Hello

[Mrsmac2002]

Hi I'm Karen ,I'm 45 and have been struggling with anxiety since childhood, recently it has gotten slightly out of control, I suppose I've joined this group to see how others manage and cope with it,because I can't manage mine very well anymore and it makes me want to run very far away!! Anyway, thanks for reading my post.

[Hidden]

Hi I've had anxiety since as long as I can remember I'm 47 mine came from watching my alcoholic father beat my mum several times a week so bad that I'm surprised she's alive.

I can relate to you , my anxiety manifests itself into ibs d where when I need to go anywhere there's no toilet it's a huge struggle then it can also make my tongue swell at the back so these anxieties have effected my health bad

I've used hypnotherapy CBT meditation exercise counselling through NHS

My weight has yoyoed for 29 years 4 stone in 4 off over and over

So I've contacted a private counsellor as I'm exhusted with it all

Have you tried much to help you and what does your anxiety do to you xx

[Mrsmac2002 in reply to Hidden]

I'm sort of in denial ATM about my anxiety I am wary of discussing things with a counsellor, I know things have happened to me in life that have have a major impact on me. This has caused my anxiety, I've got a big change coming up at work and it's causing this massive anxiety change in me too. My panic attacks are becoming a daily struggle. I work in the NHS in operating theatres and the other day I just wanted to run outside, but I had to stay out and try to control myself....it made me ill for the rest of the day!,

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi,

I have the same ibs symptoms as you and it makes it so hard to go anywhere doesn't it

It's exhausting.

I have been seeing a private counseler and had CBT and been put on antidepressants, one type specifically for the IBS symptoms and another for the anxiety, which is making it easier - is that a route you have tried?

[thoughtmonster]

Think about your thinking! Trying not to think about anxiety when i have it is like trying to play football with one leg-Sorry-bad joke. Anyhow, when i try not to think about my anxiety it gets worse and when i think about it it gets worse. If you think about it your "thoughts" (good or bad cause feelings inside good or bad) and your emotions/feelings inside can kind of dictate your thoughts-kind of a loop. So we want to think about something from your childhood or any time in life, or anything, that brings up strong warm feelings-something that makes you smile right when you think about it. If you can't think of anything right away just keep thinking something will eventually spring up. Now, when your having anxiety bring back this thought and bring yourself back to the moment and DO NOT THINK ABOUT NOT having anxiety or anything at all with the word anxiety in it.lol I could not think of anything that brought back powerful feelings right away but then something perfect came to me. It sounds silly but your imagination can be a powerful thing and you can get better and quicker at controlling (for lack of a better word) the thought feeling loop thingy. Once I practiced for a while it did seem to help and i actually use it today to quickly put myself in a happy or sad state for writing poetry. I ran to assist a person in a serious accident one time and just afterwards i realized something. When i was overwhelmed with concern for the victim i forgot to be concerned with my anxiety-it was gone until i remembered otherwise! Very interesting right. Anyways, i got to thinking too much and i started practicing bringing up strong counter memories/emotions when i had anxiety. I mean you cant be happy and sad or nervous and confident at the same time right? Well if it doesn't help at least i distracted you for a minute and maybe even got a laugh. Best wishes, Russ

[Mrsmac2002 in reply to thoughtmonster]

Well, that did take my mind off of things for a few minutes and did make me chuckle at the end 😊

[Nicki1984]

Hi I've dealt with anxiety all my life too and due to some big life changes was no longer coping - trying some meds and counselling for the first time. X