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Anxiety is too much

  • 16-01-2016 5:19pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭


    Hi all,
    In the past year I have developed crippling anxiety. There are times when I can get on top of it and function semi normally but more often than not I have this overwhelming feeling that something bad is about to happen. I have a full time busy job but every single second I am not there I am experiencing this intense fear. For example today I have had a panic attack about not notifying the tv licence people that I left my last address and that I am in trouble for that. I'm sure I did but I'm constantly doubting myself. I'm scared about cases of mistaken identify , every evening I expect the gardai to arrive about something I have done wrong. Please note I am a completely law abiding citizen.

    I'm so scared. I cannot see a way out. Every day is hell. Intense fear . I have tried therapy but had an awful experience where the therapist basically told me to pull myself together and be glad of what I have. This has left me with awful guilt.

    I don't know where to turn


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 113 ✭✭Mayboy


    Hi

    I hope this helps - I had crippling anxiety with daily panic attacks. I was so afraid all the time. I recovered fully and now lead a normal happy, anxiety free life.

    These are a few things that helped me:

    1. Address any issues you may have that are family related or any trauma you may have not dealt with - grief, loss anything like this should be investigated in case it is a low level trigger for anxiety, sometimes if we don't work with our issues our body finds other ways to get us to be aware of them. If you have issues you need to work on I suggest you find a psychotherapist not a counsellor or hypnotherapist but an accredited psychotherapist.

    2. Remember that anxiety is basically your body in full flight response - adrenalin is pumped out due to some 'perceived' threat and you go into full panic. Often I was in low level anxiety for days and then would go on to have full panic. You learned (not knowingly) to allow this reaction to happen and to unlearn it you must learn to watch the panic when it comes up and watch it go - it will not hurt you it will pass. You can learn this over a few weeks and slowly your panic and anxiety will lessen as you learn the skills.

    3. Become friends with ambiguity - the fear of what will happen next. what if etc lead us to try to control stufff - our world collapses into pannic when we cannot manage these unknowns. **** happens you can deal with it and become more resilient as you get better.

    4. See a GP to make sure you are not suffering from any conditions such as thyroid imbalance etc that can manifest as anxiety. If not then accept that your condition is not medically a problem but learned.

    5. Buy Dr Aine Tubridys book - When Panic Attacks and make it your bible - practice the exercises and listen to the CD daily. I put the panic drills on my phone. you can get them free here: http://wellbeingfoundation.com/podcasts1.html

    6. Learn mindfulness and learn to watch your body react, watch your thoughts come and go and get skilled at seeing what is going on for you not as a person who is scanning for panic signs but someone who is interested in what is happening to their body.

    7. Watch caffeine, painkiller use and that you are getting sleep. Exercise as much as you can.

    8. IN a panic attack DO NOT MOVE - just watch the feeling come and go and know they will pass faster if you do not run from them.

    Good luck - I know you can do it! X


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,230 ✭✭✭Merkin


    Sorry to hear you suffer from this OP. I think your first port of call is your GP.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 39 acia


    Hi, I used to feel exactly the same as you. I suffered from extreme anxiety over everything. It wore me out and I ended up feeling like I was loosing my mind, I just couldn't function. The first GP I saw basically told me to pull myself together so a family member made an appointment for me to see another GP and I haven't looked back, he suggested mindfulness and I am on medication. I wish I had gone to see a GP sooner and that I didn't prolong the absolute hell that was my anxiety. You can manage this and get it under control with the right support and help! Good luck


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