Feeling like I am going to break

There are times when my anxiety is so bad that I feel like I am going to break into pieces. I know that is a funny way to describe it. I guess I just feel so vulnerable and weak, my anxiety is so strong right now. I don't know what a panic attack feels like but the anxiety strikes me with such vengeance and it seems to come in waves. Does it do this with anyone else? The fact that it comes and goes in this way?



Several times a day, I break down my thoughts in a panic, my stomach in knots, my chest full of fear and sometimes I break down into tears, wanting it to all just go away. To say that I am a mess is an understatement. I use skills that I have learned in therapy to try and help myself. They don't always work. The stronger this anxiety gets the harder it is for me to focus on my skills.


So I guess my original question is, does your anxiety come and go in this way too or is it just me?

Hi country hearts and welcome!

You described what I think a lot of people go through very well. Many of us have anxiety that comes in waves...and leaves us feeling wrung out and ready to break!

It is good to hear that you have learned some tools that help you somewhat. Yankeefanz is right though, that it is often a jouuney to find out what combination of things brings you relief. If you find that something only works marginally...keep looking to add tools to your arsenal!

We have an Anxiety/Panic Resource Guide here on our main page that is full of great ideas and links to help get relief. There are breathing and relaxation exercises to try, CBT download worksheets and even on-line therapy. Even though you may have done something similar...give these a try, because you never know when something slightly different is going to 'click' with you!

I also went throught therapy, but also supplimented what I learned in it with self-help books and techniques. I must have borrowed every book in my library on A/P...and took from each what was applicable to me.:)

Keep posting here with us as well. It is very healing to talk to, and have the support of others who understand!

Talk to you soon,

Scaredy Cat

Hi ladyvol and welcome to the A/P

Great job on trying all sorts of treatment options. Sometimes it just takes the right combination of things to make something 'click'...so keep up the good work!

Let us know how the meditation works out for you.

Scaredy Cat

Great news! Sometimes it is one day, or even one hour at a time!

Being able to recognize and appreciate the good/better days is a good step in the direction of recovery.:)

Keep posting,

S.C.

Scaredy Cat said...
Great news! Sometimes it is one day, or even one hour at a time!

Being able to recognize and appreciate the good/better days is a good step in the direction of recovery.:)

Keep posting,

S.C.

I guess I have never thought of it like that, thank you.

Funny thing anxiety, it's usually about something we have to do in the future or something we did in the past. I like Fritz Perls definition, "The gap between the now and the later". Try to stay just in the present moment as much as you can and don't worry about the past or what's coming. Just take care of what needs to be done right now, that way the future will be taken care of when it comes.

Simplifying is a great idea. What it means to me is knowing about the future (paying bills, going to work all that) and taking care of those things when the time comes. However right now is just right now. Become as present focused as you can, that's what I mean by simplifying.

I pay bills when they come in the mail, if I can and have the time. Done with, next, no fretting over it.

When I go to work, I just go to work, if I start worrying about a meeting that's coming up next week then I will prepare when I have time, but the worry is scheduled. So I say OK I'll worry about that this afternoon if I have time, and I will worry by doing something then to prepare. Then forget about it.

People think living in the present means you forget everything and be a big flake

Actually you become more efficient because worry does nothing to get things done. It wastes energy and makes us tired. I have changes at work right now that are waiting for me when I get back, I could worry the whole time about that but why? Instead I say, well it will be interesting to see what happens then, but this is now, then is later and I will see about that then. I have things to do now.

Then suddenly we can replace worry with relaxation. Just my way and maybe it will help you a little.