Week Long Anxiety

Hi All. I am very new to this whole internet support thing so any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Every few years I go through these phases where I have constant anxiety/panic for like a week straight. I have been in one of these phases for a few days now, but every time I go through it, it always seems like the first time....or the worst time...or like my next stop is a mental institution. I wake up anxious and fight with it all day. Once night falls it seems to ease up and I pray to god that I feel better the next day...but then when I wake up I'm anxious again. Any tips/tricks to help ease the pain and frustration?

Anja444

Hi and welcome!

I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing the returning anxiety again.

I can't say as if your pattern of anxiety sounds familiar...mine tends to come and go in shorter cycles and may last a few hours, or maybe a day or two (can't ever predict or say that it has a set amount of time) but everyone is different, and since anxiety is a chronic condition... it does often return after being gone for awhile.

I would suggest a couple of things:

First see if you can identify a trigger. Since your anxiety does not seem to be a common occurance...is there something specific that you can attritbute it to? If you can figure this out, you may be able to change your situation to eliminate the trigger.

The other things that you can do is learn anxiety managment skills, so that you can be ready when you do have these weeks.

We have all sorts of great ideas in our Resource Guide (main page, 1st post) Try the breathing and relaxation skills (video links for instruction provided) for really effective exercises in dealing with the anxiety.

Feel free to post with us anytime. We are here to listen and support!

Scaredy Cat

It is great news that you have sought treatment for your anxiety! Keep up the good work, and I am sure that you will see results.;)  I found much healing and recovery through therapy!

The reason that your anxiety is worse in the morning may be due to Cortisol, a stress hormone.

Cortisol is actually good in the regard that it gets us up and going in the morning after sleeping. It is in the body at its highest level first thing in the morning to aid in kickstarting our day.

Those of us with anxiety however either produce too much Cortisol, or are sensitive to it...which results in a.m. anxiety.

As the day goes on, the levels drop, which may be why you feel better at night.

Just understanding this may help you to deal with the anxiety in the morning...sometimes just knowing that there is a reasonable explanation for the way that we are feeling helps.;)

S.C.