Living with Anxiety

[Summer1973]

I have had anxiety for 4 years! I had to resign from my job because I didn't understand stand what was going on with my body! Now I'm at the point that I can't be in large crowds. I'm crying out for help but no one is listening to me!!!! Everyone thinks I'm crazy but no one knows what I go through. 😞

[deborah27]

anxiety causes us to think and behave in extremes. we say things like... can't, don't understand, no-one understands, no-one is listening, etc... when we un-ravel those thoughts, quite often they are not accurate. I think you have been really clear in what you are saying. my understanding is that you are experiencing high levels of anxiety and due to that and the associated feelings and possible panic that lots of people around you make you feel more anxious? there are people who understand and I'm listening. it's a bit like asking an electrician to fix your plumbing! some people aren't able to support you, but there are so many more who are. this forum will support you, so glad you are talking... xx

[Summer1973 in reply to deborah27]

Thank you.... but do you know where anxiety come from? And why does it effect people the way it does?

[garrettoswald81 in reply to Summer1973]

Anxiety is the normal brains response to a fearful event. In other words it is the fight or flight response for survival. Back in the day if a caveman was faced with a tiger they would get the feeling of anxiety in order to survive. Unfortunately modern day brains have evolved to get this feeling to negative events. Essentially the brains alarm system isn't working correctly. I know this first hand as I experience it everyday. I feel for you as it has taken me 6 years to understand what is going on in my head. I hope this helps.

[gamster5 in reply to Summer1973]

Summer1973

Me heart goes out to you. I am 72 and have had depression, anxiety and panic attacks all my life. I have been through 25 therapists over the years, taken just about every antidepressant there is which after a while they backed up on me and my body just doesn't respond and been diagnosed with agoraphobia which I think is my way of protecting myself from any more hurt. After much research, I still don't have any answers and everyone reacts to this problem differently. I too felt like no one was listening and was hopeless. My primary doctor wanted me to go to another therapist and thought I needed to get on another antidepressant. I have no money for that and don't want to go through all that crap again. On one visit to my doctor I was going through a giant panic attack...he saw me for real and listened. He decided to help me and gave me pain pills (have acute pain 24/7), sleeping pills as I would be up for 3 days sometimes and had this problem since I was little, pills for body nerves, and Valium to take when I felt an attack coming on. They help but still have all my demons and have had to adapt to my circumstances. I don't know your history, but I feel that my subconscious stored all the terrible things that happened to me. I have been through everything and have felt like a big nothing all my life. I know I am something but I don't know what it is. I do know I can't rely on my feelings because most of the time they are incorrect and my perception is wrong. I started a Bible study on computer and I have to give God the thanks because I started to see things differently. I watch "In Touch" with Dr. Charles Stanley every Sunday and he is great and tells it like it is...no preaching or yelling or wanting money...just God's word and how it applies to our lives. Know that I am praying for you and hope you find some answers and comfort for yourself. I am here for you as are all of us and we do listen! Please keep going for yourself because there is help out there and you are a very important person.

gamster5

[Soccer-mom in reply to gamster5]

@ Gamster5 your story sounds so similar to mine!!! It's so hard not to just give up, but we must continue! I wouldn't wish panic attacks and depression on my worst enemy. Praying the Lord takes it from us all

[gamster5 in reply to Soccer-mom]

Soccer-mom

Thank you for the reply. I know God is with me and is in control. I trust and believe and will wait for the Lord to show me the way.

God bless you,

gamster5

[gogogirl]

You're not crazy. Have you seen a physician to help rule out any other medical causes? Lots of people do not like to be in large crowds especially with the world as it is today.

[gogogirl]

I also wanted to send a special shout out to any active duty, and veteran members of the military and other first responders and their families. Thank you.