Stressed to the max

[Luna_Eclipse]

Hi all, it’s been really rough time for me.

just a bit of background I have been diagnosed with anxiety, GAD, health anxiety with severe panic attacks.

everything is starting to take a toll on me and my partner as he has to deal with me and look after me all the time as my family do nothing to help me at all. ( they only live 3min from us) I’m not sleeping as I get too worried and scared to sleep I go to the doctors every single day as I keep thinking something is wrong with me. I woke up this morning with all these horrible symptoms thinking I was dying and went to the drs, they checked my blood pressure temp heart rate etc etc and all was normal yet I still feel like I’ve got something really wrong with me as all the symptoms are scary to me. I don’t know what to do anymore as I have tried phscholgists and that didn’t help it seemed to stress me out more. Tried doing everything as natural as possible ie. don’t drink alcohol cut out caffeine and bad foods like sugar and processed stuff. Everyday is a struggle and I refuse to take anxiety meds. ( I have tried two diff meds but was worse on them) The symptoms is what gets me the most from cold mouth, tingling in different parts of my body the constant headaches, numbness burning scalp the list goes on and on. If anyone has any other suggestions besides mindfulness, meditation and exercise i would love to hear what works for you.

[Guest_2496]

Hi Luna

I'm sorry it's all so overwhelming at the moment.

I have resisted seeing a psychologist for a while after finding one unhelpful but I am now seeing one that I do find helpful to talk to. I know it's trial and error but I think it's about finding one you click with...

I also recently did an online course re health anxiety which was great - do you think something like that might be an option for you? It was through St Vincent's hospital (sydney) - they have a variety of courses. And, in terms of getting to sleep at night I use meditations online as well. I know you said something other than meditation 🙂 but they're kind of just like someone talking you to sleep...Michael Sealey, Petrea King, there are heaps out there.

Hope some of this helps.

[Luna_Eclipse]

Thanks for the reply, I have seen 3 diff phsychologists so far not much help so far with it. What was the online course called? I am based in melbs so I’m not sure if that makes any difference.i can’t even work anymore due to all this anxiety it’s taken over my life out of nowhere. It’s really frustrating right night.

[Doolhof]

Hi Luna Eclipse,

It can be tough when we struggle so much. I find that the more I worry about issues the worse they become.

Have you tried writing out how you are feeling and what you are thinking and then decide what thoughts are real and which are exaggerated. Regarding the psychologists, I agree with anxious_me, sometimes we have to try different people before we find someone who helps us...or at least someone we are willing to allow to help us!

One thing I have realised is that at times I built up such high walls of protection around me, that I wasn't able to take in what the psychologist was trying to tell me! It was only months later that it made sense.

Would you consider being admitted to hospital for observation and to have a rest? The staff could look after you and give you a break from yourself and your symptoms. Maybe have a chat to your Dr to see if this is possible.

Do you have hobbies and interests you enjoy for distraction? Finding something positive and meaningful to do helps me.

All the best, cheers from Dools

[blondguy]

Hi Luna Eclipse

Anxious_me and Dools have brought up excellent points as they have also suffered the same awful anxiety too. You can include me too as I used to have chronic anxiety for years and was anti-meds too.

Can I ask when/often these awful anxiety symptoms happen?

Only trying to help 🙂

Great to have you posting with us too!

my kindest

Paul

[Guest_2496]

Hi

You can do the course from Melb as it's online - have a look for This Way Up.

I know what you mean - I can't work at the moment either...remember it wasn't always this way and we Will get on top of it again!