Constant Anxiety and I Don't Know How to Deal With it
Posted , 6 users are following.
Going out makes me feel anxious the whole time I'm out and also when I am back home. Walking and being outside makes me dizzy. The worst part is that while I'm dizzy there are these constant thoughts that worry about me fainting and then what would happen to me, what if this suffocating feeling gets worse and I end up clawing at my throats in front of people like mad man. Whenever this happens I go home with this feeling of hopelessness and sadness that I might be like this for a looong time and that's a very depressing thought. It's just that I can feel like this the whole day and I cannot get rid of the thoughts of what would happen if I can't breathe and faint while I'm outside in front of all this people. My family isn't here with me so I'm pretty much alone which makes me worry more that if something bad happens no one can help me.
HOW DO I GET RID OF THESE THOUGHTS?!
They keep buzzing around in my head all day.
1 like, 21 replies
Cookies356
Posted
I should add that these thoughts about me worrying about fainting in public and suffocating etc. heightens my anxiety making me feel like I'm gonna fall of the edge and go mad. Then they make me feel hopeless
tess33005 Cookies356
Posted
Hi. Please first of all realise that this is a non-judgemental forum and we will do our best to help you.
It is very, very difficult to get rid of these intrusive thoughts - although it is not impossible.
Have you seen a doctor, for medication and a therapy referral?
Extreme anxiety is not as unusual as sufferers think. And it literally takes over your life until treated. I'm sorry your family isn't around to help and that you feel so alone. At least you have this forum to turn to for support. Get some help, especially therapy, and let us know how you're getting along. love Tess
tanya_13503 tess33005
Posted
Hi I'm brand new on here, but i just want you to know your not alone by any means. I have a very difficult time going outside too. I feel like i will lose control. I'm scared of the traffic and all the noises.
tess33005 tanya_13503
Posted
Cookies356 tess33005
Posted
Yeah, planning on meeting another therapist. This time a psychologist instead of a psychiatrist.
First psychiatrist I met didn't say much but asked me a bunch of standard questions and asked if I wanted meds. Said yes, cause I didn't know what else to do. He gave me some and to come vack in 2 weeks.
Bad reaction on the first dosage. Got so dizzy I couldn't walk without feeling my face was gonna kiss the floor. Told him but he just said usually takes 3 or so weeks before there is any reaction. He said to just continue for 2 weeks and see.
I stopped inmediately. Took me 1 week to get over most of it.
Cookies356 tanya_13503
Posted
rosie1974 tanya_13503
Posted
Hi I'm new to this site too so not sure if I have posted this correctly .appligize if not but i can't believe there is so many people like this I have panic attacks over health and hate going outside too most days but thought it was just me .very reassuring.
cia42277 Cookies356
Posted
Good for you. Your body knows what it doesn't want to or can't deal with. I am so prone to side effects that I do whatever I can to avoid another med that I wish I had never started.
cia42277 Cookies356
Posted
I know this sounds simplistic, but part of what you want to accomplish is not in getting rid of the thoughts, but to learn to accept them, which will help you to really get that they are just thoughts. Practice this, until you start to believe the truth of this. THEY ARE JUST THOUGHTS. What other people think about you or what you do or how you act is an issue of self image. I also am alone and have found great help choosing a counsellor that feels like the right person for me, It cound be a religeous person, a metaphysical person, even a very wise neighbor. You will find all this much harder to deal with alone. You need a support system, whether it be a group or one person you can really relate to. Another thing to do along with these ideas is finding the right yoga or similar group. Many YMCAs have great groups. It's not just your mind and spirit that need some assistance, but your body also.Dear One, being alone is not working for you, as it doesn't for most of us. Think about these ideas, and feel free to respond or question anything I"ve said.
Take action, Fowldays, take action. At my senior age and many adventures and challenges, I've learned that surviving is not enough. We have to want to learn to thrive...and it is a choice. There have been many times I have had to look into a mirror and say to myself...alright, I've had it, that's enough. Things are going to change and I'm starting today. I hope you will give a good shot at trying these suggestions. I am assuming that doctors have not helped. If so, well, my dear, the ball is in your court, and ask yourself how serious you are about taking action. All the very best...you deserve it. You also might want to change your forum name. That name says that you believe things can't change. How about something like BETTER DAYS AHEAD? See the difference, feel the difference of what you put out to the world. Laughing at oneself occasionally is often a real lift. I believe in you, now you try it. Happy trails.
tess33005 cia42277
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I believe in you too, Fowldays!
cia42277 tess33005
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Cookies356 cia42277
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Thank you for the reply. I am aware that they are just very unproductive thoughts. But on a more subconsious level it seems that I have not been able to fully accept it as just that. It's probably because the unproductives thoughts cause physical symptoms that I can feel, like dizziness and hyperventilation and weak muscles, that makes it feel all the more real and destressing to me and as though I'm really in danger. Makes my thoughts go from a to z on what my body is currently experiencing, which only makes me more aware of it and worsens it.
Can you give me some ideas on how to accept these negative thoughts without having them overwhelm me? A way to stay calm and not let the thoughts escalate even when these thoughts and physical feelings are coming at me?
Where I live it's hard to find a good psychologist, I don't think people in this country are as open about mental health problems as they are in the Western parts of the world. But I will try to find a good psychologist. I think I'm going to stay away from medicine if I can help it. I want to use more natural means because I'm afraid medication only puts off the problem for another day.
You're also right about the name Fowldays. Hmmm, will find a less pessamistic name to replace it.
cia42277 Cookies356
Posted
I agree with you on not going to drugs, at least at this point. I am dealing with the exact same thing, and you understand it well. The unconscious does indeed affect the body, and so does our conscious mind with what we think and say.
This is what I do and suggest you do. First, I sit down and relax my body making sure no muscles are tense. Then I close my eyes, take a deep breath thru my nose, hold it for a count of 7, then blow it out thru my mouth slowly and completely. Do this three times or until you feel more relaxed. Do this as often as you need to. Some days, i do this many times...in the store (even if I can't sit down), at lunch, with a friend, anywhere, anytime. You will not only feel better, every time you do this you are training your conscious mind AND you subconscious mind. Keep at it just like training a child...repeat, repeat, repeat, and get the immediate benefits of feeling looser and better. Make a committment to yourself and your body that you are going to do this.
On accepting negative thoughts, (I do have a lot of experience in helping people with these things) Take a moment to look at the thought. Deliberately look at it rather than stuff it back in. See what it is and tell yourself, well that's a negative unproductive thought and I don't need or want it. Then watch it fade away or float away, or blow it away etc. whichever works for you. Accept that the thought is there or you can't let it go. You might be doing this a whole lot for awhile. It's okay to have a negative thought but its not productive to keep it.
(Do you read anything by Depok Chopra? You can trust his observations and teachings.) Start with these things I've suggested and we'll go from there when you are ready.
You may not need a psychologist, just a good counsellor. I have found one connected to the clinic I go to and he is great. I can talk freely and he knows just when to pitch in or ask a great question. For years, I was a counselor, so I know the value, and when I need to go to one myself. It is very difficult to do what you have so courageously decided to do by yourself. In my current situation of aging and health issues, I knew I could handle them much easier with help. Stay in touch and let me know your new name, sweetie pie.
cia42277 Cookies356
Posted
Cookies356 cia42277
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That's a good idea. Will do that. I think I might cook some spinach today for the magnesium.