Anxiety when doing my work everyday

[nevergiveup245]

Hi everyone,

I have struggled with anxiety and intrusive thoughts for many years. I am doing Uni at the moment and the pace is really fast at uni, so there’s a lot of work to do everyday. Because of my anxiety and fear of failure, of making mistakes, of getting things wrong, I procrastinate a lot and to the point I can’t do anything or have a mental breakdown sometimes... I see my psychologist about monthly, so have to cope in between. Everyday I struggle between fighting my negative thoughts to continue my day/life VS succumbing to what my mind tells me which is to avoid my work as much as possible. The latter usually leads to deep depression.. So am trying to avoid that as much as possible.

i have been off meds for a few years, but have been thinking of going on them again. But also am thinking if exercising would help. anyone found exercising help anxiety? I am not sure how to cope with anxiety everyday. Any suggestions are appreciated.

[MsPurple]

HI nevergiveup.

I know how stressful and fast paced uni can be. I finished in 2015 and the memories are still fresh. I thought I should mention that Universities have a service called 'disability services'. I only found out about it in my final year and I found it really helpful to join. They can help you with a specific academic planner, help with extensions if required, and they can refer you to counseling services they have. They do not tell your co-coordinator why you have joined. It is a good fall back and it helped me with my final year.

It is good you are currently seeing a psychologist. I see one once a month to. I find it helps keep my GAD in check. I have good days and bad and even if I am having more good days, it is still good for to see her and check in.

With regards to meds, I suggest talking this over with your doctor. I think be open to what they say. They (as well as yourself) will weigh up the pros and cons. For myself the Pros outweighed the cons. It took a while to find the right medication for me and the right dose, but once I did it worked for me quite well. However it is not a cure. It is a tool. I still need to engage in self care. I go to therapy, I exercise, I meditation and try be social and do things even if I am having a bad day.

For me I find exercise is really good for my mental health. I was having a bit of an off day today and my boyfriend told me to go for a run. I came home and felt better. Not 100% but instead of wanting to stay in bed I am now functional. You don't have to run. You can do whatever exercise you like. Yoga, walking the dog, group sports, swimming etc. Find something you like and that you will want to do. I like going to the gym as well as triathlons. I find it helps me stay more mentally well. I am not going to lie. When you have a rough day the motivation to get going and exercise is the toughest part

I hope some of this was helpful. Let me know how you go

[nevergiveup245]

Hi MsPurple, thanks for your reply. I have been with disability services in my previous universities throughout my first degree. Unfortunately with my current degree, there are already some assessments I cannot get extensions for because they involve another person working with me.

it’s mainly the demands of the course that make me consider going on meds again after a few years off them.. my mind tells me i have failed to recover if I go on meds again.. it’s hard to decide what is best to do sometimes, whether to persevere longer or go on meds to ease the journey...

i will start running 10-15minutes every other day to start with and let you know.

[MsPurple]

Hi nevergive up and thanks for coming back

It can be hard working with other people, however it is something communication is key. It is disappointing you can't get an extension when doing group work.

with mental health I try look at it like the weather. It can be sunny for ages, then all of a sudden a storm comes. It can last a while. It is real. When it is raining you don't want to walk outside without a rain jacket or an umbrella. I look at getting help like this. Help can be in the forum of just therapy, or in the form of a combination of therapy and medication. It doesn't mean you always need it. It is a tool to get your through the raining weather. It doesn't mean you have failed at recovery. Bad weather comes and goes just like mental health. But we can approach a rainy day better after the first bad experience.

It is good you are wanting to start running 10-15 mins. When I first started running I struggled with doing 10 minutes. I can now run 10km. It is just starting slow and working your way up and work on technique

[Meowface]

Hi nevergiveup- I am glad mspurple gave some great advice her tips reslly helped me too.

Anxiety can be exhausting hey? And it doesn’t just go away even if we’d love it to. I’m the workplace at the moment and it does go up and down. After being off meds for 3 years I was really hesitant to go back on them - until I spoke to my dr. I was totally honest with what I was experiencing and let him guide me to the right decision. I’ve found a lot relief going back on them but check in with my dr regularly to check how I’m going. Asking help took a load off.

I try to walk a few times a week and would like to get back into yoga. But sometimes just curling up with a good book and some chocolate does wonders for calming me down as well hehe. Hope you feel better soon xx

[nevergiveup245]

Hi everyone,

I am back. My mental health took a turn for the worst, couldn't function... Recently started an SSRI after years off meds. Side effects are not that great, but I guess the benefits outweigh the risks for me at the moment. Had to say no to my other commitments because I could no longer do them. Feeling really low about how things have been lately. Some support is appreciated.

[Bluenomore]

I’m going through this as well. Isn’t it a vicious cycle? Anxiety sets in and it seems to exponentially worsen - you become anxious about getting MORE anxious. I’ve allowed myself a couple of days to lie low and not put any pressure on myself. Hoping to transition back to a more normal existence by doing some relaxing/fun activities and then hopefully working up the courage/resilience to going back to work.

ive no doubt I will probably suffer a setback in going to work and feel more anxious but hopefully I will just be able to ‘ride it out’ with medication and therapy.

does any of this resonate with you?

[nevergiveup245]

Hi Bluenomore, thanks for ur response. I can relate to what you shared. And thanks everyone else here on the forums for being supportive as well. Been staying on my ssri for two weeks now and recently increased my dose. Initially, for the first week, i really improved form my severe depression, my concentration and energy improved. Then since increasing my dose, I felt it sent me feeling low again and now I can’t really get myself to do my uni work..

I know for my own sanity and mental health, i will need to stay on medication this year at least, anyone who has anxiety and depression here who takes medications found it difficult to deal with the effects changing dose bring?