I feel like I'll never get my life back

Posted , 6 users are following.

I've always had days where I felt like I couldn't breathe or would freak out a little but didn't know what it was so just ignored it but since last summer I started noticing that I couldn't control myself, I would have intense fear and panic along with other physical things which I later learned were symptoms of anxiety. But it all keeps growing worse. I even ended up leaving my job and not being in work is really making me hate myself as I feel I've lost all control. I'm only 20 years old and I worry that I'm wasting it all. I've been finding it hard to find motivation or energy to get up and do things because my heart and mind always feel like they're in overdrive and I feel overwhelmed and have no idea why. There are days where I just cry for no real reason besides from frustration. I'm tired most of the time regardless of how much sleep I get, and I always get tired especially after eating. I've lost control of myself, my emotions and ability and it makes me frustrated in myself that I'm unable to get a grip on things but I don't know how to do it alone.

0 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • Posted

    Don't be like me. I let this go on for years and now it's been 5 days and I can't snap out of this ball of panic and anxiety. Get help. Call a psichritrist asap. They can help. I just had to call one today for the first time in my life. I'm hoping the call me back asap!

    • Posted

      Hi, Cat. Thanks for your message. Sorry about what you're going through. What's been happening exactly?

    • Posted

      I have been trying to fight off a huge panic attack for 5 days now. I feel horrible. My body is just a walking panic anxiety mess. My senses are on high alert, I'm getting all times of panic signals. It's horrible. I can't even get out of bed.

    • Posted

      I totally understand how you feel, I experienced that a few months ago. It's horrible. Do you think it could have been caused by any recent changes in your life? How have you been managing lately?

    • Posted

      This will calm itself down. You are prolonging it yourself. Like the wizard of oz effect. (IM not sure if i made that analogy up but im positive it is true) fear of fear of fear is the issue. When you deciede its enough and you dont fear this your body will stop thinking it is in actual danger and begin to calm it self down. The true cycle runs 15 minutes. Then its is your mindset recycling it. Truth. Its as simple as that oddly. You say enough of this. Im not going to be scared anymore of the adrenaline rush i have had enough. Then get some nutrition shakes like ensure or boost and drink one. Drink one every morning for a while. Im guessing you lost a ton of weight this stuff burns calories like no other. Anxiety attacks is similiar to potent cardio workout, but negative way.  This passes. It does. Sometimes it can take a bit of time to get a grip in it all but it will pass. Believe me, believe in you it passes. The initial glitz or mal function is a primitive reaction to danger. Whilst you feed the fear you are reinforcing a glitz and making it a very real thing. Its hellish. But you can stop it.  Learn mindful breathing, healing meditations, yoga, therapy and meds if needed to quiet your mind. Your nervous system is frazzled so be tender with yourself and patient for the aches and weirs symptoms to have time to recover..This is a lot more controllable then you realize at times and its in absolutely within you to do it. Its all what you believe. I call it the wizard of oz effect. I have been there. It happens. Somewhere down the road youll learn it runs in cycles. The cycle suck terribly but at least you truely know it all does, absolutely does pass.
    • Posted

      Hi, Cat. What Lisa said is pretty right and I know how hard it can be. When my anxiety was at its worse getting out of bed and finding motivation was challenging. Eventually, it wore off when I stopped thinking about anxiety and took time out to de-stress by watching favourite films and forcing myself to leave the house a bit more. Take your time, it'll pass very soon.

  • Posted

    Wow, we are very similar! I have always had anxiety, where I felt like I couldn't take in a deep enough breath, or my back hurt, or I had something stuck in my throat. All of these things I learned to deal with, after the doctors ran a bunch of tests and reassured me nothing was physically wrong. But then one day, that plant was legalized in my state (don't want them to block my comment, but you know what I mean by plant), and I tried it, and I actually felt like my throats closed up, I was gasping for air and felt like i was going to pass out. Needless to say, I never tried that again, but that opened a door that I wish stayed shut. I continued to have panic attacks, up until this day. This all started 3 years ago.

    It had gotten to the point that I didn't leave my house for a little over 2 months. I was having at least 1 panic attack a day, and got depressed over the fact it was taking over my life.

    I got Zoloft, didn't help, now I have Ativan. I honestly have t tried it yet, due to the bad reaction of Zoloft, I have been afraid. But my panic attacks aren't as bad. I remind mysl f that it's not dangerous, if it happens I have the Ativan for emergencies, and that it's all in my head. I know it's Easier said than done, and it took me a while to go from multiple panic attacks a day, to not having one for over 2 months (knock on wood) but it's possible, but I also now have to avoid doing what I used to love. Such as parasailing, going on boats, movie theaters, overly crowded places, etc. I'm in my early 20s as well and hate feeling confined to the crippling anxiety. But idk, right now for me, I am going to continue avoiding the things I used to like, because those are my triggers. And Although it sucks, is rather give those up than have another attack. I still live with constant anxiety though. And even though I haven't had an attack, I still get the "almost" symptoms. Tingly face, hot flash feeling, but then I do the stomach breathing and it prevents the full on attack.

    Not really a helpful answer, but just sharing so you know you aren't alone! I hope that you can find something that works for you where, unlike me, you don't have to give up the things you used to enjoy. If you have t learned the stomach breathing though, I suggest that. It helps! Best of luck.

    • Posted

      Hi, Nicole. Your answer was very helpful, I appreciate hearing other people's stories and I'm glad you shared yours. What you went through sounds intense, so it's really good that you've been able to overcome it. I'm in that position right now, my panic attacks have reduced but when I'm about to leave the house or do something that may seem challenging I start to freak out and then negative emotions start to come over me.  I've also been having tests done and get upset when I'm told it's just anxiety. Hearing how other people have coped has really helped in keeping me hopeful that one day it'll pass over.

  • Posted

    Hope you don't mind my email but I feel like my life is ruined I work in a&be as a receptionist and have been off work ten weeks now doctors are saying it's anxiety have had all tests done everything come back normal but I feel constantly shaky and dizzy all day I feel like am never going to be the same again I am waiting to see a counsellor have tried a few medications but took myself off them all tried herbal as well but nothing I feel like am in a world of my own I just want to feel normal and feel like my life is never going to be the same again

    • Posted

      Hey, Patricia. Everything that you're going through is exactly the same as me. It's debilitating and can be very lonely. For me, the dizziness has passed but I went a very long time experiencing dizziness constantly.

      I think eventually your symptoms will reduce but you have to work on it - get out of the house as much as you can, it's really helped me as my comfort zone is at home and I don't usually like going out on my own. Even if it's sitting in a library reading a book, this is really peaceful and something 

    • Posted

      (Sorry didn't finish) ....I enjoy doing often. Try magnesium and relora, I believe those supplements really work. I worry that my life will remain filled with anxiety but I'm hoping I'm wrong, all we can do is take each day as it comes. But don't stop trying. Keep me updated. Good luck x

  • Posted

    Hi, I'm new on this forum but I just want to say I kno exactly what you're going through and it is horrible. I have very bad health anxiety but my most recent fear is that anxiety will consume my life rendering me unable to sleep, work, leave the house etc. I am constantly plagued by these thoughts and it is getting so annoying because I know that I am doing this to myself!! I have had multiple heart tests by doctors and have been prescribed betablockers and 2mg diazepam by doctors which I am too anxious to actually take!!

    A question however, does your anxiety seem to get worse at nighttime? Because mine does

    • Posted

      Hi, thanks for your reply. At the moment anxiety is pretty much controlling my life and once I feel like I'm improving I get knocked right back to square one.

      And yes, I'm glad you mentioned worse anxiety at night. I dread nighttime because for some reason that's when it gets worse and it always around the same time - after 10 pm. I don't know why, but it becomes uncontrollable at night and it's impossible for me to sleep. Sleep has become a losing battle. And I keep trying to get to the bottom of why my anxiety is worse at night. My theory is that my anxiety gets worse at night because I'm unconsciously putting pressure on myself to have a better day tomorrow - where I'm free of anxiety, more productive and have a better mood. But I could be wrong. How does your anxiety get worse at night?

      Have you tried other things other than medication?

      Many people have told me medication just makes the problem doesn't solve it. But I understand that taking medication can help while also doing other things to treat your anxiety.

    • Posted

      That's a good theory about why you are most anxious at night! My theory about myself is that at nighttime everyone is sleeping except from me. And so I feel very alone and I get scared that if I have a panic attack or think something is wrong with me then i won't have anyone to talk to! You see, sometimes if my anxiety attacks are reaaally bad I can't get the feeling away by myself and have to phone someone and have them calm me down.

      I have not tried any other methods of coping and I haven't even tried the medication yet. My doctor told me that medication works best with some sort of therapy because if you take the medication first you will know how it feels to feel "normal" (without palpitations etc) and so the therapy works better when you feel "normal" as you know that's how you're "supposed" to feel? I'm not sure though.

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