Do I have anxiety or is this something more ?

[SallyB99]

Hey guys, I'm currently having issues with thinking too much about things. Previously, I did have anxiety (like the jumpy, cries all the time, my stomach hurts, my chest hurts, etc.) But for the past 2 years, I haven't experienced it anymore thus far.

However, lately, I have been feeling like I don't want to talk to people anymore, everytime I try to talk to people I become very negative and nervous, and feel like they might judge me or smth. And every preaching (bcs I'm a Christian) that's being delivered to me makes me irritated. And I feel like I'm very hateful towards everything.

I am very sensitive to loud noises, if I hear them I would flinch or gets angry. Every night, I'm having trouble sleeping (if I'm not extremely tired), I have to watch something until I fall asleep, otherwise my brain is wandering too much. It thinks about the future, what I said today, did I make mistake for not doing something, and thinking about the work that I have not done yet (am I procastinating, etc.)

I feel like my brain thinks TOOOO MUCH, and I'm so irritated by it.

Is this a normal behaviour for a person to have ? Does this happen to everyone ?

[Petal22]

Hi SallyB99,

Wellcome to our forums!

Sorry you have been feeling the way.

I understand anxiety I had severe anxiety OCD…….. I had a lot of symptoms that came with it including….. a racing mind, worrying constantly, not sleeping well, emotional…….. I have now recovered from this condition…

I seeked help from health professionals…. I saw my gp we did a mental health plan together this then enabled me to see a psychologist who gave me many strategies…..

Have you thought about seeing your gp and letting them know how you have been feeling?

[geoff]

Hello Sally, and a warm welcome.

I understand what you've told us and although I'm not a doctor, this can be a form of anxiety but suggest if you can visit your doctor, they are there to help people like you as well as many others and are experienced in dealing with this problem.

If you are religious then can you not go to church on a crowded day but perhaps a day where you are by yourself, I'm not religious but appreciate how you feel.

What I used to do was turn on a radio and listen to a station where the music I liked was being played, then I could be in bed, rather than being on the couch.

Anxiety can create so many different flaws that can change from day to day and depend on the situation you're in or having to face, so this will affect in ways you would never thought it could.

Please if you can get back to us.

Geoff.

[sbella02]

Hi SallyB99,

I'm so sorry to hear that you're going through this. I was in a similar situation a few years ago, feeling hateful, having trouble sleeping because my thoughts wouldn't slow down, having difficulty talking to people because I thought everyone was judging me. I'm also a frequent procrastinator who often overthinks what I've said, what work I have to do, the future etc. I see that others have already given valuable advice, so I'd like to build on these pearls of wisdom with some techniques that have helped me in my experience.

For me, having a hobby to occupy myself and engage with really helped with my racing thoughts, because it provided a sufficient distraction where I could detach myself/focus on something external. This took the form of creative pursuits for me, but I'd imagine you'd have hobbies of your own that you enjoy. You could even try reading a novel, this generally calms me down and puts me in a state of mind that also helps me detach from the stressors of my everyday life. Just spending some alone time with yourself always helps, in my experience. Allowing yourself to process and understand your own thoughts and feelings. Meditation can also be a great way to combat self-critical thoughts especially, or engaging in prayer. I also like ASMR, which I know isn't everyone's cup of tea, but it's really relaxing once you find videos that you enjoy listening to.

If you haven't recently, I'd recommend going to talk to somebody like a psychologist or a therapist, or even your GP. It may even be reassuring to have an open, face-to-face conversation with somebody about your experiences, just to get their professional advice, and even to consolidate or put into words what you've been experiencing and how it makes you feel.

Don't be scared to reach out again, either - I'm here to talk if you need.

All the best, SB