Why do I feel anxious all the timr

I do not understand vehy I geel anxious all the time until I retired I had a very responsable job and I was confident hut no more ?

[Dell12345]

Hi Stpn,

I cant answer why, but I can tell you that I had a similar experience when everyone started working from home during and after the pandemic. I think sudden isolation and lack of a ready social environment can be very hard to adjust to.

Perhaps some sort of volunteering with a group would gradually help?

[Adamj]

maybe it’s that your brain has to much time to think or something

[Babe1213]

Hi Stpn Sorry to hear that you are feeling anxious all the time. I know anxiety and feel for you. I do think however, that you have answered your own question. You don't say how old/young you are, or when you retired (it would also be helpful to know if you are male or female.) But retirement is one of the biggest bereavements we go through. Having a responsible job during your working life, and coming from a place where you have been confident is a big comedown when suddenly you have nothing specific to get up for in the mornings. May I ask, Did you plan your retirement? or Was it a sudden decision? Do you have a partner? Live alone? Family? Friends? Hobbies? How do you spend your days now? How is your physical health? Any or all of these things help determine how you will spend your life. Anxiety itself is NOT an illness (either physical or mental), it is the body's natural reaction when something go awry. Our Adrenal glands release hormones for fight or flight, and when the problem is over the leftover hormones have to go somewhere, this is what causes the anxiety. The secret to keeping anxiety at bay is to not allow it to take over your life. For every negative there is a positive, it is up to you to turn this round. When you are feeling anxious, do something - meditate, go for a walk, talk to friends/family, take up a hobby. Think back on your life to the times you didn't feel so confident and ask yourself, 'WHY' Unresolved hurts from as far back as early childhood, can hold us back from the good, happy lives we should be having - these things would not have affected you during your 'responsible, confident career', because you would have been too busy/fulfilled to let them in. My advice - as it has been to quite a few people on this forum, find someone, maybe a priest, or minister, a friend who will not judge, but support, a counsellor, your doctor, or facilitator, or if you are in UK - call the Samaritans - I am not suggesting you are suicidal, but the Samaritans have a wealth of information about support groups etc: If you need help getting through to Samaritans, please say here, and the are you live, and I can give you details.

There are many books and published literature about anxiety, however when we are feeling at our lowest we don't have time to read a book/article, we need help NOW! So is good to find one of the above supports I mentioned

I said earlier that anxiety is not an illness and I stand by that, but if you do nothing about it, then it can become an issue, believe me when I say medication for anxiety is not a true answer, that will only lead to bigger problems in the long run. Please get back to us if you need to - Please also know there are many millions of people going through what you are going through at this moment. The pandemic and the current financial crisis in UK is not helping. But there are ways to self help. My positive is always to pray, I shall pray for you, if you don't believe in prayer, don't worry, I do!

[Jobee59]

I totally understand, I retired not quite one year ago I am so full of anxiety all the time I know there’s more pains all the time I feel depressed and alone a lot, I feel like I have no damn friends whatsoever everybody’s working if I go back to work I lose money if I go back if I don’t go back to work I go nuts . But I have noticed through my life but every time something big like this changes in my life I go through an adjustment. And it’s a couple of years I was a single parent and I also had a handyman and a lawn service so I was always busy I’ve worked 47 years of my life and when it came to an end it was like life ended. So I can feel what you’re feeling But I’m not sure what the cure is we’re all different. I think Mike here it’s just time and try to introduce new things I don’t know. But I’m sorry you feel that way and I also like to add to that even though I was a single parent my kids have their own lives and I don’t see them much now.

[gocatandpanda]

If you are very sensitive to change, that may be it. For some people it is hard to adjust to change, and reasons vary. But that's okay.

Sometimes in life when big things happen, for in this case retirement happens, it causes a big gap in your life, too much time to do nothing.

I think that maybe if you joined some activity, group or club maybe it would help with your anxiety, and give you something to do in your free time and fill in that gap in your life you are currently experiencing.

I hope everything will turn out okay and you will feel better. Best wishes to you and your family.