getting anxious....

[jdog499]

so i have had anxiety issues since 05, been daily since 09. I pretty much have battled it for the past 3 years. Have good days and have bad days. Does anybody get anxious at certain places or events. for instance , ive been working the night shift on weekends for about 6 months, and my jobs about 45 min from me. I started getting anxious driving up there, its real dark and i have to drive through the mountains to get to my job. And friday night i was driving there, felt fine, but in the back of my mind im having to tell myself your fine , you can do this, but then i get those thoughts and there comes the anxiety. Then i get to work and im fine, drive home in the a.m. fine. Even at movie theaters, i jst remember having anxious moments where id have to leave the theater an i get anxious. An even worse now, I'm an avid softball player for 3 years now and I've had a few anxious moments on the field but had been doing real good. Now lately everytime i go there i get panicky and now im expecting it everytime. It feels like certain activities where ive got anxios, now I feel like im expected to have an episode of anxiety. and its frustrating.

[afickes]

I have had anxiety since I was about 16yrs old, possibly earlier but that is the first I remember it. I got for long periods of time without severe anxiety. My anxiety has always been there just not so prevalent at times. My anxiety started up really bad about 3 months ago. Now I have a hard time going to anywhere public. I tend to get anxious and feel an attack come on and have to leave. I play on a pool league. When all of this started I actually had to take three weeks off because I could not handle the noise and the people. I started back up and I always am anxious when I first get there but I keep reminding myself that this is only anxiety and it is made from me. I also take Xanax with me and usually take one while I am there. Another thing that really helps me is my breathing. When I start to feel really anxious, I do my breathing techniques. It really does help me. I hope I could be of some help to you. Good luck!!!

[1254smit]

Does the breathing techniques work? i just went to a job interview, and worried that i was going to have a panic attack and what they would think of me.. Well guess what, i started to panic inside, i didn't know what to do.. Like i'll have that obession problem, wher if i had a panic attack somewhere i can't go ever again.. lol so i go just to tell myself.. nothing will happen.. but the breathing techniques i'm just trying to see if it workss. i get dizzy or more anxious when i try. ):

[CarolM]

I have certain places i get anxious to. one happens to be movie theaters when i sit up in the higher rows or have to sit between people. It has a lot to do with what Lucinda says once you stop being afraid they will go a way. You might want to look at it instead of something to worry about it's just a sign that you might be under a little more stress lately and that's just how it's coming out. I think the main thing is to ALLOW yourself to feel anxious and know it will pass. What helps me is repeating what lucida says when she says "it's not the ball field, it's not the movie theater, it's not the drive thru the woods it's what your telling yourself about it. Anyway hope that helps. And ps i think it's perfectly normal to feel a little anxious driving in a darker woodsy area, so don't be too hard on yourself for haveing some feelings about that. I grew up in a dark woodsy area and to this day sometimes it bothers me a little but truth is there's nothing to be fearful about, there's nothing there in the night that isn't there in the day.

[Peace1217]

1254smit - Believe or not it does work. If you have to practice it at home, where you are comfortable do so. You breathe in through your nose to the count of 4 and out of your mouth to the count of 4 or 5. I read this somewhere today---When you are breathing in say the word Calm to yourself and when you are breathing out say the Relax...Deep diaphragmatic breaths.
If your out go to the bathroom and do this...you will feel better.

jdog499 - I had anxiety where ever I went and getting there too. On the bus, on the train, in the movie theater, church, work, school, in the car, you name it. Everything but the train and being in a car in traffic bothers me. Don't feel afraid of every where you go. You are stronger than the anxiety. I have the Claire Weekes book and she says to do these 4 things.
-Face it, do not run - You know what it is so just feel it don't be afraid of it.
-Accept it, do not fight - We all now fighting makes the symptoms stay longer..
-Float past, do not listen in - Do not listen to your thoughts let them just be there without reacting to them. This one is tough but it is possible.
-Let time pass, do not be impatient with time. Accept that the movie will last 2hrs and enjoy watching it. If you need to leave, by all means do so.
If you are now expecting it, it's okay. Just prepare yourself with techniques that will calm you.

You will be okay. Better than ok.

[1254smit]

Thanks! i've actually the past couple of days, have been doing a breathing techinque. Stilll getting the hang of it!

[Najl2009]

@ Najl2009 - Sun Apr 01, 2012 10:42 am
Hi I'm new to the program just need advice.....I have major anxiety and panic all day everyday I need a head start been feeling like this for years but never did anything about it...Io saw a I'm I just got a full physical and nothing is wrong but yet feel all the symptoms that come with panic and anxiety....please advice

[1254smit]

-advice: when you are ABOUT to panic or feel it coming do this..

A) Relax- by taking slow deep breaths. CALM yourself by remembering youa re only having a panic attack nothing more serious is happening to you! Slow deep, complete breaths!

B) Shout the word STOP real loud inside your head, replace scary thoughts with a more calming one!!

C)Coping statments- i've gotten through this many times before and i can get through it again! or i'm fine, everything is fine! or at first my anxiety was scary but as time foes by it doesn't have the hold on me that once thought it had! OR i am moving forward gently and nicely all the time. (Just some good quotes to say to yourself)

D) ACCEPT IT!- accept that you have anxiety and that the feelings won't hurt you.. But remember you're body is giving off these feelings for a reason.. So watch for your feelings and pay attention to your body. Love yourself (:

I wrote these four things on a notecard and carry it around with me.. and i am doing a lot better!

[LyndaLu]

dear 1254smit: Thanks for those tips ! Great idea !

Lynda