Anxiety's back big time

[Gazza17]

Hey guys, very new to this, so I thought I would start with a quick background to my story.

I have been suffering from anxiety for well over 8 years, and at one stage, I hadn't slept properly for over 6 years, I would lay awake repeating simple issues over and over in my mind, i was very frigidity, i would break down and weep for no reason,I couldn't concentrate at work(my work suffered big time). Simple tasks became a night mare, and I just couldn't function in everyday life.

With the help from my very loving and understanding wife,and my local GP things got better over time, I did quit the job i loved ( this was a very stressful job) and found a less stressful job, my family rallied around me and helped and i did seek professional advice from councilors and physicists, and things got much better and for the last 18 months all was going really well, but for the last few months, i have fallen back a little and the beast seems to be creeping up on me again, life is really good at the moment, and i think i have no real stresses going on, but i feel like its starting all over again, but my symptoms seem much more serve this time around, I haven't slept more than 10 hours in 5 days, and haven't been able to work for the last 2 days, has anyone got any suggestions for me, do i need to try harder to control the anxiety, cant really afford of the profession help that i had before.

Thx Gazza17

[geoff]

hi Gazza, welcome to the site and thanks for posting your comment.
Even though you did love your job, but if it was a stressful one then in the long run it's much better that you do leave it, because later on the stress is only going to get worse, as you start to climb up the ladder.
You can well and truly get your life back on track, which is terrific, but depression will always be there within you, but that doesn't mean you can't get on with life, however it's still possible that you may have a relapse, maybe for some reason or perhaps for no particular reason, but what you have to understand is that you were strong enough to overcome it and have learnt a lot by doing this, whether or not you can recognise this, but it will only be temporary.
When I have one I know that it will only last a couple of weeks until I begin to feel better again, and each time I will learn not to do something which maybe the cause of this relapse, so you gain strength along the way.
Let this beast run while at the meantime you are getting all the support you need, help from your doctor and whether you have seen a psychologist to contact them once again, but one thing you shouldn't do and that's not to punish yourself, because if you do then it will take longer for you to overcome it again.
The best of luck but please get back to us. Geoff.

[Starwolf]

Good to meet you Gazza.

Depression and anxiety come and go in waves. Sometimes due to some trigger, other times for no apparent reason. As your symptoms are more severe this time around, I'd suggest you book a long GP appointment. You may need to go on a mental health plan which entitles you to 5 to10 subsidised therapy sessions. Medication (or readjustment if you are already on it) could also help you over this difficult stretch.

In addition, there are also a few coping strategies you could try.

You could download the Smiling Mind app mindfulness). You could also check out Relaxed Body Scan and Relaxed Breathing. Both require persistent practice before becoming effective when you need them most.

Kindest thoughts.

[blondguy]

Hi Gazza

I think you are a legend for being as pro-active as you have been through all of this

Geoff & Starwolf have excellent advice above which is invaluable

'Controlling the anxiety' can be counterproductive as we really need to use genuine and calm acceptance without resistance which actually renders these awful feelings impotent as they feed on fear

Calm & genuine Acceptance of anxiety takes time and practice of course.

Dr Claire Weekes wrote an easy to read small book called 'Self Help for Your Nerves' She was a psychiatrist that actually suffered from anxiety attacks and shows how to let anxiety 'float' over us

my kind thoughts for you

Paul

[Gazza17]

Good morning team

thanks for the post, I found the suggestion immediately helpful.

My whole family sat together last night and we made a list of possible triggers that might of set off this bout of anxiety, most of the list were everyday life issues or concerns, and as we were making this list i felt fine and didn't seem to stress over any of the issues, I wasn't looking for an immediate fix, but just wanted to really have a good look for what might of triggered this. I have made another appointment for my GP to discuss the idea of going back on medication, but i really struggle with the medications as it has some side effects that don't agree with me, or hopefully get on another health plan.

thanks all for your help

i will let you know the outcome