Struggling SO SO much!

[Sophie_S]

Hey all, I’ve posted in here once before..

I’m still servely suffering from anxiety. It has taken a lot of unwanted physical symptoms on my body.. still is, everytime I start to feel better everything just comes flooding back! As I said above I have been diognosed with very server anxiety and a dash of depression.. I have been medicated for it but after 8 weeks on the tablets I haven’t noticed one bit of change. My partner started back at work today after 5 months off because I couldn’t cope without him.. today was very HARD!

It’s so hard to explain how I’m feeling, it’s surrounding death, so many fears.. leaving my family, never seeing my kids again, what happens after death. Honestly it feels like I’m mourning my own death that actually has happened. I struggle falling asleep (I’m okay once I fall asleep) I have panic attack, you name it. I’ve been admitted 5 times to hospital in the last 3 months.. I’ve seen a psychologist one but he’s only there for 1 day a week so it’s hard to get into him.

PLEASE HELP ME!! I’m so lost!

[Summer Rose]

Hi Sophie

I'm sorry that your struggles with anxiety are ongoing. It is really tough when you make progress and then it all comes back. This is a common experience and you are not alone.

A couple of things come to mind after reading your post ...

First off, congratulations for getting through the day. I know it was hard but you did it. That's a win.

Secondly, I think it would be helpful for you to return to the doctor who prescribed your medication and report that it's not been helpful. I would think that it would be reasonable for you to have experienced some positive effect by now, so a review is in order.

Thirdly, write down the techniques you commonly use to calm your anxiety. Deep breathing, shower/bath, distraction, mindfulness, exercise, to name a few. When you feel it building look at your list and try an activity. Sometimes we can be so overehelmed that we literally don't know what to do in the moment. You can also call the bb helpline on 1300 22 4636 at any time and talk it through.

I understand your fear of death, as a person in my 50s I reallt do. But please try to remember that it's a natural process that we all face. Put your affairs in order, so you will have less practical things to worry about, and work on your mental health, so you can actually live.

You are here now and that's what counts. Focus on getting through one day at a time. I believe you can do this, after all you did it today.

Kind thoughts to you

[Guest_342]

Hi Soph,

I’ve been in this boat before, and I feel your pain. Congrats on getting through today successfully. I hope it gets easier for you.

I’m not an expert but I thought I’d share a few things that sometimes work for me:

> Recognise these thoughts for what they are - mere thoughts, which have no ability to physically harm you - you can decide to dismiss a thought and there’s nothing it can do to stop you. Same with panic attacks - while they can feel like impending doom, my experience is that anxiety feeds off them but in practice they cannot physically harm you.

> Live in the present, not in the ‘what-ifs’ of the future. Experience life in the here and now and create memories that you can look back on fondly. Worrying doesn’t achieve any practical outcomes - all it achieves is wasted time and opportunity - despite the efforts we invest in those worries.

> Be comforted in the knowledge that we all have in common the fact that we will one day have to say goodbye - we’re all in it together, but for now why not treasure our time together.

> If you have a particular worry that is nagging at you, ask yourself how someone else you know - e.g. your partner - might approach such a thought, or how you would advise someone else struggling with this worry. I imagine in many cases the advice would be to not give that thought the benefit of your precious time. Follow whatever advice it is.

> Distractions can be good for getting you through the particularly tough times. Why not try a life drawing but turn the object that you are copying upside down. Because your mind can no longer go off the memory of what the object looks like upright, it takes a lot of concentration to copy it!

Speaking from experience, it is possible to take back control of your life, despite how you may be feeling now. I have been as lost as you, and there are ups and downs along the way - trying to escape the cycle of worry - but I’m sending you my best wishes in the hope that, like me, you can soon feel the power to not give these worries more than a few seconds of your time. The downs will become fewer and further between - I’m sure of it!

Big hugs.

[MsPurple]

HI Sophie and welcome to the forums

sorry to hear your anxiety has gotten worse. Have you discussed the fact your anxiety has gotten worse and that you feel like the medication you have been on haven't done much? I have been more open and honest with my doctors. I find it really helpful. If I didn't discuss the issues I've had with medication, mood etc. that is how I got on the right path with medication and reducing my anxiety.

I agree with both Summer rose and Gelati advice. Really great advice. I also like to do exercise. I find having the blood pumping helps reduce my anxiety and channel my energy to exercise not racing thoughts. Maybe see if there is an activity you like.

Do you know what your anxiety triggers are? I find knowing what my triggers are I can then deal with them. I can also discuss it in therapy later.