It's good to list your symptoms here because it's reassuring to know you're not the only person in the world with this problem. And it helps us to believe what doctors have told us, this is anxiety not some major organic illness. Sometimes people with anxiety are not very good at believing what doctors tell them.
But repetitively listing symptoms isn't going to exorcise the demons. No matter how many people you find who have the same symptom it's not going to cure it.
Sooner or later you have to move on to Stage Two. You have to decide what you're going to do to recover. And there are many good suggestions for a cure to be found on this forum.
If things are becoming impossible then you should talk to your doctor about anti-anxiety meds. They won't cure you permanently but they can give you a much needed break from the nightmare of high anxiety. If and when you do start taking meds focus on the good they will do you, not the long list of side-effects on the accompanying leaflet experienced by 1 in 1000 users.
Or maybe put your faith in a face-to-face talking cure with a qualified therapist or psychiatrist, perhaps one that specialises in Cognative Behavioural Therapy.
Or you might want to take a look at the self-help methods of recovery in books written by inspirational authors or to be found on websites or on YouTube.
Discuss your progress on the forum and compare your experience with others by all means. For your own sake and their's.
But either way, you really should advance to Stage Two and take control of your own recovery. Just endlessly listing the latest phantom pains and strange thoughts doesn't get anyone one step further forward to recovery.
Written by
Jeff1943
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Thanks for the wonderful advice Jeff, it's come at the right moment for me as I've spent a little while recently catastrophizing about aches and pains I'm getting. I'm seeing Dr. on Friday this week so trying to hold it together 'til then.Which as you know can be a bit of a roller coaster ride,but reading selected posts on here really keeps me from being too overwhelmed by my thoughts. Thank you for your help,it's very much needed and appreciated.
The thing holding us back from recovery is fear and the fear of fear. If we can master our fear by calmly accepting all the symptoms of anxiety disorder then we have taken the first step towards regaining our quiet mind. I wish you God's speed on your journey.
Well written Jeff. This is the reason I rarely read the posts on this forum any more- they are so repetitive and have a victim mentality with so mention of steps they are taking to recover. I have much better "feels" from the facebook forum for the DARE Response by Barry McDonagh - everybody is actively working and challenging themselves.
Where is this Facebook page? I’m in the initial DARE Facebook page but I don’t see anything about a forum. Is there another one? Can you provide a link? TIA!
Hi Jeff I had a breakdown..only way to describe it in January. I spent 5 hours with amazing mental health nurses who told me that I would get better if I put some effort into it. My sister suggested the Headspace app with meditations,it actually helps. I took the meds they suggested which have helped but I know I have got to do the rest myself.
I over analyse so need to learn new behaviours, distract myself, not sit ruminating and blowing things up to what they aren't so I have invested in some books, The Monkey Paradox was recommended by a doctor.
I am fed up with feeling like this so need to take control of it.
The occupation of work is good therapy for anxiety. Accept your symptoms for the time being, accept them calmly and without fear, and through Acceptance your tired nerves will recover from the fear hormones you constantly bombard them with. Everything will be fine when you return to work, it always is.
Please do not take my post personally Arete but sometimes we can help others best through constructive criticism. It does not apply to all members of this forum of course many of whom are taking active steps to recover.
I really appreciate your posts. Yes, I need to deal with my anxiety. For me this will mean accepting the help from my Dr. I believe my trying to tackle it alone, trying to keep it a secret has only delayed my progress.
I have used the website to let off steam rather than tire friends / family with my endless worries. Anxiety deafens you to good advice and rational thinking so you just repeat yourself - getting nowhere fast.
Stage ll... I’m expecting a step back before moving forward.
And then before moving forward I need to organise today and clear my mind and clear my physical belongings... I feel actual unwanted / not required objects can hold me back. I’ve been dejunking for years but I haven’t actually dejunked - just carried the same stuff around with me for years.
Oh my word - just by writing this I am discovering possible causes or at least obstacles of my anxiety.
I’ve just started back on medication. It has helped in the past. The intiial couple of weeks are a good indicator of the strength required to tackle anxiety.
Next step is to confront the current issue causing me extreme anxiety and then tackle the next. Rather than leapfrog the problem thinking that passing it by is the resolution.
Anxiety is disabling but I’m going to get up, shower, tackle at least one job - however small but most importantly I’m going to take in fresh air.
‘It’s never too late to be what you might have been’. George Eliot
Ladygrey, you are so right that we need to resolve the reason that triggered our anxiety in the first place. Once we have identified it we should put ourselves first and be ruthless in neutralising the threat. More easily said than done, I know, but essential to make progress.
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Feel like I cant breath in enough air?
When I close my eyes, I panic.
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