topic Posting for the first time in Anxiety

Posting for the first time

Rynn — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 13:15:46 GMT

Hi,

this is the first time I’ve ever posted on anything, to be honest I’m a little bit nervous. I found myself exploring beyond blue and it’s forums due to experiencing a lot of anxiety recently, I’ve had anxiety in the past but have been fine for a long time. Things that never used to bother me make me really nervous and upset now and it takes me a really long time to let go of them. Even if everything is fine I’ll find myself thinking about the event for hours afterwards, agonising over every little detail.

at the end of the day it’s been really difficult to “turn off” so I can go to bed and get some sleep.

right now I’m just looking for someone to talk to

Posting for the first time

geoff — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 16:47:38 GMT

Hello Rynn, and welcome to the site.

If you try to go to bed early when your brain’s not ready to sleep, it will focus on other things, such as for example, what's happened over the past year and still lingering on, this, unfortunately, has changed everybody's lives, their work/study or social life, keeping us in lockdown, especially if you live in Vic.

Environmental factors like a job or personal relationship or a past experience may suddenly reignite which is able to unsettle you.

Someone is here for you to talk to or the BB line 1300 22 4636 you can ring, but like to hear back from you.

Geoff.

Posting for the first time

Rynn — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 23:13:13 GMT

Hi Geoff,

thank you for for your warm welcome.
I’ve used the web chat a couple times now and and gotten some really useful information and strategies to try to help manage my day to day anxiety and it’s helping me feel more confident in myself.

the things that seem to cause me the most anxiety are things that I used to be okay with, one example is spiders. before if I saw a spider I’d just sort it out and move on, but now it’ll cause me a lot of stress, (there was one night i tried but I didn’t manage to squash it the first time and it dropped on the floor, my partner finally found it and got rid of it. But the experience left me hyperventilating) I’ll also keep thinking about it for hours after it’s been dealt with and I know the spiders gone and there’s no problem anymore.

when it’s time to wind down at the end of the day I find my mind going over every detail of the day, in particular the things that triggered me. I tell myself that everything is good and I’m okay, but then the what if questions pop into my mind. This makes me hyper aware and unable to relax, then while the what if questions are going around I start thinking of things around the house that I need to do or clean.
I end up watching tv till late in the evening to distract myself until I’m really tired.

Posting for the first time

Guest_4643 — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 07:23:56 GMT

Hey Rynn, welcome to the forums.

We're here for you, as am I if you need anyone to talk to.

Posting for the first time

Ggrand — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 08:58:42 GMT

Hello Rynn..

Welcome to our forums..

I used to think about my day and the things that caused me anxiety when I went to bed for the night..it’s so hard to turn the thoughts off...

I discovered sleep stories...which are gently spoken stories that can take our mind into beautiful places of adventure and peace...I listen to Dan Jones sleep stories on you tube..maybe you could give this a try for a while..My mind still does wonder away from the story..but I gently bring my concentration back to his words...Maybe the stories might help you to take your mind away from your anxiety thoughts and help you to fall asleep with a calm and peaceful mind..

My kindest and most caring thoughts dear Rynn..

Grandy..

Posting for the first time

Rynn — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 10:54:59 GMT

Thank you Grandy,

I’ll have to find my headphones and give that a try. I think a good nights sleep is a very powerful and helpful thing to make the next day run smoother and that much better. And I know I function a whole lot better after a good nights sleep.

Posting for the first time

Rynn — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 11:08:44 GMT

Thank you for your reply.
I tend to really overthink things, and the more I think about it the worse it seems to get till eventually it’s like the end of the world.

finding a way to break the cycle can be really difficult, then I’m just stuck in this ongoing loop.

Posting for the first time

Guest_4643 — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 12:08:15 GMT

Hey Rynn, I'm sorry to hear that. I understand and know how you feel though, I'm the same.

Posting for the first time

Ggrand — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 12:50:16 GMT

Hello Dear Rynn..

I really hope that it works for you..

Yes a good night sleep is so very important and it really helps us more then we realise with our mental health...as well as physical health...

I really do hope Dear Rynn, that you manage a restful sleep..

Kind thoughts..

Grandy..

Posting for the first time

Whatsitallabout — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 14:15:07 GMT

Hi I just found this site tonight and read your post. I can’t offer much advice but just thought I’d let you know that Im struggling with exactly the same problem. I can’t sleep till really late because of everything whirring around on my mind. 4am is a normal bedtime for me at the moment. Last year I started to tackle the problem by going walking - 2- 3 hours everyday while listening to podcasts (something positive like David Goggins) It did help with the sleeping but I haven’t been able to keep up with it this year and so the sleeping problem is back. I hope you can find something that works for you. There’s nothing worse than not having decent sleep especially when it becomes and ongoing problem. Take care and good luck

Posting for the first time

geoff — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 15:05:23 GMT

Hello Rynn, ' at the end of the day I find my mind going over every detail of the day', can be referred to 'as chewing the cud', when you just can’t stop thinking about something that really got under your skin, maybe today, yesterday or a couple of years ago, such as no one wants to be your friend, or perhaps why you’re not in a meaningful relationship and the list goes on.

I just wonder whether you have been diagnosed by your doctor, which I'm not, but anxiety can create many types of disorders, but if you can yourself firmly in the present and be realistic about what you do and do not have control over, and ask yourself 'can I do anything about this now', the answer would most likely be no.

That's exactly what I ask myself if for any reason this happens to me, then my mind is put to rest because why worry if you can't do anything about it now.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

Posting for the first time

Guest_4643 — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 03:15:38 GMT

Hi What's it all about? , welcome to the forums. Hi to Rynn and others here too.

I go to sleep at about 2am or something because of insomnia. It sucks. Then I wake up feeling so tired.

Posting for the first time

Rynn — Sat, 23 Jan 2021 11:16:59 GMT

Hi Geoff,

I haven’t been to see my doctor yet, but I plan to. The last couple days though I have been trying to really question those “what if” questions, so far it feels like it’s helping. I guess it’s about finding things that help and starting and committing to new habits.

Posting for the first time

Rynn — Sat, 23 Jan 2021 11:31:52 GMT

Hi everyone,

it’s been a really busy couple of days. lots on the to-do list.
just wondering if anyone had tried changes to their diet to help decrease anxiety? I recently read that including more whole grains, fatty fish, and whole foods (veggies) helps not just with physical health but also with mental health.

what’s it all about?, you suggested walking. I’m not much for walking but I do enjoy swimming and I usually feel much more relaxed on days that I’ve been to the pool.

I know that tired feeling all to well mb20lover, so much coffee needed the next morning

Posting for the first time

geoff — Sat, 23 Jan 2021 15:04:15 GMT

Hello Rynn, in regard to food, it will help you better if you decide yourself but a little guidance from someone else can help you, but not if it's been pressured on to you, dictatorial behaviour goes against everything you've wanted.

Any 'what if' questions may have to be achievable because as soon as they become an underlying doubt in your own ability and control and impossible at that precise moment to accomplish, it then can make us doubt any other 'what if'.

Swimming is a remarkable way to help yourself and so pleased to hear back from you.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

Posting for the first time

Guest_4643 — Mon, 25 Jan 2021 07:23:27 GMT

Hey Rynn, just wanted to see how you're going?

Posting for the first time

Rynn — Mon, 25 Jan 2021 11:46:50 GMT

Thank you so much for checking in, that means so much to me.
I had a couple of okay days, just super hot where I am. Then tonight I found myself questioning everything again. Now I’m just trying to relax and ground myself. A lot of the time the questions in my mind are things I couldn’t change even if I wanted to; for example what if I was too loud in the library today and someone found it annoying and will be upset at me next time I go. Logically I'm sure if I was too loud someone would have told me at the time, but now that the day has slowed down this seems to be the place my mind wonders.
Thank you again for checking in, it really does mean a lot.
How have you been?

Posting for the first time

Guest_4643 — Mon, 25 Jan 2021 12:09:56 GMT

Hey Rynn, you're more than welcome. I'm glad it means a lot to you.

I'm sorry to hear that, I have the same thoughts and anxiety. I'm sure you were fine at the library.

I'm struggling myself, thanks for checking in also.

Posting for the first time

Ggrand — Mon, 25 Jan 2021 12:22:01 GMT

Dear Rynn...

Our thoughts seem to constantly re live our day at night..

I start listening to music and light my candles turn my lights of and watch the little flames flickering while I’m listening to the music or sleep story....It really helps me to distract my critical mind from today’s events...

Maybe when your mind starts wandering..can you find something that you enjoy doing that takes your full concentration...Our minds can only think one thought at a time..therefore if you manage to distract it onto something pleasing....it will give your mind a short break and rest..

Hope you sleep well tonight dear Rynn...

My kindest and most caring thoughts..

Grandy..

Posting for the first time

Rynn — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 00:29:21 GMT

Hi mb20lover,

I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been struggling. I’m here if you want someone to talk to.

it’s been an interesting few days for me this week.
there’s been lots to do out of the house, so I’ve kept up going out and doing things. It feels like a good day while I’m out but then when I get home I’m thinking over every little detail again, feeling like everyone was judging me.
I’ve started swimming most days and then I crochet in the evenings, but I still can’t fall asleep till after 2am. So tired the next day.