helplessHello and welcome to HealingWell. In more normal but busy situations, anxiety can give you the energy to get things done, however, sometimes anxiety can be out of control, giving you a sense of dread and fear for no apparent reason. This kind of anxiety can disrupt your life and it feels to me like this is where you are with your anxiety.
I understand anxiety and how it can take control causing you to feel lost and so alone. Learning to control your worries will help you decrease your anxiety. Choose a place and time to do your worrying. Make it the same place and time every day. Spend 30 minutes thinking about your concerns and what you can do about them. Try not to dwell on what "might" happen. Focus more on what's really happening. Then let go of the worry and go on with your day.
Although feelings of anxiety are scary, they won't hurt you. Label the level of your fear from 0 to 10 and keep track as it goes up and down. Notice that it doesn't stay at a very high level for more than a few seconds. When the fear comes, accept it. Wait and give it time to pass without running away from it.
Do consider seeing a meditator again as you posted that this help you immensely in the past. Don't anticipate that using breathing exercises etc will not work for you. They are meant to help you learn to control your anxiety but as with most things it takes hard work in overcoming anxiety.
I had severe insomnia from anxiety and depression at one time and here is what helped me the most.
Make a rule for yourself that, once you are in bed, you
will think about only one thing. It may be daydreaming about your
fantasy vacation, something simple and relaxing, such as laying on a beach in
the Caribbean. Whatever you choose, make
sure that it is something that relaxes you, rather than something that stresses
you.
Once you have decided on a topic for the night, stick to
it. Any time your mind begins to stray to other topics, pull your mind back to
center and focus again on the relaxing image you selected. For me, I have
learned that the day is over, lying in
bed worrying about what tomorrow will bring does no good other than to allow
anxiety to keep me awake. My bed is for
sleeping not worrying.
I hope you stick with us and please know we care.
Kindly,
Kitt