Severe Anxiety

[BrokenPromise]

I have severe generalized anxiety. I don't know why and it can easily be triggered, just be thinking the word anxiety. It makes it hard for me to do anything. Especially talking to others and I hate shaking ppls hand because my palms sweat so bad! When I tell others how I feel, its like they think there's a switch I can flip to turn it off, or I need to get over it.

There's help and tools and therapy, and things I've heard to help, but nothing helps. It's always there!

Why do I have such bad anxiety? Does it ever go away and stay away? Does your anxiety effect you and how?

[gajh]

I will share with you what helped me with my anxiety. It is expensive and not covered by insurance. There is no way to know if it would help you without trying it. It is a device called an Alpha Stim. It is battery operated. There are clips for your earlobes. It sends something to change your brainwaves. It is not a quick fix. It took about 3 months for me to have any benefit, but I stuck with it and I am glad I did. I use it for 1 hour every day.

[BrokenPromise in reply to gajh]

Good morning,Thats interesting. I'll have to look into this.

How has it benefited you? It's nice to hear you found something helpful, anxiety can be horrible.

Thank you for your comment.

Have a great day!

[gajh in reply to BrokenPromise]

My biggest problem was anticipatory anxiety. I would have a lot of anxiety when I would think about having to do a task or leave the house. I do not have anxiety about doing a task at home any longer. I do still have difficulty leaving the house, but not the same anticipatory anxiety of stressing about it constantly for such a long time before I had to go out. I still have no desire to go out. I haven't been going out on my own. I do go out with my boyfriend once a week. That was huge progress for me.

[BrokenPromise in reply to gajh]

I have anxiety over just about everything =/ I prefer staying indoors at home, but I will manage the anxiety as I go do whatever I gotta do.

That's great that you're not struggling as much as you were. It's nice to hear you're doing well =)

[gajh in reply to BrokenPromise]

What do you do to manage your anxiety when you do go out? How do you cope?

[BrokenPromise in reply to gajh]

Honestly, I was prescribed meds, but I decided not to take them anymore because it wasn't helping.At this point I just deal with it until it passes. I try to redirect my thoughts, distract myself, play songs in my thoughts.

[gajh in reply to BrokenPromise]

Those are great coping skills. So it sounds like they work for you. You are able to do what you went out to do. It is weird because I am actually better when I am out than when I am thinking about going out. Well that is when I am with my boyfriend.

[BrokenPromise in reply to gajh]

Ya the anticipation of what's to come makes us feel anxious, but once you get through it and see it wasn't that bad, its good. LolCrazy how our minds work.

Those coping skills can help, but sometimes I literally feel like I'm going to die.

How sweet that you have someone that helps you through ♥

One day at a time.

[gajh in reply to BrokenPromise]

Yes I am so grateful that I have someone supportive and that I don't have to go through it on my own. Do you have anyone supportive in your life? Have you found it helpful being on HealthUnlocked so far? Just to know that you are not alone. It really helps me to talk with people who have experienced it themselves. It is impossible to explain it to people who have not.

[BrokenPromise in reply to gajh]

I have a boyfriend who's supportive, but sometimes he triggers my anxiety. He's very helpful, I'm just sensitive to certain things. Ya I found this site not long ago and I like reading everyone's struggles, it keeps me busy, aware and there's tons of helpful information. I'm enjoying it this far.

& ppl like you are awesome! I agree, others who can relate, really do understand.

[gajh in reply to BrokenPromise]

Thank you. Well I am very happy to talk with you. I am glad your boyfriend is somewhat supportive. How does he trigger your anxiety?

[gajh in reply to BrokenPromise]

I just read through your other posts. I feel like I got to know you better. I want you to know that I am here for you. I would be happy to stay in touch and talk about anything at all. Let me know if you are up for that or not.

[BrokenPromise in reply to gajh]

Thank you for your kindness! & I appreciate you. I may take you up on that sometime.My bf triggers my anxiety sometimes with things like, driving - I've had reoccurring, continuous nightmares of dying in a car accident, so my anxiety is through the roof when I have to travel.

Touch-trying to hold my hand, rub my back, or simply touch me I will get anxiety. Not all the time, and sometimes not immediately.

Mood/vibes-If I sense anything it will give me anxiety.

I was in a long-term DV relationship

in the past, so I'm sure it's effected me in many ways.

My bf is kind, considerate and communicative so he tries to alleviate my tension and helps me through it. He's very supportive, I just can't help my triggers sometimes =/

[gajh in reply to BrokenPromise]

I have massive anxiety about driving. I haven't been driving at all. I just signed up for a meditation class. I will have to drive myself, but it is only 2.6 miles away. I know it would get easier with repetition. It makes total sense that you have triggers from the DV. How long have you been with your boyfriend now?

[BrokenPromise in reply to gajh]

That's nice! I hope the meditation class goes well.I don't like driving in unfamiliar areas, I try to avoid that. But yes, with repetition it will become easier. Its pretty close, that's good!

Ya & a few yrs.

[gajh in reply to BrokenPromise]

I have not personally found meditation to be helpful in the past. The thing that will be most helpful is just the act of me going to the class rather than the class itself. Getting myself to leave the house on my own and drive there. I am still open to meditation. I know a lot of people really benefit from it. That just hasn't been my personal experience. This is right in town. I am very familiar with the location. That definitely helps a lot.

[BrokenPromise in reply to gajh]

Well either way than, that's so good! You are brave and doing a great job at taking the steps forward! 👏 🎉

[gajh in reply to BrokenPromise]

Yay Thank you!!!! I really appreciate your support.

[BrokenPromise in reply to gajh]

🤗 Anytime 🙂💕

[Amysmom]

I'm sorry your struggling like this but your not alone. People who tell you to get over it just don't understand how terrible it can be. And no you can't flip a switch whenever you want to turn it off. I know what my triggers are and all I can say is if you know what yours are that is a start. Try taking a walk to clear your head if that is possible deep breaths help and just wait for it to pass is all I can offer. Good luck

[BrokenPromise in reply to Amysmom]

Good morning,Sometimes I know what the triggers are and sometimes I don't, but yes that's a start.

Breathing, walks, those are things that can help, but I guess this is something that will never go away.

I wish you a great day & thank you for your comment!