Venting Some Feelings, Anyone Relate?

Hi FW!

I gave your post a title, I hope it is okay...if not change it! :)

I am sorry that you are currently feeling so unwell. I understand, and want to send my encouragement and support.

I hope that you can take some time for yourself...time to do something that is good for you, body, mind and soul. Finding an activity that is enjoyable for you can both increase healthy neurotransmitters in the brain...combating A/D, and promoting health.:)

It can also build confidence in yourself, and keep you distracted from the things that are bothering you, and causing the anxiety.

Is there a class that you could take, to learn, or increase a hobby/talent or skill you are intersted in? How about volunteering somewhere? This has done wonderful things for me!

Don't forget about all of the wonderful suggestions for coping that we have in our Resources! Practicing these daily makes changes!

I hope that your current situation is safe...and that the 'hitting back' that you mention in your post is a metaphorical reference? If you feel unsafe, is there someone you trust that you can call on?

Please know that we care about you here, and are always here for your support.

Talk to you soon,

S.C.

FW,

There is no clear 'Yes' or 'No' answer to this question.

While stress is certainly no friend to good health...neither do I believe that it always, ultimately ends in fatal disease.

If that was the case...we all would be afflicted...as we all have stress.

There are little babies who get cancer...(stress is obviously not the contributing factor here)

There are people who live life (not free from stress since this is impossible) who never get it, and pass from some other cause in old age.

Our health has so many contributing factors, that we can only do our best to be well...and must learn to live with the 'chance' component of living!

Have you read any of our health anxiety material from our Resources? This is one way to learn this skill, and reduce your anxiety about getting ill.

S.C

Have you checked these out?

 

Health Anxiety - A Self Help Guide:

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hypochondria/pages/introduction.aspx

Helping health Anxiety

http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/infopax.cfm?Info_id=53

Health Anxiety- The Super Scanner

 

S.C.

Thanks S.C. I dont practice what I read. Thats the problem. :X

My Anxiety Life, may i know your age too? I wonder if this is a mid-life crisis?

When did it started for you? Mine started few years ago but I managed to 'fight it off' as depression. Then it came back this year, after a stressful event in Jan, that makes me a complete nervous wreck now. I am so jealous of my friends enjoying their life. As in happy, carefree life, they have no stress.

I dont know what is it like to 'feel normal anymore'.

FW I am 51. I've had lifelong depression but simply managed it on my own (I was uninsured for decades as I cared for aged parents).

Last year I thought I was having a heart attack: Chest pains. That's what triggered my terrible anxiety. Went to the ER (uninsured) and had several tests. All fine.

Then when I got insurance, I had a routine mammogram this past March, and they kept calling me back for more and more tests until I had a very frightening biopsy. That turned out fine too, but it was doubly horribly frightening.

This is when I started getting xanax on a regular basis. Few seem to understand the kind of fear a REAL medical issue creates. So there seems to be negativity towards things like xanax. It was a miracle for me, I needed it.

Now I am trying the SSRI's, and hoping this takes care of both my anxiety and depression.

I want my life back too. Worrying only wastes it. Worrying about dying like I do, has no answer. It's not like I have a phobia of driving. We all die, so no CBT will help me. This is why I am hoping the meds work (I used to be against them, now, I am anxious to take them).