New here- questions about physical symptoms of GAD

[maisy80]

Hi I'm new here... Even just writing this I'm trying to hold back the tears, I feel so overwhelmed & helpless at the moment.I have always been a "worrier" & I'm sure that really its always been anxiety,in the last few years its got really bad.I have constant thoughts of bad things are going to happen to me,my family,the world in general.I have this strange way of thinking like if I go overseas then because it's me that's there something bad will happen...stupid hey..About 18 months ago I broke & went to my GP (who also happens to be a customer at work so I see him from time to time there) I told him I'd picked up a brochure on anxiety & everything listed was me, by this point I was exhausted with constant fear & worry, I really truly felt like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders. He said he'd been waiting for me to come see him as he'd seen the signs in me at work. I went to see a psychologist for about 6 sessions then got busy planning my wedding & thought I'll be ok I can manage on my own...& I have..kind of...for a bit.Now my job has become more stressful than ever, we are constantly understaffed, customer complaints & on top of that no matter how much we do every morn starts with a meeting telling us we haven't done enough..I'm drowning.. I only work 3 days a wk because I can't handle the thought of being there more,I also have 2 teenagers & a 6 year old. My husband is very supportive of my anxiety, plus household stuff & kids etc so I'm very lucky. In the last 3 weeks I've been having heart palpitations (I've had these before)&severe dizzy spells-one I was driving & had to pull over, the only thing that stops it is pinchin the skin between my thumb & forefinger,plus terrible earaches.I've become very forgetful, have been making mistakes at work (resulting in more stress),my time management has become terrible, I'm late to work constantly no matter how early I'm up. Yesterday I was driving to work & I burst into tears & just couldn't stop, I became hysterical so got off the road & called my husband, by this time I was struggling to breathe but luckily I knew this was a panic attack so just kept trying to slow my breathing, it was terrifying:( Im seeing my GP again today & feel like I need some time off work,that will prob make me feel worse/guilty..

I'm sorry I know my post is quite rambling but I just wanted to get some of it out...I am hoping joining here I'll be able to get some advice from time to time when I'm struggling.

Thanks

[blondguy]

Hi Maisy

Welcome to BB and thankyou for having the Courage to post 🙂

You are not rambling Maisy...You are an intelligent and articulate working mum of 3

Small steps here Maisy....no paragraphs...Great work seeing your psychologist..you are already healing..

* Can you see your GP again...or more...It seems you are comfortable with him..That can help...now..this week.. you will feel better after seeing him...and quicker to get an appointment than your psychologist

* Your plate is full...wedding...work...kids...You are exhausted...very common with anxiety Maisy...

*The hyperventilation is very scary....I have had it ugh!...Have a paper bag in your handbag and if that tight breathing starts you can always breathe the air in the bag and this will decrease your breathing.

* Please remember that after time anxiety does lessen in severity and frequency....It does....

Without bogging you down with too much Maisy....You have coped and understood very well about your symptoms...congratulations to you...many people arent as knowledgeable as you re anxiety..

We are here Maisy....for you...please let us know if you wish of course how you are going...

If you have the time call your GP....nothing to lose and everything to gain Maisy ...'offload' to him...

Kind Thoughts

Paul

[Annie_Blue]

Be kind to yourself, it's a hard road to travel, it's going to take time and strength. I believe in you X 

[blondguy]

You are very kind Annie for responding...thankyou 🙂

I am lucky because 95% of my anxiety has gone...and your anxiety will too Annie..it will fade away...

Just a tiny tip that helped me (it might not help you) off a psych years ago;

He told me to always (even if I didnt take them which i didnt) have a couple of benzo's in my wallet when I was working, just as a crutch for 'back up' for when I needed them....It worked.....it was so very simple....It just provided me with a back up plan if I needed it....I hope that made some sense

We are here if you need us....even if you have a set back...just post

Be gentle/kind to yourself Annie

(Hugs) if that's okay of course..

Paul

[Mares73]

Dear Maisy like Paul I welcome you & thankyou for reaching out here. Anxiety can be a crippling illness & we tend to self blame & wonder why we can't get it together. However it can become a pattern of responding to things. It has both physical & emotional effects on our lives. I'm interested in whether you notice any triggers that precede it? Do you get anxious out of nowhere or do certain things trigger it? Paul gave a great response & if you read this Paul-I'd love to know how you dealt with your anxiety? This isn't my story but hopefully it will help Milly too. I grew up in an extremely abusive childhood, abused by my alcoholic father & drugged & raped by a priest at 14. I've always been an anxious person ready to fly out the window at the slightest noise & im interested to hear your story which I hope will help Mily too. Your very courageous Milly, look at all you do achieve each day. Keep reaching out because we care deeply. Lve Mares x

[Mares73]

So sorry Maisy-I don't know how or why I called you Milly but please forgive me. How are you today? X mares

[blondguy]

Hi Maisy 🙂 If you wish it would be great to see how you are going......Please x

You have had the strength to post....We are here if you need us

Kind Thoughts

Paul

[blondguy]

Good Morning Mares and sorry to hijack your post Maisy

Thankyou Mares for the inpost support and reading mine. I do find your comments on BB very helpful for myself. You are a kind person and articulate the assistance you provide sufferers in caring and gentle way...I read about the explosive childhood....hmm sounds very familiar Mares...As for the priest.....grrr...I am not religious but Karma will take care of him...sooner or later he will pay. I am also sorry and sad that you have had poor foundations to build on from your childhood..Those years are critical and like mine were damaged thus resulting in the 'feelings' we are experiencing in adulthood.

I will post soon (and thankyou) Mares about the coping mechanisms that I learned to enable healing 🙂 You take good care Mares..:-)

Paul

[maisy80]

Thanks for your caring posts, it really does help to know I have the support of people who truly understand.

Ive been doing ok, I went to my GP he asked me to take 2 weeks off work to give myself some healing time which I am doing. 

I have been spending each day doing things that make me happy, going for a run, walking my dogs, playing records loud 🙂 and spending lots of time with my family. 

I am due to have a meeting with the management at my work tues which I'm already very anxious about but I've been writing notes to keep what I want to say straight without getting emotional. I am going to be asked to be moved to a smaller branch of my company. Fingers crossed.

I can't get in to see my psychologist until April 13 so until then I'm going to use an assistance program that our work offers where we get 12 free counselling sessions, hopefully it will help!

[maisy80]

Thankyou Mares for your caring reply xx

I hope you're doing well too. 

You ask about triggers & I can honestly say my anxiety feels like it comes from nowhere. Things like watching the news or an angry customer at work can start the "chain" but I think even before that it's already there if you know what I'm saying?