Moved out of home for the first time

[Moving_mimz]

Hi all I moved out of home for the first time 2.5 weeks ago. Leading up to this I was pretty excited however first night I woke up and vomited and everything since then I’ve spiraled. I’m anxious most or all of the time. I’ve lost my appetite. I barely sleep. I’ve lost interest and enjoyment in things u normally like. I’ve had anxiety here and there but never this bad. I’m also really struggling with the appetite thing.

[Moving_mimz]

Thank you Croix

yesterday I had abit of a spin out about this coronavirus up until a couple of days ago I didn’t care about it at all! But watching the news I saw all these closures and then I started to panic about the anxious episode I’m having atm and it’s based on irrational fears. I don’t know if I became in touch with more realistic fears again. Now I’m more scared about that and my health atm because I haven’t been eating properly my immune system is down I also haven’t been sleeping properly

I do believe I’m going through separation anxiety from my parents place subconsciously. Do you think this is situational?

ive always had anxiety but never this bad. I am seeing a therapist and my husband is supportive. My family is supportive but in very different ways and think it’s stress and I shouldn’t stress. Well both families including my in laws so that’s where I have to put the mask on.

im at the point where my anxious feeling in my stomach just annoys me but doesn’t scare me. All I really want back is my appetite. 😞

[Moving_mimz]

I just don’t understand how I could go from being so happy to do anxious over moving out.

i laugh and smile sometimes but I still feel out of this world. I constantly measure my progress based on my appetite which I don’t have and then I panic and say oh I’m not getting better.

It’s been almost one month. And my job is so demanding. I can’t afford to be like this for a while.

I wanted to start a family, I was trying to have a kid. I had so many dreams and I feel as though they’ve been robbed and make me anxious.

Im anxious to have people over. But I keep pushing myself against self isolation.

my brain keeps putting these negative thoughts in my head of how I’m going to spiral out of control. And I keep trying to think thoughts are not facts and what evidence is there that this will happen.

im counting down the weeks to the term finished so I can have holidays. but then they make me anxious as well.

[Croix]

Dear Moving mimz~

I probably should have said this before, when anxiety runs unchecked it is sometimes impossible to think or act your way out of it alone. I could not

All the logical thoughts in the world do not help.

For me the support, love and stability of my partner, the use of competent medical help with therapy and meds, plus the removal of the stressor that was causing all this - my occupation - ended up with me out of sight better.

You have your partner, you have medical support, which you are free to influence as needed, and your main stressor of the moment, your move, is gradually lessening as your new life becomes the norm.

I don't think your dreams have been taken away, just masked for a while so they just seem unattainable.

Please remember to judge negative or unhelpful attitudes of others as reflections of their limitations.

I do hope to hear from you again

Croix

[Moving_mimz]

Hi croix,

your constant replies and reassurance have honestly kept me going!!

I find that a the moment my main source of anxiety is having to do everything every day for the rest of my life (housework).

Also, I got my cat and I reacted in the most horrible way! I started panicking about having to take care of her forever and her fur and her ruining the couches. All of which id never care about.

I actually took a screenshot of your reply to read it when I’m down. Because I need that reassurance.

my gp didn’t give me any meds and doesn’t believe I need them. As he believes it’s just because of the move. But I’m really struggling to get out of this.

I used to love my job. But it’s not become a huge stress in my life.

I’m also so anxious about the coronavirus now and what it means if we go in to lockdown. Mind has gone into 5 million places.

My best friend has been a huge support during this and she says the moment I accept how I feel and that thoughts are not facts is the moment to start feeling better. As that is what made her better. But it’s easier said than done. What do you think about this? The whole acceptance thing? Did u adopt this strategy?

[Croix]

Dear Moving mimz~

You asked"she says the moment I accept how I feel and that thoughts are not facts
is the moment to start feeling better. As that is what made her better.
But it’s easier said than done. What do you think about this?"

For me it was the perspective offered by my partner showing me my thoughts were incorrect and always looked at the worst possible scenario.

However I think it is a chicken and egg situation, you have to be ready to accept another scenario, or in your friend's case that the thoughts are not facts. I suspect we are all talking the same thing.

Catastrophization (pardon the pun) is hard to defeat to start with, however you get there. So in a way yes, I adopted that strategy.

You are in charge of your medical support. If you are unhappy with your GP (who is probably not a MH specialist) then I would ask for a second opinion. This is a standard thing and NOT an insult to any properly professional doctor, most of whom welcome it. See if your friend - or another - knows of a more realistic GP.

As for doing things for the rest of your life, well washing up is always with us -alas. However I'd not be surprised to see you back enjoying your professional capacity.

May I suggest a scratching pole, a treat on a string and a hair brush. Your cat will bond with you easier if fed and given attention and play by your hand, and will repay that in spades.

Sumo (who is normally 'busy' at my elbow) was not always called that, to see my account go here

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/permalink/qltLoXHzvGGEbv8AAOnT_A

(With links in posts they are often not live and have to be pasted in your browser)

(Incidentally 'busy' is cat for snoozing)

Croix

[Moving_mimz]

Is it normal for me to love cats so much and as soon as I get one to flip? Is that part of the anxiety? I think I’ve taken a lot of change too quickly!!

im just worried about this numbness I feel 😔😔

[Moving_mimz]

I’m so upset I don’t even want her anymore 😔😔 these emotions are playing tricks on me

[Croix]

Dear Moving mimz~

I found that when my anxiety and also depression was running away with me my normal likes and reactions were hidden from me under the pile of worries I was (unsuccessfully) trying to cope with.

Your love of cats will return, as will may other things you don't even suspect.

The numbness goes too, I don't know why it happens but it does and you are removed from yourself and life in some ways, as I was.

It gets better, I would expect you and cat will eventually become buddies. (Sumo is miffed and has moved chairs, my typing was too loud and disturbed his being 'busy')

Croix

Croix

[Moving_mimz]

I really hope this cloud lifts and I enjoy everything again. I can identify that my brain is playing tricks on me. And every time I feel responsibility or anything different it makes me panic and tries to protect me.

Another issue and I don’t know if this is normal is that with the coronavirus now I’m panicked but about the most bizarre reasons. I want to get over my anxiety and now I’m annoyed because how can I deal with my anxiety and deal with the coronavirus

and if we go into lockdown I’ll be alone in this house. And I want to run back to my parents.

[Croix]

Dear Moving mimz~

If the cloud could lift for me, it can for you. With an overload already anything new, any further responsibility will simply add to the pile. Coping mechanisms are the answer, though hard to find to start with .

Knowing your mind is playing anxiety inspired tricks is a good sign, and getting angry can help too.

Can you think of anything you might use to take your mind away from present problems for a little while? As I've probably mentioned books help me, I read of an evening, it is something to look forward to.

Croix