How did your anxiety start and how did it become a disorder (if it has) for you?

[bluenight]

I was anxious as a kid but it was normal anxiety, it had hardly no impact on my life. I remember being really nervous about having to do a speech in front of the class in year 11 and I was really worried and anxious about it the afternoon/night before. I've lived with an anxiety disorder for quite a few years now and just going to work everyday for many years was worse then how I felt performing the speech. Just going to the shops or catching public transport brought out my anxiety pretty badly. Study, socialising, work, family gatherings all cause me anxiety sometimes to the point in which I've had to not show up many times.

I feel like there's hope though and I'm getting better at managing through self care.

I've been wondering how it all started and why I have been like this and I think it's because of my own actions or decisions, may sound strange. Or is anxiety something that happens to us? or is it a bit of both?

[Tay100]

Hi bluenight,

Firstly, we appreciate you posting here- we know posting can be daunting sometimes, so we appreciate you being here.

Firstly, I'd like to say that what you are feeling is valid, and you aren't alone in your feelings and experiences. It's great to hear that you are managing things through self-care- I'd love to hear what you do to help you manage things. We can also brainstorm new things if you like, if you want to add things to your self-care repertoire.

As for why you feel anxious and for the origins of these feelings, it's normal and natural to ask these things I think- it's a part of being self-aware. In order to find you solid answers, seeing a counsellor or another professional might be a good step towards clarity and the information may help you gain perspective. Let us know you travel with it.

Sending kindness,

Tay100

[bluenight]

Thanks Tay100

Things like prayer, talking to god, eating well, exercise, sunshine, sleep, vitamins, downtime and family time.

Thanks for replying

I'm seeing a psychologist, we haven't really explored where I think it started but I was thinking if I could work out how and why it started I would be in a better position to develop strategies. What do you think?

[ecomama]

Hi bluenight

Thankyou for starting this thread. I hope you keep sharing because life is such a journey and I feel in cases where we have had issues with mental health, it can be a very educational journey!

I don't even know how I feel about some of the feedback I have had from MH professionals … like "no wonder you have anxiety, after everything you've been through" etc etc etc. Ok but that doesn't mean I want it still.

And another one I heard was "just observe your circular thinking" ok and then what? Grab the whole circle and throw it out?

More recently there is research regarding DNA changes from trauma and impacts of those DNA changes to the birth mothers children after trauma. Wow so is there anything to help that?

Oh and the 'feedback loop', so to change that we have to create new neural pathways... mmm.

Quite mind boggling to process all the advice. A more precise therapy to alleviate or CHANGE my pathways or anything would be great about now lol.

At times my GP has prescribed meds but I ended up sleeping for days... literally, on a quarter or even an eighth of the dose.

It would be wonderful to know HOW anxiety starts and even moreso what can be done to be rid of it entirely.

I am staying tuned bluenight.

xxxxEM

What I wonder about is whether

[TheWayfarer]

Hi bluenight,

I often wonder about that question myself, where it all came from. I think it's different for everyone and can definitely relate to the speeches (I was year 12 vice president funnily enough - so lots of speeches!).

I think you're asking really important questions trying to figure out where it stems from, and if you haven't already - it's worth working through with a psychologist or counsellor, particularly if you find it has been affecting your life or has been debilitating.

Thanks for taking the time to write, and all the best on your journey. 🙂

[Tay100]

Hi bluenight

They all seem like great ways to manage anxiety, and it's an impressive variety of things too!

Yes I agree, I think the professional guidance will help you develop new management skills that are informed by what's actually causing the anxiety, and can address those causes directly. It may even just involve doing the (great) things you are already doing but at different times or with different approaches. Keeep us updated if you like 🙂

Tay100

[bluenight]

Thanks for the replies

Ecomama I get what you're saying and I understand the frustration you feel even though you're being lighthearted about it.

Thanks Wayfarer, I have been seeing one, I'm just not finding it helpful. The psychologist I see provides old fashioned wholesome advice, it's sensible but I don't feel as though i'm learning, changing or developing in any way, it's just as if we're having a friendly chat. I though a pschotherapist was suppose to help you work out whats going on and make real changes.

Appreciate Tay, thanks, what do you mean doing the things im doing with different approaches?

[Tay100]

Hi bluenight

No worries at all, we are here to listen!

I'll clarify- I meant that a professional can help you work out what strategies to implement when, like what strategy would help best in a given situation. Maybe one strategy helps address a certain trigger, another strategy is done in the morning as it helps set the tone for the rest of your day. Hope that makes sense- let me know if I can explain it further.

My best,
Tay100

[CalmCat]

I thought I'd share something on a personal note...

I used to get anxiety as a child.

I used to have what seemed like tantrums in the morning before primary school, which looking back was now anxiety. I also behave erratically before playing sports as a child. It was all anxiety.

So I got anxiety as a child (aged 10-12). When Did you?

Regards,

Doz

[bluenight]

Makes a lot of sense Tay, I've kind of being doing that for a little while but we could all probably improve our timing or routine. Sometimes I think a couple days ahead and plan out my day so that different strategies can have a flow on effect over the course of a couple of days if that makes sense.