Associating things with anxiety

I had this with food. It prevented (and still does at times) me from going out and doing all the things I loved...socialising being the biggest! The impact it has had has been awful. I thought I had  allergies  to certain foods as I had a reaction to a couple of things I had eaten previously. Spaced apart might I add.  And then, one day I had a bad reaction to a nut based food and was violently sick, which then had created a panic attack and thought I was unable to breathe. From then on in I had a huge fear of just about everything  I ate incase I had the same reaction. I lost 1.5 stone and looked bad and  felt shocking. After many  visits to the Dr and tests etc, I was diagnosed with anxiety and panic disorder.  I was reffered to a counsellor and  had 14 weeks of therapy  to help look at how I was behaving. 

It wasn't an easy path, as I was faced with exposure to a variety of foods( I am still wary, but much improved!). I do think it will take me some time to be back to myself, if ever, but I do think talking helped me a great deal. 

It depends how much your thought processes impact on your everyday living. Best nip it in the bud vefore it becomes an unhealthy way of life. 

Sorry to ramble.

x

 

Anxiety rules are what destroys all of us with this disorder. I oearned about this in cbt. Try cbt. You can self learn it off the net and audiobooks.

Someone once told me to relieve an anxiety episode  is to go somewhere alone and quiet. Focus ONLY on your breathing in and out, in and out and count to 170. If you start having anxious thoughts, you have to go back to one. Just give it a try, don't give up if at first you are not succesful. I swear to you, it will stop your anxiety. ONLY think about your breathing, your lungs filling with fresh air, out with old air, in and out, in and out. OOps. You had a thought, you have to go back to one. When you close your eyes try to eliminate images and try to see only black. Even a little bit of relief from the anxiety will feel good. I know so well how it can eat you up. Like your body is plugged into an electric outlet. Maybe light a scented candle when you sit and do your counting. 

Remember too, think of the VERY WORST thing that has happened to you in your entire  life. You got through that didn't you? It didn't kill you did it? You can take control over it, don't allow it to control you. You are stronger than your thoughts, thoughts are only that, worrying about the future is unneccesary  and serves NO purpose because what you're worrying about hasn't even happened yet and probably won't. I'm of the school that if you can't get relief by taking something before bedtime, by all means, take it. Please don't live your life in your own mind and let the unknown control you. If you think that thoughts of coffee cause anxiety, don't think of it, pretend it's tea, or cocoa or how you'll plan your garden this spring. If the thoughts come back say to it, STOP! 

I have those same issues. When I start drinking coffee, my heart will race more than it used to, & I get chest pains. Idk what to do about it. There's been a couple of times, where I go into a full-blown panic attack from it. I hate it. I used to LOVE LOVE LOVE drinking coffee. Now I can't drink more than 3 cup's a day.

The caffiene does effect anxiety. Maybe you dont get jittery but it is effecting your anxiety. Anxiety has to be handled with very tough gloves sort of speak.i see you have made anxiety rules to "protect" yourelf. Like only going out when feel very good, or where you can go...etc.. These rules are forming yiur invisibke prison and are garbage. Being aline and anxiius is hard. You are vulnerable and scared. Still another anxiety rule. Learn cbt for anxiety. You need a therapist who can go and do stuff with you called desentization. The real way to handle this is to face it head on.hard as hell but after three or four times your mind will reboot that fear. Best to have someone you trust with you or a support group. The best sleep aid is movement, a lot of it all day. Use up all this adrenaline. Treadmill for half an hour or alliptical for fifteen minutes..use up this energy. Foods play a huge role with insomnia as well. High protein, low carb no junk or processed foods. All carb diets make a mess internally. Converts to sugar and fat and will keep you up.search diets in line to help you. Look up foods good for insomnia. Make sure your sleeping enviorment is a peaceful one. Declutter, clean it and keep it organized. try listening to hayhouse radio they have many wonderful radio shows that can give you great ideas. At night also you can try mediations for sleep.