I have panic and anxiety disorder as well as depression and OCD. I have managed it all pretty well the last couple years, then it spiked a month or two ago between jobs, spurred on by isolation fears. Then COVID happened and it really ramped up, lots of shaking and anxiety. I live alone and have no pets. I'm really triggered by the loneliness and know it makes it harder to deal with stress. Other people and pets take the edge off, I know from experience. Now in these times when everyone is panicked and staying away from each other I feel so isolated. I hear about and see families and couples looking happy, people saying how they wouldn't get through this without their pets, kids, significant other, and I'm scared I'm not equipped to handle it. Mindfulness meditation has helped, and I have some clonazepam and cbd but I try not to take the clonies because they are so addictive and have such withdrawal symptoms and in these times its hard to manage it with a professional, esp. since I wasn't seeing anyone prior to COVID. Any support is greatly appreciated, just please don't remind me how bad it is (i.e. "That would be the worst!" "I couldn't imagine going through this without my dog" etc)
Be safe.
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BostonPhotography
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I hear that Boston. Living alone with anxiety is hard. Since I retired I have experienced a lot more alone time. Covid just amped that up. I have meds that I too am reluctant to use for the very same reasons you talked about. Glad to hear you practice meditation. Still, that just goes so far, right? Have you ever tried Tai Chi? The slow movement is challenging, but for me, better than trying to sit still for very long. I do a little meditation, but 5 minutes is all I do at one time. Yesterday I started watching Ocean videos on youtube. They help calm me. I go for short walks a couple times a day. I have an exercise routine I do 3 days a week, weights and floor exercises and stretches. It isn’t enjoyable to do but it is consistently helpful for the anxiety. Just wish the affect was longer lasting. Let me know how it goes... I’ll watch for your reply.
Sorry, I thought I responded to this! Thank you for your advice. I've found mindful meditation and exercise helpful, and separating my thoughts from who I am has helped quite a bit. My anxiety usually happens when I let my thoughts carry me away with emotion and I'm not being aware enough of my thinking.
Sounds like my own experience. I hope to begin increasing my quiet times... incrementally. I’m pretty used to the 5 minutes I’m doing. Adding a minute could be doable... we’ll see. How is today going for you?
I now live slone for first time in my life. I got divorced which means now its just me. It took me a long time to get over my inital issue which caused me to have a break down. So 2yrs later, i know as much h as im able, i do my best to look after myself, know i want to live, even tho at times i feel i dont really!
After almost dying, i know things can and do get bad. You can learn how to cope the best way for you. I spoke to mind and even samaritans. Now i try to get something nice, eg hot chocolate and a gf muffin, eat it slowly. Look at spot on floor, take deep breath in, then breath out slowly and take longer than breathing in. Repeat this a few times, its calming and works if you give it time. Find what works for you, musoc, films, watching someething that makes you smile or just uolifts you. Read, music, shout even, walk around gsrden or sit outside when warm and read a book. Absolutely anything. You can speak to people about this, its common, though you probably think its just you, it isnt, it never is. Take good care and lots love xx
Have you tried it yet, i know i didnt want to try as thought nothing would help. Its gettong round to trying a few times and good old time, the answer to a lot of things. Keep in touch when you can x
Yes I tried the breathing technique, that's nice. I also do mindful meditation on an app called Waking Up which has really helped. Keeping in the present and acknowledging my thoughts are not who I am, they are like sounds or sights that arrive and then leave, has been quite helpful. It's a struggle still of course but being aware of my thoughts and being positive (Thoughts like: What can I do today to feel better? How can I do my part? I'm doing the best I can. It's ok to feel this way.) has helped!
I’m in the same boat I get it but have health issues so I feel amped up too lol. Crazy timing. I have a lot of self help books I watch YouTube text with just a few people do some cooking I guess I watch movies series and research the web for vacation spots study where I’d like to go see things to do diff forums about it to hear people’s experiences. I stretch not everyday but most and I don’t watch a lot about the news it messes me so I look up quick run down applying to my country. Fkn hate that part of the day lol but it’s a must.
I have a vision board tidy some stuff in house. Thinking about ordering some magnetic darts do some stupid challenges to amuse me why not. I wish I had a good hobby I liked I’m trying to find an affordable one that’s useful. Might get a bird feeder. I feel old saying that haha!! I take picture out of diff things too. People are doing weird things so I sometimes take pictures of it out of amusement it’s not of stuff that causes me anxiety. I try to see beauty around me outside when I go out and I will call a bird or raccoon or something if no ones around me a swear word because I just need to get it out not hold it in then laugh at myself.
My nephew does dungeons and dragons online.
I need a project I like I’m not sure yet what that is so I look online at stuff at a skill I’d like. I might learn Spanish have a DVD with a book on it for like years and I may study football because I don’t really get it I should learn the rules. I guess I need a tool chest of options lol. Porn is just frustrating hahaha that was a joke !! We need those !!
I do adult colouring, all you need are pencils or felt tips, it takes time and makes me relax. I do not live alone, but I do feel anxious. My husband is laid back, he never worries, he has a problem with his bowel which might be cancer, I worry he does not. He had to go to the hospital because he is on warfarin, he had no choice. About eight years ago I started an art club, it collapsed due to people getting older, moving or dying. I made a few friends from that and we are still in touch.
I live alone without Pets too. I have a wash, enjoy the warm water, deep breath, focus on 1 point on floor, breath in as deep as you can, them very slowly breath out for a long time.
I do things i like indoors, read books, nice music, listen to outdoor life, i like some noise so i eat and watch tv. Catch up on old favourites, ive only got free view and recorder, but binge watch whole series together (not patient enough to watch it weekly)!! Do a facial, cook a favourite food. Do ANYTHING FOR YOU THAT YOU WANT. if that's nothing food wise, that's ok. My lovely, sorry that's saying we use where i originate from, we all have times like this, some harder than others. Get through it whichever way is best for you. Help is there for if times get too too bad. Friends are here, for when you want them.
Do a little thing just for you, plan an exotoc trio for when you win the lotteru, i look at beautiful houses and places to visit.
Im not brave enough to go alone yet but looking fills time. Kind thoughts amd and you areny alone xx
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Living alone with severe anxiety 
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