Virgin to anxiety; please share your stories and tips

S0S · ‎28-12-2016

Hi everyone,

i am a new sufferer of anxiety and I don't know how to handle it. It's so dibilitating. I suffered depression really bad a few months back but have been fairly good lately with a few bad days here and there. Now I've started to get anxiety and panic atracks.

pipsy · ‎28-12-2016

Hi SOS. I'm sorry for the lateness in replying. Can you be a bit more specific. Anxiety can be debilitating and isolating. How does it affect you? The more information you can supply, the more we may be able to guide and support you. Depression can be extremely heavy and dark, put that with anxiety/panic and you have major issues.

Lynda

S0S · ‎28-12-2016

Hi Lynda,

thank you you so much for the reply.

Ill go into detail about my story.

About 6 months ago I started having symptoms of depression. I didn't know this was happening at the time, only realised when I started hitting rock bottom. I quit my job, deactivated my social media, stopped going to gym, stopped getting out of bed in the mornings. I had this unresolvable sadness with me for months.

I was strong and I managed to overcome it slowly one day at a time. But not I have started getting anxiety. The first time I got it I was shopping and my chest started feeling really heavy. I panicked because I had no idea what was happening. That is where it all began. The same thing happened again on Christmas Day, I started getting a heavy chest, started trembling and my heart started to race. I had to leave where I was for it to stop. I don't understand why it come on I was fine.

then today has been a really bad day. I was building lego for my son and it started again. I had a full on attack and had to go to my room in order to try calm down. That was this morning, it's nearly 6pm now and I'm still feeling it.

Ill try describe what I'm feeling. My chest is heavy, there is a lump in my throat, I feel like crying, I have no appitate, I am shaking and my heart is racing. I'm new to all these symptoms so I feel like I'm getting depressed about it.

pipsy · ‎28-12-2016

Hi SOS. The feelings you are describing is full-on depression. Tightness in the chest, lump in the throat, the constant feeling of wanting to cry. Have you seen a Dr to describe these symptoms? Can I ask how it started? What initially caused these dark, heavy feelings? Depression is an isolating illness as it's unseen. If you have a cold, sore throat, break an arm/leg etc. These are physical ailments, depression is unseen, therefore it's more powerful. Sometimes depression can be brought on by being isolated, or grief can be a catalyst. I would suggest you contact a Dr and ask for help. You can also phone our helpline for support and guidance. By having the courage to reach out and ask for help, you have immediately started the journey towards overcoming this debilitating illness. Depression is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about. Many of us here on these forums have suffered ( some still suffer). Asking for support means you get help in fighting.

Lynda

S0S · ‎28-12-2016

Hi Lynda,

so you think what I'm feeling is depression? I thought I was suffering depression a few months back but this is different. I have rang the hotline once when I was really bad, it helped to talk to someone. I'm naturally a pretty shy person and have trouble expressing myself. When in convo with someone I'd rather sit there and talk about them then myself. I haven't been to my drs, I don't really have a gp that I go to on a regular basis.

ive had a look on google for support groups in my area but haven't had much success finding one. I think I'd feel better hearing and talking to other people who can relate to how I feel.

Guest_1055 · ‎28-12-2016

Hey SOS,

I am ever so sorry you are experiencing all this, it can feel a little scary too. Have you had a read of the resources on here? There is some on both anxiety and depression. Maybe it will just give you a bit more insight.... Hope you start to feel better soon.

Shell xx

pipsy · ‎28-12-2016

Hi SOS. When someone suffers debilitating depression such as you do, asking others about how they're feeling is a type of escape mechanism. Sometimes discussing other people's problems is easier than facing our own. Shyness about the depression also causes the tight feeling you describe. Trying to tell someone you feel depressed can be difficult when you're not used to discussing your feelings, so you change the subject rather than open up. Depression can't really be talked about in '3' easy sentences, the tightness, the heavy dark feeling can cause panic and anxiety when you try to tell someone. You probably feel rather scared and isolated too. You could scroll down to the bottom of this page where there is a list of help services available. BB also can put you in touch with Dr's in your area who are specifically there to help you understand and guide you through the dark lonely feelings you're experiencing. Call BB on our helpline and discuss it with one of our counselors.

Lynda

MsPurple · ‎28-12-2016

Hi SOS

Some advise on what anxiety is like to me is as follows: anxiety disorders can be like the beach. Sometimes the water is smooth, sometimes a few waves and others it can be really rough and hard to swim in. It is easier to swim in the smooth surf but in the rough surf it can make you feel like you are going to drown. The tools doctors, counselling and possibly medication (note only if the dr thinks it is appropriate, many don't need them) can help you handle the surf better even in the rough days. Now remember you will still experience rough surf, but with the tools and help it is kinda like they throw you a surf board so you feel as if you can handle the surf better and you don't feel like you are drowning. Unfortunately when they throw you the surf board they miss a few times. It can take a while to find the appropriate tools and strategies that work for you. This is normal and yes very frustrating.

I was diagnosed just over 1.5 years ago, however I have struggled with GAD probably since I was a child. I got so bad I thought I was diabetic because my symptoms became so physical (feeling faint, dry mouth, weight loss, higher heart rate and feeling shaky) along with other symptoms including constant worrying, occasional panic attacks, intrusive thoughts etc. I went to headspace fore help as I didn't have a GP. They referred me to the appropriate team and I was given treatment. It helped me so much and I am not longer crippled by it.

Hope this helps buddy. I still have bad days but still way better than it used to be for me everyday

Unfortunately anxiety disorders can be like the beach. Sometimes the water is smooth, sometimes a few waves and others it can be really rough and hard to swim in. It is easier to swim in the smooth surf but in the rough surf it can make you feel like you are going to drown. The tools doctors, counselling and possibly medication (note only if the dr thinks it is appropriate, many don't need them) can help you handle the surf better even in the rough days. Now remember you will still experience rough surf, but with the tools and help it is kinda like they throw you a surf board so you feel as if you can handle the surf better and you don't feel like you are drowning. Unfortunately when they throw you the surf board they miss a few times. It can take a while to find the appropriate tools and strategies that work for you. This is normal and yes very frustrating.

saltwater7 · ‎30-12-2016

Hi SOS, I have all that; the tight chest, the sweats, the chills, the shakes, the dizzyness, the nausea, lack of concentration, irrational thoughts, palpitations, racing heart. Had it for about five years now, it gets easier the more you tell yourself it's not a heart attack and it gets to a point where you get flippant about it and just excuse yourself from company to go for a walk. I tell myself if it was a heart attack, I'd be dead in five minutes, heart attacks don't go for six hours (my record). A fellow sufferer gave me two tips; get a breathing app for your phone and use it properly and seriously, it does work. Secondly, go for a walk and listen for ten things you don't normally hear, if still not over it 10 smells, failing still try 10 things you see. The distraction of the walk does amazing things for your state of mind, stops it from working against you!