Have I Always Felt This Way?

[Ellishart]

For the first time in my life, I'm really TRYING to deal with my anxiety. I've always just endured it before and hoped it would go away. That means paying more attention to it, which I feel like has made my physical symptoms much, much worse in the short term. My head feels weird EVERY SINGLE DAY. Sometimes worse than others, but never normal. I'm curious if maybe I have always felt this way but didn't pay attention to it. Some moments, I am convinced I am dying of a brain tumor. But then I remember moments in my past where I remember feeling something similar without really fixating on it. At any rate, just sharing because it's been a rough few weeks. I very much want to be feeling better, but it feels like trying to address this has made me worse in some ways. If anyone has any tips on how to avoid fixating on "listening in" to physical symptoms, I'm all ears. "Distract yourself" hasn't worked so well for me. And trying to follow Weekes' suggestion of "accepting" after "facing it" has kind of led to it feeling MORE severe and not less.

[JAYnLA]

I'm so glad you've found Weekes! She laid a foundation for me - one that is hard and often frustrating but nonetheless valuable. Think that this is one of those situations where things get worse before they get better. Every time we move through our discomfort consciously we demystify it a little bit more, which eventually decreases its power.

[Ellishart in reply to JAYnLA]

She definitely has helped me in terms of putting into words some things I couldn't articulate! But honestly, I've just felt so much dizziness and head weirdness since I've been focusing on trying to address the anxiety that it's been pretty discouraging. I miss the days of just getting through right now!

[JAYnLA in reply to Ellishart]

I totally get it. I also have the dizziness symptom and I really don't like it... but I am letting it mean less and less. Those moments when I remember not having these exact problems are soooo emotionally charged. I try to put them aside as quickly as possible because they really don't help. Happy to be sharing common experience with you.

[Timmypliskin in reply to JAYnLA]

I'm going thru the same thing,

Dizziness, head " weirdness " ,

And the list goes on...

I have noticed that the times I've let myself feel good, and occupied,

The symptoms lessen...

Your not alone...

[JAYnLA in reply to Timmypliskin]

I love how you said 'let myself feel good'. That's the practice, isn't it.

[Timmypliskin in reply to JAYnLA]

Indeed... that s the tough part

[Agora1 in reply to Ellishart]

I agree with JAYnLA in that accepting anxiety as not dangerous is a start. Not focusing

on that feeling in our head is all important. I had those symptoms for a long time even

though I was into Dr. Weekes theory, but unless you believe in it and use it daily, it won't work. I also included relaxation in my day. Finding that relaxing and breathing properly could eliminate the weird feeling. Also important is hydration. Water is important in allowing good blood flow and making the body function at it's peak.

It took time, but I finally realized that Dr. Weekes knew what she was talking about.

My dizzy headed feeling no longer exists. The ground no longer moves under my feet.

She was an amazing doctor who left her mark on many anxiety ridden people who

won their struggle with Anxiety. You will too. xx

[Ellishart in reply to Agora1]

I appreciate all of you sharing this! The dizziness thing is just all consuming lately. It's almost like a headache at all times. Or, I should say, every time I "listen in" to see if it's there.

[JAYnLA in reply to Agora1]

Don't get nervous, but you're slowly becoming my hero.

[Agora1 in reply to JAYnLA]

I won't get nervous Jay. I'm pretty laid back.

I like to think of all of us as Warriors and together we forge ahead.

[Minnie87 in reply to Agora1]

Lots of love agora xx

[Agora1 in reply to Minnie87]

Happy Friday Minnie. You're not alone.

We are in this together and in numbers we are stronger.

I'm always here for you. xx

[Mireyaozzieg]

It sounds like Hypochadria or Health Anxiety i have had that for 3 years

[Daisy1705]

I have just bought a book called “At last, a life” by Former anxiety sufferer Paul David. It’s an excellent read and is kind of a more modern version of Dr. Weekes method of recovery. I refer to this book on my wobbly days.

It’s a horrible phase to endure but it will get better if you allow your body to heal itself and not fight against the feelings. Keep pushing on and one day the light at the end of the tunnel will appear.

[Tembo]

I know exactly what you mean about "have I always felt like this". For me I realise yes, I always have done. The biggest battle has been learning to manage my anxiety which, if left unmanaged, leads to severe depression. Its easier said than fone. I listened to Claire Weekes for months in my car to work every day. At that stage, all I could do was listen but I now realise I was too far down into a spiral of depression to really take on board het suggestions & methods. Months later I am now feeling human again after a spell in a facility for 30 days + ongoing Therapy. I now understand het ideas much better & talk to my anxiety when I feel it. Something I was told was to acknowledge it & then thank it for being there & for sharing but you don't need it right now. Acknowledge it, don't fight it is the key for me now. Hope that makes some kina sense!