Exhausted, scared, and alone

[BellaStarXX]

I am not sure how this works, I am new to this site. I have been having depilating anxiety for almost two weeks. The last time I felt like this was a year and a half ago. This time it happened after a got sick about two weeks ago (it only lasted two days, probably a bug that was going around). But after this day, I cannot stop thinking that I will get sick again or that maybe I have something else.

My health anxiety has gotten so bad that I have lost my appetite, I know I am hungry but I just don't get the urge to eat (nothing seems appetizing). I also get hot flashes. I feel like I am the only one going through this. I think all this thinking makes me feel sick at times.

I get panic attacks right when I wake up because all these crazy thoughts come straight to my head the moment I open my eyes. But even with this I get up, get ready and go to work. But once I am at work I don't feel like me (the old me at least). When I finally get home, I am drained and exhausted and all I want to do is sleep because it shuts off my brain if only for just a couple of hours.

Sometimes I just cry and tell myself that I am okay and that I will get over this (I feel much better after I cry). But I feel alone, like if I am the only one going through this.

[angster]

Yes. I keep showing up too, but as a shadow.

[Sober2007]

Hi BellaStar, you are truly not alone. There are lots of people here who understand what you are going through and can make helpful suggestions. Only a month ago when I first came here I felt very much like you, but I've learned a lot from other people and it is helping. Anxiety can be overwhelming, but there is hope and a path to recovery. I keep sharing this link because it has been so helpful to me, so I'll share it again with you. It's worth an hour to get a better understanding of what causes anxiety, what keeps it going, and how to move beyond it to a better place. I hope it helps you as it has me.

youtube.com/watch?v=MHr4a71...(Not working as expected?)

[BellaStarXX in reply to Sober2007]

Thank you Sober! It helps to know that I am not the only one that has gone through this. Does it get any better? At times I feel like there is no light at the end of the tunnel. I will definitely watch this video.

[Sober2007 in reply to BellaStarXX]

It does get better with a little effort on our part not to let it get the best of us. This morning for example, I feel more anxious than I did yesterday. So I'm reminding myself that I don't need to be afraid of the feelings - I just need to accept that they are what they are and will pass in good time. If I don't let myself get all worked up about it, it gives my mind and body time to rest and recover. If I fight against it, the problem only becomes worse. Dr. Weekes calls this adding a second fear to the first fear. I am learning to accept when I feel anxious and not heap more fear and worry on top of it. It's not easy, because when I feel anxious my first instinct is to feel afraid of the anxiety itself. What I need to do is accept that I'm feeling anxious and just allow it to pass on its own without fighting against it. It takes time but works if I let it.

[Mike233]

You r not alone it happened to many people here i am suffering from it almost one year i am fighting it

[BellaStarXX in reply to Mike233]

Thank you! It means so much to know that I am not the only one going through this

[Coralrose5]

You’re not alone Bella!

[BellaStarXX in reply to Coralrose5]

Thank you! It means so much.

[justanote]

You are definitely not alone! I'm so sorry that you are experiencing so much anxiety. I have also dealt with health anxiety and still do to a certain extent. My anxiety began about the same way: I was sick for a couple of weeks and was worried that it would continue. I could hardly eat anything but felt sick because I was really hungry. I went through a battery of tests that showed I had no real illness. I worked through this difficult time by doing a lot of praying and journaling. Writing down my feelings really helped me because I could get the racing thoughts out of my mind and onto paper. My husband was a huge help by cooking meals and helping me work through a panic attack. I also spent time with a couple of good friends who listened to me when I felt like I was freaking out. All of that said, I know that God taught me a lot through that experience. My life is in His hands and if I trust in Him, He will help me find peace in my mind and body. I'll be praying that you find someone to talk to - pastor, counselor, friend - so that you can work through the anxiety.