Struggling :(

[Ellesbells12]

Hi everyone, I hope you’re all ok ❤️

I’ve really struggled again the last few days.

I’ve felt breathless, dizzy, fluttering palpitations, stabbing chest and back pains/spasms that come and go and like I’m airy (if that makes sense).

I know there’s nothing wrong with me, but I can’t shake the feeling that there is.

I keep sobbing when I say goodbye to family or friends, constantly worried something will happen to me or them and I won’t see them anymore.

Feel so hypercritical as I’m about to become a student in Nursing at University (which I love) and I can’t even look after my own well-being at the moment.

Can someone please give me some words of wisdom, thanks in advance ❤️

[JW621]

Try to focus on why you are there. Don’t dwell. Have thanks for your opportunities. Be grateful. Have gratitude. Be confident and think about why you are there. Get up stretch take some breathing exercises and count to ten slowly. But you’re creating your anxiety with negative thoughts

[21grams_]

This is called anticipatory grief. It’s a form of anxiety, it’s not easy to overcome but be careful with the negative thoughts you put out there since they’re more likely to manifest in to real life when you give them that energy.

[mr_dd]

Your struggles can make you a more empathic nurse. So please don't be too tough on yourself!

Regarding the worries about not seeing loved ones anymore, would thinking about heaven and life after death help?

[jrgallaghe]

I know the feeling. Take a couple of deep breaths & move to a different room.

[Rosco49]

Hey there, it is sadly extremely common to have increased anxiety in recent times, myself included and it sounds like you are experiencing symptoms of such, along with some understandable sad emotional moments. Abslutely anyone can experience bouts of this and we all have it to varying degrees and can manifest in different ways, even those seemingly without a care in the world.

It is both noble and actually heroic at this time that you are embarking on a nursing career and that may also understandablycausing some anxiety. Some thiings that can help are breathing techniques, Self Havening, (quite new and effective for many), smells like lavender oils, (I carry a wee bottle with me and have a wee sniff and rub into temples if I feel bit anxious), listeniing to positive affirmations or gratitude and positvity hypnosis, which can be better than some anti anxiety ones, as you are focussing on the positive. I also have a bottle of water with me from tap, (Glaswegian and environmentally friendly), which can help, as throat often drys up a bit and a sip of water can signal to brain that no threat is apparent. Any distraction and action can help, though I know from personal experience that can be hard to do when in the throws of anxiety, could be as simple as smelling the oil and moving in some way. Try to befriend it rather than fight it, (what we resist persists), accept the feeling/thought, thank it for it's care, (as it is after all a protective response) and allow it to gently drift by like a leaf on a stream.

I hope some of these sugestions help in some way though Iv'e probably missed some out. I went back medication around 8 months ago which, of course is an option and appropriate for many ( finding the most suitable one and dose can be tricky), though with the best advice and a following wind, most have a pretty smooth transition. Could maybe try some herbal alternatives first, passion flower valerian root, lemon balm, amongst many others, again, may be a case of trying a few, as we are all different.

I wish you love and peace on your way to feeling calmer and more content.

[Ellesbells12 in reply to Rosco49]

This is such a lovely response thank you so much. There are some brilliant ideas here which I will sure to use. Thank you so much x

[Rosco49 in reply to Ellesbells12]

Awe, you're welcome, it will get easier for you, doing what you can, one day at a time x

[endofheartache1290]

youtube.com/watch?v=8vlPAA0...(Not working as expected?)

This video is good for getting a better conception of anxiety and mid fullness, which can help when the thoughts start pouring in. That is always a big help, when you start understanding the thoughts that are causing you panic that can actually help calm you. I do feel your pain here. I have these types of symptoms too when I have really bad anxiety. I know it's so hard and it's exhausting and overwhelming. Remember to be kind with yourself and understand you are only human and it's actually okay to not be okay sometimes. This will pass and you are stronger than you think. Good luck with the schooling, stay safe and keep your head up.

[Ellesbells12 in reply to endofheartache1290]

Thank you so much! I’ll make sure to watch that

[endofheartache1290 in reply to Ellesbells12]

Of course. I hope it helps. Feel free to chat with me if you ever feel the need.