Just when I thought I was back to 'normal'.

[PeggyJoan]

Hello all!

I have not visited in a while. I was doing great and honestly, thought "I got this". You'd think by now I could look back and realize that's hogwash. :/

Several weeks ago I began waking up with fear - fear of the drought we were experiencing, what's happening to my country, worry over my schizophrenic brother, etc. etc. etc. These fears then funneled down to worry about *me*. What's this pain? Is my anxiety coming back?

To make a long story short, as of result of my journey down the rabbit hole I now have belly problems. My lower belling is churning among other symptoms and I don't want to eat, which is a huge rarity for me. Yeah, I need to lose weight, but not this way! This is not new - as long as I can remember I have had one or two bouts of this a year. I know the more I focus on it, the worse it gets. Distraction is the best medicine.

My point is that I should never ever never think my anxiety is cured, 'cause I have had this since I was a little girl, and that's okay. I have learned the lesson of not being more aware when it came back and thus allowing it to become full blown with physical symptoms. My husband wants me to go to the doctor who will give me strong anti-acids which don't help. I know that dealing with my anxiety is the best medicine!

Actually, it's good to be back and I have learned my lesson. Thanks, everybody, for sharing your stories and for helping me on my anxiety journey!

Best wishes,
Peggy

 

[Rinka]

Hello all!

I have not visited in a while. I was doing great and honestly, thought "I got this". You'd think by now I could look back and realize that's hogwash. :/

Several weeks ago I began waking up with fear - fear of the drought we were experiencing, what's happening to my country, worry over my schizophrenic brother, etc. etc. etc. These fears then funneled down to worry about *me*. What's this pain? Is my anxiety coming back?

To make a long story short, as of result of my journey down the rabbit hole I now have belly problems. My lower belling is churning among other symptoms and I don't want to eat, which is a huge rarity for me. Yeah, I need to lose weight, but not this way! This is not new - as long as I can remember I have had one or two bouts of this a year. I know the more I focus on it, the worse it gets. Distraction is the best medicine.

My point is that I should never ever never think my anxiety is cured, 'cause I have had this since I was a little girl, and that's okay. I have learned the lesson of not being more aware when it came back and thus allowing it to become full blown with physical symptoms. My husband wants me to go to the doctor who will give me strong anti-acids which don't help. I know that dealing with my anxiety is the best medicine!

Actually, it's good to be back and I have learned my lesson. Thanks, everybody, for sharing your stories and for helping me on my anxiety journey!

Best wishes,
Peggy

I suppose there is no real "Cure" for anxiety disorder. It's more that we learn how to deal with it and learn how to control it. The important thing is, that we should not stress ourselves about falling back into the fear. We need to accept to learn to more on.
I hope you are ok. Let me know how you get on and if you need some support.

 

[PeggyJoan]

Awwww Rinka, thank you! Returning here where you and others 'get' this has already been comforting. Awareness and information is the best method for dealing with my anxiety. It was good hearing from you!

 

[Rinka]

No problem dear.
I suppose only anxiety sufferers are really able to image how one feeling during such an episode. It's comforting for me as well to be in contact with people like you that know how it feels and don't judge you or think less of you, just because of an anxiety attack. Anxiety is on of the mental health issues, that seems to get more awareness, but seems to be also the one that people have less sympathy with.
We are not hearing voices or have any other kind of delusion, we are in constant fear and this seems to be seen by other people as a weakness.

 

[PeggyJoan]

If others see our fears and axiety as a weakness, I honestly don't care. Having said that, I am 70 and the older I have gotten, the less I care what people think. I agree that anxiety is often seen by those who don't have it as something we can control - 'get over it, don't worry until something happens, etc.' Yeah, right! And as you have said, Rinka, visiting here is immensely comforting!
Actually, I think it's brave to open up and make yourself vulnerable, rather than the reverse. Many around us are suffering and reveal nothing - that makes me immeasurably sad.

 

[Kelculator]

Nah, anxiety isn't a thing you can get rid of. I've learned to just accept that as part of my brain, part of me. Don't be discouraged when anxiety flares up, it only gets better as you learn to get the hang of calming down each time. This will pass, I promise, and the scary part is the next thing will come, maybe in a few days, or a few years... But the truth is, you always get through it. Ride the waves! 'If it's not ok, it's not the end.' I really like that quote. I hope you feel better soon!

 

[Hurt&Hopeful]

Hey Peggy! Welcome back. I'm sorry you're struggling.

 

[Rinka]

Nah, anxiety isn't a thing you can get rid of. I've learned to just accept that as part of my brain, part of me. Don't be discouraged when anxiety flares up, it only gets better as you learn to get the hang of calming down each time. This will pass, I promise, and the scary part is the next thing will come, maybe in a few days, or a few years... But the truth is, you always get through it. Ride the waves! 'If it's not ok, it's not the end.' I really like that quote. I hope you feel better soon!

That's the thing with anxiety. We need to learn to live with it and accept that we are the way we are. No one else is accepting us completely the way we are, so we at least need to accept ourselves.