Anxiety setback

[Muddlee]

Okay so this is what has happened. For the past 7-8 months I've been doing really well - managing my GAD, sticking to my approach, seeing my gp, meditating, going out with gf and friends etc etc. I felt like everything was going really great - I was letting time do the healing, managing really well and I was actually starting to see a lot of my old confidence return. But the last few weeks haven't been the best - I'm starting to spend a lot my time worrying, departing from my techniques, feeling exhausted a lot more and losing my good form I previously had. And worst thing is today was my 1 year anniversary with my gf - things were not too bad until we came home and I honestly felt like i was going to have a panic attack. I managed it alright with some calm breathing, thought challenging and warm self-advice but i still feel like this is not a normal setback. I feel like this will be my slow descent back into my uncontrollable anxiety i had about a year and a half ago. I need advice - is this just a another bout of setback where the anxious part of me is thinking the worst or is this something else out my control? Need help peeps - either way i feel s lot better putting it out in the open :))

Mudddleee

[Just Sara]

Hey Muddlee!

Your story is very common, so don't go convincing yourself this is the end because it's not.

Panicking about having a panic attack when we start to feel some anxiety after feeling great, says you're on the ball with self insight. I did the same thing as a matter of course every time I had a strong coffee, when the caffeine kicked in I thought I was having a relapse.

Those of us who've experienced anxiety in it's most horrible form, know exactly how devastating it can be, so being hyper about it returning is totally understandable ok? On your night out did you consume alcohol or strong coffee? Adrenaline responses can trigger memories of past attacks. It's scary because we don't have a cause or reason and end up trying to analyse the shit out of it until we're actually having a panic attack!

Learning what it feels like in your body can help to identify when something has been caused by food or drink for instance, then learning to rationalise and calm yourself gets easier with time. I'm not saying this is what it was for you, but I've had it so many times I could scream. I know now when coffee hits cause 'that' feeling in my chest/abdomen I need to drink water instead for a while.

It seems you're in a place where you have lots of support and resources. I hope I haven't been too flippant...it's late and my writing mojo has waned..sorry.

Keep tabs with us ok? Hopefully someone with some mojo left can be more helpful.

Kind thoughts...Sara xo

[blondguy]

Hello Muddlee

You've really done well with your coping skills and good on you!

I see that Sara has some great help above too. I understand your pain with anxiety after having it for many years.

No different to a roller coaster ride. We do have setbacks or low periods with our anxiety. Its just part of the disorder. Unfortunately it takes a while for the symptoms to become unimportant (the severity of the anxiety does decrease with calm and true acceptance that the symptoms are still only feelings)

I hope today is good to you and happy anniversary to you both.

There is nothing out of control, just the feelings of anxiety being a nuisance. Your old confidence is still there, its the anxiety masking it

my kind thoughts

Paul

[Muddlee]

Thanks so much guys for your support xoxo. Still feeling a bit down in the dumps but it's not mattering as much as it did a couple of days ago. Thinking about seeing my psychologist after university finishes just to get me back on track if things are still a bit of a struggle over the next couple of weeks . And Sara i just realised I DID have caffeine that night in the form of a red bull can at about 8:00pm :z it would certainly contribute to the erratic change in my heartbeat and the 'jittery' feeling i had the whole night. And thanks paul for your warm words ❤️ Anxiety can certainly be a roller coaster but i know my old confidence and improvement hasn't gone anywhere, its just a bit hard to see at the moment.

Thanks for the support guys ❤️

Muddleee

[Just Sara]

You're welcome Muddlee;

As you build you tool box of strategies and insight, triggers can be dealt with so much more effectively and efficiently; that's our 'reward' for hard work.

Keep on keeping on...Sara xo (Well done!!)