looking for guidance

[rombie8103]

hi everyone,

it doesn't look like many people are on right now, but i am going through a rough time. Panic is no fun and could definitely use some words of encouragement from someone who knows what it feels like. Every little bit helps. Thank you

[jkl5500]

I recommend that you watch some videos on Dr. Claire Weekes on YouTube. She suffered from panic attacks, and developed a method to overcome them.

[Beevee in reply to jkl5500]

Yep. Anyone struggling with anxiety or any other fear based disorder should follow the advice of the late Dr Claire Weekes which is all based on a good understanding of how anxiety manifests itself. She definitely knew her onions and way ahead of her time.

This lady and her book, Essential Help for your Nerves, laid the foundations of my recovery from chronic anxiety and depression.

On a technical point, her teachings are not a method or technique. The mind and body has strong , natural powers of recovery but anxiety sufferers don’t let the natural healing process to take place because they keep fighting or trying to suppress the symptoms. This is the same as picking at a flesh wound all the time and wondering why it isn’t healing. Doh!

If you leave anxiety alone and stop picking at it, it will disappear. The mind and body just needs the space and time to recover and Dr Weekes’ books explain what sufferers need to do to allow that process to take place by accepting their fears instead of fighting them. It’s all about developing an attitude of acceptance towards the symptoms which is easier to do when you know how anxiety works.

[GlassPoodle]

Hey rombie, sorry you’re having a rough time. Lately when I am having this feeling like I’m freaking out and I don’t know what to do ... I just close my eyes and breathe. I hope you find some relief soon.

[rombie8103 in reply to GlassPoodle]

glasspoodle - thank you so much for the kind words. I am an expert breather, as I am constantly having to do breathing exercises! I appreciate the advice!

[rombie8103]

jkl5500 - thank you so much for responding to me. I am having a really hard time, and you don't know how much just having someone reach out can mean. I will look her up now!

[Hidden]

I know what it feels like. I am here.

[rombie8103]

thanks melhall. that means a lot. I would like to ask you....is your anxiety constant? and if so....what does it feel like? I only ask because I am CONSTANTLY anxious....so much so, that i worry it isnt anxiety at all. that something is seriously wrong with me.

[Hidden in reply to rombie8103]

Just realized you replied. Hit reply on that person's response so we know. Mine is more like depression from life circumstances. I live with my mil with my husband and child because my husband won't work anymore. It's constant because I see no end in sight and I want to move out. I'm 46.

[NeuronerdDoaty]

That’s Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Talk to your doc about it.

We’re all here for you.

[rombie8103]

thanks neuronerd. I really appreciate the support. I have a doctor that i go to for my anxiety, i have also just reached out to a local support group. but i need something for the in-between days when I am having a rough time

[Hidden]

🤗

[CatIsMyCopilot]

Panic is an awful feeling. I just came out of a couple days of an anxiety attack. I find the resources on this site helpful:

anxietycoach.com/overcoming...

anxietycoach.com/anxietyatt...

Are you feeling any better now? Do you know what triggered the attack?

[rombie8103 in reply to CatIsMyCopilot]

Thank you for sharing the links! Honestly, I think my biggest trigger is the fear of having another attack. I'm not panicking at the moment but my anxiety is always there

[CatIsMyCopilot in reply to rombie8103]

Ah, OK. That's usually my secondary trigger: I'll get into an attack because I'm stressed by my job situation, and then once I'm anxious I think terrible things about the anxiety itself and how it could affect my life.

I get you in terms of anxiety always being there. I feel like I operate at a 3 most days recently. It makes it unfortunately easy to be triggered into the next attack.

[rombie8103 in reply to CatIsMyCopilot]

What are some of your symptoms of anxiety if you don't mind me asking?

[CatIsMyCopilot in reply to rombie8103]

I don't mind at all. These days my physical symptoms are actually not too bad: when I'm having an attack, I'll definitely have an upset stomach and nausea, as well as stiffness in my arms, heart beating fast, slight hyperventilation, and an all-over keyed up feeling.

I used to have a huge range of symptoms, right after I started having anxiety attacks, I think because I was afraid of the physical symptoms themselves. I had stuff like: constant muscle soreness, dizziness, lightheadedness, random pinching feelings in my arms and legs, numbness in my arms and legs, fatigue, etc. I've kind of gotten out of fearing the physical symptoms, through a combination of reading self-help (e.g. Claire Weekes) and just experiencing lots of attacks, learning they won't hurt me or keep me from living life.

I still struggle from over-thinking though, and when I do that enough to get into a bad anxiety attack, I of course get the physical symptoms then. I just don't focus on that part as much. It's difficult at night though, because it keeps me from sleeping.

These days my worst anxiety symptom is just feeling generally afraid a lot, and being miserable and self-loathing for it :/

[56artist_]

The enemy of mind is strong and it lies and teases and you take hold and stand up to your fears fear is just in your mind let the mind know u are in control not it and if in fear of something do it in fear then it is no longer fear we control it it will not control us be a true soldier in this battle you will come out a hero I can relate to your story so well

[rombie8103 in reply to 56artist_]

Thank you for those encouraging words. Fear is certainly my number one enemy right now, and it is soothing to know that I am not alone in feeling that way.

[56artist_ in reply to rombie8103]

Your welcome so many feel the same about fear but remember it is a mind thing we can be larger than fear I have been there but recovery 40yrs anorexia been in treatment 7 yrs and have finally recovered I was terrified 7 yrs ago to speak to. Therapist total stranger now I would not be here today if had let fear keep me from treatment I was terrified so did all this in fear what did I have to lose I was almost dead after 40 yrs anorexia so I did recovery,in fear now I fear nothing I became much larger than any fear

[Browneyes921]

You are not alone. Panic and anxiety are definitely not fun. Anxiety is my companion and I try to keep her quiet so that the big bully Panic doesn’t take us both out. I know what you mean when worrying about having the next panic attack. I watch Claire Weekes’ videos, too and they do help. I downloaded one of her books on my kindle app and I started reading. I need to go back and finish. I’m sure I’ll have to read it more than once. It’s a battle for sure.

[rombie8103 in reply to Browneyes921]

You should let me know if her book works for you, although to be honest, I am willing to try anything at this point

[davis19792000]

I just saw your post Rombie8103. You are not alone, for sure. 1 John 4:18 "Perfect Love Casts Out All Fear" God loves you with His perfect love. Talk to Him believing that He hears you because He is always listening. I have such bad fear and panic most every day that I think I can't make it but as soon as I talk with Him and read His promises to me I become encouraged and feel secure because I trust Him to keep His word. I am sending love and prayers your way. Ask God to show you that He hears you and He will. It may not be in the way you think He will do it but keep your heart open to Him and He will. With this anxiety and fear it is tough to pin point exactly what is causing it. And it can be different causes for each individual. Just know that you are not alone. Sending love your way.