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Posted 6/24/2008 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I'm new here. I checked out this place a while ago, and I recently came back a couple of days ago. I'm 20 years old and have been dealing with anxiety/depression since I was 14. I had it really bad at first but was able to successfully get through my high school years with a few stumbles along the way. Since then, I've been in college and haven't had much anxiety. But recently I have been having very bad anxiety attacks especially at night. I get all anxious about different things. It has been keeping me up at night and I have started to become anxious about nighttime. I told my therapist about this today and she was pretty helpful although sometimes I feel things are easier said than done. I do not want to slip back into anxiety attacks and depression. I also don't have that many friends since I went to college, and my family and therapist urge that I get out and do things, but I feel I have no one to do them with. I know anxiety is something I will deal with for the rest of my life, but I am so afraid and frustrated that I might be going backwards, I was doing so well. I'm 20 and I should be happy, but I am not. I figured I'd give this forum a try because you all seem so kind and helpful here. Any words of advice? Thanks, I appreciate it.
Posted 6/25/2008 12:10 AM (GMT 0)

Hey there, can I call you Chicky?  eyes   I am Kitt...........we met already so now let's see what I may do for you.

The best stress management techniques are those that are easy to use. Quick to learn and quick to implement, you can use them to manage your own stress levels .

Stress management techniques help you control  your stress and be a healthier, and  happier person.  I am sure this is not new to you as you have a therapist.

Acknowledge stress is good. Make stress your friend! Based on the body’s natural “fight or flight” response, that burst of energy will enhance your performance at the right moment. I’ve yet to see a top sportsman totally relaxed before a big competition. Use stress wisely to push yourself that little bit harder when it counts most.

Protect yourself by recognising stress in others and limiting your contact with them. Some people can  be toxic for you to be around.  Someone that exudes negativity is not for you.

When people around are losing their head, who keeps calm? What are they doing differently? What is their attitude? What language do they use? Are they trained and experienced?

Figure it out from afar or sit them down for a chat. Learn from the best stress managers and copy what they do. You may discover that they practice "staying in the moment"

The key to "stying in the moment" is of course to live as much as you can in the only moment that you ever really live in and control. This moment right now. The moment that is all there ever was and - probably  :-)   will be.

You can trick your body into relaxing by using heavy breathing. Breathe in slowly for a count of 7 then breathe out for a count of 11. Repeat the 7-11 breathing until your heart rate slows down, your sweaty palms dry off and things start to feel more normal.  This is known as 7/11 breathing technique.

Lack of sleep, poor diet and no exercise wreaks havoc on our body and mind. Kind of obvious, but worth mentioning as it’s often ignored as a stress management technique. Listen to your mother and don’t burn the candle at both ends!

There are many other stress management practices that I am sure others will share with you, but these work for me................especially the staying in the moment.  You cannot change yesterday and do not worry about tomorrow.  Stay in the moment of today.

Again I am so glad you joined us.

Keep on posting.

Hugs

Kitt

Posted 6/25/2008 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Kitt, thank you so much for replying, I really appreciate it. You have great advice. The thing that is very frustrating for me is that I have gone through this and I know how bad it was, so it's scary to think that I could go down that road again. You are completely right, I need to stay in the moment. I am such a worrier and I constantly think ahead of myself. I've always had a "wandering mind" in the sense that I am constantly thinking and one thing leads to the next and I get so anxious over everything. The thing is, it's hard for me to deal with people I care about being upset, I feel like I can handle myself, but when those around me get upset, it bothers me to no end and makes me anxious over trying to make them happy. My therapist said I need to exert more energy do things that keeps my metabolism going, for example, exercise (which not only helps the body but the mind as well). The main thing I think is, is that I need to get out of the house and keep myself occupied doing things I like. The last thing I want is to feel "trapped" or anxious in my own home, its just unhealthy. I need to start taking care of myself and address my issues before I can worry about taking on the issues of others.

I really appreciate you replying and I think I'll really like this place. yeah

My social worker in high school has told me that she uses me as an example to help other students with anxiety and I want to get back to being that example.

And yes, you may call me Chicky. EmuChicky is a nickname from my AP Biology (10th grade) teacher believe or not, because of my liking of emus, lol. She used to shorten it to Chicky too. :-)
Posted 6/25/2008 12:45 PM (GMT 0)

Good Morning Chicky,

The sun is shining here in the midwest and I hope it is in your world too.

I have been on the anxiety train for 26 years and I know I will have other episodes so I try not to worry about when it will next stike. I just know I have this disorder and I will not let it stop me from moving forward and living my life as well as I can.

I had a major set back in 2005 that pretty much home bound me but I refused to give in.

I am proud of you for recognizing the need to take care of you.  I have learned to practice being good to myself to without feeling guilty.

Emus huh, how cute...............you keep on posting as we are all here, some still sleeping but I am up.

Hugs

Kitt

Posted 6/25/2008 5:57 PM (GMT 0)
Chicky,

Welcome! I'm glad you've found us and hope that your anxiety will go back to its earlier elvels for you.

I have been trying to get a regular exercise routine going for myself too, but it's hard to turn it into a habit. Does your college have a gym, or any kinds of exercise classes, where you could both exercise and get to know people? A local one here had a yoga class recently for adults, and it was really fun. I liked going because many other people there weren't regular work-out-ers, just like me, so I wasn't too selfconscious about it. It's important to pick a program - and a time of day! - where you'll see the same people a lot, and that they'll be folks you have something in common with.

And definitely exercise that mental dropkick and kick your anticipatory anxiety to where it belongs! I spend a lot of energy worrying in advance about things that end up not being too bad when the time comes. Staying in the moment is SO important and helpful.

Hugs,
percycat
Posted 6/26/2008 7:57 AM (GMT 0)

Chicky, welcome! I am so glad you have found us here at HW. You like emu's? May I ask where you hail from? I don't know many people who know about Emu's (I'm from Australia)...

I find, like Percy that exercise is sooo important for me staying in "my right mind" lol. I get looking forward to getting to know you better. Please know that we are supportive and caring here :-)

Posted 6/26/2008 6:38 PM (GMT 0)
There was a ventriloquist on TV in the Eighties (Waylon, Wayland, Waylen?) who had an emu puppet that I adored. Anyone remember him? More to the point, Chicky, do you know about this character? It made me fall in love with emus!

percycat

PS - Oops!  It wasn't Wayland Flowers: he had another fun puppet.  This one was operated by Rod Hull.  So funny, at least at my age then!

Post Edited (percycat) : 6/26/2008 1:08:23 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/26/2008 11:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, thank you all so much for responding back! It put a smile on my face. I'm actually from the US, but for some reason I just though emu babies were the cutest thing ever and it just kind of stuck around lol. I have been very busy with working but I will definitely try and post more often.
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