What's your anxiety triggers?

Hibee,

Great job on going back to therapy/CBT!!!

I recommend this to members often who say that therapy 'did not work for them.'

Your point about perhaps not being in the right frame of mind, or place at the time of trying your initial sessions is so valid!

We are constantly changing and therefore open (or not) to healing at different stages of our lives.

I am so happy for and proud of you for continuing your efforts toward wellness...this is an inspiration to others. ;)

As far as my triggers? It depends on my anxiety levels. If they are not high, then only physical symptoms tend to rattle me anymore. Even then, I have learned to cope with those pretty well.

If my anxiety is running high...then a lot of things can get to me! Confrontation, feeling angry, things on t.v./media...I have to watch my input for sure!

Good thread my friend...and again, well done and best wishes in your current program!!

Hugs and high fives.:)

S.C.

Sudden and in particular loud noises, out of the blue. I don't get alarmed then snap out of it,....but rather it can start a nasty spiral.

Driving some place new (I have about the same sense of direction as a squirrel).

Frustration is a trigger when I'm speaking to any sort of practitioner whom I am relying on for health care, of any sort, and I feel like they are not listening to me....I'll mull it over and have arguments with myself in the car or alone at home out of frustration and anger when this happens, -- especially when I'm more or less forced into a relationship with a particular practitioner and cannot just swap out....

Not sleeping is a huge trigger. I need sleep so badly, and if I miss my window I'll get all jittery and wired and then angry that I missed that particular time slot (which varies, btw). I suffer from insomnia in general as it is,...but missing sleep starts anxiety and panic, shaking, nervousness, the works....

Finally,.....as probably most of you would guess,.....exercise. If I can't work out (which lately, the radiation therapy has finally caught up to me and I'm perpetually exhausted), I get very snappy. It's my very own personal outlet, (working out), and I rely on the freedom and flexibility (in my life) to do that. When that's "taken from me," (for whatever reason), it usually turns out best for everyone if I'm just left alone to watch funny movies with my dog and the Squishy my Husband bought me, until I steam enough to let me simmer down....






M.

driving (or riding) on large highways (lots of lanes, barriers on both sides or no shoulder or exits)

sitting in a crowd, especially if the seats are raised (like movie theaters, stadium seating) i feel dizzy trapped, like i will pass out

**these two are by far the worst

bright lights, shiny floors or long lines (like walmart, the grocery store) these things make feel dizzy like i will pass out or fall

anywhere where you feel trapped; i used to travel a lot, but now the just thinking about being on an airplane where you cannot get out, cannot open the door and go outside, makes me panic.

social situations that require decorum (formal situations, company dinners, meetings, etc) where you cant just be yourself; like you cant just say to your boss during a meeting, excuse me, feeling like i might pass out and die right now, you have to look like you have it all together