Feeling really anxious and worried all the time

Hope_for_Future · ‎31-03-2017

I have been feeling really anxious the last few weeks. I am 50 , married with two children in their early 20s. They are at uni one of them is worrying me a lot she goes out until all hours and is doing no uni work at all missing lectures etc I am worrying obsessively about her and that something is going to happen to her. If you look at my life I seem fine and nobody would know that I feel anxious all the time , I can't concentrate at work and feel like I am all over the place. I wake up with a sick feeling in my stomach and it stays with me all day. I feel really tired all the time and am not really interested in doing anything. I feel that I have no enjoyment in my life. Any ideas or anyone else in a similar position?

Blue_Jane · ‎31-03-2017

Hi Hope for Future

Thank you for sharing, I know it is very scary but good for you to look for support and advice.

I don't have children but I can relate to feeling anxious all the time, for no apparent reason. Up until about 18 months ago my anxiety was taking over with my main symptom being unable to sleep. Sometimes I was going into work with 45 mins of sleep. And then it started to happen on Friday and Saturday nights so I knew it wasn't just work related, it was just part of me. My work, relationship and health started to suffer.

I tried acupuncture, yoga, chinese herbs, flotation tanks, seeing a psychologist, apps, sleep CDs and other things! Some of them worked for a little while. I finally went back to my GP and asked for medication. That was a turning point for me, realising that I had a chemical imbalance. I now manage my anxiety on a daily basis by taking medication, exercising, eating well and minimising my alcohol intake. I don't think that medication is for everyone, that is just my experience. I am back to my happy self and everything is back on track. Saying that, I still have the occasional bad day. Breathing really slowly and purposely helps too.

So back to you. Have you spoken to your partner abut how you are feeling? Even though it sounds like your daughter is being a typical uni student can you chat to her about how she is unconsciously impacting you? Move the conversation away from her lifestyle and focus on you, that way it won't feel like a personal attack on her.

Keen to hear how you are getting on.

Blue Jane