Facing the fear

[ckw1]

It’s often thought that a person can overcome their anxiety by facing that situation that makes them uncomfortable. I’m not sure if I completely agree with that theory because I have to face the situation that gives me anxiety almost every day and yet I still have the same feelings every day. Some days are not as bad as others but for a majority of the time I still suffer from insomnia, bouts of panic and uncontrollable nervousness. The coping mechanism do help at times but sometimes it all becomes to much and I just want to run and hide. It doesn’t feel like I’m handling this problem very well and I feel so defeated at the end of the day and I’m still scared to know that tomorrow may bring the same thing. I just want the cycle to end and to find some relief.

[Freya1984]

I’m not sure about overcoming the anxiety I think it’s more or less learning to live with it and having it affect u less. When I first was diagnosed I was 14 and I dropped out of school bcuz of my anxiety. I was on meds and on a long weekend my dr forgot to call in a refill so I went thru withdrawal, it was horrible. I told my mom no more meds, but that meant the anxiety came back full force. I stayed in my room all the time, never really came out of the house. I decided I needed to do something I couldn’t do it anymore living in my little room. So I asked my mom to start taking me to the mall on weekends, I would go into Claire’s, which of course is tiny and always packed or was then, and stay in there 5 mins longer each time until I got used to how it felt. I still have issues to this day off and on, but I’m 33 now I have kids that need to go to school so I have to go out. I still feel it all the time tho.

[ckw1 in reply to Freya1984]

I understand that I need to learn to live with this problem it’s just that sometimes it becomes so much and it’s just not getting better. Some days I just want to give up. Today is one of those days. This week feels like it has been a constant struggle and the problems are relentless. I just don’t have any fight left in me I want to give up.

[Freya1984 in reply to ckw1]

I completely understand that, that’s where I’ve been recently and other than taking my kids to school I truly don’t want to even do anything it takes too much effort.

[gogogirl in reply to ckw1]

Don't you "hate" the cheerleading types who just say "You can do it." If you are saying you want to give up- you need compassion not a cheerleader telling you what to do. I hope that you have a supportive group or even one person who can really envelope you with kindness and let you be yourself.

[Aspergirl47]

Hi, I get u...its the same for me, I have Agoraphobia for years now but I make myself go out and face the world but my anxiety levels never come down and like u I fear the next day will be the same and it usually is...Have u seen a Psychologist? I'm in the UK and I was given Cbt for a year but its as bad as ever!!! Youre not alone

[ckw1 in reply to Aspergirl47]

Thank you, it helps to know I’m not alone.

I have been to counseling and I was on medication for quite a few years. The medication helped for a while but over the years I became resistant to their effectiveness and I could never find anything else that really helped.

[Aspergirl47]

Youre welcome...I know how it feels especially when u look around and it looks like no one else feels like this.....Yeah that me too...Ive been given lots of antidepressants some would make me sleep for hours and others made me manic !!!! I now have diazepam/Valium but that stops working after a while too....Have u tried Meditation, Tai Chi or Yoga ? I was told the breathing exercises like in yoga and tai chi are helpful in controlling anxiety and your posture, if u hunch over a lot, like I do Ha!! then not enough oxygen gets round the body ( Nurse told me this) maybe worth trying ...

[ckw1 in reply to Aspergirl47]

I have tried meditation and breathing exercises and that does help sometimes. What also works for me is to exercise. That may be part of my problem lately is that I haven’t had the time to do anything and I’m starting to feel the effects. I really need to find the time to do something that requires me to do physical activity.

[one-love]

I know your pain I have my good days and my bad days a lot of my anxiety attacks I thought were heart attacks in the beginning because of the physical symptoms I was always having (heart pounding, dizzy, impending doom feeling, breathing difficulty) but after years of having them and talking to doctors and therapists I realize now when I have them they are just anxiety attacks but they can be very scary for sure if you don't know what it is in the beginning. I hate taking RX meds too so it's a double edge sword, I feel like I trade one problem for another when I take the pills the doctors give me and all the side effects that come with them. To be honest I have been using medical marijuana for the last few years and I feel it really helps me and doesn't have near as many bad side effects. I know it might sound crazy but look into it and try a sativa strain it really helps with mood, anxiety and depression. But use a low does if you never tried it before

[fatinaziz]

I totally understand what you feel. I've been experiencing the same thing as well. Everyday was hard for me and i the thoughts that tomorrow will be the same really make it even worst. I always woke up in the middle of the night and feel nervous and restless without any reason. What make it worst is that i dont have my family with me since i am not from US. I am an international student from malaysia. But somehow i just be patient and hope the feeling will go away and it did. I changes my mindset everymorning and i try not to think about the fear that i have. In my case it is fear of being alone. The cultural diff, weather and environment really are the main factors of my anxiety. I try to go through one day at a time. Believe me, it will get better. I still have anxiety once in a while but i think its manageable. It will get better for you too.

[one-love]

I know your pain I have my good days and my bad days a lot of my anxiety attacks I thought were heart attacks in the beginning because of the physical symptoms I was always having (heart pounding, dizzy, impending doom feeling, breathing difficulty) but after years of having them and talking to doctors and therapists I realize now when I have them they are just anxiety attacks but they can be very scary for sure if you don't know what it is in the beginning. I hate taking RX meds too so it's a double edge sword, I feel like I trade one problem for another when I take the pills the doctors give me and all the side effects that come with them. To be honest I have been using medical marijuana for the last few years and I feel it really helps me and doesn't have near as many bad side effects. I know it might sound crazy but look into it and try a sativa strain it really helps with mood, anxiety and depression. But use a low does if you never tried it before

[Roseanne333]

Good stuff. I think what happens to me is I get tired of fighting the fight and that’s when the anxiety takes over. I can fight for so long then I just retreat, and power up to fight the inner fight again. And so it goes. I’m better if I’m busy. Just can’t seem to find the right friends I want to be around.

[gogogirl]

I am not an expert, but I find that something that triggers old anxiety just stirs up new anxiety. Sorry you have to face this everyday. I also do not believe in the adage "Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger." That's silly. If something keeps getting you down with no support- you will be weaker not stronger. That's just my opinion.