Someone to talk to

[Jwire]

Having really bad anxiety right now. Sometimes I know why I’m having it and sometimes it’s just kind of happening. Most of my anxiety is fear of the future. Two and a half years ago I had viral meningitis. I have always had anxiety but ever since then it is more intense. Whenever I’m worried about something I just keep thinking about it constantly to the point where I sometimes have physical symptoms of anxiety. I finally opened up to my mom and my husband and they do try to help but they don’t know what to do and I honestly don’t know what to tell them. Does anyone else have anxiety like this? What do you to to help, anything? I am on lexapro sometimes I think it helps and sometimes not.

[Tiredinky]

Hi jwire, opening up to your Mom and husband was a big step. It is hard for those that love us but don’t have anxiety to truly understand what we are going through. Some on this site use YouTube for deep breathing and relaxation, some journal. I have found reading posts from members on here that give very supportive advice helpful so I am following them. Mornings like today when my anxiety is high, I read their words of wisdom to others grounds me.

[Jwire in reply to Tiredinky]

Reading others post does help sometimes. I wish there was a magic answer.

[Tiredinky in reply to Jwire]

I do too!

[Agora1]

Hi Jwire, I understand your health fears. It is quite normal when we experience a traumatic health episode. The thoughts stay with us and can play over and over in our minds whenever we feel ill. You know you need to let go of what happened over 2 1/2 years ago. Life happens but it doesn't mean it will happen again (only in your mind) and that is just as terrifying as when you were so sick This has become a PTSD form of anxiety which should be addressed by a therapist who can walk you through the steps of letting go and releasing the fear from your mind.

I am on 15mg of Lexapro which I have found very beneficial however it still requires work on your part to keep afloat when anxiety starts to increase. It's more than just a matter of taking a pill, it's about using other modalities in working with anxiety provoking thoughts on a daily basis. Anxiety is a disorder that requires maintenance in order to keep it in control as well as deleting it from your life.

I have had a life threatening issue at one time that left me fearful of it happening again. But we can't live in a state of fear for the rest of our lives. That takes the quality of our life away from us. Life brings us pain all by itself, it is our job to create joy. I happen to use daily Meditation/DeepBreathing and Positive Affirmations to keep me going forward and leave the past in the past. Let us help you. We care. xx

[Jwire in reply to Agora1]

Thank you. I 100% agree that it is partially a PTSD anxiety. I think I am going to try to look into counseling.

[Agora1 in reply to Jwire]

Definitely Jwire. Not enough credit is given to the benefits of counseling. Good Luck xx