Anxiety & Relationships

[KP24]

Hi,

I am new to this online forum and was hoping to find out some strategies or idea's of how to deal with my anxiety. I have always been a worrier, but these unaddressed issues have seen my relationship suffering and are also impacting my work. At the moment I see a counsellor who said I am your Type A personality one that strives to excel yet these simple life functioning skills around my anxiety are non existent.

I want to save my relationship, I also what to learn as much as I can about how other's have coped as I do not see the bright light when I am in the midst of it all. I am now living in the house by myself and I am struggling with handling everything and I don't want to resort to drinking which is something I have done in the past to slow my brain down.

Any idea's? 

[white knight]

Hi KP, welcome to beyond blue forums

I was nicknamed the "worrier" as a teen by a teacher. Then at 33yo it all came crashing down with a workplace issue. That was 1987 and therapy commenced as well as meds and relaxation exercises.

At the time I believed the exercises and therapy was a waste of time. I was wrong. Therapy lasted 12 months. The meds were ceased 12 years later. The relaxation exercises continued to this day. Every night prior to sleep I do the whole body muscle tensioning exercises and its great.

So you can see its a long term recovery procedure but it might take much less time depending on the person.

Other tips include- get a hobby. Mind distraction is a good one. I took up model airplanes for many years. Building them when I couldnt sleep etc.

There are some threads here for you to use search for that could help. Try the following

Boredom - the closed door to fun

Seeking the origin of anxiety

6 tip for helping the mind- when things dont sink in

Your secret to mind control

Inexpensive recovery idea- camping   (might be worth considering )

Good luck.  Tony WK

[JessF]

Hello KP24, you say that you are living on your own, were you previously living with a partner? Also, what skills is your counsellor providing you with other than telling you what your personality type is? 

[KP24]

Hi Jess,

Yes I am living alone now and I haven't been coping very well with this. My counsellor just wants me at the moment to focus on myself. He is worried I won't be able to make it through this tough time. 

 I had an accident where I injured myself as I passed out, I don't recall what happened but I've hurt my eye.

 my anxiety makes it harder to leave the house now.

[JessF]

How do you get on with your counsellor? I only ask because so far you've said he's done a personality test for you and told you he's worried you won't be able to handle the tough times. That doesn't sound very positive, I would expect him to be helping you learn some coping strategies.