EvolutionHealth.care

Home
Main Forum
Anxiety
Introduce Yourself!
Newbie, any advice appreciated!

Advanced Search Form

Newbie, any advice appreciated!

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 13

Its the anxiety causing the depression i think, but its constant all day everyday panic, even not in full blown panic attack all day im constantly dizzy and feel sick, and a bit unreal, i cant stop my thoughts at all, no matter what i try i still feel anxious all the time and its so hard and then i have a few full blown attacks every day, i dunno if this is panic disorder or GAD but its horrible. Is it normal to feel this way constantly or just the odd time?

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1665

Hi Drew: Often anxiety and depression go hand in hand. Sometimes the anxiety starts first then the depression when your self esteem and confidence go down as you no longer can do the things you used to do. Other times it can be the depression first, then the anxiety. I don't think it really matters which came first. If nothing seems to appeal to you right now you could be going through some depression. I don't know, just suggesting. There is a sister site under "More Help" at the top. Have a look and read some entries. I've read some members here say it is a very helpful site. Good luck.

Sunny

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 13

Hey yeah your right most my negative thoughts are what ifs. I am trying to challenge them it seems to be slow going though as i have to challenge them every waking minute, they dont let up. And no im not in a band anymore, nothing seems to take my mind off stuff, ive tried many things, doing my open uni work, playing drums, playing games, cooking, painting model cars, redecorating the living room and kitchen but im still constantly in the mind chatter what if's constantly. I dunno what i can do to successfully divert my mind, everything seems so hard, like ive lost interest in everything and cant get into doing anything. i need to get out of this negative cycle though and stop this mind chatter.

Thanks for the support

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 538

Hi Drew,

Welcome to the program. I read your post and noticed most of your negative thoughts start with "what-if". I used to be the "queen " of What-ifs, ha, but by using the 10 challenging questions offered here, I think in Chapter 3, those have helped me so much. For example..take your "what-if I have a panic attack" thought. Write it down, then write all, or some of the questions. "How do I know I am going to have a panic attack?

'....the answer may be," well, I really don't know, I just feel that way." Then "Has it happened before? ".."yes, and I always came out of it...I survived it then, and could again if I had to." How bad would it be if I did have a panic attack, "hmm, bad, ya, but not life-threatening, its just a panic attack." The goal is to take away the power of those negative thougths, so the anxiety cycle dies before panic sets in. You will get this....I've gotten so good at it, as soon as a "what-if" pops in my mind I kind of smile and shrug it off. Believe that you can do it, and you will. I believe in you!

Cleo

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 6252

Drew

Are you with a band? Do you get relaxation from your drums? Is there a safe place you go to to get away from your stress? Just wondering what you do to cope.

Davit.

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 659

Drew,

Welcome to the program and support group. First of all I want to let you know you are not the only one here who has Agoraphobia. I suffered with agoraphobia for many years and thought there wasn't any hope for me and that I would be this way for the rest of my life. Of course that was not true. It was my anxious and negatives thoughts running rampant in my mind that were causing me to be agoraphobic. The mind chatter I call it. Once I started reading the program here and understanding my condition better I realized it was fixable. I would start with the first three sessions and you will learn how to challenge these anxious and negative thoughts. When you begin to challenge these thoughts and find out that most of them are unfounded and not true then the mind chatter will lessen and you will be able to replace these anxious and negative with positive ones. I want to let you know that this CBT program really does work and that you will get better. You will see what I mean once you start to read and work the program here. Take your time with it and you will be amazed at how much better you feel.

Hang in it does get better,

Red

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 286

Drew -

Welcome to the site! I'll echo what the others have said, and tell you that you are definitely not alone and that if you put the work into this program it really will help.

My advice to you is definitely start working through the program, but take time to do the homework. I tried rushing through it the first time and that didn't build the solid foundation I needed to start really getting better. Also, when you're feeling as terrible as you are, it's important to find some activities that will relax you and take your mind off the constant worrying as much as possible. When I was experiencing some of my hardest days, I tried to focus on working on my anxiety issues all day every day. Well, that never gave my body a much-needed break from the constant state of near-panic! Yoga sounds good, as do any hobbies that you enjoy and might distract you for a while.

Take care, and as Sunny said, feel free to post here as often as you want!

Teebs

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 13

Thanks for the words of reassurance, just everything seems so bleak at the moment. The constant mental chatter is truly awful and i have no idea how to shut it off. Starting CBT next week through the NHS aswell so hopefully if i do this and that ill take a 2 pronged approach and beat this anxiety. Trying to eat little and often to try and put the weight back on and give me energy, keep going with my yoga and exercise more, hopefully that will help with my insomnia too.

Everyone on these forums seem so lovely

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11213

Welcome Drew,

I am so sorry you are feeling this way. Please know that I have heard many members with similar issues come here and sometimes only a month later they have completely changed. Try the program, it works. It takes some hard work but I know you can do it. You ask, "what if it doesn't work?" well, what if it does?

Many of the questions you asked can be challenged, you can feel better. We will be here to support you every step of the way. We have an amazing group of people here who I am sure will chime in at any time now and offer you great advice. Sunny is one of our veteran members who is often around to offer helpful tips and to listen- love the new picture Sunny!

Have you had a chance to start working on the program? Keep posting!

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1665

Hello Drewwypoo: Sorry that you are going through such rough times right now and it is difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I assure you that there is a light! The very first chapter of this CBT program will explain a lot about what you are feeling right now. You can learn muscle relaxation and breathing techniques which will help relax and different coping techniques too which will help you when you're anxious.

I'm hoping you read past posts and new posts on this forum site. The reason? Because you will see the proof that you can get better. Many of us felt exactly as you do right now and have been able to apply the lessons of CBT to their daily life, and it works! No one can "cure" you. You have to do it yourself, that means some hard work that only you can do. The CBT program teaches and guides you along the way. You are not alone though. Please post as often as you want, ask as many questions even if they seem silly to you, vent here, be angry, sad, frustrated, scared, whatever you are feeling. We are here to support you with understanding (because we've been there too) and we extend our hand in friendship. This site is very friendly and someone is usually on site who will respond quickly. The health educators are very good and answer any questions you may have about anything.

Hope you do the program. Hang in there, we do care.

Sunny

Reading this thread:

today's top discussions:

This Month’s Leaders:

Most Supportive

Most Active

Most Loved

Newbie, any advice appreciated!