Accepting anxiety

[Connortyu7]

Up until only recently I was convinced there was more to what ever is wrong with me than just anxiety from heart attacks to strokes lymmes appendicitis cancer literally everything but anxiety and im still not convinced but I keep trying to accept it and some times I have spell where I'm not even thinking about my self and I'll be chuckiling at some thing and feeling a little more " normal " then all of a sudden it pops back in my head that some thing is wrong and I spend the rest of the day fixed on thinking about how I'm feeling weather it be good bad or what ever and I want to break that thought patter does anyone have any ideas

[Hidden]

Ru gettin any help. Counselling ,? 😊💛💚💛💚

[Connortyu7 in reply to Hidden]

Iv tried 2 organisations near me both are so busy they can't fit me in I'm looking into going private at the minute I'm just on medication and trying to get my own thoughts straight

[Hidden in reply to Connortyu7]

Goodstuff. Once the meds kick in n u get unto counselling am sure ul feel betr n ur head will start to straighten out... I'm speaking from experience. U not got a psychiatrist? 😊💛💚💛💚

[Connortyu7 in reply to Hidden]

No no one at the minute only my gp but he just tells me to take more tablets

[Hidden in reply to Connortyu7]

Hmmmm doesn't sound like a very good GP ....as a rule u shud b offered meds and CBT...its always a 2-pronged approach to recovery from anxiety. Ask ur GP to refer u to CBT. If he doesn't go to another doctor...thats ur rite as a patient (both to ask for a referral to CBT and to change doctor). Good luck. 😊💛💚💛💚

[Connortyu7 in reply to Hidden]

He is incredibly hard work but he's the best Iv tried so far thanks for the advise I will definitely talk to him about this

[Hidden in reply to Connortyu7]

Oh i kno all about doctors bein hard work lol !! Best of luck I really hope u get the outcome u want. 😊💛💚💛💚

[jessiejakes in reply to Connortyu7]

There is a waiting list for CBT treatment I had to wait months but it is worth it.no good though when your anxiety is at 100% what medication do you take ? I have 2 mg diazepam which reads on packet take one as needed for anxiety.but I only take when my anxiety is mega bad.as they really help to calm and relax me.but since having CBT counciling I am trying to calm myself with breathing exercises and trying to break the what if cycle.I do hope you get some help.and are feeling better soon

[jessiejakes in reply to Connortyu7]

Forgot to say have you tried mind they do some free courses and a one to one counseling they charge by income ie if your on low wages £10 if your on £20.000 £20 etc.

[Connortyu7 in reply to jessiejakes]

Yer I've tried mind and wellbeing service both so busy they can't fit me in for weeks and weeks I'm currently taking citalipram 20mg a day my biggest problem is I still don't believe it's just anxiety I think once I get that into my head I'll start to see an improvement

[jessiejakes in reply to Connortyu7]

Hi yes once you accept its anxiety you will get better.I had every anxiety symptom going.lump in throat.tension dizziness. Lost loads of weight as I couldn't eat couldn't sleep.had difficulty swallowing.feelings of something bad going to happen etc etc.I had all the above for about 7 or 8 months.my life was a nightmare .then I was taught to accept the feelings and don't worry about them it took a while but one by one I lost my fear of them.

[Jeff1943]

Connor, a while back I posted a message on this forum saying that you can't recover from an illness you don't have. I also suggested that instead of spending time worrying about illnesses you don't have you should spend your time addressing the illness you do have - anxiety.

As you know, anxiety plays many tricks on us, it is very good at imitating the symptoms of real physical illness. Even when we know in our heart of hearts that something is anxiety, then anxiety still tricks us into believing it's still a physical illness.

If you had all the illnesses you mention you'd be a long time dead by now. So my suggestion is that whether you choose to believe the symptoms are physical or nervous is up to you. But either way, accept the symptoms calmly and without fear. Let yourself relax and your whole body go limp when you feel the bad feelings and strange thoughts coming. If you can accept all that your sensitised nervous system throws at you without generating more fear then you will start to give your nerves a chance to recover. And once they recover they will cease to trick you with irrational fears about major physical illnesses you don't have.

Why not do it? What's to lose?

[jessiejakes in reply to Jeff1943]

Hi jeff1943 you are so right but it is really hard when your anxiety is severe as you can't think straight .but I totally agree with you that we have to accept the feelings and not fear them but it takes a lot of practice .but I now tell myself when I'm having a bad day.come on do your worst ! I've got things I need to do today.

[PhillyW]

Try going to anxietynomore.com brilliant website that has helped me so much. Have you been to the Dr to get checks done to confirm there is physically nothing wrong with you? If you have then essentially what you are doing is the right thing. Accepting out and moving on anyway.

What you have to remember is that anxiety is an emotion. Everyone on the planet has it. You cannot "get rid" of it, the same as you cannot get rid of anger, happiness, regret, excitement. They are emotions. However, coming to accept anxiety is the path to recovery.

You aren't alone with these feelings. I had and still have them but they are less powerful than before. I collapsed after playing a hard game of squash in Nov 16 and since then I've had anxiety about my health. I thought my heart was poorly and I was going to have a heart attack any minute and die. I had panic attacks that felt like heart attacks. I had twinges and sharp pains in my chest that I thought were the start of a heart attack, but they weren't. I had multiple ecg's done and they all came back saying my heart was fine. I had to trust them so I started running, steady at first but building up. I've since had my heart rate up to 180 again and I didn't die

My latest worry is hyperventilating during exercise. Again I have to face it and get over it.

Anxiet boils down to one thing.

Fear.

The more you give in to it, physically and mentally, the more it will control your life. Stand up to it. Accept it. Welcome that anxiety, truly welcome whenever you feel it and it won't hold the same weight any more.

Check that website out and if needs be speak to your Dr first then go from there. Just remember, you CAN recover. You WILL recover.

Good luck.

[Connortyu7 in reply to PhillyW]

Iv had many many test and done all come back normal so I have to accept it's anxiety but it's hard I will give it a look thanks for the advice and I'll try as you say small and often

[PhillyW in reply to Connortyu7]

It's really hard buddy, I totally get it. Anxiety and panic attacks will never kill you. Small steps bud, you'll get there. Don't beat yourself up if you have a bad day, just accept it and move on

[Connortyu7 in reply to PhillyW]

I'll try hardest thing in the world when you in full panic is to believe it is just a panic attack

[jessiejakes in reply to PhillyW]

Hi have you tried paper bag for hyperventilating ? Place over nose and mouth and breath in and out.thanks for your anxiety no more.com will have a look at that site.

[PhillyW]

Yes it is very hard. I've been there, so have millions of people worldwide. You're not alone. Just remember to breathe. Slowly and controlled. Focus all your attention on the rise and fall of your stomach. In for 5 out for 7. The attack will pass. Just keep telling yourself that it is adrenaline causing all of the feelings. The tingles, the racing heart, the dizziness, the detachment of oneself, the numbness, cramps, trembling and pains in the chest. None of it will hurt you. It will pass when your body runs out of adrenaline.

If you are able to, try to laugh at the feelings. Sing stupid songs about them. It sounds silly but it makes them seem less real, less frightening. If you sing "I'm having a panic attack" in the theme of happy birthday to you, it makes it seem very silly and reduces the fear of it.

Like I say, it takes time but you will get there. Acceptance is the key. Don't fight it. Don't argue with it. Don't get angry with it. Welcome it. Accept it. Befriend it. It won't seem so bad then