Having a bad day

[GMason]

I am really having a terrible day, being savaged by anxiety from multiple sides, how are other folk?

Unity is strength.

[Tempestteapot]

After having a really good day yesterday Kitty, today I'm struggling too. Sending you hugs - we WILL get through this! Relax, float and let more time pass..... (in the words of the great Claire Weekes)! xxxxx

[GMason in reply to Tempestteapot]

What is the best coping mechanism you use?

[Tempestteapot in reply to GMason]

Allowing the feelings and thoughts to be there - they won't harm us! It took a LONG time for our nervous systems to become this sensitised, so it makes sense that it's not going to disappear overnight (even though it's blinkin' horrible)! Self soothing is good too - being kind to yourself and affirming that you will be ok, and that you're braver than the anxiety bully because you're still here and it'll NEVER knock you down. It's 'weapon' - adrenalin - only has so much power and it HAS to dissipate. The anxiety bully is just a whiney nothing that really can't destroy us! xxxxx

[GMason in reply to Tempestteapot]

That's really good advice I like all of that do you think acceptance is the key? Letting go? I am not good at letting go I'm trying to learn

[Tempestteapot in reply to GMason]

It's absolutely essential to recovery, Kitty! I recovered completely up until the beginning of this year and I was BAD before! I had a physical health set back, and unfortunately here I am again! Days are up and down, but the fact that I CAN have a good day gives me hope. Have you ever checked out a website called Anxiety Guru? The guy who runs it made a complete recovery after 10 years and he does amazing podcasts! It really helped me before and is helping again now. Check it out - I think you'll like it!☺xxxxx

[GMason in reply to Tempestteapot]

I'll check it out thanks

What helped you recover the most?

[Starry]

Lots of hugs. Xxxx it will pass xxx

[GMason in reply to Starry]

Thanks how are you today?

[Starry]

A bit fed up tbh. I'm super fatigued, surgical wounds sorer than of late and I'm worrying if doctor will extend my sick leave ( I'm to call back tomorrow) . Still struggling with food anxiety to boot, though it's a bit more contained than last day or two.

[GMason in reply to Starry]

What sort of food anxiety do you have?

[Starry in reply to GMason]

Lots of random anxieties about food being bad I find I'm preparing meals ten not being able to eat most of it. I know it's excessive anxiety but I can't get past it.

Thought I was doing better but was really bad again last night.

[GMason in reply to Starry]

Is it OCD? I have exactly the same thing and I have bad OCD

[Starry in reply to GMason]

I'm not sure how you'd differentiate between general anxiety and OCD.

I've had OCD like habits in the past, but it was more handwashing and a dislike of chemicals.

[GMason in reply to Starry]

Well I guess it's all anxiety of a sort, does it help if you eat convenience or pre packed foods when you feel that bad?

[Starry in reply to GMason]

Not really my mind just finds a way to put myself off most things. But getting some quick plan b options in is a good idea. I'm not able to drive and live rurally so the cupboard is bare till the next supermarket delivery so that made it harder

[Starry in reply to Starry]

It's annoying as I had it well under control before the op.

[GMason in reply to Starry]

Plan b easy food is always good can you do online supermarket shopping?

[Starry in reply to GMason]

Yes that's what we do. I need to plan better.

[GMason in reply to Starry]

I always have plan b food cause I have major OCD around food, can help

[Starry in reply to GMason]

Thanks Kitty, that's helpful to know. Nice to feel it's not just me. I feel very embarrassed about it all.

[GMason in reply to Starry]

Try not to, there are a lot of us out there with issues such as this, nobody ever has the right to say that it's wrong, we are all just different and unique, anyway it's a studied fact that OCD people have higher IQs

[Hidden]

🌻 sending you hugs hun

[lhortiz]

I was able to tolerate my morning symptoms until they subsided. Hang in there sweet girl. I know it's not fun but it will pass.

[Fidget123]

Hi kitty. Struggling this morning. Anxiety quite high. Mornings are always hard for me, I fear I am going to lose it. I hope today is better for you

[GMason in reply to Fidget123]

I agree mornings suck, I am not a morning person at all

Can you take a moment to be calm and try to reset?

[Fidget123 in reply to GMason]

I went for a 10 minute jog to try and burn adrenaline, and sit outside as I have developed a mild phobia of being inside my house. I try to focus on my breathing, but my mind is so busy. Did you manage to settle yesterday ?

[GMason in reply to Fidget123]

Can you remove caffeine? I think that can help a lot

I calmed down yeah but the anxiety always comes back

[Fidget123 in reply to GMason]

The big change I have made is to cut out alcohol. I was using it as a coping method, but always felt so much worse after the effects wore of.

[GMason in reply to Fidget123]

That's really positive, maybe caffeine too? The effects of caffeine can be much more subtle as it becomes normal but it's really bad for anxiety issues, or perhaps even caffeine reduction, can make a difference

[Fidget123 in reply to GMason]

Right. I do drink a lot of tea during the day. I think I do that as a distraction. I have really cut back on my coffee consumption, but I believe tea contains caffeine as well.

[GMason in reply to Fidget123]

Coffee is the worst for anxiety I think, although lots of tea can build up caffeine levels, you could always try mixing it up with some decaf or peppermint tea as that's quite calming, I know it's hard to quit, there's green tea too which is low caffeine

[Fidget123 in reply to GMason]

Actually, I have started to by infusion teas, so need to drink more of those, thanks for the minder. Can I ask how's your morning going. I'm very on edge this morning, feeling quite anxious.

[GMason in reply to Fidget123]

No problem I feel pretty awful right now to be honest, I used to try to go back to sleep when I felt that way but I've learned to stay awake and focus on something instead, seems to reduce it in time, just waiting it out now

[Fidget123 in reply to GMason]

Like me. My sleeping has been poor recently, I always wake feeling anxious, and of course, my anxious mind then takes over. I too am waiting it out. I'm going to take my dogs out for a walk, sometimes that's helpful. I hope you have a good day kitty and find some peace. Perhaps I can catch up with you later. Take care

[GMason in reply to Fidget123]

Yeah that would be cool dog walking is a good method to chill out

[Fidget123 in reply to GMason]

Hi kitty. Hope your day was ok, and you managed to find some peace. It's been a pretty difficult day for me today. I simply could not shake my anxiety today, and felt pretty crap almost all day. At times I really thought I would need to be locked up for my own safety. Feeling calmer this evening, which is often the case. I find it almost unbelievable that I can go from fearing the worst to feeling more in control in the space of 12 hours. Thanks for listening to me today, I really appreciate it

[Pinky0]

I drink loads of tea aswell. I never drink coffee. I've been thinking maybe I should stop drinking so much tea and have glasses of cold milk instead. My sleeping pattern I can't stick to a routine, the problem is I feel I could sleep soundly in the mornings/daytime better than at night time. But of course I have thing's to do in the day but if I have a day off I try to sleep longer. I wish I could sleep at proper hours. Do you have hobbies that you love that can keep you busy to keep your mind off things? Or activities outside the house?

[GMason in reply to Pinky0]

I would totally recommend at least drinking no caffeine in the evening of possible, it can help with sleep

I don't have many hobbies right now, do you? Maybe you are naturally a night owl?