Stress Center Peer Support

Hi All!

Woke up yesterday morning feeling overwhelmed with anxiety. As the day went on, it grew less. Now right away this morning, it is back. I have been struggling with anxiety/panic for 14 years. I am "on edge" most of the time. I'm six weeks into a new med and talk to a therpist on a regular basis. The problem is when I have a few mornings as mentioned above, I feel trapped and scared like I will never get better. I have sooooooo many thoughts racing through my head, mostly all negative ones. Then the physical symptoms start in: shaking, GI issues, sweating, etc.

I know what needs to be done as far as relaxation, mindfulness, positive self-talk and distraction, and I do it, but I feel like I'm not going to get better. I want these extremely uncomfortable feelings to go away!!!!

Any words of wisdom to help a fellow sufferer get through a tough time? It would be very much appreciated!

Beth

Wish I could help you. I'm going through the same thing. I felt great for the past six weeks, then I had a panic attack. I got through the attack and the next couple days, but it kept coming to my mind. Today my morning was fine but whenever I start to over think I worry about going back to my worst episodes and then I get myself worked up and have mini panic attacks like tingling and numbness. I cannot go back. So what I'm trying to do is pray a lot and keep focused on the moment. It is so hard but its what we have to do. If we stay in the moment we probably won't feel too bad. I also try to stay out of the box. I put my focus on other people too and still live life even if I'm afraid it helps. Its hard not to get negative but the negative things are ultimately what cause us to have fear and then symptoms. I'm seeking help on here myself. So hopefully more people will respond. Hope I could help some...you are not alone.

bthnown,
Hi! I'm not sure if you have this program or not, I hope you do as it can help you with what you describe as a common problem most of us have.
When I wake up in the morning and start feeling anxious, I learned 1. journal your thoughts. Write down what you were thinking...ie... I don't feel well, I'm never going to get feeling better, I have so much to do, I may loose my job ect... Then you will see all the scary thoughts that make your body react to all this negativity. It is hard work to replace those thoughts with more soothing things, like: I am grateful I have this warm house, this nice bed. Maybe after I get up and do something I will feel better. I believe in God so maybe I will pray for guidance. This is just anxiety and I can breath through the discomfort. Once I get to thinking positive things and calming things it goes away. Thoughts are powerful!

I will never get better is a very negative thought. F-False E- Evidence A-Appearing R- Real. There is no reason you will not get better?! Change your thoughts change your life!

Its really hard, I can do this! How bad do I want it? Any how that is how I personally get myself motivated.

I hope this can help you. Tomorrow is going to be a good day! My best to you....

P.S. Another thing I recently learned is, If you don't have anything to do, be a blessing to someone else. Call a friend who may need comforted. Open a door for a young mom with a couple kids,or a older person, give a smile to someone who looks like they need one. For some reason it gives meaning to my life. You can be useful is small ways that don't cost anything. This has helped me as well. Sometimes just thinking in the morning of nice things like this can get me rolling in the right direction.
Hope some of this helps!

Thanks for the responses. I'm trying very hard not to let this bring me down, but it is difficult. I woke up again this morning, in automatic anxiety mode. Just want these feelings to go away! Hope you all are doing well.

It is really a terrible feeling! Anxiety and depression is something I have had for over 50 yrs. I am just beginning to feel better but still have bad days or weeks. Diversion is something I use a lot. Take a shower, go out, do one household chore, read a short piece (anything). Television. Phone a friend. Sometimes though the grip is so tight you can't get up off the bed or couch to do any of those things. Then is when I close my eyes, do the breathing exercise, and say Jesus 3 times. If you don't believe in Him just ask your higher power to please help you. Then wait. Sometimes the wait is pretty long. This is just my experience. Thought I would share it with you ........ hope all is well....see you on mini chat maybe.

I also suffer from anxiety at its worst in the mornings. I was comforted by finding out that morning anxiety is very common as our hormones lie in a sort of "dormant" state as we sleep so when we awake, they are being produced at a higher rate- I suppose to give us that little boost to get out of bed; but for us the feeling triggers fear. I really appreciate TTH's (sp?) reminder about F.E.A.R= false evidence appearing real. I woke up both yesterday and today with high anxiety. I needed to run some errands yesterday and instead chose to stay in but it didn't help, lol. So, today is a second chance for me to see how a differenct response to the same symptoms can achieve different results. I know I may feel a little uncomfortable at first, but using the breathing method "2 in-4 out" really helps me and the sense of accomplishment at fighting through gives me one or even two steps of progress. I also really like Lucinda's relaxation CD. I listened yesterday and was able to relax about half as much as I normally do when listening to it but I also am trying to keep in mind that the idea is to listen to it over and over to have it so engrained in my mind that eventually, I can just pull up those images wherever and whenever I am and that they will automatically trigger a relaxation response. So, it doesn't mean that it's not working if I don't always feel completely relaxed while or after listening to it. It will take time.

I wish you all the best with your tackling your anxiety and I truly believe that we CAN overcome this. Anxiety is a behavioral response NOT an illness. We CAN change our behavior- it will just take commitment and one day at a time and support from one another.

Hello

I feel that way too. depressed and anxious......good days and bad. Stay with the forums and the chat. I use diversion a lot. shower, get outside, fold clothes. write, call a friend. Sometimes it isn't that easy Depression can paralyze you. Don't give up.
Stay strong
Lucy