Questions About Anxiety. Is This Really It?
Posted , 3 users are following.
Hi, I've posted a few times now about my anxiety. I've been told that I have anxiety and being that it's still very new to me, I'm not sure if what I'm feeling is normal. For me, I am able to still go out, spend time with my family and do some things that I would normally do. However, being that I lost my job and am not in school at the moment, I spend a lot of time at home and crave to get out and be amongst other people, however, I don't drive and financially I am unable to. Recently, I've been feeling alone although I am not and feel I feel uneasy (not relaxed or at peace. Something feels off). My muscles are always tense from head to toe and never seems to relax and normalize. I get random intrusive thoughts of me just spontaneously spazzing like banging my head against the wall, yelling or fears of going mad. These thoughts seem to come when there aren't any distractions and I'm home alone. I know that these are just thoughts and aren't real, but they sometimes bother me because I've never thought like this until I started ing anxiety and other mental disorders (hate that word.) Also, It feels like I've lost motivation to do certain things I normally do like workout, go swimming or painting. I just don't feel creative or like I have the willpower to do them. I don't think I am depressed because I don't feel sad and I know I have things to look forward to, I really want to get out make new friends and actually do things that are fun but financially right now I can't. I have ideas of what I want my future to look like and goals I want to accomplish but feel unmotivated to do them. I've had a bad panic attack two weeks ago but since then I've been slowly getting better. I don't fear panic attacks or the feelings of anxiety (other than derealization), however, I'm just not sure if these feelings are caused by anxiety or not. Sorry if this seemed all over the place.
0 likes, 10 replies
dee53012 rchrbl
Posted
rchrbl, you are certainly in a hard place. I have had years of anxiety before knowing the reason. Because of this, my go to question is, have you been tested for any autoimmune diseases, the top of my list would be celiac disease or a gluten intolerance.
If you know you do not have CD or other issues, are you eating healthy food (not processed) like eggs, meat, veggies,beans or legumes, and a small amount of fruit? WOLE food is medicine, if we don't eat it, we get sick. If we live on processed foods, we are not getting nutrition. Same with hydration. Drink plain old water or herbal teas. Caffein is a big anxiety trigger for many (self included). It is in chocolate, coffee, tea, coca nibs, etc.
I know it can be diffecult, but are you making yourself get out for walks? They cost nothing. Easy yoga after the walk and some meditation is always benificial for me. Lots of deep breathing!
I would want to rule out any possible underlying conditions first before popping pills. The docs are good about giving out pills without checking for other causes.
Hope you feel better soon!
rchrbl dee53012
Posted
Yes, I've had tests done and everything came back fine. I recently lost a friend to cancer so I was really stressed and began panicking about my own health. He died at 27 and I recently turned 26 and started freaking myself out about the possiblities. I've had CT scans, Xrays and Blood work done. Everything came back fine. Since my panic attack I've been getting better slowly but I haven't been eating healthy at all. I usually am very health conscious but have been eating very poorly due to my poor mood. I also haven't made myself walk like I know I should. I guess I've just been a little bummed out about everything and this whole experience is so new to me, on top of losing a friend and my only source of income. However, I haven't been anxious really, but my muscles still feel tense and worked up. I'm not sure if I'm still recovering from the panic attack or if I'm depressed and don't want to accept it or what. I usually don't allow anxiety to stop me from doing anything, I feel it and let it go. However, I just feel different. Not like myself after the panic attack. It's just so weird.
katehippy rchrbl
Posted
Hey babe, do you feel any better for writing this all down?
It's overwhelmimg sometimes, just how much our thoughts can influence how our body reacts! I know where you're coming from with losing your creativity, too...
It's pure frustration that makes us feel like screamimg and smashing things - we're intelligent, thinking beings with a lot to give and be part of, so WHY does it feel like we can't do anything??!
Have you been prescribed any medication?
rchrbl katehippy
Posted
I've been prescribed Xanax but I've only taken it twice when I was unable to sleep due to feeling anxious. I'm not a huge fan of medication and often seek alternative methods. I do however feel a little better writing it down. But it's just weird. I feel like a different person since the panic attack. Usually, I'm unbothered by anxious thoughts and feelings however I just feel uneasy and weird. I was so motivated and every day woke up ready to work and complete my goals, now I just feel like I'm just blah. I just want to be me again.
katehippy rchrbl
Posted
Yes, medication is literally hard to swallow! I fought against it for years.
Sometimes though, if it's got too much to handle and you just can't focus anymore, a short course can "reset" your thoughts enough for you to go back to being that capable person.
I can't think of any reason why your panic attack would still be affecting you now, it's a rise in adrenaline that should've subsided quite quickly?
Maybe someone else knows more on here....
P.s. if you're interested in healthy eating there's various foods that increase Tryptophan (Seratonin- inducing) like bananas, basil and avocado x
rchrbl katehippy
Posted
I guess I don't want to accept what I'm going through. And i thought maybe the muscle tension is a result of the panic attack. but I'm going to change up the way that I'm eating and see if that helps. I will also try to make myself go for a walk. Hopefully, I will start to feel better. Thank you for listening and the advice.
tess33005 rchrbl
Posted
Panic attacks can be very sudden and not (apparently) triggered by anything. That's why they're so scary!
You've had lots of tests done. I would take the Xanax as prescribed and see if it helps if you have a therapeutic dose in your system all the time.
What dose were you prescribed?
Also, are you having therapy?
love Tess
rchrbl tess33005
Posted
I was prescribed .5mg. But I know exactly what caused my panic attacks. They were definitely self-induced with the help of google and lack of sleep/food. I am not currently in therapy because I can't afford it right now. The company I was working for shut down and didn't pay many of us. So I've also been stressed out about that too. A lot has happened over the past two months that lead up to the panic attacks.
dee53012 rchrbl
Posted
Greif is painful!! You lost a dear person in your life, and it takes time to recover from the shock of their loss. This is a time to be very kind to yourself with nurturing, eating, an exercise; it is a time to reflect on your relationship with your friend.
As mentioned by someone esle, writing can be very healing, poems about your friend (they do not have to be perfect), journal your feelings, cry a river or a ocean. It will get better, but it takes time and work on your part. The hardest thing to do is get motivated again, but you can make yourself do it, sorround yourself with supportive folks and maybe call the crisis hotlines in your area. I don't know your location but Crisis Line phone "therapy" is free here.
Or you can just keep writing to us
Hope we all can help. Greif is hard. Very hard, but you can make it through! You are strong and young, and the world is at your feet! Enjoy it the way your friend would have wanted you to!
Hugz
tess33005 rchrbl
Posted