Anxiety since I was 8

[Georgios]

I have been anxiety since the age of 7 seven, although I.didn't know it at time, I am now 48years, and on medication for last 10 years. Last week I had a panic attack over a missed mortgage payment, and wake up in panic and thinking the bank.will take house and we will.be on the streets with my 5 year old daughter. I had not been able to relax ever since and unable to concentrate at work or home ever since. I am now looking and abseced about, working extra hours and finding extra work.for more money, this has now brought me back 20 years to.when I had no money as a student, and feel the past 20 years has been for nothing, as I feel nothing has changed in life and has only.gone backwards. After feeling so.well last couple of years in now feel worthless and am.starting to withdraw from my wife and daughter. Wish could feel well.like before this panic attack.

Thanks

[Tom_C]

Hi, Georgios. It sounds as though things are really difficult for you at the moment, so I'm sorry to hear that. I'm new to these forums so I can only speak from my own experience with anxiety. Perhaps someone else here can point you to other resources on the website.
Have you seen a counsellor or psychologist to talk about your anxiety, as well as taking the medication? Talking to a therapist helps me a lot with my own issues, as otherwise I can't get what's happening into proportion, or work out if there is an underlying trigger for my anxious feelings.
You feel that life has only gone backwards over the last 20 years, but you also mention your wife and daughter, and your home, and the fact that you had started feeling well until this recent problem came up. Meanwhile you are trying hard to solve the financial issues through getting extra work. It sounds from those things as though you have actually gone a long way forwards in life. Are you able to give yourself some credit for getting to where you are now despite facing anxiety problems since you were a child? That takes effort and courage. In addition, if you have felt well recently then perhaps what is happening now is a temporary setback, which you can recover from with help. Maybe you can also get some online advice about your mortgage worries, or speak to the bank?
If I feel worthless over something it helps me to imagine how I would feel about a friend who was in the same situation. I usually find I am a lot less harsh towards the imaginary friend than I am to myself.
Hope this helps.
Tom

[geoff]

dear Georgio, hi and welcome to this forum.

It's such a long time to try and cope with anxiety, which I am deeply sorry for, but I can truly relate to your comment as I was in a similar situation, so would it be possible for me to ask you just a couple of questions, and please only answer if you feel like it.

The first is, was there anything that you did back when you were young to try and overcome or stop these anxiety attacks, and I am really interested in these obsessions that you are having, not only about the mortgage payment but other behaviour you display from a panic attack. Geoff.

[Doolhof]

Hi Tom C,

Welcome to Beyond Blue and the community here. I have just read your post, it is very helpful. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and advice. Gorgious and others can benefit from what you have shared.

I'd just like to encourage you to join in and contribute any time. We can all benefit from another person's ideas and points of view.

Learning what works for others is a great way for all of us to be willing to try something different and new!

Thanks again from Mrs. Dools or Lauren

[Doolhof]

Hi Georgios,

Welcome to Beyond Blue and to the Community here. I hoped it has helped you a little to be able to write down how you are feeling. I find it can be so good just to get thoughts out of my mind.

You have already received some great advice and support from Tom C and Geoff.

I suffer from depression and stress and do feel anxious at times, so understand a little of how you are feeling.

As suggested, it will benefit you to talk to a medical professional about how you are feeling. It is not always easy to get in to see your Dr. straight away, so while you are waiting for an appointment, you can use the telephone help lines.

I have used the Beyond Blue help line and a few others that are available as well. People on the phone can help ease your concerns and make suggestions on how to help your situation.

Try talking with your wife about how you are feeling. Let her know what is going on so she is "in the picture" so to speak. When people feel like they are being pushed away and they don't know why, it can just make more problems.

If you have time this weekend or next, organise a special day out for your family. If money is tight it does not have to be an expensive outing. Let your family know you love them.

Like Tom C also mentioned, have a chat with the people at the bank. That will help to ease your mind.

One day at a time, one step at a time and you will make it.

All the best to you from Mrs. Dools or Lauren