I'm New.... Anxiety Setbacks

[AquaDiamond]

Hello All,

I have joined this platform as a way to hopefully obtain some help with anxiety set backs. I've had anxiety for 10 years, I am 30, I am currently enduring high levels of physical symptoms which have not been this bad for some time.

I've hit a rock bottom again. I'm at the paranoid point of questioning the symptoms eventhough I know them, havent left the house for days, avoiding social events, worrying about going to work. I have had the same job for 12 years. Childcare, almost finished my degree in Kinder Teaching.

At the moment I'm on hold, I can't cope, I can't move forward.

My main physical symptoms is foggy brain, severe disorientation and can barely put one foot in front of the other. I just want to sleep and forget the world for a while.

[smallwolf]

AquaDiamond,

Hi. Welcome to beyond blue.

Firstly well done for posting here. I am not a trained professional. I am just like you - just another user on the forum that suffers from anxiety and depression. Please know this is a safe place where you are can post in anonymity. You will be accepted by the people in this community and not be judged.

Are you currently having a relapse? Or is this just a continuation in your mind? Are you currently getting any professional help?

I have some more questions for you (below). Many of which you would be familiar with?

Do you know what your triggers are?
Do you have any distraction and coping mechanisms?
Are you sleeping OK? Good sleep hygiene can help reduce anxiety/depression?

On the forums you will find other threads to help you manage including...

Three things to be thankful for today - Beyondblue
Grounding yourself, What is it and how do you? - Beyondblue
Relaxation exercises - Beyondblue

Do a google search to find the above pages. As you are probably aware, knowing what your triggers help you manage it. My psychologist has also given me other tools, suggested apps to install my phone (only 2) and a 1 book to read. If you have any questions or want to chat, please let me know.

Tim

[AquaDiamond]

Hello,

Thankyou for your reply.

Yes I am having a massive relapse. I am on an antidepressant which has been put up in dosage twice in 12 months.

I am currently building up the courage to book my first Psychologist app since I first developed Anxiety 10 years ago. I wasn't a fan back then as I wanted strategies to help me, not to bring up the past and dig up things that gave me more anxiety.

I am now ready to take that step and plan to in the next week or so.

My triggers have never been clear. From what I have able to tell, my anxiety hits when I'm happy and nothing is wrong.

One of my biggest anxiety attacks happened a few years ago when I had booked a room at crown and was heading into Melbourne to see a Pink concert I was so excited and couldn't wait. Then Bang! The elevator ride set it off.

My Dr suggested that my anxiety may be caused by adrenaline.

It is completely unpredictable and in recent years has become mostly apparent when facing social events or crowded places.

When I have a relapse that comes from nowhere bang! I could be out shopping and then have to bolt. It takes me a long time to build up my confidence to enter society again.

I have delved heavily into essential oils. Mindful apps and my work and study.

I don't know what to do next

Its exhausting!

[PamelaR]

Hello AquaDiamond
My heart goes out to you. Anxiety, panic attacks especially are the pits. I've been experiencing these for a very very long time (50 years) and was only diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety and depression 7-8 years ago.
I totally relate to crowded spaces. The head fogs up, the mind starts swirling, the sweat begins, and I want to turn round, run and escape. Haven't experienced it now since I've been working through things.
I think that going to a psychologist is an excellent start to help you move on and to help you manage anxiety. There is some pain when it’s necessary to dredge up the past. This helps heal the wounds that happened back then. Your body, mind and soul remember it all, even though you consciously don’t want to think about it. From my experience, what happened was - my thoughts could no longer keep a lid on what was hidden in my body, mind and soul. I started feeling very much like you are now - foggy brain, intense disorientation and disassociation, didn’t step foot out of the house. I ended up having a breakdown.

All the horrible stuff that was clogged inside me had to come out. If I can use the analogy - it was like a boil that needed lancing. Once lanced, it can take awhile to remove all the poison and for the area to be cleansed. I have a few scars and at times I worry the scabs, but over all, these have all healed nicely with the wonderful work I’ve done with a few very good psychologists.

The doctor saying it is adrenaline - that is absolutely right. Though, I’m surprised s/he didn’t discuss with you why the adrenaline was there in the first place. In all my experiences it’s because my body has gone into fright, flight mode. This can be triggered by a number of things - e.g. crowded spaces, seeing something, or smelling something - like on an escalator. These things can take your body and your mind back to a time you don't want to think about.

Yes, it truly is exhausting. And I'm sorry to say this, the work you'll do with the psych will also be exhausting. Though, that hard work is absolutely worth the reward of who you'll become once the wounds have healed.

I wish I'd had these forums when I was going through my pain. Back then though - I wasn't into wanting to reveal anything to anyone. Different story today.

Keep reaching out AquaDiamond, if and when you want to. You're not alone.

Kind regards

PamelaR

[AquaDiamond]

Hello there,

I'm only new to BB but not new to Anxiety.

I have mentioned in my introductory thread that I have suffered general anxiety and anxiety attacks for 10 years.

I constantly go through anxiety but have had gaps where I feel as though I have managed to beat it.

Then I have relapses that absolutely stop me in my tracks and I cannot cope, stop leaving the house, avoid grocery shopping, can barely do a thing.

I have recently endured one of these set backs and hadn't left the house for 5 days. I also hate having to go to the doctors or any other medical appointments during this time as its almost unbearable.

Today was successful, I went to the docs, reviewed my mental health plan, booked my first psychologist appointment in 10 years and went for a eye test to rule out any nasties. I suffered slightly through each one, but I did it!

Its a small victory, but I just wanted to share it. I only joined this platform 4 days ago but part of me thought of many of you as I sit trembling in the waiting room and sweating on the head brace during my eye assessment.

I believe your stories and experiences are already aiding in my ability to give this horrible debilitating way of life the middle finger.

[AquaDiamond]

And of course, what goes up must come down.

Ive woken up feeling terrible.

It is such a vicious cycle.

[smallwolf]

AquaDiamond,

Hi again. Small victories are victories none the less. I can relate to your feeling down the day after. I saw a specialist yesterday about my iron levels. YES! I got some answers. But now the reality sets in that I have lock in a number of appointments, making sure they do not interfere with other appointments I already have etc.

This is where I have to find something to distract myself, to keep my mind from going into those dark places. Two steps forward, one step back. As long as we are moving forwards.

Tim

[Chloe_M]

Hi Aqua

I found your thread ☺️ and have been reading. It sounds like you and I are very similar in relation to our mental health.

I have social anxiety disorder, generalised anxiety disorder and depression (and some other stuff I don't remember 🤔). I experience panic attacks as often as a couple of times a month, and am anxious CONSTANTLY. Things like getting on the bus to school make me extremely anxious.

Anxiety sucks, and it takes us into the darkest places and brings out the worst in everyone. You are strong in the sense that you recognised the problem and took steps to fix it. As Tim said, it will be 2 steps forward 1 step back. And it will be a slow process, and every small victory is a victory. So try to find positives in your day. Big things, like for me today that would be 'hey, I did a year 11 science test and I'm in year 9, and I didn't have a panic attack beforehand!', or small things, like 'hey the sun is shining and it looks like it'll be a beautiful day!'

Recognising positive things is really good for the brain. And, as my psychologist said, the more you change your thoughts, the more you think positives over negatives, the sooner your brain will actually naturally start thinking that way.

So, if a nasty, pesky anxious thought comes into your brain, try to challenge it. It won't be easy, but one day, you'll automatically think that positive thought.

Wow I went off on a tangent. The point I was trying to make is that even though anxiety is a b***h and it makes you feel horrible and think horrible things, you can change that. You are capable and amazing and you will get through this!

Ew I'm such a cliche 😂

Night x

Chloe 😜✌️