Hi all! I have been dealing with debilitating anxiety for almost 2 years now. No matter what I do, it only seems to get worse. I’ve been on a pharmacy of medications, see a therapist weekly to do CBT, try all these different coping skills.
Lately I’m having a lot of suicidal thoughts because I feel I can barely function and I’m a burden to everyone. I just want to get better. The anxiety also turns into social anxiety, so it is difficult and painful to interact with people socially.
My therapist might refer me to a therapist who does EMDR. Does anyone have experience with this? Does anyone have any other suggestions for what I’m going through right now? I’m open to try anything at all.
Thank you in advance 🙏🏻
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TealSheba
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I can definitely relate to anxiety that is getting worse despite making many efforts & trying CBT.
To be brutally honest, the most effective thing that works for me when I do it is completely ignoring my negative thoughts/worries/moods & doing the things I intended to do that day. After the day is done, I look back & feel somewhat glad & relieved that I was fairly productive despite feeling horrible.
When I have a rare good day, I try to appreciate it as much as possible & bask in that moment.
I find keeping a CBT diary also helps a little bit. I can reflect on my day or just write down random ramblings.
Thank you, I will try the CBT diary. When you have your hard days and just get through it, do you have social anxiety as well? Do you feel like people can tell you have anxiety? Or are you able to hide it?
Your welcome Sheba. I'm using the free excel at life CBT diary from google playstore, I highly recommend it. Absoloutely! I have a combo of general anxiety & social anxiety. I hate speaking in public but I force myself to do it sometimes or else I'd never get stuff done. I think people can sometimes tell. However, I try to calm myself down afterwards by telling myself things like no one really cares if I was nervous beyond that moment because they have more important things to focus on! Its definitely tough because it's so mentally draining.
What is the 1 or 2 things you most hate about having social anxiety?
I feel like I can barely interact with anyone, even saying hello to a stranger on the street. Also I am constantly having to cancel social plans because of this, and making up some excuse or another
Hey Sheba, thanks for your reply. I'm sorry to hear that you suffer so much when you try to do any of these things. I'm also relieved to hear that someone else can relate to my level of anxiety. Unfortunately, no one else in my real life can relate. Is it ok of I send you a message in the chat to discuss this a bit further?
I am currently going through this as well. I feel like any kind of interaction is going to give me heart palpitations and send me into a panic attack I can’t come out of. I work in education and have to interact with people and lead meetings daily. It is BRUTAL. I’m currently looking for another job. My body is wrecked from the stress. I know exactly what you are talking about!! I do not like going out to restaurants or pretty much anywhere I have to interact. I feel like people can tell I am nervous and I feel so out of place. I always feel like I’m going to pass out or something. Saying it’s exhausting doesn’t even do it justice.. I’m so sorry you are experiencing this and I hope it gets better for both of us soon ❤️
I also struggle with anxiety that is often debilitating - I have GAD and PTSD and since Covid I have developed social anxiety as well. A few things that help me manage: getting outdoors as much as possible - hiking and gardening especially both boost my mood. I also do yoga most days, and have discovered youtube.com/@yogawithadrien..., free, short online sessions focused on anxiety relief. I also find any exercise is a benefit, and as Stormydays mentioned, I force myself to be productive and do whatever I set out to do, and sometimes that helps in and of itself. I am also on a few medications and keep trying to find supplements that will help. Theanine has some benefit, but for me makes me a bit sleepy and triggers nausea if I don't take it with food. Don't give up... I would definitely try the therapy your doctor is recommending!
Hi TealSheba, 2 different therapist have recommended I go thru EMDR as well. They say it works wonders with trauma victims and severe PTSD/Anxiety that I have. Like you, I have been thru the gammit of medications and therapies known to medical professionals without relief. I am hoping this new therapy will lighten my load and have me living a somewhat normal life.
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