Stress Center Peer Support

So ladies, we can all relate to the times when our "monthly" is here OR on its way!! Normally, our bodies are going through hormonal changes, we feel moody, cranky, angry which are all symptoms that mimic anxiety and this kind of scares me trying to differentiate the two. Like is it my anxiety or is it PMS? HELPPPPPPPPP!!!!I need some relaxation advice!! I havent had any caffeine but i had some chips and cake yesterday

There is definitely an increase in my anxiety around TOTM PMS makes anxiety symptoms more pronounced because of the fluctuating hormones.
I get more overwhelmed and focusing on my symptoms
just makes them worse.
Try to distract yourself do something fun. Take a break if you are at work, take a brisk walk, and try not to dwell on these symptoms. They may not go away completely but try to take deep breaths to relax the muscle tension.
I get bad tension headaches/tmj symptoms get worse around TOTM too. Doing stretches also helps.

I'm the same way! I finally went to the doctor and he put me on birth control pills. I am hoping it will help. It's my first week so there's no way to tell.

But of course now I'm havinga little trouble if I suddenly have a bad mood. I think "is it me, hormones, or the pill?" LOL I think sometimes my brain just THINKS too much.

Last weekend we were busy all weekend with activities and fun and didn't have time to think about it. That was a good thing!

Thanks ladies!! Im at work now and we are so slow, so its just gives my mind to think and wonder and OVERTHINK!! I just had that feeling of being on edge its like I just want to tell myself to RELAX!!!!! but the interesting thing about it is i find it so hard to relax! and even more ironic is I am going to school for Massage Therapy which is key to relaxation!!Does anyone ever get more anxious TRYING to relax. I tried the relaxation CD for the first time and when i went to sleep my body was like "jumping" from time to time, like tremors, i didnt let it bother me too much tho, and went to sleep after awhile

i am on session 4 of the program and still have a problem with the relaxation cd my whole body will relax except for my jaw which stays clenched the entire 15 minutes i have tried to stretch it and it still wont relax oh well i figure if thats the only thing its better than nothing

I have the same issue. If I concentrate TOO much
on relaxing I get even more anxious.
Right now I have a tight jaw too. I have a history of severe tmj issues so even when I get just a 'little' tense, my jaw and neck get SO
tight. I am trying to stretch it out right now too.
Going over the steps to end a panic attack helps me to calm down also.

OMG when I am at work the same thing happens to me.
I think my anxiety symptoms get worse at work because I anticipate work stress, along with whatever I am thinking about in my personal life, which amounts to stress overload and panic.
Keeping busy helps alot, along with the deep breathing exercises from Lucinda's CD. You can do it
right at your desk or in the Ladies' Room.

It's amazing how there are so many people like ME and are going through exactly the same thing im going through. Its also weird how no one knows whats going on (those around me) like my co-workers or my customers and it could be when im feeling the most anxious that people say "you look so vibrant, so healthy, so happy" but i FEEL the total opposite. So it IS true, people have the own lives to worry about, that they really arent even paying attention to me or noticing that im feeling anxious becaue how could they??so i need not worry about it, right? Im already starting to feel better now. Had to keep telling myself "this too shall pass" but sometimes its easier said than done. But then my obsessive thinking gets me to wondering "well by me keeping busy, in essence am i ignoring my problems or whats really bothering me????

Hey Debb, I havent got to that part of the program where you learn the steps to ending a panic attack, any quick ideas for me??

Hi Marie

Anxiety rears its ugly head for me when I get overwhelmed with too much 'going' on in my life.
I have come to the point where I can identify these factors with the help of the program, and
control the symptoms. But you also need to work on
resolving these issues or else it will keep coming
back. Identifying your stressors is a big part of
feeling better.

Originally posted by Marie85:
Hey Debb, I havent got to that part of the program where you learn the steps to ending a panic attack, any quick ideas for me??

Deep breathing helps me, distract yourself, go do
something you enjoy, if you are at work keep busy
or get up and take a walk. Also listen to the
relaxation cd at least a 2 times a day.
I like to walk-walking/jogging on the treadmill,
go to the gym and work off that tension/stress
always helps me relax but try not to overdo it.
Hope this Helps!