Anxiety

[Jack.]

I've suffered with anxiety for years but recently it's become awful i'm getting so anxious and nervous when I even go into my local shop now. Today I went in the shop there was literally only me and the staff in there but i felt really anxious and I found myself shaking when paying for my shopping. What's everyone else's experiences with anxiety?

[Rob!]

Having recently been suffering from this I know how horrible and dehabiliting it can be. With me I also get chest discomfort and arm tingling which makes me think I'm having a heart attack which obviously makes me worse too.
The best thing I can say is that you just have to tell yourself that absolutely NOTHING bad is going to happen, it's anxiety, it's harmless. The feelings of panic and dread WILL pass. Valairum Root capsules from Holland and Barrett are supposed to be quite good and you can also get rescue remedy sweets from Boots that you suck on and have four drops of rescue remedy in per sweet.
Chin up Jack - you ain't alone with this. Don't let it beat you :clap1:

[Jack.]

Having recently been suffering from this I know how horrible and dehabiliting it can be. With me I also get chest discomfort and arm tingling which makes me think I'm having a heart attack which obviously makes me worse too.
The best thing I can say is that you just have to tell yourself that absolutely NOTHING bad is going to happen, it's anxiety, it's harmless. The feelings of panic and dread WILL pass. Valairum Root capsules from Holland and Barrett are supposed to be quite good and you can also get rescue remedy sweets from Boots that you suck on and have four drops of rescue remedy in per sweet.
Chin up Jack - you ain't alone with this. Don't let it beat you :clap1:

It's awful isn't it. I don't have the pains in my chest, I just feel like i can't breath. I find when I'm in a place that i feel really anxious being in I dig my nails into my other hand to stop the shaking, I know I need to go to the doctors but i can't bring myself to go and have to sit around other people while waiting. Next time I go to boots I'll have to have a look for them :)

[Rob!]

Honest to god Jack go to the doctors - once you are sat in front of somebody who is able to help you, you will feel so comforted, I promise. :)

[rubymoo]

I've suffered with anxiety for years but recently it's become awful i'm getting so anxious and nervous when I even go into my local shop now. Today I went in the shop there was literally only me and the staff in there but i felt really anxious and I found myself shaking when paying for my shopping. What's everyone else's experiences with anxiety?

I've suffered with anxiety for years, and the things i've found that work for me is meditation, reducing caffeine intake, eating healthily, and walking, deep breathing exercises are also excellent as anxiety and hyperventilation go hand in hand, i suffered health anxiety, medication anxiety and death anxiety, the only way i've managed to come to terms with my anxiety is accepting that one day i will die and there's nothing i can do to stop that so it's better to live life than to dread death, also i'm the same as everyone else, no-one is better than me and i'm no better than anyone else, we all burp, fart, **** and pee, we are all the same so to accept that is who you are, to accept that some things we cannot change. And to not take things too seriously (i'm naturally a deep thinker and therefore quite serious) so to be able to laugh at yourself, and to see the funny side of things, i'm 40 and it's taken me this long to get here and i've still got quite a way to go.

I feel your pain, my anxiety is my state of mind, my lack of confidence and self esteem, a lack of trust in myself and my abilities, i still go red with embarrassment when i'm in an uncomfortable position, but i've learnt to accept that and i try to find out why i felt uncomfortable and to then try again, and i've found that 9 times out of 10 it's because i feel an idiot and inferior but then why do i feel an idiot and inferior? For me it's past situations that have led me to be anxious both as a child and as an adult so i'm trying to combat those feelings. I guess some people are better in social situations than others, try to look at yourself as an outsider looking in and you may get some answers.

Sending you a hug :hug:

[Jack.]

I've suffered with anxiety for years, and the things i've found that work for me is meditation, reducing caffeine intake, eating healthily, and walking, deep breathing exercises are also excellent as anxiety and hyperventilation go hand in hand, i suffered health anxiety, medication anxiety and death anxiety, the only way i've managed to come to terms with my anxiety is accepting that one day i will die and there's nothing i can do to stop that so it's better to live life than to dread death, also i'm the same as everyone else, no-one is better than me and i'm no better than anyone else, we all burp, fart, **** and pee, we are all the same so to accept that is who you are, to accept that some things we cannot change. And to not take things too seriously (i'm naturally a deep thinker and therefore quite serious) so to be able to laugh at yourself, and to see the funny side of things, i'm 40 and it's taken me this long to get here and i've still got quite a way to go.

I feel your pain, my anxiety is my state of mind, my lack of confidence and self esteem, a lack of trust in myself and my abilities, i still go red with embarrassment when i'm in an uncomfortable position, but i've learnt to accept that and i try to find out why i felt uncomfortable and to then try again, and i've found that 9 times out of 10 it's because i feel an idiot and inferior but then why do i feel an idiot and inferior? For me it's past situations that have led me to be anxious both as a child and as an adult so i'm trying to combat those feelings. I guess some people are better in social situations than others, try to look at yourself as an outsider looking in and you may get some answers.

Sending you a hug :hug:
Thank you :hug:

[Redway]

There's nothing really I can say other than that you need to get yourself to a doctor ASAP. They'll be able to advise you better than any of us can.

rubymoo's post is great though. Speaking of meditation I'd give mindfulness a go if you've heard of it.

[Jack.]

There's nothing really I can say other than that you need to get yourself to a doctor ASAP. They'll be able to advise you better than any of us can.

rubymoo's post is great though. Speaking of meditation I'd give mindfulness a go if you've heard of it.

Yeah I think I'll have to go the doctors.

[lily.]

Jack, get to the doc. I put it off when I had Post-Natal Depression, and wish I had went sooner. You don't have to cope with this alone. There's help out there, but you have to go get it..

[Jack.]

Jack, get to the doc. I put it off when I had Post-Natal Depression, and wish I had went sooner. You don't have to cope with this alone. There's help out there, but you have to go get it..

Yeah I just don't think i can cope anymore if i'm being honest everything is just getting on top of me. I'll make an appointment to see my gp on Monday.

[lily.]

Good. Do that. And if you have any family members you feel you can talk to, you should do that too. It's horrific suffering alone. You feel like you are the only person in the world who feels that way, even though you know you aren't. As soon as you get help and start feelling better, you'll be glad you did.

[LaLaLand]

I've suffered with extreme anxiety and panic attacks for the past decade. It got so bad that I didn't leave my house for over a year, I was a total shell of a person and a recluse.

I still suffer but not as much and I've managed to get a degree since that whole episode, you just have to push yourself and get out there, it's uncomfortable at first but it does get better!

I cannot recommend walking enough, stick headphones in and go for a long walk somewhere! It's great for your body and mind and it gets you "out there", plus you feel great after doing it!

[AnnieK]

I had beta blockers prescribed from my gp for anxiety but honestly they could have given me smarties and told me they would work.....once I took one I calmed down in about 20mins and stopped panicking (because the doc told me that's how long they took to work). As Rob said you have to tell yourself that nothing bad will happen, you won't die etc and breathe properly and deeply and they will pass. I used to feel attacks coming on from my toes (even though that sounds crazy I know). Hope you get it under control but do see your GP as anxiety can really mess your life up. Xx

[Jack.]

I've suffered with extreme anxiety and panic attacks for the past decade. It got so bad that I didn't leave my house for over a year, I was a total shell of a person and a recluse.

I still suffer but not as much and I've managed to get a degree since that whole episode, you just have to push yourself and get out there, it's uncomfortable at first but it does get better!

I cannot recommend walking enough, stick headphones in and go for a long walk somewhere! It's great for your body and mind and it gets you "out there", plus you feel great after doing it!

We're both from wrexham there isn't that many nice places to go for a long walk :joker:

[Jack.]

I had beta blockers prescribed from my gp for anxiety but honestly they could have given me smarties and told me they would work.....once I took one I calmed down in about 20mins and stopped panicking (because the doc told me that's how long they took to work). As Rob said you have to tell yourself that nothing bad will happen, you won't die etc and breathe properly and deeply and they will pass. I used to feel attacks coming on from my toes (even though that sounds crazy I know). Hope you get it under control but do see your GP as anxiety can really mess your life up. Xx

Yeah I think i've got no choice the only way to get help is to go to the doctors.

[LaLaLand]

We're both from wrexham there isn't that many nice places to go for a long walk :joker:

:laugh: It's not bad yano! I live near the Aqueduct so it's handy that I can walk to Llangollen along the canal, lovely when it's sunny calming and quiet! Do you live near any parks or anything like that?

Hope your situation improves soon, it takes alot of energy but you can do it!!

[Jack.]

:laugh: It's not bad yano! I live near the Aqueduct so it's handy that I can walk to Llangollen along the canal, lovely when it's sunny calming and quiet! Do you live near any parks or anything like that?

Hope your situation improves soon, it takes alot of energy but you can do it!!

I live near an aqueduct aswell :suspect: Yeah actually the place i live there is loads of places to go for walks. I'll try going for some long walks and see how i feel then.

[VanessaFeltz.]

I went into hugeeeeee depression 2 summers ago i felt so MUCH anxiety even when i was talking with workers in shops etc then school started i didnt even want to go there it took a lot for me to even produce a sentence but then little by little i felt better. By the end of the year i was social in my class in my unique way because i've accepted my flaws that sent me into this depression.

There are times in our lives we feel horrible and down and not talk with anybody or we might have this anxiety for years.I still feel anxiety talking with people that i am not close to and still trying to come over that. I used to feel very angry at myself whenever i said something stupid but now i know i have to let it go.

I hope you will feel better, i know you will :)

[Cal.]

When I was suffering from anxiety I found the GP to be no help. She told me that she couldn't give me therapy/medication because I didn't have suicidal feelings. I hope that your GP is more helpful. It's a good job mine was down to a situation instead of it being an actual condition - it managed to get better once I'd left that stage of my life behind me.

[Samm]

When I was suffering from anxiety I found the GP to be no help. She told me that she couldn't give me therapy/medication because I didn't have suicidal feelings. I hope that your GP is more helpful. It's a good job mine was down to a situation instead of it being an actual condition - it managed to get better once I'd left that stage of my life behind me.

That's so ****ty wtf

[Jack.]

Just a little update i've started going for long walks as some of you suggested and it is really nice and calming on a nice summers day :flutter:

[Tarryn]

I have suffered from anxiety all my life but the past 4-5 years it has become just awful. I have gone through a few family & medical problems which have made things much worse too.
Two years ago I finally went to my Doctor who was no help. He told me "All women go a little crazy once a month" & "To get over it".
It made me feel so bad. I just deal with it alone now.
I really don't sleep at all.
I think we all deal with it in different ways.
My friend just told me to do things that you enjoy & that make you happy.

[Jack.]

I have suffered from anxiety all my life but the past 4-5 years it has become just awful. I have gone through a few family & medical problems which have made things much worse too.
Two years ago I finally went to my Doctor who was no help. He told me "All women go a little crazy once a month" & "To get over it".
It made me feel so bad. I just deal with it alone now.
I really don't sleep at all.
I think we all deal with it in different ways.
My friend just told me to do things that you enjoy & that make you happy.

Hi Tarryn what i did was i asked my friends and family which doctor they go to and how they treat them. I would advise you doing the same as the doctor you seen sounds like a bit of a dick. Yeah it is true that we all deal with stuff in different ways. Your doctor was wrong to say that all women go a little crazy once a month as it's completely untrue. I'm sorry to hear that you've gone through a hard time in the last few years.

[Tarryn]

Hi Tarryn what i did was i asked my friends and family which doctor they go to and how they treat them. I would advise you doing the same as the doctor you seen sounds like a bit of a dick. Yeah it is true that we all deal with stuff in different ways. Your doctor was wrong to say that all women go a little crazy once a month as it's completely untrue. I'm sorry to hear that you've gone through a hard time in the last few years.

Thanks. It's so difficult to get a Doctor's appointment here but I will try again.
I have to say that just knowing others are going through this makes me feel less alone.
Some members of my family including my own sister have not been at all understanding & I have felt so isolated about it.

[Jack.]

Thanks. It's so difficult to get a Doctor's appointment here but I will try again.
I have to say that just knowing others are going through this makes me feel less alone.
Some members of my family including my own sister have not been at all understanding & I have felt so isolated about it.

Yeah I know the struggle to get a doctors appointment it's awful isn't it. I've been lucky my sister has been the most understanding with me. If you ever want to chat in private just pm me :)

[Tarryn]

Yeah I know the struggle to get a doctors appointment it's awful isn't it. I've been lucky my sister has been the most understanding with me. If you ever want to chat in private just pm me :)

Thank you. That's really kind :flowers:

[Jack.]

Thank you. That's really kind :flowers:

:omgno: Just seen your avi is man utd :nono:

[Ammi]

I have suffered from anxiety all my life but the past 4-5 years it has become just awful. I have gone through a few family & medical problems which have made things much worse too.
Two years ago I finally went to my Doctor who was no help. He told me "All women go a little crazy once a month" & "To get over it".
It made me feel so bad. I just deal with it alone now.
I really don't sleep at all.
I think we all deal with it in different ways.
My friend just told me to do things that you enjoy & that make you happy.

...even if your anxieties were in any way hormone related, Tarryn..it's still not something that you just have to 'put up with'..it's just finding the best for you to help you cope with your anxieties and it's not one of those 'one size fits all' type things because the causes and triggers for our anxieties are so personal to each individual...I think probably your not sleeping is exaggerating your anxieties as well because you must be becoming physically exhausted, which will have nothing but negative effects on your thoughts..so maybe looking into some relaxation techniques, to help for more rest and sleep could be something to focus on atm as well..?...just taking one step at a time../type thing and trying to do something about some of those 'accelerators'...aim for your sleep to be more restful and that may help to relieve your anxieties and help you break them down...

[Ammi]

..and I'm glad that the walks are helping you, Jack..:hug:...

[Tarryn]

...even if your anxieties were in any way hormone related, Tarryn..it's still not something that you just have to 'put up with'..it's just finding the best for you to help you cope with your anxieties and it's not one of those 'one size fits all' type things because the causes and triggers for our anxieties are so personal to each individual...I think probably your not sleeping is exaggerating your anxieties as well because you must be becoming physically exhausted, which will have nothing but negative effects on your thoughts..so maybe looking into some relaxation techniques, to help for more rest and sleep could be something to focus on atm as well..?...just taking one step at a time../type thing and trying to do something about some of those 'accelerators'...aim for your sleep to be more restful and that may help to relieve your anxieties and help you break them down...

I did try relaxation techniques but they did not work, I also went to see a councillor for six sessions but even though she was really nice I just felt like I was talking to a brick wall.
You are right in saying my lack of sleep is adding to my anxiety. I find that every little thing just get's to me.

[Tarryn]

:omgno: Just seen your avi is man utd :nono:

LVG has added to my anxiety :fist:

[Jack.]

LVG has added to my anxiety :fist:

Jurgen Klopp has made me a lot less anxious at Liverpool :hee:

[Jack.]

..and I'm glad that the walks are helping you, Jack..:hug:...

I don't what I will do in the winter as at the moment the weather is great for walks not so much when it's snowing :laugh:

[Niamh.]

I had beta blockers prescribed from my gp for anxiety but honestly they could have given me smarties and told me they would work.....once I took one I calmed down in about 20mins and stopped panicking (because the doc told me that's how long they took to work). As Rob said you have to tell yourself that nothing bad will happen, you won't die etc and breathe properly and deeply and they will pass. I used to feel attacks coming on from my toes (even though that sounds crazy I know). Hope you get it under control but do see your GP as anxiety can really mess your life up. Xx

My son is on those for migraines

[TT350]

I suffer with anxiety.

It's had various forms and triggers over the years. Like the OP said, simply being out and about used to trigger huge anxiety. Mainly through being self conscious (probably through bullying throughout childhood/teens.

I'd feel everyone was staring at me. Judging and laughing for the way I looked. To this day I hate crowded places.

In more recent years it's become more serious. Been a rough 5 years. Both parents died. Friends all had babies and simply vanished off the social radar. Financial worries. Having no family or friends to talk to has affected me more than I realised.

All those small conversations yout have with friends and family really help you to de-load and sort of like, de-frag the thoughts and feelings you have. Don't bottle things up.
Even a forum like this can help when you need it most.

I have resolved all the issues I mentioned above apart from friends/family, but the anxiety remains. I'm always mentally active with mostly bad thoughts. Worries about anything. Laying in bed wide awake worrying about everything and anything. Things that are out of my control.

Recently a British family got beaten up in thailand and I saw the cctv of it and it sent me into a depressed state of anxiety for a week or more.

As a byproduct I also get really bad insomnia.

Doctors. Useless in my experience. They're under a lot of pressure not to prescribe anything remotely addictive such as sleeping pills or tranquilisers because people have been suing doctors over becoming dependant on them. So now they won't. It doesn't matter if you've been awake for a week, torn your hair out and ground your teeth to dust. They still won't prescribe something to alleviate the symptoms there and then. They don't want to risk their career.

They will most likely give you an antidepressant and possibly a beta blocker, though.

Recently my GP said I should stop whatever im doing and focus on the moment. Listen to the birds. Feel the wind. Not really beneficial or possible when I'm in work or driving etc.

Exercise helps a lot. Really intense lengthy exercise. Releases enorphins etc. And the added benefit is after 3 months you'll feel and look much better. Things may snowball after that. Your confidence will soar.

Also, as much as possible, try not to withdraw from people and the world around you. Agoraphobia will kick in or get worse than it already is.

OP, I hope you overcome or at least manage your anxiety.

You're not alone.

[Rob!]

I suffer with anxiety.

It's had various forms and triggers over the years. Like the OP said, simply being out and about used to trigger huge anxiety. Mainly through being self conscious (probably through bullying throughout childhood/teens.

I'd feel everyone was staring at me. Judging and laughing for the way I looked. To this day I hate crowded places.

In more recent years it's become more serious. Been a rough 5 years. Both parents died. Friends all had babies and simply vanished off the social radar. Financial worries. Having no family or friends to talk to has affected me more than I realised.

All those small conversations yout have with friends and family really help you to de-load and sort of like, de-frag the thoughts and feelings you have. Don't bottle things up.
Even a forum like this can help when you need it most.

I have resolved all the issues I mentioned above apart from friends/family, but the anxiety remains. I'm always mentally active with mostly bad thoughts. Worries about anything. Laying in bed wide awake worrying about everything and anything. Things that are out of my control.

Recently a British family got beaten up in thailand and I saw the cctv of it and it sent me into a depressed state of anxiety for a week or more.

As a byproduct I also get really bad insomnia.

Doctors. Useless in my experience. They're under a lot of pressure not to prescribe anything remotely addictive such as sleeping pills or tranquilisers because people have been suing doctors over becoming dependant on them. So now they won't. It doesn't matter if you've been awake for a week, torn your hair out and ground your teeth to dust. They still won't prescribe something to alleviate the symptoms there and then. They don't want to risk their career.

They will most likely give you an antidepressant and possibly a beta blocker, though.

Recently my GP said I should stop whatever im doing and focus on the moment. Listen to the birds. Feel the wind. Not really beneficial or possible when I'm in work or driving etc.

Exercise helps a lot. Really intense lengthy exercise. Releases enorphins etc. And the added benefit is after 3 months you'll feel and look much better. Things may snowball after that. Your confidence will soar.

Also, as much as possible, try not to withdraw from people and the world around you. Agoraphobia will kick in or get worse than it already is.

OP, I hope you overcome or at least manage your anxiety.

You're not alone.

Thanks for this :) really helpful.

[Mokka]

I suffer with anxiety.

It's had various forms and triggers over the years. Like the OP said, simply being out and about used to trigger huge anxiety. Mainly through being self conscious (probably through bullying throughout childhood/teens.

I'd feel everyone was staring at me. Judging and laughing for the way I looked. To this day I hate crowded places.

In more recent years it's become more serious. Been a rough 5 years. Both parents died. Friends all had babies and simply vanished off the social radar. Financial worries. Having no family or friends to talk to has affected me more than I realised.

All those small conversations yout have with friends and family really help you to de-load and sort of like, de-frag the thoughts and feelings you have. Don't bottle things up.
Even a forum like this can help when you need it most.

I have resolved all the issues I mentioned above apart from friends/family, but the anxiety remains. I'm always mentally active with mostly bad thoughts. Worries about anything. Laying in bed wide awake worrying about everything and anything. Things that are out of my control.

Recently a British family got beaten up in thailand and I saw the cctv of it and it sent me into a depressed state of anxiety for a week or more.

As a byproduct I also get really bad insomnia.

Doctors. Useless in my experience. They're under a lot of pressure not to prescribe anything remotely addictive such as sleeping pills or tranquilisers because people have been suing doctors over becoming dependant on them. So now they won't. It doesn't matter if you've been awake for a week, torn your hair out and ground your teeth to dust. They still won't prescribe something to alleviate the symptoms there and then. They don't want to risk their career.

They will most likely give you an antidepressant and possibly a beta blocker, though.

Recently my GP said I should stop whatever im doing and focus on the moment. Listen to the birds. Feel the wind. Not really beneficial or possible when I'm in work or driving etc.

Exercise helps a lot. Really intense lengthy exercise. Releases enorphins etc. And the added benefit is after 3 months you'll feel and look much better. Things may snowball after that. Your confidence will soar.

Also, as much as possible, try not to withdraw from people and the world around you. Agoraphobia will kick in or get worse than it already is.

OP, I hope you overcome or at least manage your anxiety.

You're not alone.

What a beautiful, thoughtful and a little sad post :hug:

I agree so much with what you have said...especially the exercise part. It is my crutch rt now.
And this site can be a lovely place to find friends to connect with... Rob!, you are one of the best of the bunch

[TT350]

Thanks for this :) really helpful.

You're welcome. :)

[TT350]

What a beautiful, thoughtful and a little sad post :hug:

I agree so much with what you have said...especially the exercise part. It is my crutch rt now.
And this site can be a lovely place to find friends to connect with... Rob!, you are one of the best of the bunch

Why sad? Don't want anyone to be a raincloyd so early after joining lol.

Yes exercise is very important in dealing with anxiety or depression and even insomnia. I feel sad when my workout is over as I just want to stay in the gym.

I do a good 3hr a day bit would do more if I didn't have work and commitments etc.

1hr weights then 2hr fast incline walk with good music or an audio book let's you just drift off and before you know it you've done 2hrs.

What do you do for exercise, Mokka?

[Mokka]

Why sad? Don't want anyone to be a raincloyd so early after joining lol.

Yes exercise is very important in dealing with anxiety or depression and even insomnia. I feel sad when my workout is over as I just want to stay in the gym.

I do a good 3hr a day bit would do more if I didn't have work and commitments etc.

1hr weights then 2hr fast incline walk with good music or an audio book let's you just drift off and before you know it you've done 2hrs.

What do you do for exercise, Mokka?

Not much for the gym me... I need to be outside.

Currently I run 4-5 days a week 5-7 km (3-4.5 miles) depending on time and my body that day ( trying to get to 10km by summers end)
I cycle everywhere in the summer... to work or to fun. Have a 25km trip planned for tomorrow
And I walk! Where I can't run or cycle to :laugh:

outside of that I do pilates at home as a little extra for tone and balance.

And I didn't mean sad as a negative... I just empathized with what you said

[TT350]

Not much for the gym me... I need to be outside.

Currently I run 4-5 days a week 5-7 km (3-4.5 miles) depending on time and my body that day ( trying to get to 10km by summers end)
I cycle everywhere in the summer... to work or to fun. Have a 25km trip planned for tomorrow
And I walk! Where I can't run or cycle to :laugh:

outside of that I do pilates at home as a little extra for tone and balance.

And I didn't mean sad as a negative... I just empathized with what you said

I'd love to be able to run for distances like that. I'm far too heavy though, about 130kg, through weight lifting for the past 10 years on and off and have bad shins from when I used to box ages ago. Got shin splints from so much skipping and they seem to have stayed with me!

I hear running for a long time gives a euphoric feeling when you push past the plateau or the wall.

Cycling - nor sure my bum could manage sitting on those seats! Or the lycra/spandex shorts lol.

So kudos to you :)

No I know it wasn't negative. :)

I hope you get your 10k goal. I'm sure you will!

[jennyjuniper]

It's awful to feel anxious and panicky, but please see your doctor. If you can't bear the thought of waiting with a lot of other people, ask for a time to see him/her and then go into the waiting room about 5 minutes before your appointment.
A few tips to help are
Spend time in a calm peaceful atmosphere, out in nature is best.
Drink camomile tea, especially at night as it helps you relax and get a good sleep.
The rescue remedy lozenges suggested by Rob also sound like a good idea.
I hope you feel better very soon Jack.

[Mokka]

It's awful to feel anxious and panicky, but please see your doctor. If you can't bear the thought of waiting with a lot of other people, ask for a time to see him/her and then go into the waiting room about 5 minutes before your appointment.
A few tips to help are
Spend time in a calm peaceful atmosphere, out in nature is best.
Drink camomile tea, especially at night as it helps you relax and get a good sleep.
The rescue remedy lozenges suggested by Rob also sound like a good idea.
I hope you feel better very soon Jack.

Always have these in our house medicine cabinet!! They work so well

[Ammi]

I suffer with anxiety.

It's had various forms and triggers over the years. Like the OP said, simply being out and about used to trigger huge anxiety. Mainly through being self conscious (probably through bullying throughout childhood/teens.

I'd feel everyone was staring at me. Judging and laughing for the way I looked. To this day I hate crowded places.

In more recent years it's become more serious. Been a rough 5 years. Both parents died. Friends all had babies and simply vanished off the social radar. Financial worries. Having no family or friends to talk to has affected me more than I realised.

All those small conversations yout have with friends and family really help you to de-load and sort of like, de-frag the thoughts and feelings you have. Don't bottle things up.
Even a forum like this can help when you need it most.

I have resolved all the issues I mentioned above apart from friends/family, but the anxiety remains. I'm always mentally active with mostly bad thoughts. Worries about anything. Laying in bed wide awake worrying about everything and anything. Things that are out of my control.

Recently a British family got beaten up in thailand and I saw the cctv of it and it sent me into a depressed state of anxiety for a week or more.

As a byproduct I also get really bad insomnia.

Doctors. Useless in my experience. They're under a lot of pressure not to prescribe anything remotely addictive such as sleeping pills or tranquilisers because people have been suing doctors over becoming dependant on them. So now they won't. It doesn't matter if you've been awake for a week, torn your hair out and ground your teeth to dust. They still won't prescribe something to alleviate the symptoms there and then. They don't want to risk their career.

They will most likely give you an antidepressant and possibly a beta blocker, though.

Recently my GP said I should stop whatever im doing and focus on the moment. Listen to the birds. Feel the wind. Not really beneficial or possible when I'm in work or driving etc.

Exercise helps a lot. Really intense lengthy exercise. Releases enorphins etc. And the added benefit is after 3 months you'll feel and look much better. Things may snowball after that. Your confidence will soar.

Also, as much as possible, try not to withdraw from people and the world around you. Agoraphobia will kick in or get worse than it already is.

OP, I hope you overcome or at least manage your anxiety.

You're not alone.


..yeah, I think that the out of our control is a big thing with anxieties, TT350..it's our minds focusing on those for the very reason that they can't be solved, so just increasing out helplessness and increasing our anxieties...I think what your GP said about focusing on the moment is great advice in that with anxiety, our mind focuses on where it wants to take us../the 'destination' as it were..and it's already pre-determined that, that destination will be a place of triggering our anxieties...?...but really and logically, we don't know that it will do that, how could we know that of a place that we haven't got to yet..?..maybe we're associating something in our heads of similar situations/experiences which caused us pain/sadness etc in the past..and leaping over bridges that we haven't reached yet in thinking that 'worst thing' will happen again.../our worst fears, you know...in concentrating on the hear and now...the focus starts to be about the journey, so helping to break down the anxiety...like, if we have to go to a crowded place for instance and crowds make us anxious...but we have no choice, it's somewhere we have to go..?...so our 'head monster'/anxiety takes us to how we'll feel when we're there, to that terrifying, anxious place...it's trying to control an outcome that may never be../it's skipped the whole journey and arrived already...for me, I think it's about breaking it down and taking away the power of the anxiety, weakening it by focusing on each step, bit by bit...so we have to get showered or whatever first, so we do that..that's one step and the first step of getting there..ad nothing 'bad' happened there...?..we get dressed etc and focus on that and nothing beyond that, only what we're doing in the here and now...then the journey we have to make to get to wherever../walking/bus etc..feeling 'in control' that we know the way to our destination and that's all we need to know...the walking in to somewhere, just opening a door and taking a few steps..nothing bad will happen in doing that..?...(I'm not sure if I'm explaining very well, t'is early..)...but it's all focusing on things which we're controlling ourselves so it's not allowing that monster called anxiety any room in out heads and thoughts for the moment...it's breaking and taking away it's power over us because we're going to get there, are taking steps and journeys to get there and we're going to find out ourselves, if there was any 'truth' in those anxieties or if, actually it's completely fine..(or not as scary as we thought..)...and when we do complete a step of the journey as well, we're gaining strength for the next step and the next etc....'here and now' isn't that easy though, I know...and understanding your thought processes../ typical behaviour patterns as well is a good thing..things like Hypnotherapy and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy can be something that can help with that..(for some people..)...so maybe something to look into as well..also use you strengths with things that you do have control over, where you feel in control to help 'build up your force' for tackling the more difficult things.../focus on things that you're happy in yourself with and good at/type thing...

[Wizard.]

I suffer with anxiety, it used to be more social anxiety and whilst I'm not so bad now my health anxiety is through the roof it's more than just being a hypochondriac in the past year I've had oral/skin/brain/cancer, meningitis, tuberculosis, lymphoma, luekemia, lupus I mean the list goes on. It sounds ridiculous when I think about it but I just feel like I'm going to die. Some days I don't want to get out of bed or leave the house and I know that makes it worse but I can't help it. I'm not as bad as I was, I don't tend to search up life threatening illness symptoms as often anymore. But we have to have hope that things will get better.

[Ithinkiloveyoutoo]

Wow a lot of people suffering from anxiety here. I have a problem with crowded places where you have to stay there for a period of time like restaurants, tubes etc even more so with that ISIS bullcrap. I'm thinking of cancelling an event tomorrow cause I'm always thinking is tomorrow the day they blow up the underground. I have nasal problems and my worst fears are death by suffocation so maybe either drowning or being stuck under the rubble in the underground.
I don't know a cure except maybe try slowly doing more and more of what causes you the most anxiety. Little things like going to the shops try doing that more and more. Allow yourself that mental space time aswell meaning give yourself time to get ready that way you can prepare your mind. Don't just rush into it. Everything you do give yourself that mental preparation.

[jennyjuniper]

Always have these in our house medicine cabinet!! They work so well

I'll have to get some when we are in Britain again Mokka, as my son is often anxious and I'd rather use a natural remedy than chemicals.:wavey:

[reece(:]

I'm so comfortable (to a fault :joker:) around my friends of years, but new people and situations I feel so anxious and awkward.. and I worry it'll affect my potential job interviews

Had a particular situation with a housemate earlier in the year and I just couldn't face leaving my room at all when she was around, I'd even go to sleep to avoid it :worry: