New here...Never Diagnosed

[Perry C]

Hello,

45 Year old male. 6'1, 185...25 BMI. Feel I am pretty in shape. Exercise frequently and try to eat as best as I can. Lost my dad to cancer when I was 33 and started to feel the effects mentally a few years after. For sure had a few panic attacks in my 30s. Scary stuff for someone that never had that before. I self diagnosed, learned to breathe and just kept living life. Married and along came kids. Life is great and busy, but here I am still dealing with stress and anxiety. Still dealing with family issues from my dads death and the aftermath of family dynamic. Wife's family has many "issues" as well that keeps things stressful. My mental health has taken a toll along the way. Anxiety (social and health), stress has been the norm for the last 10 years. I am good at faking it, but life isnt as good as it once once. Adulting is difficult. My body hurts from the stress and Im looking for a way to cope with it. I love my kids and life, but many days I find it hard to be joyful. Im looking now for ways to help my broken hurting body. Deal with a lot of bloating and gas feelings along with sore muscles. I feel this is all mental and caused by stress. Looking for some advice. Thanks, Perry

 

[MATD]

Try this book, “It’s Only Anxiety” by Carl James, available on Amazon. $11 plus shipping. It teaches an acceptance method for dealing with anxiety and will also help put those “ family matters” in perspective. We can choose our friends, but not our family. However, we can choose to remain unresponsive to family members who want to stir the pot. We can choose to stay out of situations that others try to bring us into. We can use boundaries and we can choose to say no if we need to. There is no need to suffer anxiety over things beyond our control, and that includes family members who cause problems. Get the book, it will help a lot.

 

[maddison]

Hi sorry you are feeling this way Perry it's not nice having Anxiety it is really hard to live with just to let you know you are not alone

 

[ThankfulJen]

Hello, Perry. Welcome to the forum. I am sorry for your suffering. Being able to find a way out of the hole of anxiety can be an exhausting, frustrating, and lonely process. You are among friends. Have you thought about seeking a therapist? I am in the process of doing some therapy myself. Had one many years ago and it really helped. Hopefully you can find some great support here. Wonderful group of people who will gladly lend an ear and a shoulder to lean on!

 

[EMJ]

Hi Perry.... it’s a rough road ... but certainly life is worth the bumps. I have dealt with anxiety for 45 years (yup a looonnngggg time)... I have had great years and terrible years ... I have taken meds at times.... I have been hospitalized due to anxiety a couple times .... I have gone for counseling and therapy..... I am a retired therapist ...with 45 years of work behind me .... every day I work on my anxiety.... meditation .... mindfulness.... cognitive Behavioral Therapy... but still there are days that my anxiety sets me right back on my ass....
hang on to the fact that there are brighter days ahead... ALWAYS.... put that in your ruminating thoughts ... and keep it in your heart

 

[cheer_mom]

Welcome Perry. You are among friends here. We all fight rhis beast known as anxiety. As much as i wish i did not have to deal with it, I am so thankful for this forum and the people in it. I don't feel as alone. Sending prayers for you.