Struggling with anxiety

[Guest_11844839]

Can’t sleep and feeing overwhelmed. I’ve been struggling with anxiety for a little while. I get pains in my chest and headaches and feel a bit hopeless. Have had it in the past but it’s come back quite badly atm as ive had some health struggles. It’s brought it all back which then makes my health feel even worse. It’s a vicious cycle. 

[trying_my_best]

Hi and welcome to our community! 

I’m sorry to hear your anxiety has worsened as of late. I wanted to come and say that health anxiety is a completely normal reaction to health struggles! 

I am curious to know, when you’re in an anxious moment- such as when you’re trying to sleep, what strategies do you use to try to bring yourself back to the present moment? 

I myself have gone through anxious moments, especially in the same moments that you have described, and I have found brining myself back to the present moment really valuable. 

One of the things I do to do this is when I am in a negative thought tornado (cause imma be real that’s how it feels for me), I firstly sit and I try to recognise what I am feeling (eg. I am anxious), then I try to break the thought pattern by bringing myself back to the present moment (eg. Taking a sip of water, going for a walk, going for a shower, eating a sour lolly). This is something my counsellor helped me with so if I have explained it confusingly I am sorry. However, I do recommend giving it a go! It may seem impossibly to start with but it really has helped! 

Otherwise, I have also used the 3-3-3 Rule and recommended it in my workplace (I work in dosability).When a worry spiral starts, ground yourself in the present by identifying three objects and three sounds in your environment, followed by moving three body parts.

Wishing you the best!🫶

[Psychdiaries2]

Hey there,

Thank you for your post and I hope you are liking our community here on the forums!

I can understand why you're struggling with anxiety given that your health has worsened. It's really difficult and your feelings are valid. I just wanted to add on to what trying_my_best has said and recommend talking to your GP about not only your physical health, but your mental health too and see what their advice is. Meditation is also very calming and a useful skill to build. Lastly, try journalling. It's really nice and relieving to just dump all your thoughts and feelings onto the page. 

Hope you try these out and see what works for you!

Kind regards,

PsychDiaries