Just when I think I am getting better anxiety and stress are back

contrarymary · ‎14-01-2021

Posted a number of times looking for help and advice on dealing with symptoms

i am suddenly overcome by severe anxiety - pacing the floor, crying, palpitations and chest pain. Had all the tests not heart related. GP doesn't know why it suddenly comes on. This morning I was ok when I got up then within 20 minutes I was pacing the floor and crying and can't be bothered doing anything and it's been getting worse. GP has suggested relaxation and mindfulness. 95% of the time I am ok but suddenly get very stressed eg getting stressed now as screen keeps rotating that's how easy it is, last week it was because the shop did not have my magazine in. I have type 2 diabetes and GP says this could be a problem

looking for tips on how people have overcome this anxiety. Last week one night I only slept about an hour too anxious to sleep, there has been no major lifestyle changes

Petal22 · ‎14-01-2021

Hi contrarymary,

sorry you are feeling this way ... I know anxiety can be very distressing and difficult to deal with if you haven’t been shown the tools you need to deal with it...... I had severe anxiety OCD......

Are you on an antidepressant to treat your anxiety? Meditation can really help......

Also meditation.... Have you tried this? Find an app on on your phone and practice it a lot......

Mindfulness is great also......

practice slowing down your breathing....

exercise is also great for anxiety.... go out for a walk and practice putting your mind on what you can see, hear and feel.....

have you seen a psychologist? You can put a mental health plan together with your gp which will give you 10 free sessions with a phycologist who can give you many strategies...

also be with people.... try to talk about daily things .....

write yourself a list of things to do every day and tick them off as you do them.... it will keep your mind on something and it will keep you moving...

im here if you want to chat

Guest_4643 · ‎14-01-2021

Hey contrarymary.

I'm sorry to hear about all of that, I hope you're ok, and I hope there's nothing wrong physically.

Here's a technique you can try, called Grounding, you can do this anywhere, if you feel up to it. No pressure, it's just a friendly suggestion. I understand that not everything works for everyone, so I don't know if this would help you or not, but if you'd like to try it, here's how you do it:

Name 5 things you can see.
Name 4 things you can feel.
Name 3 things you can hear.
Name 2 things you can smell.
Name 1 thing you can taste.

contrarymary · ‎15-01-2021

I will have a look at meditation also I am not on any medication for anxiety. I have also had a quick look at mindfulness apps there is so much choice

today was a bad day I was anxious and stressing and even went and sat in the car in the hospital car park till I felt better

I am going back to my GP on Monday I have a double appointment and hope to start on a pathway forward to gaining the upper hand

most of the symptoms I can cope with except the chest pain which because I am stressed it gets worse my solution for when its really bad it's to do puzzles or have a long bath.

contrarymary · ‎15-01-2021

Thanks for the idea I will give it a try.

there is nothing physically wrong I have had every test the doctor could think off as I had chest pain it was diagnosed in the end as muscular.

i have been today and bought an adult colouring book to keep my mind occupied and trying to think of things to keep active

Petal22 · ‎15-01-2021

Hi contrarymary,

I can’t recommend meditation enough it’s great... it takes practice so try to meditate as much as you can... I believe it got me over the line with my OCD... it’s very calming... find one that suits you 😊

An antidepressant that treats anxiety is something you may want to talk to your gp about..... it really helps with anxiety I am on medication I believe anxiety needs to be treated the same as having any other condition....

thats wonderful you have a double appointment with your gp.... well done... you could put a mental health plan together with your gp which will give you 10 free appointments with a phycologist.... a phycologist can give you many strategies to deal with your anxiety..... our health professionals are amazing people I wouldn’t be where I am today without their help....

welldone on doing puzzles it helps to put your mind on something else like that... adult colouring is great too...

also don’t allow your anxiety to stop you from doing anything you want to do... if mine told me not to go outside I went outside..... if you listen to your anxiety it will only reinforce it.....

remember you are never alone many people have this condition....keep talking

ohhh I can totally understand how anxiety can make you feel and I totally understand why you were in the hospital car park.. anxiety makes every thing feel like it’s going very fast.... it’s overwhelming to the sufferer...

You will move forward.... stay positive... read positive affirmations... if I had a bad day I’d tell myself tomorrow will be better.... the good days will eventually out weigh the bad days.... you WILL get through this....
id tell myself my condition was only temporary and I was going to get better and I HAVE you CAN too... 😊

im here if you want to chat any time...... if your having a bad day I’m here to listen and support you.... 😊 even on a google day because you will have a lot of good days coming your way 😊

Guest_4643 · ‎15-01-2021

Hmm, that's weird, I'm sorry.

I love colouring in too, it can be helpful at times. I hope you're ok.

Emmen · ‎15-01-2021

Hello contrarymary,

A colouring book sounds like a great idea. It's a good distraction from how you're feeling, and the process of colouring also relaxes you.

I have another suggestion - peppermint oil. I find that whenever I feel any anxiety symptoms, the smell of peppermint oil seems to help somehow. I don't know why, maybe it's all in my head or maybe that oil just relaxes me, but as long as it works, I'm not complaining. I like to mix a drop with a little bit of coconut oil and put it on my temples. Would you like to give that a shot?

Kindly,
M