Anxiety's Back

[nicky91]

Hey everyone
I've suffered from anxiety off and on ever since childhood. It'll come and go over long periods of time; I'll have it for a few months and then it will subside only to reappear years later. When it's bad it's really bad, but when it's gone I feel completely 100% fine and like my usual self.

Does anyone else feel like this? I'm going through a bad 'phase' right now if you want to call it that. My anxiety is worse than ever before and it's really starting to take over my life. It's frustrating because I can think back a few months ago and I was having the time of my life, and now my days are consumed with irrational fears and constant anxiety with the worry of panic attacks. It's been a slow decline, starting off with butterflies in my stomach and now it's manifested itself into full fledged anxiety that feels like it's controlling me. Honestly I feel like I'm losing my mind. I don't at all feel like my old self, it feels like the 'old me' was a completely different person, someone that I can hardly remember anymore. Anyone else?

[abartlett331]

Your level of anxiety is quite common. I as well suffered with anxiety off and on, and still do on occasion. Whenever you start to feel your heart start beating faster for no reason, your blood level rising, and your palms start to get sweaty, just take a deep breath, sit down if possible and close your eyes. Focus on your breathing and clear your mind of all thoughts. It's not easy, but the more you do it, the more your mind will start to get used to using this as a way of coping with your nerves.

Combine this with sports, exercise, swimming, yoga, and so on.. What helps me a lot when I start to feel my anxiety attacks come back is to go for a long run, bike ride or swim. If you have access to a pool, take a long swim and just clear your mind. Things like these will keep your mind active, distracted, and healthy. You will notice that you'll have less time to focus on what's making your nervous, and more time focus on productive healthy activities. Hope this helps and take care..

[nicky91]

Thanks abartlett331. This is my first time on a forum like this and I wasn't really sure what to expect. It's reassuring to know I'm not the only one going through something like this. I'll definitely take your advice on exercising and clearing my mind; I think getting my body into a healthy routine will really help me overcome this anxiety. Thank you!

[abartlett331]

You're very welcome. Glad I was able to help in some way. :)

[alankay]

Yep mine waxed and waned for a few years before I got to the point where I needed a pdoc and counselor. Glad I did too. Alankay