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What is it that sets off your Anxiety?

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Posted 2/26/2008 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
Anxiety can appear out of nowhere and it can also creep up on you if you start stressing or thinking about something. What is that something?

Please share what it is that starts your anxiety?

Kitt

Posted 2/26/2008 1:15 AM (GMT 0)
Kitt i dont know if we have enough room for that!(lol)I'll be typing all night!(Just Kidding!) There are a few things that set mines off.One thing is being alone,especially at night,I seem to think about everything at night while my husband's at work.Also thinking about the fact that one day some of my close relatives are going to die just like my grandma did in 1996 and how much of an impact it's going to have on me.Especially with my husband and mom.Although i'm afraid to die i often wish i would die before them because i dont think i could handle losing one of them! Although i've had my share of ups and downs with both of them they have been my sunshine in the midst of all the rain in my life.Thinking about my own death and how i'm going to die triggers my anxiety too.The thought of death sometimes takes over my whole life and thats why i'm afraid to travel becuase i fear that i'm going to be somewhere in another state or something and something is going to happen and i'm not going to be able to get any help!Traveling far distances away form my house triggers my anxiety too! I always like to be somewhere close enough to home so if and when my anxiety gets bad i can just go home because here is the only place i feel safe and sometimes i even have a little panic here!One more thing that triggers my anxiety is thinking too much about the future or the past hurt that i've been through,those are pretty much the biggest things.I'm glad you started this thread Kitt because i'm interested in seeing what others will say!
Posted 2/26/2008 1:28 AM (GMT 0)
School. Tests. Appointments. Due dates. Homework. Projects. Being in a hurry. Being surrounded by people. Being in a small space with people. Work. Traveling. Staying away from home. Driving. Riding the bus. Exams. Talking in front of people. Going places. Having to talk to someone about my anxiety/panic issues. Field trips. Doctors. Thinking about things. Anythings that could be remotely stressful. Wow...I didnt realize so many things affected my anxiety.... theres more Im sure, thats just what was on the top of my head!
Posted 2/26/2008 1:46 AM (GMT 0)
Ha!hA! Tennis that's weird some of the things that set mines off you named for me that i didn't name.Thank you! I mainly listed the biggest things.And there are some things you named that use to trigger mines but no longer do.
Posted 2/26/2008 1:50 AM (GMT 0)
My major ones I would have to explain! So I tried to keep it short. there are so many things that trigger my anxiety even without my knowing that I couldnt list them all! lol I just listed what first came to mind! lol
Posted 2/26/2008 1:54 AM (GMT 0)
You should have took the time to share some of it with us,that's what were here for! I think you shoul tell us about some of them without typing a whole book like i do! lol I dont know about everyone else but i'm interested!
Posted 2/26/2008 2:42 AM (GMT 0)
lol I was watching a documentary on the National Geographic channel on the Vietnam War so it took me forever to list those because I kept getting lost in it! I love the Vietnam War so... anyways, wow, your guys babling thing is rubbing off on me! Just kidding!

Umm... When I wake up, if I think about getting on the buss and going to school, I get sick from anxiety. I have to just get up and turn the music on and I CANNOT think about the rest of the day. If I think about school once, well lets not go there... anytime I start to think about all the work I have to do, like homework that sort of thing, I get super upset. If I think about report cards, grades, anything like that... If I think ahead to when Im going to FL in the summer I get anxiety because I cant wake up that early to go, I cant ride in a parked car down there for 8 hours, I cant be away from home, and while Im down there I dont get any sleep so that adds. Plus, I had a very bad experience with getting sick to my stomach there last year... it was horrible so Im dreading this year really bad already.

Hmm... When I think about going something I get super anxious. I cant spend the night at friends it freaks me out. I have to sleep in my own bed where I feel safe. I get super anxious if I was supposed to do something and I didnt, especially for school. If I forget anything I get all nervous. Anytime I start thinking about how I should tell someone I get all shaky and stuff. Just the thought of speaking up scares me so much. Mmm... Time. I am a huge time person. I always have to know what time it is. How long I have til something. Everything. Time makes me edgy, especially when I feel rushed.

I will have to think on some other things. Some things trigger my anxiety and I dont even realize it. but the thing thats the worst is simply thinking. Thinking about all of these things is enough to cause great anxiety so, obviously actually experiencing any of this is going to be very bad on my anxiety. I will add if I think of something else! Thank you guys for being interested! I feel so loved!
Posted 2/26/2008 2:56 AM (GMT 0)
Your welcome! Yea, I like you guys rubbing off on me, you guys are fun! You guys are like spunky or something... hmm... what do you all eat for breakfast... whatever it is, I want some too!!! lol Unfortunately, you guys will NEVER scare me off.... then I would have to find something else to use all my time up on! (Not complaining!) I love spending a lot of time on here...

:'( Its the only time I feel like I am "with" people who care and understand...
Posted 2/26/2008 9:26 AM (GMT 0)
You guys are so cute!! I love how every time I come on here I just feel like I'm with people who know exactly what I'm going through because no one I know experiences these things, not to my knowledge anyway. Isn't it weird to think about that, what if someone you see every day has anxiety too and you don't know it. Its perfectly conceivable considering very few people around me know that I have anxiety. Anyway, just a random thought. Things that trigger my anxiety....well to name a few, going to class, going to work sometimes, places in general that I can't easily escape. Especially a car with other people. I have this fear of throwing up in front of people and if I feel like I wouldn't be able to escape, it freaks me out soooo bad. Whenever I get headaches, I freak out because I think I have a brain tumor or an aneurysm. If I get a chest pain or an arm pain, I think I'm having a heart attack or something. When I'm alone I get scared, especially at night when my boyfriend is asleep. I get anxious about losing someone I love. I get anxious when I'm late for work or something. I get anxious about staying the night at someone's house other than mine. Also I get anxious when I think about death in general. I can't think about anything else, but you guys are so awesome, I'm so glad I finally found people who actually know what I'm going through. Oh and I get anxious and worried that I'll go crazy and hurt someone or myself.
Posted 2/26/2008 4:11 PM (GMT 0)

Good Morning All,

I intend to address your concerns so give me a bit of time and I will get to each of them.

My anxiety is usually set off by anticipating an event, going to the Drs., going out to lunch with friends I used to work with as I feel like a loser and so I cancel the luncheon date, attending an event where I feel out of place.  I worry about how I look, how old I am and the list goes on.

I have never learned to accept me for who I am,  I feel anxious about who I am not............beautiful, funny, articulate and smart.  I know it is stupid thinking but I need lead time just to get ready to go out now days, to work on staying in the moment.  I hate the AD meds as they have put the pounds on and people always feel they have the right to comment so I am already anxious and now someone just told me I used to be so young and thin........I feel like I am a big old dumpling so I hide at home.

I could go on but that is the challenge for me right now.

Hugs
Kitt

Posted 2/26/2008 5:38 PM (GMT 0)
Thunderstorms lightning and tornado watches. I guess cause I live in a moblie home and I hate lightning. I am 22 and will start crying. Mabye a weird smell, or if im staring at something and it seems like the walls moved, weird I know, I think cause I get dizzy. Etc. etc. etc.
Posted 2/26/2008 10:35 PM (GMT 0)

Proud of you all for putting it down and now when we hear from a feww more, maybe we can categorize the fears that cause our anxiety and start working on solutions.

I am afraid to stay alone in the house at night if hubby is gone but when you own a doberman, you sleep like a baby.  My cure for that anxiety provoking problem.

Chat room,  anyone interested and if so we could set up a time.... toss me some ideas.  I will be glad to discuss it with the other Mods, Lyn, Ak and Wen.

Hugs
Kitt

Posted 2/26/2008 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
Kitt,

This is a wonderful thread.  I was actually excited when I saw it as reading what causes others anxiety may make me understand and figure out my own triggers.  My main triggers are stress from work and my job to soon be eliminated and concerns about my health (any little twinge and I worry).  Of course, the physical symptoms the anxiety causes are enough but there are also other health problems.  I'm a worrier from way back when I was a kid and that will probably never change.  Like you, I also have never accepted Diane as Diane and always wonder what others are thinking about me.  My therapist keeps trying to drill into my brain "love thyself".  It's not working yet.

I would love to get on the chat with others here.  I feel at home here in just the short time I've been coming.

My new question for myself the past few weeks is "for what reason was I put on this earth".  What is God's purpose for me.  What was I meant to do.  What is my "calling".

Kitt, I've read all the posts and your responses to them and you are one of the most compassionate and articulate women I know.  I don't know you personally, but I can tell by your writing that you are a very wonderful and caring human being and I feel better just knowing you are out there.

diane

Posted 2/27/2008 12:22 AM (GMT 0)
That's funny Kitt but what Diane said about you i feel the same way.I dont know why you would think that you are not articulate? If your'e not then i would like to meet someone who is! I luv you and i've never even met you!(smile) I can feel your warmness in your writing.Your'e words make me feel safe! You seem so matter of fact when your'e talking! Your'e always giving us advice let me give you a bit,if you don't mind.To me beauty comes in all shape sizes and color! You dont have to be paper thin,with perfect skin,teeth etc.It doesn't matter how old you are,because were all going to get older if we live.I think it's a blessing to live a long life! With time comes wisdom and to me being wise is beautiful! These magazines would have us believing that we are not beautiful unless we look like Jennifer Lopez or somebody.And which she is beautiful but as I said it comes in many forms.What's a pretty face if you have nothing to offer to the world and judging from what i've heard from you,you have alot to offer.Knowledge for one! I've gained a considerable amount of wieght also since i've been taking SRI's and i use to have anxiety about my wieght,but then I told myself,you know what i'm still beautiful.I was beautiful when i was smaller and the fact that i have gained a little wieght doesnt change that!Now I embrace the woman that i am and work with what i have! I am a smart,compassionate,god fearing woman and i dont care what the world's definition of beauty is.I have my own definition.And that's not me being concieted that's just me loving myself for who i am! And i think you and Diane should do the same! The lord didn't make everyone the same and to me that's the beauty of it! Variety is the spice of life! I have never seen you but i think your'e beautiful because of what you have inside!
Posted 2/27/2008 1:07 AM (GMT 0)
INSIDE IS THAT MATTERS!!!!!!

WELL SAID PANIKE.

great words !!!!

hugs
i missed ya
katy
Posted 2/27/2008 1:53 PM (GMT 0)

I am glad this thread is helping you identify your own issues as well as see that you are not alone. Some of the commonalities I see in the posts that set off anxiety are:
Social and financial problems
Health problems, diseases processes
Lack of Support from others
Isolation
Poor Self Esteem
Stressful Family situations.

There are many more listed but I would like to give others a chance to post and then maybe we can look at tackling some of these problems one at a time and see if we cannot learn how to deal with them.

Thanks to each of you.  Nothing like a good brainstorming session to sort out issues.
Take care each of you
Kitt

Posted 2/27/2008 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
I am so like you lil sis
I dont see the ME I get told I am ........
I see the useless one that had to stop nursing and all because of a disease

I am constantly set off by family and lack of their feelings towards dad and when mom was alive ya know the story
I am so tired of them thinking I WILL say yes to everything but ya know I have learnt to say NO and that feels sooooo good .........
Guilt when I am sick and away from here and I feel I am not doing what I said I would do

JEESH you nailed them all didnt ya .........

I despise most holidays always something bad has happened on them ya know ........
I do not have self esteem at all wish I did ........
I so despise feeling helpless and out of control when I am sick or in a flare.........
I could go on and on
BUT I have learnt to do self help techniques to go along with the meds to try and overcome this DD I know I have anxiety ........that anxiety does not have me ...........

GREAT THREAD.................Hoping others do share as well ..........Luvs big sis
Posted 2/28/2008 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
anything dealing with finances, school work, due dates, fear of others talking about me behind my back, fear of failing at school(even though I am excelling), fear of not graduating, fear of not being there enough for my son, guilt when my son has a bad day, guilt that my anxiety is causing my son anxiety, procrastinating, thoughts of a recent lost love, fear of being alone, rude customers at work, rude comments from coworkers, ....pretty much anything
Posted 2/28/2008 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
Lyn i hate that you said you have low self esteem.Please dont feel useless just because your'e not nursing any more! Because in away you are still a nurse you and Kitt because you guys nurse us everyday! Lyn you and Kitt both have so much to offer to the world and i wish you guys could see that!So what youre not working anymore,this right here that you are doing is a job! I wouldnt want you guys to go back to work then you couldnt help us.I know that sounds selfish but it's the truth.Hw would be nothing without you guys!!
Posted 2/28/2008 11:04 PM (GMT 0)
Panike
YOU sure know how to win my heart you lil sweetie you ..........
THANKS from both myself and Kitt
As I have said and say constantly we love to be here just as much as you all do and we are sick and have issues and a/p just like all of you .........
We are here to try and help when we can and be the shoulder you can cry on at your time of need

Luvs ya lots sweetie

again thanks you brighten my day ......
Luvs
LYN
Posted 2/29/2008 3:49 AM (GMT 0)
*Worrying about my children especially if they go away on a trip.
*The results of medical tests.
*Worrying about finances.
*Lack of restful sleep
*Not eating properly
* Having to perform in front of an audience
* Driving on the Freeway

*Hurrying to do something or to get somewhere....I am always late

* This is a new one for me.....the thought of leaving home to keep appointments or go to work

** I used to worry about dying but now I don't cause dying to me now would be a relief.

Posted 3/1/2008 4:20 AM (GMT 0)
Anticipating anxiety and panic is often a trigger such as going to a store where I have suffered an attack before, usually the first attack comes out of nowhere.  The other bad trigger is driving.  Driving is the worst for me and really limits my world and where I can go.  There are certain streets and intersections, ones with long lights that make me panic terribly - sweats, rapid heart beat, not being able to breathe.  I avoid these places and so can't go somewhere unless someone else is driving.  Try explaining panic attacks to someone who has never had one.  They think you are totally nuts!  Also, left turns if there are many lanes is impossible for me.  I can't feel like I am stuck out of nowhere.

Posted 3/2/2008 9:45 PM (GMT 0)
Stuff they read out on The News makes me feel panicky - like outbreaks of SARS, bird flu, Satellites dropping on us from space etc. etc.  They're forever giving me more stuff to worry about.  Hearing a noise that's unexplainable - I always think the worst, like a boiler's gonna explode - a plane flying overhead, in case it drops on me! Stoopid, really.
Posted 3/2/2008 9:50 PM (GMT 0)
I dont think it is stupid I get the same way when the news comes on it is a scary world really and it does feed into our A/P
I rarely will watch the news it is a trigger for my a/p

Thanks for sharing

LYN
Posted 3/3/2008 1:19 AM (GMT 0)
OMG Aurora when i read your thread it brought back so many memories.I still get P/A when i'm driving but i use to get severe panic attacks when i stopped at redlights it seemed like the light couldn't change quick enough.Especially at busy intersections! Now that doesnt bother me anymore but man it use too,BIG TIME! Aslo i used to be scared to go to the mall,i'm not as scared as i use to be but i still get a littel jittery in the mall.The reason is because i've had so many panic attacks in the malls! And you're right it does effect the quanity and quality of your life.Like i said i can do the red lights and the intersections now for some reason but i still have problems with driving to far away from home and driving on the expressway! You are also right about trying to explain panic attacks to someone who hasnt had one! It absolutely sucks because like you said they think you are nuts!
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