What is going on here?

[claire0410]

I am new here. I am a woman who has just turned 60 a few months ago. If you asked me three weeks ago how I was, I would have told you I was one of the luckiest people I knew. I have a husband who loves me dearly, a wonderful extended family, and a good life. Then it seems I woke up one day and everything just seemed to go to pieces. I started having unbelievable feelings of dread and anxiety. I am anxious about everything and can't seem to get past the "what if..." stage. My mind races constantly and I can't seem to make it stop no matter how I try. I can't figure out how this could have happened to me. I do have some "good" days, but the bad ones are physically and mentally exhausting. My biggest fear is that this will be what the rest of my life is like. I don't know how I'm going to deal with this.

[Sarah1111111]

IT sounds really hard having that come on so suddenly. It will get better though I don't know how long it will take but it will so trust in that. Have you any idea what might have triggered it? Did something happen, or an anniversary bringing back memories ??

Have you tried any relaxation strategies such as breathing or meditation -you can get some online that are good for helping with anxiety. Calm music can change.

Just take one day at a time and try out different things you will find something. That works. It's good that you are seeking help so soon. Keep asking for ideas on here and also look at the NHS website where there is some information that might be useful for you.

[claire0410 in reply to Sarah1111111]

Thank you for your kind words. I made an appointment with a psychologist and my regular doctor. My biggest hope is that this will pass as quickly as it seemed to appear! Thanks for the suggestion of some strategies to try from others going through this that will help. I want' "me" back! Just knowing that others are dealing with this does help and gives me hope that I can get through this!

[Sarah1111111 in reply to claire0410]

We know what you mean by wanting you back. Hang onto that it will help you recover. I am sure you will get better soon lots of us have gone through it and recovered or learnt strategies to manage our symptoms so that we can back to having a normal life again. I hope the doctor and psychologist help you.

[Searching123]

Just a suggestion as I suffer the same symptoms myself, have you looked at the possibility of bipolar?

[claire0410 in reply to Searching123]

I don't know much about bipolar, but I can't help thinking that there would have been some kind of lead up to this. It is something that I will bring up with the psychologist. Thanks for the support! It has helped make today a "better" day for me!

[Windy101]

I'm so glad that you've had a better day and hope today is one as well. Hard to say what's caused the anxiety to come on so suddenly, but you're taking good steps to get a handle on it. The good thing is that anxiety can be treated and if the symptoms come back as fiercely as before, you can get relief. I'm glad that you have such a great life - sounds like you've got much to look forward to when you're feeling better! Take good care!

[Berzig]

I totally get what you are going through. A similar thing happened to me and I'm 69... I am now seeing a psychologist and am also trying to educate myself concerning anxiety and stress. I found a great book titled " hijacked by your brain" that is invaluable in helping me understand the role of the amygdala in all of this and helpful strategies to manage what is going on...

Hope this helps

[claire0410 in reply to Berzig]

Thanks for the recommendation of the book. I'll check it out. I just saw a psychologist today and I am hopeful that I can get back to "myself"! She seemed pretty positive that I will be able to overcome this with therapy and maybe meds. Not thrilled by the idea of meds, but if that is what it takes I'll give it a try. I don't want to miss out on all the good things that I had planned for my future!

[Berzig]

Hang in there....

[claire0410 in reply to Berzig]

Thanks! I don't want to be nosy, but I'm wondering if you were prescribed any meds and if they helped. I'd like to not go that route, but I'd rather be at more at ease at this point!

[Berzig]

My Dr prescribed Xanax but I'm a recovering alcoholic and chose not to take it. Instead, I'm seeing a psychologist and working using cbt.but honestly I think this book is helping me more because the focus is on understanding that the alarm center in my brain (the amygdala) is cranky due to me experiencing a trauma in September ( my dog was violently attacked while I was walking him)

So far I've been able to find some skillful ways to manage my anxiety....but it's a day to day process..

Good news is that I refuse to change what I value doing in my life, in spite of having anxiety

I could go on and on .....but I don't want to bore the heck out of you