Posted 9/15/2015 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Jd,
I know you're really scared right now and your symptoms make you feel like you might die, but trust me on this... it's just anxiety. Anxiety messes with your head so you think any little quirk might mean something horrible, and you ruminate over your biggest fears which only fuels the fire for more anxiety. You need to break the cycle. As soon as you can stop worrying about your greatest fears, your body will feel better along with your mind.
If you can't take a deep breath, don't worry, it's natural. The body can only hold so much oxygen and if you already have enough, your body won't let you take a deep breath no matter how much your mind wants to take one. Just relax and wait a minute before trying again. Your body will take one when it needs it.
If you can, take slow, deep breaths. In through your nose, out through your mouth. Make sure to breath as slowly as you can. Concentrate on your breathing and not on your fears. It may help to put on some soothing sounds like ocean waves or a rainfall — whatever you find relaxing. Listening to something helps to distract your mind from the fears. You may also have a comforting phrase to repeat, such as "I am fine, this is just anxiety, I'm fine, everything is okay."
If you can't relax/sleep, don't stay in bed where your focus is on every tiny thing that happens to your body. Get up and take a walk, or do something to busy yourself. I like playing solitaire, but do whatever you can to get your mind out of the anxiety loop.
You are going to be just fine, I promise. You will conquer this anxiety and you will watch your daughter grow up. The reason you "have developed so many problems" is because you have an anxiety disorder which messes with you and makes you think you have more problems than you really have. Anxiety is the scariest thing you will probably ever face. It's not fun and it's not fair, but you can handle it.
Take care,
-Cat