anxiety

Hi @Former-Member,

I suffer from anxiety and my experiences are very similar to yours. I can find busy public places over-whelming and find I get confused and can't think straight when I am in a pressured situation. When I was at my worst, I experienced what felt like constant heart palpitations, which were very distracting and my hands also shook. Sometimes I had mild nausea and I would loose my appetite for days on end. I also had insomnia which was persistent and at times, very distressing.

If something went wrong in my life, I would experience over-whelming guilt, even if it was not my fault and there was nothing I could have done differently. I would endlessly go over and over things in my head and imagine a complete catastrophe out of the situation, which was unwarranted and counter-productive.

I still suffer from anxiety, but I think I am gradually improving. In the last 2 years, my Mum has died, I had to take an ex-employer to the Fair Work Commission and my Dad got cancer. We also had to move house and I changed jobs again, twice. It has been very stressful!

I think that, besides medication (which I no longer take), exercise really helps. So does having a supportive partner. Taking time to rest and have a nap if needed. Staying away from extremely busy pubic places helps, too. Although, I know it's best no to avoid stressful places entirely, as this can lead to more anxiety in the long run.

I do a bit of CBT on myself when I think I need it. This helps. You have to be consistent with it, though. I also limit my caffeine intake to two cups of coffee, and only in the mornings. The caffeine is then out of my system by the time I go to bed.

I really try and focus on the things I love to do- like making art, reading and baking. I notice that when I am doing the things I love, my thinking slows down a bit and I don't feel so 'hyped'. I also love to do yoga.

Hi @Former-Member,

yes, you have summed it up well! It's really important that you mentioned psychotherapy and group therapy. I have had about 10 years of therapy and I know it's always an option to go back if I want to do more. When My Mum died, I even went as far as getting a referral to see a psychologist because I thought I would need it. As it turns out, I never had grief counselling, in the end.

I haven't seen a counsellor for nearly 3 years now.... but for those who suffer anxiety- I recommend because it did help. I am not an especially open person when it comes to talking about my emotions.... in fact, in my life there has been very few people who have ever ventured to ask how I'm feeling.... and if they did, I would feel embarrassed, anyway.

But I found the therapist/client relationship to be totally different than a real-life situation, in that all the focus was on me totally and for my benefit alone. I found counselling very rewarding and I learnt a lot about myself. I know a lot of people on Sane forums have had bad experiences with therapists and I understand that.

Honestly, for me, I felt like it was the first time in my life I had ever been listened to.

I did so much crying in therapy! I had never had the experience of someone being willing to sit with me in my sadness, until I experienced therapy. Up until then, all I heard was "don't cry" in various forms. The worst being "You look ugly when you cry" (from my ex-partner) and, of course, "Stop all that crying or I'll give you something to cry about!" from my mother. Both very negative reactions, I think you will agree.

I grew up thinking that emotions were something shameful that had to be kept hidden at all costs. Now I know differently.