Scared

[Tugboat]

Hi all,  I get anxious whenever I have any sort of pain I automatically feel that I am dying....  It becomes so overwhelming I find it difficult to do anything other than worry 24/7.  

[Jacko777]

Hi Tugboat,

I am sorry to hear you are struggling with this. I guess the first thing you could do is get a professional diagnosis, go and see a GP so you can have clarity about your condition. It might take practice but you will need to foster belief that you are not dying, you can do this.

Talk to your GP about your anxiety or seek out a psychologist or a counselor, there is probably a reason you feel this way and you will be able to treat it and feel better. You can ring the BB phone service any time, they would love to help you cause no one wants you to think you are dying.

Have you tried meditation or breathing exercises? When you feel this anxiety it would be a great time to divert your attention to something positive that makes you happy, you could listen to music or do some exercise, do something you are passionate about. 

Talk any time. Jack

[Tugboat]

Hi Jack,  thank you for your response it really he.ps talking about it.  I have been to the doctors to discuss and have booked into see a counsellor.  I am currently waiting for test results from the GP for a standard bowel test and my mind always goes to the worst case scenario and I am overwlmed with anxiety. This affects my eating habits ( no eating) and my mood is very quiet which is unlike me.  I try to find something to distract me and make me happy but does not always work!  There are many other issues going on in my life as well which is not helping the situation.  

[Jacko777]

Thanks for the reply Tugboat.

Well i am real glad you are booked in to see a counselor and have seen your GP. When I have lots of issues going on it helps me to keep the issues separate, develop plans for each issue and work it back to the small steps I can take today.

I have lost too much energy in my life to things that never eventuated. Now, I presume everything is okay until I know otherwise. So in your case I would tell myself that I presume I am okay until I get the test back, I have done what I can and now I will not lose any more energy till I know the facts. I find that distracting the mind takes practice, the more I practice the more it becomes natural, a mindset. You may have to find new positive distractions and push really hard, you be the boss and tell that anxiety where to go.

I reckon others on this site will also have some ideas for you, hang in there mate, I reckon you can make his better. xo

Jack

[Tugboat]

Thank you so much for your advise I will give it a try.  Big tears today but will hang in there 😄

[Neil_1]

Hi there Tugboat (interesting name by the way)

It’s great that Jacko has been in touch with you and given you some awesome responses.

What’s up today Tugboat?    Why the big tears?    And do you have someone close by for support?    Someone who you can have a chat with?

You’ve been very positive and proactive, in that you’ve come here and posted a few times, but also that you’ve taken the step to seek out professional help also.  And yes, while I realise it can be a tense and sometime nervous wait for test results to come back, the key to this is to give those thoughts as little fuel as possible.   So basically, yes Neil, it’s so easy to write and say, but to deal with the results when you receive them.  My other thought on this also is:  If you’ve had tests and the result finding or hearing date is just a routine kind of appointment arrangement, then I reckon you can breathe easy.

From experience (from loved one’s) if tests are taken and there’s something untoward found, then the treating professional usually fast-tracks any appointments to get the person in as soon as possible.

I do hope I’ve said something to help you out here.

And please continue to post as often as you wish.

Neil

[Tugboat]

Hi Neil,

thank you so much for your post.  It really does help having support from people who understand the situation.  Big tears most days but I think it's good to cry at times let it all flow out!!!  Don't know why I stress so much about results even though it's just routine.... This anxiety is a weird thing isn't it?  Today has been a good day due to support form you all xxxx

[Neil_1]

Hi there Tugboat

Well, that's one of the amazing things about this site (there are many, but this one in particular is) that people can come here and unload, vent, type away and others will be here to pick up on it and read, and not only read, but absorb what is written AND then provide advice back, and support.

And as we know, in life, that is not always forthcoming - even where we might expect it the most - at home.

Sorry, slight little whinge on my part there - ok, I'm over it now.

I'm really pleased you were having a better day yesterday and I hope today continues in that vein also.

The other thing I wanted to mention about the tears, is YES, it is a good thing to let them flow and cry.  I don't know if it's a bloke thing, but I wish I could cry more;  I really do want to cry heaps at times, but for some reason they simply won't come.   So in those circumstances, I either watch a Cronulla game (you see, I'm a Sharks supporter and they lose quite a lot of late, and that makes me sad, so I cry) OR I peel a few onions and that usually brings the old tears on as well.

 Cheers, with hankies and tissues,

Neil

[Tugboat]

Hi Neil,

thamk you you again for your response it certainly put a smile on my face.  I actually got to see the counsellor today which was two weeks earlier than I expected.  It was good to chat to her she gave me some stuff to read including some exercises to do.  

[Jacko777]

That's good news Tugboat. I hope these things from your counselor help and if you feel like it you might like to tell us about the things that work for you. All the best!

Jack