Those dealing with anxiety issues please come it

How do you know if you have true anxiety issues or if you are just plain old overwhelmed?

My life is crazy busy right now. When I am home I have 3 kids...two almost 5 year olds....one 2.5 year old. From the minute I wake up someone needs me, every time I start to try and get something done I have to stop to help someone or break up a fight .

Work is crazy. I am busy myself and i supervise 2 others (I am physical therapist). I seem like the "Go to" person. All day long people "need" me, ask me things etc. From the minute I get to work until the minute I leave I am busy. I would love to stay longer but I can't because I need to pick up my kids.

Some days I feel like I just can't deal with it all. My head feels scrambled (if that makes sense), my stomach hurts and I when I do get a second I feel like I can't focus. I snap easily at my husband and kids sometimes. At work I a have less and less patience with people and feel the anxiety setting in everytime I try to get something done.

How do you tell the difference between being plain old busy or having anxiety or true anxious feelings.

Any suggestions on how to deal with it?

Thanks!!!

Those dealing with anxiety issues please come it

I have severe anxiety. It feels like my body is humming and I have panic attacks. Stress makes it worse, but I have it regardless of what kind of day I'm having. And it sucks.

I was seeing a therapist for awhile, but it became very expensive. I'm sure I could go again and benefit. Right now I just try to power through and it doesn't help.

Re: Those dealing with anxiety issues please come it

You sound like you need a vacation. Also, your five year olds are old enough to start to help with chores around the house. Mine clears the table, sets the table, puts laundry away in their room after I hang it up. Now is e perfect age to have hem learn to help. Hugs mama. Once they are 4 and 7 it will be a little easier.

Re: Those dealing with anxiety issues please come it

Meditation and deep breathing exercises would help. You need caring especially since you are in health care-giver and a mom! There are lots of apps to start.

Those dealing with anxiety issues please come it

Years ago, I use to have bad anxiety. For me it was a physical feeling. I felt fuzzy/scrambled/nervous for NO reason. The brightness and loudness of going to busy stores, mall etc., overwhelmed me. I couldn't concentrate in Stop and Shop for instance, just too much stimulation. I had a few panic attacks too, very random. I remember being hooked up to an EKG for 24 hours to rule out heart issues and my PCP recommended a cognitive behavioral therapist who taught me a few breathing techniques.. Ultimately it passed on it's own. I think exercise and getting more sleep (enough sleep) helped tremendously!

Re: Those dealing with anxiety issues please come it

You just described my life except I am an OT and I only have one 5 yr old and a 2 1/2 yr old. I haven't figured out a way to become more calm and focused. Yoga and meditation help me, but I don't have the $ to do it outside the house and doing it at home isn't the same for me. I feel very short tempered with my kids, my husband is never home to help and work has been crazy busy. I am really anxious all the time. I just want to relax. I had post partum anxiety and went on lexapro and Xanax for 4 months. That worked great but I didn't want to stay on it long term. At this point if I have a really crazy day, I just have a glass of wine with dinner that makes me feel more relaxed.

Those dealing with anxiety issues please come it

I suffer as well. I come across to people as someone who is always calm and laid back, but I internalize everything and worry and stress and make myself sick. I have the biggest problem with loud, crowded places and unfamiliar situations. For some reason, the thought of going to the hair salon make me feel physically sick. I go maybe twice a year now.

I remember feeling like you do after I had my second baby. I went to my doctor for my annual and broke down in tears. They put me on Zoloft and it helped a lot. After a year or so, I was able to come off of it and I was okay. Maybe try explaining what you're feeling to your doctor. This overwhelmed feeling was a lot different than the anxiety I feel now. So I think that maybe what you're feeling is more overwhelmed than anxiety.

Those dealing with anxiety issues please come it

Yes. I have 3 kids and work full Tim and feel like I start snapping... my friends have recommended a vacation, so i booked one. Try a mini weekend one. There are poconos resort or upstate horse ranches

Re: Those dealing with anxiety issues please come it

Re: Those dealing with anxiety issues please come it

The kids are my biggest stressor, I wish I could say it gets easier as they get older, lol. Mine are 9,8 and 6. I get the everyone needing you feeling, it's nice to be needed but there comes a time when you think to yourself, "you couldn't have figured that out or done it yourself?" lol.

My biggest saving grace is making time to decompress and do a little something for just me EVERYDAY (kickboxing, bubble bath, mani/pedi, yoga, coffee with friends) since vacations aren't always an option or relaxing.

To me it sounds like you're just very overwhelmed, but if you try altering your day and still notice physical signs it may be more.

Re: Those dealing with anxiety issues please come it

I think what you're going through is very common for a professional working mom. I can relate, I deal with the same issues. I think its important to take the time out and reserve some time strictly for yourself. Whether its time to exercise, read or just go for a walk. You have to find some sort of go-to destressor, otherwise you will burn out. Good luck and hang in there!!

Re: Those dealing with anxiety issues please come it

Posted by shadows

Posted by busymomonli

I suffer as well. I come across to people as someone who is always calm and laid back, but I internalize everything and worry and stress and make myself sick. I have the biggest problem with loud, crowded places and unfamiliar situations. For some reason, the thought of going to the hair salon make me feel physically sick. I go maybe twice a year now.

I remember feeling like you do after I had my second baby. I went to my doctor for my annual and broke down in tears. They put me on Zoloft and it helped a lot. After a year or so, I was able to come off of it and I was okay. Maybe try explaining what you're feeling to your doctor. This overwhelmed feeling was a lot different than the anxiety I feel now. So I think that maybe what you're feeling is more overwhelmed than anxiety.

I generally agree with this (though I don't have kids). For me, the anxiety is not really a feeling of being overwhelmed or too busy. It affects me the most, strangely, when I am NOT busy. It's more physical - nausea, a strange cloudy feeling like you're not really there (I think the technical term is depersonalization). Racing heart, feeling like i just need to escape my own thoughts - almost like I can't shut my mind off. It can really be torture. I also have a very high stress job and as upset and overwhelmed as it sometimes gets me, the feeling is totally different than true anxiety. Hope you feel better soon

Re: Those dealing with anxiety issues please come it

Posted by shadows

Posted by busymomonli

I suffer as well. I come across to people as someone who is always calm and laid back, but I internalize everything and worry and stress and make myself sick. I have the biggest problem with loud, crowded places and unfamiliar situations. For some reason, the thought of going to the hair salon make me feel physically sick. I go maybe twice a year now.

I remember feeling like you do after I had my second baby. I went to my doctor for my annual and broke down in tears. They put me on Zoloft and it helped a lot. After a year or so, I was able to come off of it and I was okay. Maybe try explaining what you're feeling to your doctor. This overwhelmed feeling was a lot different than the anxiety I feel now. So I think that maybe what you're feeling is more overwhelmed than anxiety.

I generally agree with this (though I don't have kids). For me, the anxiety is not really a feeling of being overwhelmed or too busy. It affects me the most, strangely, when I am NOT busy. It's more physical - nausea, a strange cloudy feeling like you're not really there (I think the technical term is depersonalization). Racing heart, feeling like i just need to escape my own thoughts - almost like I can't shut my mind off. It can really be torture. I also have a very high stress job and as upset and overwhelmed as it sometimes gets me, the feeling is totally different than true anxiety. Hope you feel better soon

Re: Those dealing with anxiety issues please come it

Thank you everyone for all of your responses and to all of you are actually suffering from anxiety.

Based on your responses I am guess my crazy life is just getting to me.

The biggest thing that bothers me is that my ability to deal with it all has diminished. Not sure if things are just harder or if it is actually my ability to deal.
Also I can go from 0 to 60 in a minute. Which scares me.

I do exercise which is helpful! I used to feel guilty about going and having to leave the kids or take them to babysitting but now I realize I NEED that time to myself in order to function.

Thanks again for all your responses.

Re: Those dealing with anxiety issues please come it

I realized I had anxiety when it was interfering with my ability to function in life. Avoidance of certain activities that bring about anxiety, behaviors to eliminate anxiety, etc.

Re: Those dealing with anxiety issues please come it

Yes this is a perfect description. For me exercise works tremendously but there are some days it just is so strong nothing works. You learn to deal with it. There are many coping mechanisms and decompressing is very important. Good Luck to you.

Re: Those dealing with anxiety issues please come it

I have 2 kids - 2.5 year old and a 8 month old. I am a RN part time at a hospital and have a husband that works 5:00 pm to 1:30am. I often feel the same way. I am just running around all the time. Someone is hungry, someone needs their diaper changed, I need to start cooking for my husband to take to work, someone just fell and needs to be picked up and kissed....etc.

At work the same thing - someone needs to go to the bathroom, I need to give a medication, someone is going for a test/procedure, a doctor or family member is calling me...etc.

I am ALWAYS taking care of someone else and it seems that way for you also. As a physical therapist it is a very physically demanding job and you are taking care of your patients plus your own family. I think what other have said about taking a mini vacation (I know - easier said than done) or just something to do for yourself. I think we very often forget that we need to take care of ourselves or we can take care of others. Even just spending some time reading every day, adult coloring books are very popular right now, watching your favorite TV show, or anything really that is just for you and no one else I think might help you recharge.

Those dealing with anxiety issues please come it

For me the difference between feeling overwhelmed and having true anxiety is that literally, the color of paint can make me anxious. I stress over everything and anything- from not getting text messages back from people, to my kids getting hurt or worse, fears of abandonment from DH & friends. You know that feeling when you miss that last step and for a split second you think you are going to fall and your stomach flip flops? That is me 24/7 no matter what. I overthink and overthink and then I create problems that don't really exist. It is terrible.

Re: Those dealing with anxiety issues please come it

I deal with anxiety as well. I'm constantly worrying, and I feel generally out of control. Mine is very bad right now...I have 3 kids who have me always going, my husband is working on a huge project so he isn't around to help at all (he works 6am-6pm and then 7pm-midnight 6-7 days a week) and I work full time. I feel totally out of control and I really just need some time to devote to myself, but it's truly not an option. Exercise helps me tremendously, and I really need to be better about getting a run in every morning.

Re: Those dealing with anxiety issues please come it

My doctor prescribed xanax which i take on an as needed basis. I haven't had to use it recently. But i do find my anxiety peaks at night when i get in bed. I have a very hard time falling asleep and wake up a number of times throughout the night, i feel like my mind cant shut off.....and it's a terrible feeling. Ask your doctor if he can prescribe something for you. Good luck to you.

Re: Those dealing with anxiety issues please come it

Re: Those dealing with anxiety issues please come it

Re: Those dealing with anxiety issues please come it

Those dealing with anxiety issues please come it

Years ago I suffered from similar symptoms. They were all physical. Anxiety when I was trying to sleep. Thinking j was going to die if a heart attack. Rapid heart beat. Heart skipping beats. Lump in throat. The constant feeling someone jumped out at me and screamed boo! Tingling in my legs. A wave of feeling sweeping me of panic for no reason.

I kept going to my gp. He did a heart sono, saw a cardiologist, a gastro doc, they offered anti depressants. But I had the feeling something was actually wrong. Finally I felt better but never the same. A year later I found out I had hashimotos and it was my thyroid and I was in the middle of a thyroid storm.

My numbers according to gp were "normal" but to a trained eye starting to get high. And with your thyroid you're suppose to treat the symptoms not the numbers. I was starting to think I was crazy! Sometimes it's worth it to get a physical and check out other avenues too.