real name on these forums at times and posted the reply. Fortunately the mods were able to change it. Whew. It's not that I don't want my name known but it is policy not to use these names. I have not yet signed anything outside the forum as Mary or White Rose. When I see a confused look on someone's face and realise how I have signed it will be a good reminder to to read the post before sending it off.

Mary

Anxiety, panic, and just coping.

QldMouse — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 10:16:23 GMT

@BoltRog

Absolutely, lets start a club, get a tree house and everything. It might need to be a very big tree house ...

We are not alone I think!

Anxiety, panic, and just coping.

QldMouse — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 10:49:15 GMT

Hello ladies,

I'm so glad we sorted out who was Henry, and the fact that we all get confused at times!!

Thank you for your comments, somehow it does take the sharp edges off life to find out that you are not the only one feeling these feelings, getting these strange looks, walking into solid objects that jump out at you ... oh hold on that is just me!!!

Doolhof I understand how hard it is to find someone to walk with, I joined a walking club and its really good. They are very organised and I feel safe walking with them. I recommend it. Be safe.

Still taking baby steps, tripping over a few steps but moving.

All the best.

Qld-White-rabbit, er moose?!?! Sigh, bed time!!

Anxiety, panic, and just coping.

White_Rose — Thu, 01 Aug 2019 20:26:01 GMT

Hello Mouse and a wave to BoltRog

Thanks for not writing me off as a complete idiot. Also thanks for your post which is a delightful as usual. Glad you still have your sense of humour. I find it goes a long way to settling me if I can laugh. What does Readers Digest say? Laughter is the best medicine and I think they may have something there.

A tree house? Now that's different. Best to try for one of those huge Moreton Bay Figs for your tree house. You can get a few people in one of those. I see we are getting the EKKA winds already. So cold unless you can find a sunny sheltered area. You will need to take this into consideration when building.

I have found it good to learn I am in the same boat as others. The day I realised I was not the only one was such a relief. Other people felt the same as me. Wow!

Are you still reading Gifts? It's something I can go back to all the time. Some good stuff there. Good to hear about the baby steps. They are the safest and such a relief to know we are moving forward. I keep asking my GP to use her magic wand and she keeps saying the batteries are flat. Sigh.

I hope you have a good day.

Mary

Anxiety, panic, and just coping.

Doolhof — Thu, 01 Aug 2019 21:06:26 GMT

Hi Mouse, Mary, BoltRog and All,

A tree house is something I have wanted on this property, and water in the dam. It would be excellent sitting up in the tree house watching the ducks on the dam listening to the frogs and having friends over to share the experience.

Running into things is something I do sometimes. Especially door frames! They jump out at me like a rugby tackler!

I also ask my husband not to talk to me while I am trying to cook or else he will have burnt offerings for dinner or alternately have to wait ages as I forget to turn the stove top on!

Do any of you have any plans for the weekend?

My sister said she may be coming either Friday late afternoon or Saturday some time for a visit. I find it easier for me if I know when she is coming!

Hope you all have a good weekend no matter what you end up doing.

Cheers from Dools

Anxiety, panic, and just coping.

QldMouse — Fri, 02 Aug 2019 01:01:42 GMT

Hi White Rose, Doolhof, and the internet (!)

Thank you yes, I keep a sense of humour close at all time. I find it a good shield to hide behind and prevent people seeing the actual hurt. I see that in others more and more, and wonder about their struggle.

I am still reading and collecting gifts, I cling to them even though some people in my life have chastised me for it. I realise that says more about them and their struggles than me but I continue to take it to heart.

Thank you I do have a plan to leave the house, and walk both days of the weekend. I know that will get me out of the dumps for many hours and that just feels so much better.

Have a great weekend.

Anxiety, panic, and just coping.

Marty89 — Fri, 02 Aug 2019 11:16:56 GMT

Oh the panic and breathless feeling. I have the same thing and it is so debilitating! Is there anything that you have tried that has helped you with these symptoms?

Anxiety, panic, and just coping.

Doolhof — Fri, 02 Aug 2019 23:00:36 GMT

Hi Mouse,

Hope you manage to get out for those walks. I might go for a walk myself. Also hoping to do some gardening. I might ask around and see if there are any walking groups in the area. I know of one that goes on a Sunday morning, that is when I am at Church.

A sense of humour can help. It does make me wonder sometimes what is behind a person's humour, is it a tortured soul trying to find happiness, or a genuinely cheerful person sharing their joy with the world.

Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Cheers from Dools