General Stress and Anxiety

[Chick1]

Hi everyone,

This is my second time posting on this forum. I don't usually like to talk about my stress or anxiety as I know that my issues do not compare with a lot of troubles other people are facing in life. I just wanted to post tonight, as I have suffered from some anxiety for a long time and it has tended to effect many aspects of my life. Previously, I had more to be stressed about than I do now, but despite the fact that things have been going okay I still manage to find things to worry about, fear and be sad about. I really can't remember the last time I truly, without trying felt fully happy. Everything has become something to panic over, how am I going to go to an acquaintances wedding in a year, will I be late for work tomorrow and what is going to happen at my performance review in 2 weeks time. I struggle to stop thinking and to switch my mind off or relax. When I start getting overwhelming stressed, my heart rate goes a little faster and I start wanting to move things in the house. This behaviour has been happening to me my whole life and everyone has suggested that i need to go and see a doctor, or a psychologist. The thought of doing that is also stressful. I want to be better, not just for me but for the people in my life. But I dont know where to start, everytime i think of booking an appointment I change my mind and pretend like nothing is happening. For all the people in the world that struggle with this, I feel your pain.

[Hope_for_the_best]

What you experience is very common. I totally second what others have suggested, that you should go to your GP and get a referral to a psychologist. You do not need to experience disabling stress/anxiety to see a professional. In fact, it would be best to address your stress/anxiety before it gets to that stage. It would be helpful to think about what makes you reluctant to see a professional. For me, I was so worried about being diagnosed with a mental illness and then got put on medication, as I have a family history of mental illness, and my relatives have had bad reactions to antidepressants. Anyway, I made myself see a clinical psychologist. She cleared me of any actual mental illnesses, and reassured me that I just happen to be a nervous person. She then offered me some good advice to cope with stress, which is very helpful.

Perhaps you can have your family booked the appointment for you and go there with you. Take care.

[geoff]

hi Chick1, it's hard to determine who is worse off when it comes to stress and anxiety because each and every time it happens to a person it's always concerning, so with you it's no different than anybody else, it's taking control of your life and that's definitely a worry.

No matter what degree you may have it now, it could certainly increase and could involve further problems.

When someone becomes over anxious and needs to move something in the house for example, then it could be called OCD.

Someone with this illness has to check door locks several times, put things into a certain position to ease their anxiety, I have too and have needed to do it for a long time.

Write down what is concerning you or print out your post, then you can book an appointment with your doctor and once you see them, then just hand over what you have written down.

Please get back to us when you feel comfortable. Geoff.