How am I suppose to live like this?

[purl1]

I don't know how I am suppose to live my life when I can't seem to do anything. I feel intense dread if I need to leave the house for any reason. I have to get drugged up on ativan in order to do anything and I know that's not good. I don't know what I'm suppose to do. My family needs me and I can't even run out to the store to get something for dinner. This is awful. I was laid off from my job last November because of my mental health and it has been downhill ever since. I wish I found another job right after so maybe I wouldn't be where I am today. I just don't know what to do anymore. I don't know if I will ever get better and be able to work again. This really sucks. ANXIETY sucks!

[Sillysausage234]

Hi purl ,can you see the doctor again and ask them to reassess your meds

[purl1 in reply to Sillysausage234]

Hi Alan, I can talk to a dr tomorrow. I am going to a day program so as long as I can get out of house and go I will talk to him. There has got to be something they can do for me.

[Jeff1943]

Purl1, everybody in the world experiences anxiety. It's normal. But if we are subject to too much stress we experience anxiety overload. This manifests itself in many ways: through health anxiety, social anxiety and strange feelings. In your case it has developed into agoraphobia.

Let's look at agoraphobia. Your mind senses your anxiety and is trying to protect you by making you remain in the perceived 'safety' of your home. This is why you feel 'dread' about going outside.

But although your mind is trying to be helpful it isn't helpful at all because we can easily end up as prisoners in our own homes.

The answer to your problem is simple but takes practice and persistence. Do what you fear and the death of fear is assured.

You must leave your home and head for the shops and ACCEPT for the moment the feeling of dread. No danger awaits you, you know that, and you now know why you feel this way. So although you will feel uncomfortable go outside and ACCEPT the bad feelings for the time being.

It's exactly the same solution that will bring you respite and recovery from all the other symptoms of your anxiety disorder. Accept them utterly for the time being in the full and certain knowledge that these fake symptoms of anxiety cannot kill you, cannot disable you and cannot send you crazy.

They are merely the result of your nervous system becoming over sensitised by fear. When you realise there is nothing to fear you stop re-sensitising your nerves every time you experience your symptoms.

In the absence of being constantly bombarded by fear hormones your nervous system returns to normal and your symptoms disperse. This is the way forward that with practice and persistence will bring you recovery.

[purl1 in reply to Jeff1943]

It's really strange It wasn't that bad just a few weeks ago.

[purl1 in reply to purl1]

Hi Jeff1943, I definantly have stress overload. I just wish I could find a way to control it. I've never had this happen to me before.

[Jeff1943 in reply to purl1]

You can control it by medication or talking therapy. Or you can free yourself of it by the acceptance method that I briefly described. This was first set out by a psychiatrist name of Claire Weekes in her first book 'Self help for your nerves' u.k. title or 'Hope and help for your nerves' u.s. title. And in her second book 'Peace from nervous suffering' which also deals with agoraphobia. There is also a YouTube of the same title worth watching, it runs for over an hour, but if you're looking for a 5 minute fix I'm afraid it doesn't exist.

[purl1 in reply to Jeff1943]

thankyou for the info on the book and video. I will have to check them out. I have to be able to function in the world again. Anything helps

[purl1 in reply to Jeff1943]

I just ordered the book and watched part of the video. Can't wait to read it.

[Jeff1943 in reply to purl1]

I think you just took the first step towards reclaiming your life. These books were written many years ago but the first one is on its 44th reprint. Don't be put off by the dated social conventions, these books have withstood the test of time. In the last few years 1,600 Amazon readers (U.S.+U.K.) have reviewed Weekes' books and 90% rated them Very Good or Excellent. Remember, it isn't reading the book that brings recovery, it's putting what you read in the book into practice.

[Sabio77]

Hi purl1, im sorry that you are going thru this anxiety. Those like us who have it, knows that it like to control our daily lives. Good news tho my friend. You can be an overcomer of anxiety no matter what form it is. How bout this, have you noticed what your triggers are? The things or places or people that brings on these unwanted feelings.... Once you begin to recognize the "trigger(s)", then you can go to the next step. That is, how do we deal with it at that very moment. Here you go, there are several ways to "counteract" the trigger. Thee most important thing a person can do is take hold of their thought process. I mean, "reverse" the negativity. You say how? Ok, well how about for every negative thought, do 2 or 3 positive thoughts. It can be a place you like to go or something you like to do. It an be anything that is "calm". A waterfall, butterflies, flowers or cooking are some of my happy things I use to help "reverse" my mindset. Yes, it is thee most important thing in life. It is what we allow to enter our minds and let it pass thru to our hearts and let it take residency there. Which creates much turmoil if it is negative. Does this make sense? So, Purl1, there is hope. Yes, you can break those chains that bind you. One link at a time. One moment at a time and one day at a time. It is a process. I suggest that you make a journal of when it happens, what you are doing, and then what you did as a reaction to it. and as you practice taking back your positive mindset. Life will become easier, little by little.

Also, have you thought about the foods that you? The foods we eat also plays a part in it. Hope this helps you. Keep us posted how you are doing. Hugs

[_amabelizzario]

Hey purl1! Do you feel like anxiety is escalating? Or do you think it's the same way? I hope you are feeling better! I wish you all the best

[purl1 in reply to _amabelizzario]

Hi, i think it's about the same.

[_amabelizzario in reply to purl1]

That's good news!! I hope you are feeling better already! I wish you all the best.

[JessieDC]

I’m sorry this is happening for you. It will get better

[Peacewithin]

God knows that we are suffering and talking to him asking for the inner peace has helped me. I pray for youu to feel peace within. Sometimes i feel my anxiety kick in before i even get up out of bed. I read a motivational note out of the bible . Psalms 105, your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. GOD WILL SEE US THROUGH THE DARKNESS.