Anxiety for 10 Years

[Katie35801]

So here's my story, I've had anxiety for 10 years following the birth of my second child. I've only tried 10mg of Prozac (which I'm currently on), that's it, as far as medicines go. I've tried therapy, for as long as 6 months, but I usually quit. I've read book after book. And it's never gotton better, but not ever really gotton worse either. I don't live a "normal" life. I don't drive alone, I have tons of phobias, I can't work, etc..,etc...
So my question is, is there anybody else that is a long-term anxiety sufferer? Oh, and I do have depression too-which I think goes along with having anxiety!

[Katie35801]

Thanks for replying everyone, I don't feel quite alone! I agree, that I think hormones play a HUGE role for me!
Here are my symptoms:

Anxiety (severe)
Depression(moderate)
Irregular Periods
Weight Gain
Back, Neck,Shoulder Pain (severe)
Body aches (daily)
Chills
Headaches
Weakness (sometimes severe)
Fatigue (sometimes severe)

[Nasal_Problems]

I've suffered anxiety for roughly 10 years. I think I've made great strides at improving recently, however. I've realized (as many of you have) that my symptoms typically involve a thought about something physically going wrong (but this is only IN MY HEAD). I've learned to accept this. It's funny that it is really difficult to train yourself to listen or see your thoughts (especially negative ones). But, once you see or hear them, and you know this is what leads you down that path, that's how you can change. Changing them all at once would be impossible. We have learned behaviours that have now become habitual. That's why it is a struggle. But, now when I see/hear my mind creating negative scenarios, I try tapping ( www.tapping.com ) or I just watch them and don't try to fight them. I watch them and I try to cast doubt on them. The bottom line is I tended to check my pulse, check my breath ect. to make sure I was still living. This is the problem! Checking... checking... checking. .... stop. The internet is bad for this. You need to know you are alright. Accept that and don't look for answers, just accept where you are right now. Live in the current minute and don't try to run away. Invite in the panic by allowing it to wash over you. And you will start moving in the right direction.

Remember to reward yourself. I am proof that you can "start" to feel a bit better.

[goodeys]

All of mine seem to be physical symptoms, that's how stress seems to come out in me. I'll get a pain somewhere usually chest or back and will convince myself that it is my heart or a blood clot then i just get more and more worked up about it which of course means that it will never go!! Its a horrible vicious circle and I really cannot seem to break it this time. I have chest pain which radiates through to my back, a ripping pain up my abdomen which i have convinced myself it is aorta dissection. My circulation is wierd like if im walking my hands will go a purpley red, probably just panic and or child birth though! Headches, pins and needles, struggle to take a full breath, struggle to swallow, cold feet, really fast or really slow pulse etc etc The chest pain and abdomen pain is constant and never goes but the rest of the symptoms seem to come and go. I mainly think that mine is my heart or aorta. Crazy really as I have had thousands and thousands of pounds worth of medical tests which are all negative for major life threatening illnesses! Just wish I could tell you all how to shift it but if I knew then I guess I wouldnt be suffering myself. Think that it is just determination and hard work really!
x

[ede29]

Thanks for the reply, it is true, we must not let it win over us but it is  a constant battle, i feel that i just will not ever be "normal" again.
I worry about my heart, i have chest pains, feel dizzy and light headed at times, aches in my joints and muscles, lump in my throat feeling, difficulty swallowing, the list is endless and i just focus in on one thing and then the next day it is something else. Do you have physical symptoms to match your mental anxiety as well?

[goodeys]

I think that having children must really screw up our hormones beond belief and I am starting to wonder whether they ever return to previous levels. I had anxiety before having a child but never to this extent, this time I have completely cracked up and ended up in a nut house which I would've thought was impossible for me as I had learnt to spot the anxiety signs and cope withit until it moved on.

My only tips are to try and keep as busy as possible to prove to your self that you are not terminally ill. If we really were sick then we wouldn't be able to do some of the activities that we do do and to be honest I am sure that we would be dead by now if it were going to happen. I take long baths, listen to relaxation cds, take long walks (although this scares me as I think my heart may pack in), avoid alcohol (I love beer ad I hate not being able to have it!), see friends and family as much as possible whether or not you feel like it.

I think that we all have to find our own little tricks to try and keep the demon at bay, we are all different but I will try anything that anyone will suggest. I think that the trick is just live your life and do not let anxiety stop you from doing things that you want to.

Sam x

[ede29]

Hi, just joining this forum for the first time.....
I also have anxiety over health issues, so scared of being ill and have also covinced myself that i have numerous illnesses - only ever the really bad ones of course. I am due to start therapy on Monday and am hoping that it will help me because it is so draining feeling like this all of the time. My anxiety has also become worse since i have had children -  it must be quite common. I try to meditate, drink chammomile and valerian teas, this helps keep a lid on it but of course it doesn't stop it and when i have a panic attack i do things like multiplication just anything to take my mind off of what i think is happening/going to happen to me. Does anybody else have any tips??

[goodeys]

HI Katie,

I have had anxiety for about 7 years now and like Jo my anxiety comes out of me in the form of a physical illness. I have had a brian tumour, numerous blood clots, heart failure several times and aortic dissection, of course in reality I haven't had any of these things just the symptoms of them. Normally I can shift it after a week or two but this time after the birth of my first child which was back in Feb I have completely lost the plot and have been in and out of hospitals until I finally ended up in a psychiatric unit with my new born. I'm still not right but I am trying to lead a fairly normal life despite the fact that I am scared of everything that I do as I have all of these horrible symptoms that just tell me I am on my last legs and about to die.

Meds can help, I can't say that they have done that much for me. I think that the bulk of recovery comes from continuous therapy and also from within ourselves.

How does your anxiety manifest itself?

Sam
x

[scaredjo]

i worry about my health all the time im petrified of dying, i always think i have a serious illness at the moment concerning my heart even though i have had numerous tests,
im having therapy at the min since feb and the same as you i dont think its working but as ive been told off many medhelp friends it takes time to work and apparently it just clicks, if you had anxiety for so long its not gonna go away overnight maybe its worth persevering with the therapy you`ve nothing to lose

[Katie35801]

What do you mean yours is health related? I guess I quit therapy because I felt like it didn't really help?

[scaredjo]

hiya i too have had anxiety on and off for 14 yrs since the birth of my son mine is health related but i cant do things either ie drive incase i die??!!!!!!
how come you end up quittin the therapy?