help with day to day coping skills

[JoJo70]

Hi, I'm new here and hoping to receive some good workable advise. I'm a 50 year old woman who has up until recently managed to play cool and hide in front of my anxiety and depression, until a few months ago i dropped my 'bundle' at a GP visit . I have been receiving help but.....I'm missing something

See life has to go on. I cant seem to be able to manage myself in public / work very well. I tend to be overcome by a wave of panic/ fear (something new to me) when I cant cope with something or a situation. Afterword when i reflect it seems easy to say walk away, but I kind of freeze. Does anyone have any tips for me to learn to manage to cope better? Thanks in advance

[Emmen]

Hello JoJo70,

Welcome to the forums. I'm glad you've seen a GP and are receiving help.

I wonder if you're focusing too much on the situation at hand and that causes you to freeze. Is it possible to distract yourself in such situations? I find that when I get tensed, moving my fingers and focusing on that movement helps keep me distracted from the situation at hand. You could also remind yourself to take deep, slow breaths when you're faced with such situations. It could help calm you down.

Take care,
M

[posvibe]

Hi JoJo70,

First of all welcome! Just by reaching out here is a great first step in itself.

In my experience, accepting that it is happening helped me in first being able to deal with waves of unexpected panic. This also involves accepting that what you are feeling in this time will subside and is only temporary.

It is great that you are reflecting on these experiences- this is ultimately what will enable you to overcome such waves of panic much faster than just ignoring them or avoiding them all together. Overcoming such feelings will take time and lots more reflection.

Freezing is a normal response, its natural for our bodies to go into shock when panic takes over our bodies and walking away is simply not possible when anxiety takes full control.

I think you should accept that walking away is not the easy option when you feel panic, this is because nothing is easy in being able to deal with anxiety- and that is okay.

Have you told your GP about this specific circumstance- if not that could be a good idea.

I hope you do find the answers you are looking for- once again well done for reaching out.

[JoJo70]

Thank you for your replies, yes I will try and take all on board. Emmen I do like what your saying and will try that. I think something just to possibly hold the manifest snowballing could momentarily help. Posvibe i will be seeing my psychologist this week, so i will mention it .....