Anxiety & Depression (may trigger anxiety)

[M25t]

Hi all ,

i have suffered from depression and anxiety for many years now. I am a very introverted person, personally i refuse to leave the house unless im working or i need groceries. I honestly dont have any friends because i find it easier and i prefer not to have any. I have found new things about myself that have developed over the past few months which i find interesting and wondering if anyone experiences that same thing.

So a few months ago i find many many things trigger my anxiety. I will give you examples, So when this trigger first happened i was sitting on my lounge watching a movie and on the corner of my eye i watch my sister spill oil all over the kitchen floor and proceed to mop it up with a DRY MOP. Why? Is exactly what i asked myself. When i saw that my anxiety got instantly triggered, i felt so angry and fustrated. I couldnt breathe , i felt like i was chocking. I had to get up, i stopped what i was doing and deep cleaned the entire house. I wanted to scream and throw things but i felt like i needed to get everything clean before i can relax. I dont have OCD but ever since this day everytime i see my house dirty especially the tiles on the floor it triggers anger and anxiety.

another thing that triggers my anxiety is when a person keeps putting stress on me (i dont mean work) mostly family members. A particular family member will stress me out to the point where i will experience panic episodes, whenever i have panic episodes i deal with it myself either i will go to my room or the bathroom and try and breathe. My family doesnt know i suffer from anxiety but they do know i suffer from depression and because of my depression they try to help my it makes it worse. For example my brother will get me to do these daily tasks like read a book and write down what i learnt and that in itself triggers my anxiety and i get so angry, i know they are trying to help but at the same time they make me feel stupid especially the way they talk to me its like they talk slow on purpose and then ask me if i understand what they mean.

I find also that when i am really really stressed out , sometimes i am that stressed out to the point i feel calm. Its difficult to explain.

I have never posted anything like this anywhere nor spoken about my mental health.

Share your story down below i would love to read and reply. 🙂

[Doolhof]

Hi M25t,

If you don't mind me asking, have you been to a Dr or a therapist of any kind to have a formal diagnosis of what you may be experiencing?

Taking time out when you are feeling anxious is a great idea. I try and do that when possible. I sometimes try and work out why I felt triggered in the first place. Some times I don't have an answer.

It sounds like your family is trying to be helpful.

On the Beyond Blue web site, they have a lot of information, including how family and friends can help people who experience mental health issues.

You may find some ideas there you can share with your family on how they can assist you beneficially.

Welcome to the forum! Wishing you all the best.

Cheers from Dools

[Soberlicious96]

Dear M25t,

Welcome to Beyond Blue, and well done for reaching out and sharing with us.

I must say, I too am a 'take a bathroom break' kind of anxiety-manager too. Taking a few minutes away from the people and the noise and whatever helps me to re-centre myself and calm down.

Perhaps though, if your symptoms seem to have become worse/more intense recently, you could talk to your doctor or mental health worker (assuming you have a regular doctor and/or mental health support person) about what is going on, and what more you can do about it?

I am by no means a professional though, just a fellow battler of anxiety.

Maybe also you could check out the 'supporting others' section here on Beyond Blue, and give your family some suggestions on what is more helpful to you, than what they are currently doing and saying? It may give you some ideas as to what you could say to them, when they say and or do the 'wrong thing' but they still want to help anyway.

While you are there, may I also suggest checking out the 'Supporting Yourself' section, for some support and advice as to what more can be done for yourself.

I hope that helps at least a little. Take care. I'll be thinking of you. xo

[M25t]

Hi Doolhof,

I have not been to a therapist for a formal diagnosis, but i have spoken to my Doctor about what i have been experiencing and my doctor has been really helpful, i was prescribe medication for my anxiety and i stop taking it after 2 weeks because i felt it was making me feel worse.

i know my family is trying to help me and it maybe because sometimes i feel like at times it gets too much.

I agree taking time away can be very helpful. I will definitely have a look into resources on beyond blue.

Thanks again dools for your helpfulness and insight.

[Doolhof]

Hi M25t,

Sounds like you have a supportive Dr. I am not sure if the Dr explained the possible effects of the medication to you. It has been my experience, that sometimes we need to take the medication for weeks before it becomes effective.

Maybe you could chat about that with your Dr next time you are there.

Can yo have an open discussion with your family about how you are feeling and what might help.

Just an example, I have asked my husband a few times to not try and discuss anything of importance while I am trying to cook! I struggle to cook, so trying to find answers and solutions to questions, let alone consider important documents that need attention while trying to cook does not go down well.

A bit like your sister with the oil on the floor issue. It is not always easy to think about letting an issue just flow past when yo have already been triggered. I am working on this!

I had to take a few deep breathes before I could return to all the pots and pans on the stove!

Hopefully you will learn ways to assist yourself to deal with issues and situations differently.

Cheers again from Dools