Connect with people who understand what you are going through, seek advice and surround yourself with support. We're free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.

47,612Members
1,358,869Posts
1,400,000Visitors

Stressed?

katoSenior Contributor27 Apr 2015, 6:45 pm AEST

Stressed?

Hi everyone,

Finding myself getting really stressed as of late, i think it has to do wiith my upcomming court case, but i find that stress which i know is a major trigger for me, is getting really heightened, what are some good coping strategies to help deal with stress, everything i know and use and try doesn't seem to be able to knock the impending doom i am envisioning.

For awhile i thought i had a good handle on it, but it seems, i don't....

I noticed it really bad last couple of days, weight on my chest sorta feeling, chest pains. racing thoughts mixed with depression, so i am feeling a bit worn out.....

My meds have also been adjusted back a little bit which is wrecking havoc on me also at the moment, i am almost incoherent for an hour or so when i wake up in the mornings..... or afternoons some days, i am trooping on tho trying to keep routine, but getting so tired from battling.

Any thoughts would be appreciated, as i am running on empty with ideas, my normal ones are not helping much

thank you

9 replies

1 - 9 of 9

In response to: Stressed?

hiddeniteSenior Contributor27 Apr 2015, 7:15 pm AEST

Re: Stressed?

Hi Kato
I find myself with the same struggles as you. Its exhausting and helping ourselves seems such a struggle.
I try to walk every morning, use grounding techniques, notice the environment even if its just the wind in the trees. I like to use my 5 senses to stay in the present. Also breathing meditation. You can google these to see how its done.
Distract listen to music or do something you enjoy.
Safe place mental imagery. Visualise a safe place you can go to in your mind to feel safe.
Distress tolerance accepting emotions.
Just a few suggestions hope something helps.
If not remember we are all here to support you.
take care
karen

In response to: Re: Stressed?

Unknown userMember27 Apr 2015, 7:44 pm AEST

Re: Stressed?

Hi @kato

I'm hearing you! In a similar space right now. Its really hard! I have started coloring in mendalas as an effort to try and get into mindfullness/meditation... I can not do the traditional meditation... for longer than about a minute of thinking about my breathing before i'm back to full stressing! Drives me crazy... but with the colouring i can start by fousing on my breathing then focus on the colours that i'm using and the patterns i'm creating etc.

Also i have a worry half an hour that i use to help deflect worry to. So if i realise that im ruminating over something i tell myself, not now... ill think about it at 2:00. etc then i have my worry half hour. then i put on happy music straight afterwards... if i can.

I also do alot of grounding like hiddenite suggests. If im drifting off or getting too anxious i try to look around and use all of my senses to stay in the present and it does help to lower my level of anxiousness usually too and remind me that i'm safe.

Hope things ease for you soon,

In response to: Stressed?

peaceSenior Contributor01 May 2015, 12:51 am AEST

Re: Stressed?

Hi @kato how yukky hey that feeling of impending doom. I am thinking of you and sure do hope that you can pull through. Some great advice given here and Sandy also wrote some excellent words of that I believe to be true. Best wishes to you.

In response to: Re: Stressed?

katoSenior Contributor01 May 2015, 5:39 pm AEST

Re: Stressed?

@peace

heya Peace, hadn't seen you around lately hope all is well for you, thank you for your words they mean alot to me 🙂

Had an epiphany at my psychologists today, made sense alot of things that i have been doing to myself, i went out last night with a old work mate, had a really good time, but as per usual drank a bit too much, so was discussing this with the psychologist and she explained, to me, the reasoning behind it, which made perfect sense, then i re-learnt about CBT with her, because i had been struggling to figure out how it worked, basically i drink too much to make myself happy, well try to get to that happy place when i am stressed or worried about the future, so i have decided with my D and A counsellor, that i need help with drinking issues, as they are non existent at the moment.

When discussing CBT i realized it was me well how i was two years ago, i had a good balance emotionally and logically, so i need to remember back to that time frame and mind set. all in all feeling really good today well hungover slightly but good.

I feel really lucky to have found this forum, it has helped me in a number of ways

In response to: Re: Stressed?

Unknown userMember02 May 2015, 7:22 pm AEST

Re: Stressed?

Hi @kato,

Well done on your epiphany and having the courage to speak honestly about it all with your psychologist. Its great that you are able to envision better times and coping methods and strengths that you already have to help you get where you want to go now. Sounds like you have found a great path.

In response to: Re: Stressed?

kristinSenior Contributor02 May 2015, 8:14 pm AEST

Re: Stressed?

Hey @Former-Member

I hope you are travelling ok today. I just wanted to say thanks for sharing those great suggestions for dealing with stress and anxiety. I love them, especially the mandalas and the "worry 1/2 hour". I must remember to give it a go.

Take care of you. You are a wonderful kind-hearted person.

Kindest regards,

Kristin

In response to: Stressed?

peaceSenior Contributor03 May 2015, 2:43 pm AEST

Re: Stressed?

Hi there @kato I have been a little unbalanced due to not being able to get on that damn airplane last month. A week later low and behold I received a visitor myself and all my self loathing went out the window. It is amazing how connecting with others makes a world of difference. I have returned to work to my pleasure however that was not without its anxiety challenges. Damn fear keeps pestering me even when I know everything is going well.

Glad to hear from you kato 😊

In response to: Re: Stressed?

katoSenior Contributor04 May 2015, 12:29 pm AEST

Re: Stressed?

Hi @peace

i was thinking the trip on the airplane was what had kept you away so to speak, but how awesome you had a visitor which helped you regain yourself. Back at work too, really glad you are travelling well, well as well as can be 🙂

In response to: Re: Stressed?

katoSenior Contributor04 May 2015, 12:36 pm AEST

Re: Stressed?

Thanks @Former-Member it is funny, well not funny but funny for me i think, i tend to get these great moments, were the shroud of the unknown lessens and i can see the path clearer then before, but i am also aware that the path may become difficult again, reading back through my journal and forum stuff, i have a bit of a pattern happening, but not an exact science one, but i still bounce up and down, through the thick and thin.

i just hope each step makes the difference for the next time and so on

thank you for what you have said, a good mood booster 🙂

1 - 9 of 9