Kind of personal - need advice?

Hi, even though I'm embarrassed I'd thought I'd post to see if anyone has been through something like this or maybe has advice for me. I have had really bad anxiety this summer. To the point where I feel sick everyday, palpitations and stomach upset each day. =( I lost my teaching job in June and from the stress of all of it, its turned into anxiety. I am home everyday,and hate it, I am so bored and my anxiety gets worse b/c I think about it a lot. I have been doing everything I can to get a job, but still have not heard from anywhere. I love what I do & am so eager to get a job. I know this isn't the end of the world, but it clearly has affected me. I am just wondering if anyone has been through anxiety/panic attacks and what they found was helpful. I am scared b/c I don't want to be like this forever and I want to get better soon!!! I want my life back. Thanks so much for letting me vent!!

Re: Kind of personal - need advice?

I deal with anxiety...
And there are different solutions for everyone..
Some try medication for a while..

For me...most of my anxiety is in the evening and early morning. AND YES...thinking about it makes it 10000xs worse...WHich is why i have to keep my mind busy on other things: reading, house chores, gardening, yoga, relaxation techniques...etc...

Re: Kind of personal - need advice?

i went through the same thing also due to a loss of a teaching job and no prospects for the upcoming year. it made me very sick all the time, exactly as you described. i suffered from panic attacks and lost 10 pounds in a matter of months, and im not one who ever fluctuates in weight.

i started talking openly about it with those who would listen..(my parents, sister, and DH). i never took medication, i learned to deal by talking about it and breathing, etc.

i dont know how to help you, but i want you to know that you are not alone. keep your head up, try to get sub positions and keep looking ahead.

Re: Kind of personal - need advice?

I have been in this exact situation, only, I had to leave the school I was teaching at because I was a wreck from it. It was a school for emotionally disturbed teenagers, and I would get physically attacked numerous times a day. I just could not handle it. So I packed up my belongings at the end of the school year and moved back to NY (the school was in MA). With no job, no money, etc., I was a mess. I am a very logical person who doesn't make big moves without thinking and planning for a while, so dealing with this almost gave me MORE anxiety than being at that school! Ontop of that, being home and not working was TERRIBLE for my self-esteem, and I worried endlessly about money.
I ended up taking a job unrelated to education so I could feel better about myself and make some money to pay the bills. While I worked, I sent my resume EVERYWHERE and ended up finding the teaching job I have now.
So I've been there, my dear. I understand how you feel, and I probably can't help you, but just know that it WILL work out.

Re: Kind of personal - need advice?

You are not alone! It really helps to talk about. I was so surprised when I did, that so many other people were in the some position. Medication is what helped me. If I started to think about it, I would definitely have an attack. It was easy to talk myself into, but very difficult to talk myself out of. Most of mine came when I was driving. So, I stayed pretty close to home for a number of years. Now, I drive all over the place. Don't worry, you will get your life back! Have you talked to a Doctor about it? That would be a good place to start. Talking here always helps too!

Re: Kind of personal - need advice?

Sorry to hear. I have an awful case of anxiety, it was really bad during the winter and has subsided just a little bit. Have you tried talking to someone? That could help an awful lot. Also, as Red suggested, it is REALLY important to keep your mind occupied on things you may enjoy. It will help alleviate the anxiety and make you happier as well. Also, keep in mind that the anxiety will not go away overnight, it is a gradual process. Try not to get too frustrated on the little progress you make. A lot of us who deal with anxiety tend not to give overselves credit for the positive and tend to put ourselves down way too easily. The good news is that there are ways to work through it.

Re: Kind of personal - need advice?

Wow, I was just saying this to DH yesterday in the car- that I think some of my IBS issues stem from anxiety attacks. I get very anxious to the point that I need to run to the bathroom. Not fun and I feel like a prisoner sometimes from it too. Anything gets me anxious from going to a wedding or just having to go out sometimes. It doesnt happen all the time but when it does ugh I feel terrible. I refuse to take meds so I try to meditate and keep the a/c on me super cold. Oh and I try not to eat either before I have to go somewhere too.

Re: Kind of personal - need advice?

I have been dealing with the same thing... I had a lot of stress due to my job and finishing my masters this year.. during the summer, the stress really hit me. I totally understand where you're coming from...I felt it was very beneficial to talk to people about feelings and vent.. It got so bad for me that I had to start taking some medication just to get me through wedding planning and stuff....

I also like to excercise.. swim, bike and run... sometimes physical activity can release the energy...

I hope you feel better and I know you will get through it!!

Re: Kind of personal - need advice?

Re: Kind of personal - need advice?

I have very bad anxiety- on and off my whole life. I finally sought treatment three years ago when it was SO bad it scared me. At that time, medication was the only thing that helped- but it REALLY helped. Please don't be afraid to go to a doctor. this is very common and very treatable!

Re: Kind of personal - need advice?

Re: Kind of personal - need advice?

Re: Kind of personal - need advice?

Thank you all so much!!! It helps so much to hear others opinions and experiences on this. I have been so upset about it lately, it consumed my entire summer. I am speaking to someone about it which is helping. Although, it really helps to speak with others who have gone through/or dealt with this before.

Re: Kind of personal - need advice?

Posted by girlygrl33

Posted by Scotty-CassidysMom

Posted by girlygrl33

Wow, I was just saying this to DH yesterday in the car- that I think some of my IBS issues stem from anxiety attacks. I get very anxious to the point that I need to run to the bathroom. Not fun and I feel like a prisoner sometimes from it too. Anything gets me anxious from going to a wedding or just having to go out sometimes. It doesnt happen all the time but when it does ugh I feel terrible. I refuse to take meds so I try to meditate and keep the a/c on me super cold. Oh and I try not to eat either before I have to go somewhere too.

I could have written this myself...word for word

Really? That makes me feel so much better. You know I look at other people and say " how come they are ok- how come they dont need to run to the bathroom- they are out and about and seem fine" - "why cant I be like that" - when reality is there are more and more of "us" out there!!!!!!

Message edited 8/15/2005 4:53:19 PM.

Re: Kind of personal - need advice?

Ok, ladies....WHO ELSE was talking to their DH about needing meds last night? It must have been a national "moment" because I, too, was telling JT I think I need meds last night! Geez. Maybe we can all get a discount on them or something?
I'm sorry to make light, but sometimes I feel so crazy I just need to joke about it.

Re: Kind of personal - need advice?

Posted by Scotty-CassidysMom

Posted by girlygrl33

Posted by Scotty-CassidysMom

Posted by girlygrl33

Wow, I was just saying this to DH yesterday in the car- that I think some of my IBS issues stem from anxiety attacks. I get very anxious to the point that I need to run to the bathroom. Not fun and I feel like a prisoner sometimes from it too. Anything gets me anxious from going to a wedding or just having to go out sometimes. It doesnt happen all the time but when it does ugh I feel terrible. I refuse to take meds so I try to meditate and keep the a/c on me super cold. Oh and I try not to eat either before I have to go somewhere too.

I could have written this myself...word for word

Really? That makes me feel so much better. You know I look at other people and say " how come they are ok- how come they dont need to run to the bathroom- they are out and about and seem fine" - "why cant I be like that" - when reality is there are more and more of "us" out there!!!!!!

I feel like an 80 year old woman some times. I had to take my daughter to a specialist today, in Bayshore and I'm totally not familiar with the area. I panic because I don't know where the bathrooms are. I miss out on so many things because I make myself so anxious. It *****. I was just talking to DH last night that I think I need to take meds. I am letting this control my life and it's sad. I'm a 32 year old who acts like a senior citizen.

Re: Kind of personal - need advice?

Re: Kind of personal - need advice?

Posted by neeniebean86

Posted by Scotty-CassidysMom

Posted by girlygrl33

Posted by Scotty-CassidysMom

Posted by girlygrl33

Wow, I was just saying this to DH yesterday in the car- that I think some of my IBS issues stem from anxiety attacks. I get very anxious to the point that I need to run to the bathroom. Not fun and I feel like a prisoner sometimes from it too. Anything gets me anxious from going to a wedding or just having to go out sometimes. It doesnt happen all the time but when it does ugh I feel terrible. I refuse to take meds so I try to meditate and keep the a/c on me super cold. Oh and I try not to eat either before I have to go somewhere too.

I could have written this myself...word for word

Really? That makes me feel so much better. You know I look at other people and say " how come they are ok- how come they dont need to run to the bathroom- they are out and about and seem fine" - "why cant I be like that" - when reality is there are more and more of "us" out there!!!!!!

I feel like an 80 year old woman some times. I had to take my daughter to a specialist today, in Bayshore and I'm totally not familiar with the area. I panic because I don't know where the bathrooms are. I miss out on so many things because I make myself so anxious. It *****. I was just talking to DH last night that I think I need to take meds. I am letting this control my life and it's sad. I'm a 32 year old who acts like a senior citizen.

i seriously could have written all of this. My Worst anxiety comes when im stuck in traffic... i start freaking out thats pretty much why i work 3 miles from home now.. and yet, i still have my moments during the SEVEN minutes that i'm in the car. Honestly, its become muh easier lately b/c i've been very open about it, and have actually found ALOT of people say that they experience it too. i Really always thought i was the only one

Re: Kind of personal - need advice?

Re: Kind of personal - need advice?

Posted by neeniebean86

Posted by Scotty-CassidysMom
WOW...traffice is a nightmare!!! How about being stuck on a drive thru line? I was at CVS drive thru today (apparently with everyone else on LI) and I panicked because there were people in front of me and people behind me and I couldn't get out if I needed to.

Yes!! any situation where i feel 'trapped' is Torture.

Re: Kind of personal - need advice?

I have suffered with this ever since my senior year of high school, first it started as vertigo and then that emerged into anxiety and then to the point of panic attacks. I have been on meds for years now, different ones throughout the years because my body becomes too immune to some of them. I am claustrophobic and hate being in traffic. I also work practically down the block from my job, I always made sure to work really close to home. Breathing doesn't help me either. I always try to get 8 hours of sleep or less ever night, the less the better. I stay away from salt when I know I have something important to do that day, it just raises my blood pressure. Mornings are the best for me when i feel half asleep, I feel as if I can accomplish more.
Sometimes talking about it can help, but I also feel that talking about it with other people who tell you their problems is not the greatest thing either. Eventually I end up feeling the same symptoms. When you think too much you basically start thinking about other people's problems and then end up having them yourself, or at least that's the way I am.

Re: Kind of personal - need advice?

Thank you all again SO much!!