Have faith 💜

[Julie_z]

I find that even though I am in this state of constant fear, there are people who depend on me. I have to put on a mask and pretend that I am still who they think I am. A strong, independent, survivor of all. At the end of the day I have survived every single one of my bad days. I am still here , fighting for peace of mind and normalcy.

[Agora1]

Julie I love the pic and what it portrays. Yes we do put on a strong front

for others. The day we do it for ourselves, we win. xx

[Stilltrying_]

I love this and can also relate to it. At the moment I am being strong for my dad who is 95 and depends on me. The mask almost becomes a reality. I AM strong for him and I love that about me. Inside I worry and take tranquilisers to cope with the stress; but he doesn't need to know that!! xxx

[Sillysausage234]

Great picture 👍

[Beevee]

Don’t fight it Julie. That’s what keeps the fear alive. Stop feeding it by doing nothing about it and it will gradually fade away.

[Julie_z in reply to Beevee]

I try but always end up curled up in bed. I would normally run to ER

[Jeff1943]

Your constant fear is the normal concerns that everybody has exaggerated many, many times by the over sensitive condition of your nervous system. That's all. When your nerves return to normal you recover. Simple as that.

I said simple not easy. But fighting anxiety and depletion you will never win. Fighting means more tension, more stress, your nerves need less, not more.

Starve your jangled nerves of the fear they thrive on and recovery becomes a reality. And the way to do this is through accepting all the bad feelings (for the time being). You cannot both accept and fear the bad feelings. Far better to accept them for the moment and starve your nervous system of fear.

[Julie_z in reply to Jeff1943]

I have sub clinical hyperthyroidism and vestibular disorder so I’m constantly freaking out. It sucks!!!! I am trying to get used to my new normal!

[Jeff1943]

Hyperthyroidism is medically treatable? Vestibular disorders resolve given time? Or am I wrong?

[Julie_z in reply to Jeff1943]

My doctors have not prescribed me anything yet for hyperthyroidism. I’m actually going to switch endocrinologist so it’s going to take a few months. As far as the vestibular goes, there’s therapy and it doesn’t work!! I literally feel like I’m floating at all times and lord forbid I make a quick head turn.. I guess my problem is I’m overwhelmed with household duties, work, school and two kids. I’m single so no help. So when I feel panicky I just shut down.

[Jeff1943]

Sorry to hear that, Julie, I have slight Miniere's myself, I'm elderly, and there is a med called Serc that they give me but I don't take because my problem is mild but it's supposed to be very good. I know what you have is probably very different but I still think that there are meds that will help with the thyroid problem and the vestibular problem. As you know thyroid problems can cause feelings of anxiety but resolve when the thyroid levels are corrected. Sorry if I'm telling you what you already know. I do hope you find relief before too long.

[Julie_z in reply to Jeff1943]

Wow how do you cope? Menieres is no joke!

[Jeff1943 in reply to Julie_z]

Although diagnosed with Menieres I don't think I have it, it's just the slight unsteadiness that comes with age (I'm 75) as the blood vessels that serve the balance mechanism in the ear become slightly narrowed.

I think doctors often misdiagnose. Have you tried the Epley Manouvre, a series of head manipulations designed to dislodge skin flakes and other detrius that can fall onto the balancing hairs and cause vertigo? There's a YouTube video on it but I personally wouldn't try it myself.

I do think treatment of your thyroid problem with a particular med should bring you relief.

[Lin1944 in reply to Jeff1943]

Hi Jeff, my balance isn’t very good and didn’t realise it could be the blood vessels narrowing in my ears. I do wear hearing aids. I get dizziness when suffering from anxiety. I go to the Doctors as little as possible but will read up about it. Thanks for advice from Lin

[Jeff1943 in reply to Lin1944]

Sounds like your dizziness is anxiety more than narrowed blood vessels. Probably mine is too. I use a cane if I'm out walking any distance. Trouble is, the more you use a cane to steady yourself the more dependent on it you become. Yesterday I was some place and 5 minutes after leaving realised I'd left the cane behind. But what's this, I've been walking steady as a rock for the last 5 minutes thinking about other things.

"Remember that the strength of a muscle depends on the confidence with which it is used."

-Claire Weekes, 'Self help with your nerves'.

[Lin1944 in reply to Jeff1943]

Hi Jeff,thanks for your advice. I am 74 and anything that helps me I am all for. May try a stick when I have anxiety dizziness.My hearing aids are fab, I just wish more friends I know would get them ( especially men!! ) Same as you my Doctor gives me Valium or Diazapan as everyone calls them now. I just have for emergencies when I feel extremely anxious. I also take anti depressants.

I have the Claire Weeks book and I listen to her on U tube.

[Julie_z in reply to Jeff1943]

I love her videos

[Julie_z in reply to Jeff1943]

My ENT found a strand of a q tip in my ear and said this could cause it but he wasn’t able to get to it. As far as the blood vessels would this explain the swooshing i hear? Sometime I hear a pulsable sound like a helicopter but the loud ringing is always there. I’ve gotten used to that..

[Jeff1943 in reply to Julie_z]

Sorry Julie don't know the answers, doubt whether narrowd arteries in the ear would apply to you at your age, it's only old timers like me. I get most if those things you describe but I don't take too much notice.

[Julie_z in reply to Jeff1943]

How are you today?

[Jeff1943 in reply to Julie_z]

No symptoms of anything today, thanks. I don't do too bad, I'm a follower of Claire Weekes methods for dealing with anxiety but I've probably told you that. My anxiety is genetic/inherited so I will never be entirely free but Weekes' method means I can minimise it and be free from it most of the day. First thing in the morning is the worst time, that's quite common, but I find if I lie on my back for an hour whilst dozing before rising and do the breathing exercise to release natural tranquillising hormones I'm o.k. As in breathe in slowly for 5 seconds, hold it 5 seconds then beathe out slowly through pursed lips. Then repeat and repeat. But you probably knew that too. Time to turn in it's 3a.m. in London, the city never sleeps but I need to.

Btw you've got to get that q tip out, might be a big help.

[LovelySnow]

Oh so fluffy, oh so dear! Just like you! Wellll... you're probably not fluffy, right? But you ARE dear! We love you! And your posts! 🌞🌹

I like that way of thinking: "I've survived every one of my bad days." That's so true & a good perspective! Thank you for this post!

[Hidden]

You have to remember what your post said. At times we feel like we don't have the strength but we're still here. All of us must fight the good fight for us. Each one of us is very special that's why there is only one of each of us. Feed all the positive you can into your mind, you can do this, we all can, it's not easy but we can..like the little engine that could...I wish for you peace of mind, I'm here for you. Dump trucks of love, peace, light, joy & hugs for you!

[Hidden]

I forgot to tell you what an adorable picture. Looks like a kitty I used to have. Thank you ! Love, peace, light, joy & hugs for you!

[LovelySnow]

Oh my goodness! I thought this post was from Elliott!! I know her a little better! I'm sorry - it was earrrrly morning when I wrote my comment! You probably read it and thought - huh?? Sorry about that! I'm sure you are awesome, too!

[Julie_z in reply to LovelySnow]

Haha either way I’ll take it thanks!

[lorianxiety]

Julie,you are Brave in having to both pretend and cope with Anxiety too,I couldn't pretend having coped alone for 30yrs,it wasn't the independent me that usually manages,I was too hyper and have only Just got back to my sombre self.;its never easy to put on a brave facei simply couldn't and that's lasted almost 1 year,still struggling ….its best to let family and friends know as well as on here.mind you I felt a complete nuisance and hated myself for it but couldn't help myself.!