[Rob!]

Originally Posted by 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.

Thanks for this really helpful.