My Anxiety is driving me INSANE!

[mhk_khm]

I have always struggled with it.

But lately, i have been so stressed at work and with my love life that my anxiety is off the charts.

I constantly think that I'm dying or im sick, I feel like not one day goes by that there isn't something wrong with me.
So then sets in the constant mind numbing stage, where im consumed by it, the heart palpitations, which just stresses me out even more.

I am really scared that this is going to consume me, I dont know what to do. How do i stop this from ruling my life.

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi mhk.khm

Welcome to the forums and thanks for your post.

It sounds like anxiety has consumed you already in so many different ways but you've done the right thing in posting and reaching out for help. Have you spoken to anyone else about what you are experiencing? Maybe friends, family or a GP?

There are many different techniques and strategies to help with anxiety and often it's about finding the right one that suits you best. Certainly noticing your breathing can be a big one; and learning how to take long deep breaths to minimise the heart palpitations. Another thing that can help is learning to questioning some of that inner-chatter; i.e. why do you think you are dying?

This link may also be handy too - https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/anxiety/treatments-for-anxiety

[pipsy]

Hi mhk.khm. Your description of heart palpitations/numbness sound like depression. Depression causes a lot of emotions to run rampant. Stressing out about work, plus lack of bf/gf relationships often causes us to feel we're not worthy of someone. Romantic has some fantastic suggestions re: breathing techniques, learning relaxation techniques can also be useful strategies. Have a talk with your Dr about your heart palpitations and see if you can pinpoint how often and when they are strong. Anxiety also causes depression as they are both very strong emotions and one seems to feed the other. With the heart palpitations, you possibly feel they could bring on a heart attack. Ask your Dr to check your heart, b.p will give the Dr an idea of heart strength. Anxiety often causes the heart to beat faster, ( this is when it palpitates).

Lynda

[MsPurple]

Hi mhk.khm. and welcome to the BB forums

Like you my anxiety (I also had depression) was taking over my life. I was always stressed and had a constant feeling of dread. For many years I would sweep it under the rug and hope it would go away, but unfortunately I was stuck with a lumpy ruck that I constantly tripped and fell over. I do not wish this for you. The best thing I did was seek help from a professional. Coming to the BB forums is great for support and advise from fellow users, however none of us (excluding Dr Kim) are professionals. I went to headspace but you can also go to your local GP and they can help you from there. I suggest if you are going with the GP route to book a long appointment as they usually need more time (they may even complete a mental health plan, which allows you to get 6 psychology sessions). GP are used to seeing people with mental health concerns as around 1 in 4 suffer from them.

Hope this helps. And I promise it will get better (cliche I know) I was in the same boat and I no longer feeling constant feeling of dread all the time.

I would also suggest in the mean time when you are feeling anxious to do some deep breathing. I know it sounds like it won't work but it does help reduce stress, as slowing down your breathing slows down the CNS. I also do meditation sometimes (through the app called Calm) as it helps me focus on something other than my raging anxiety.

Please keep us updated.