Does it ever stop?

[leo232]

I'm proud of myself for how far I've come in regards to battling anxiety. I am tenacious and I wont ever give up...but they always said it would get easier. That I'd learn to live with it. but its not easier, I'm just stronger. I just want a break. I just want one day, just one, where I can relax. Where I can put my feet up and say "ahh what a lovely relaxing day". But i can't. I can't relax. It's so draining. I have no energy, no peace, no sleep, I cant' eat because I'm constantly nauseous, I can't be in social settings without using every bit of my energy to keep me from throwing up. I can't get on buses or trains and yet I can't pass my driving test because I get horrible test anxiety. I have no job because every time i get one I end up having a massive panic attack in the backroom and then Im told I need to take some "personal time". Im sleep deprived, bored, house ridden and broke. I just want it to stop. just ONE day then i promise I'll keep going. Like I always have, just let me have one day. I feel like there's no one else in the world who knows this, but there has to be. Is there anyone that can tell me theyve been here and eventually you get your day of rest?!

[beingbyrne]

I've been there….. what you've been describing…but I certainly didn't put up with it. I was at the doctor surgery every day to see my GP until we found the right medication for me. Eventually I was referred  to a psychiatrist who gave me the right medication, which is a type of antidepressant, but it works very well for anxiety due to it's sedating effect. Instantly I was relaxed, sleeping well and I was able to eat. No more panic attacks or nausea, life was a lot better.

So, please don't put up with this suffering, go and get help. Anxiety is a very treatable condition these days, you just have to find the right person who takes  you seriously, and don't give up until you got results.

I hope this was helpful and looking forward to hearing from you again. 

[GemmaR]

Hey Leo!!

Trust me, i know how you're feeling! It sucks so badly and you would do almost anything to just have a break. I'm 20 years old and from what i can remember, its been five years since i suffered my first ever full blown panic attack, it's been constant ever since! I am absolutely horrified at the thought of getting sick (although i think that's just my evil anxiety feeding off something). There's actually a book i once read, which obviously doesn't cure anxiety but it definitely makes a lot of sense. its called "living with it" and in the book  "it" is your anxiety, its like a crazy monster in your head that just wants to bring you down and make you feel crappy!! 

Anyways before i keep rambling on.. YES!! you will get that break you are wishing, praying & dreaming for! It might not be today, or tomorrow, but it will come, And when it does, you'll be over the moon! going to your GP definitely does help, but from my experience with meds, i wouldn't let them put you on anything too full on or anything that HAS to be taken daily. They will just zonk you out and push you away from reality (even though you probably feel as though you cant get any further away from it!). I know this sounds hard, but maybe try some exercise, just a 30 minute walk each day can really improve your mentality, it doesn't have to be a power walk around a track, it can just be a stroll around your neighborhood, don't go too far but each day you may feel a little more confident to go that little bit further! i really wish i had a magic wand where i could take away your anxiousness i really do! and i really feel for you! I hope maybe what i have told you has helped a little! good luck Leo, stay positive, only better days to come!

[Riss]

Well first of all Leo may I say congratulations for reaching out that takes so much strenghth to do that. But let me tell you I too have been were hou are. Iz thought my life would never be the same again. That id never be able to watch a movie or to sit down for more then 30 seconds with out feeling ressless or needing to run to the toilet cause of my nervous stomach. 

I couldnt even be alone with my own thoughts freaking me out untill I was put on medication and Leo let me tell you it was like God switched on the lights in my brain. With in a week I was sleeping better, going out and able to relax. After a month I was a diffrent woman stronger then I had ever been. I even got the courage to leave my husband !!

Still to this day I am a stronger person. Im not affraied of anything much any more Im awsome in public things and places and I stick up for myself now. And you will find your way too. Go to your GP and get help asap it will change your life

Riss.

[Zygote]

Hi Leo. 

I have been where you're at.  I'm there now 🙂  But a few years ago I conquered it for a little while.  I got a job, made lots of friends, started going to the gym, got buff lol.  So yeah you can get out of it to an extent.  

I still did get those moments you know, where you say or do something stupid and it comes pouring back, bright red face and pure shocking embarrassment but yeah I learned to to just ignore it as much as I could.

I think the way it worked for me at least was I managed to find a way to work and do the stuff that 'normal' people do and with that came the realization that I was just a normal guy, like everyone else.

Unfortunately I fractured my feet at work and lost my job, my employer abandoned me and I lost that feeling of being part of society and now I'm nothing but I think if that hadn't happened I'd still be happy maybe.

I hope things work out for you.  

[geoff]

dear Leo and all the above people, well I wasn't sure who I should address this to, but Leo has opened this thread.

I know what you are all talking about, but can I explain my situation, which isn't fair on any of you, however at the age of 4 or 5 I now know that I had OCD, I'm now 59 turning 60 this year, but back in those days OCD was not really recognised, not only as it's title but also as an illness, as my Dad was a GP, he didn't know that I was suffering from it.

But back then the anxiety that this illness causes someone is absolutely terrible as someone with this illness knows but as a child the pressure to do these habits and rituals controls your life, as who is there to turn to at that age, no one, so you have to deal with it by your own.

Thankfully now this illness has been recognised, but it's one part of anxiety which is only a small part of anxiety, so now the only thing to do is to seek professional help, and please don't be like I was at that young age of 4 years old where there was no help, and then to struggle everyday, because it's an illness which can be helped with. Geoff.