Anxiety/panic attacks/Depression
Discussion
Before I start, please don’t hit me with the ‘it’s in your head’ or ‘made up’ as I am 100% aware I keep myself locked in the cycle of anxiety but I just want to know if anyone else has had success with it???
Although I’m a bit better now it’s just people in general, if I’m in a public I get paranoid that people are judging me although I know deep down I’m too irrelevant for them to care.
With public places I am fine most of the time so long as I’m not stuck in a crowded place.
To cut a long story short, I need a job as you can’t live on nothing (obviously) but when I can’t even sit opposite someone and hold a brief conversation about general topics without going bright red, clamming up, stuttering and getting so warm I nearly faint.
Does anyone have any experience with social phobia/being judged and how you got/get through it to actually live a life ?
Because at the minute life is just so pointless with no actual reason to get up daily. I’ve pushed most of my friends away since I can’t face meeting up with them in fear they’ll realise how pathetic this illness I’ve given myself is.
Been to the counselling sessions on and off for years but they just haven’t seemed to address the issue properly, CBT never really happened due to waiting lists.
Any job suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for reading
Although I’m a bit better now it’s just people in general, if I’m in a public I get paranoid that people are judging me although I know deep down I’m too irrelevant for them to care.
With public places I am fine most of the time so long as I’m not stuck in a crowded place.
To cut a long story short, I need a job as you can’t live on nothing (obviously) but when I can’t even sit opposite someone and hold a brief conversation about general topics without going bright red, clamming up, stuttering and getting so warm I nearly faint.
Does anyone have any experience with social phobia/being judged and how you got/get through it to actually live a life ?
Because at the minute life is just so pointless with no actual reason to get up daily. I’ve pushed most of my friends away since I can’t face meeting up with them in fear they’ll realise how pathetic this illness I’ve given myself is.
Been to the counselling sessions on and off for years but they just haven’t seemed to address the issue properly, CBT never really happened due to waiting lists.
Any job suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for reading
After the physical tests see about some Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
In short see if it's possible to work out what the cause is and learn about the thinking processes that take you there.
With the panic attacks, although it feels like you're dying - you're really not,
They are incredibly scary - which is why they're called panic attacks - but once you understand the triggers and the thinking they cease to be so debilitating and frightening.
All the best in getting through it and out the other side - it takes work but it's extremely doable.
In short see if it's possible to work out what the cause is and learn about the thinking processes that take you there.
With the panic attacks, although it feels like you're dying - you're really not,
They are incredibly scary - which is why they're called panic attacks - but once you understand the triggers and the thinking they cease to be so debilitating and frightening.
All the best in getting through it and out the other side - it takes work but it's extremely doable.
I've been suffering from really bad anxiety since October. Absolutely horrible, and frightening. I'm reading a book at the moment by Barry McDonagh called 'Dare' - I'm only in the first few chapters but already it's making me look at my anxiety in a different way - rather than fighting it, and being scared of it, I'm allowing it to be part of me and to be comfortable with all the symptoms, physical and mental.
SSWGB said:
Before I start, please don’t hit me with the ‘it’s in your head’ or ‘made up’ as I am 100% aware I keep myself locked in the cycle of anxiety but I just want to know if anyone else has had success with it???
The interesting thing about your opening line is that you're expecting us to be judging you (the Health Matters section is not like the other sections, fortunately!). The reality from the rest of your post seems to be that you're really judging yourself. Something like CBT is a good shout but as there's a wait, try some basic mindfulness to slow down the inner negative self-talk. With regular practice, you will be able to observe yourself "thinking" a lot sooner and make a conscious choice to stop overthinking things. Non-judgementalism is a key practice of any good mindfulness exercise (it's not just about focusing on the breath).
There was a thread about anxiety in November and I ran an online workshop for PHers. I posted up the recording which introduces how to use mindfulness for anxiety. Let me know if you are unable to find it.
I have found that a couple of Apps have helped – I have used 'Headspace' in the past and am now using 'Calm'. I have found that you have to persevere with them for them to become effective but, as someone said earlier, they do seem to help you programme your mind to recognise the destructive thinking cycle and go some way to switching it off.
I have also found that CBT has helped, I know you have said that you haven't been able to access it so far but I think you should persevere. If you are able to come out of the other side of this the world becomes a much better place.
Good luck.
I have also found that CBT has helped, I know you have said that you haven't been able to access it so far but I think you should persevere. If you are able to come out of the other side of this the world becomes a much better place.
Good luck.
Thank you for your replies, it means a lot.
Found a guy on YouTube, channel is wonderbro or something, tried it for today and being honest it has worked wonders in a sense you don’t beat yourself up after a panic attack and just accept it happened and life goes on.
I’ll download the apps as well, it doesn’t hurt to have multiple methods on the go.
Thanks again
Found a guy on YouTube, channel is wonderbro or something, tried it for today and being honest it has worked wonders in a sense you don’t beat yourself up after a panic attack and just accept it happened and life goes on.
I’ll download the apps as well, it doesn’t hurt to have multiple methods on the go.
Thanks again
I have similar issues. I found that working in offices just wasn't for me so tried different work, feel a lot better. I've tried couselling etc, which is great at the time, but in situations doesn't help.
I still struggle at 40 and not helped by a skin disease as well, but try and work to what you are comfortable instead of fighting it.
I still struggle at 40 and not helped by a skin disease as well, but try and work to what you are comfortable instead of fighting it.
As a fellow panic attack sufferer, I offer the following advice;
Remember they always end. They do, without fail. They’re only temporary and telling yourself that definitely helps.
Get some proper help. I spent years not doing anything about it, the doctors didn’t help and prescribed pills which just meant I felt no emotion. I found a therapist and although it wasn’t cheap, it definitely helped a huge amount.
Read Aaron Gillies ‘how to survive the end of the world when it’s in your own head’. It’s candid, funny and insightful. You’ll read it thinking ‘OMG ITS ME!’ and it will give you some useful pointers.
Most of all, ignore anyone who tells you to man up or similar and dont beat yourself up if you have a bad time every now and again.
Remember they always end. They do, without fail. They’re only temporary and telling yourself that definitely helps.
Get some proper help. I spent years not doing anything about it, the doctors didn’t help and prescribed pills which just meant I felt no emotion. I found a therapist and although it wasn’t cheap, it definitely helped a huge amount.
Read Aaron Gillies ‘how to survive the end of the world when it’s in your own head’. It’s candid, funny and insightful. You’ll read it thinking ‘OMG ITS ME!’ and it will give you some useful pointers.
Most of all, ignore anyone who tells you to man up or similar and dont beat yourself up if you have a bad time every now and again.
At the age of 49 I gave up the fight and acknowledged my depression and anxiety attacks.
In the previous few years, I'd lost my Dad, lost my Father-in-Law and had two instances of hospitalisation due to sepsis. During one of these instances I was very poorly and apparently did well to get out of hospital again - and while in there had the bloke in the bed next to me die one morning during breakfast. As a result I think all these cumulative events completely messed me up and I just gave up. I was in work having a review with my boss and she did the usual "how are you feeling at the moment" as my work had admittedly dipped over the previous months. I just burst into tears and booked myself into the Dr that afternoon - and ended up being off work for 3 months.
I went through the standard NHS treatment (group therapy then CBT) but it didn't do any good and I kind of manage it myself at the moment with the help of sertraline and infrequent exercise...
Depression & anxiety are sh
t, it's a physical illness as much as a mental illness that drives you into the ground, makes you feel awful and just want to curl up in a corner and be forgotten about. Don't ever let anyone tell you to "man up" or "you'll get over it"...I've been living with it for 4 years now and to be honest feel no better than I did when I first admitted I have a problem, the only difference now is that I've learned to manage it...
In the previous few years, I'd lost my Dad, lost my Father-in-Law and had two instances of hospitalisation due to sepsis. During one of these instances I was very poorly and apparently did well to get out of hospital again - and while in there had the bloke in the bed next to me die one morning during breakfast. As a result I think all these cumulative events completely messed me up and I just gave up. I was in work having a review with my boss and she did the usual "how are you feeling at the moment" as my work had admittedly dipped over the previous months. I just burst into tears and booked myself into the Dr that afternoon - and ended up being off work for 3 months.
I went through the standard NHS treatment (group therapy then CBT) but it didn't do any good and I kind of manage it myself at the moment with the help of sertraline and infrequent exercise...
Depression & anxiety are sh
t, it's a physical illness as much as a mental illness that drives you into the ground, makes you feel awful and just want to curl up in a corner and be forgotten about. Don't ever let anyone tell you to "man up" or "you'll get over it"...I've been living with it for 4 years now and to be honest feel no better than I did when I first admitted I have a problem, the only difference now is that I've learned to manage it...I had it for 5+ years and nothing worked...
Stumbled across the Linden Method (google) and no longer have it!! took a bit of time but it involves a bit of re-training, best £100 I ever spent.
You only have anxiety as your scared of it, once you not it goes. (unless I guess its PTSD related)
Stumbled across the Linden Method (google) and no longer have it!! took a bit of time but it involves a bit of re-training, best £100 I ever spent.
You only have anxiety as your scared of it, once you not it goes. (unless I guess its PTSD related)
SSWGB said:
Before I start, please don’t hit me with the ‘it’s in your head’ or ‘made up’ as I am 100% aware I keep myself locked in the cycle of anxiety but I just want to know if anyone else has had success with it???
Although I’m a bit better now it’s just people in general, if I’m in a public I get paranoid that people are judging me although I know deep down I’m too irrelevant for them to care.
With public places I am fine most of the time so long as I’m not stuck in a crowded place.
To cut a long story short, I need a job as you can’t live on nothing (obviously) but when I can’t even sit opposite someone and hold a brief conversation about general topics without going bright red, clamming up, stuttering and getting so warm I nearly faint.
Does anyone have any experience with social phobia/being judged and how you got/get through it to actually live a life ?
Because at the minute life is just so pointless with no actual reason to get up daily. I’ve pushed most of my friends away since I can’t face meeting up with them in fear they’ll realise how pathetic this illness I’ve given myself is.
Been to the counselling sessions on and off for years but they just haven’t seemed to address the issue properly, CBT never really happened due to waiting lists.
Any job suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for reading
Luckily you will get sympathy in this part of PH. I have two kids and both suffer with anxiety, and from your post I can tell you're in a similar situation (it could have been written by my daughter).Although I’m a bit better now it’s just people in general, if I’m in a public I get paranoid that people are judging me although I know deep down I’m too irrelevant for them to care.
With public places I am fine most of the time so long as I’m not stuck in a crowded place.
To cut a long story short, I need a job as you can’t live on nothing (obviously) but when I can’t even sit opposite someone and hold a brief conversation about general topics without going bright red, clamming up, stuttering and getting so warm I nearly faint.
Does anyone have any experience with social phobia/being judged and how you got/get through it to actually live a life ?
Because at the minute life is just so pointless with no actual reason to get up daily. I’ve pushed most of my friends away since I can’t face meeting up with them in fear they’ll realise how pathetic this illness I’ve given myself is.
Been to the counselling sessions on and off for years but they just haven’t seemed to address the issue properly, CBT never really happened due to waiting lists.
Any job suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for reading
I also suffered with some anxiety in my early life, but I grew out of it to become a very confident person. For me it was the realisation that almost everyone appears to be more confident that they really are, and that peoples opinion of me was far better then I thought.
My kids haven't really responded well to CBT etc, especially as the NHS is terrible for mental health. My son was sucidal before Christmas, and the earliest he can get an NHS appointment is May.
Don't push your friends away, one thing I think has helped both my kids has been socialising. Sitting in their bedrooms just compounds the issue.
SSWGB said:
Before I start, please don’t hit me with the ‘it’s in your head’ or ‘made up’ as I am 100% aware I keep myself locked in the cycle of anxiety but I just want to know if anyone else has had success with it???
Although I’m a bit better now it’s just people in general, if I’m in a public I get paranoid that people are judging me although I know deep down I’m too irrelevant for them to care.
With public places I am fine most of the time so long as I’m not stuck in a crowded place.
To cut a long story short, I need a job as you can’t live on nothing (obviously) but when I can’t even sit opposite someone and hold a brief conversation about general topics without going bright red, clamming up, stuttering and getting so warm I nearly faint.
Does anyone have any experience with social phobia/being judged and how you got/get through it to actually live a life ?
Because at the minute life is just so pointless with no actual reason to get up daily. I’ve pushed most of my friends away since I can’t face meeting up with them in fear they’ll realise how pathetic this illness I’ve given myself is.
Been to the counselling sessions on and off for years but they just haven’t seemed to address the issue properly, CBT never really happened due to waiting lists.
Any job suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for reading
This certainly is a social anxiety presentation. The anxiety is getting so bad that it is leading to panic attacks.Although I’m a bit better now it’s just people in general, if I’m in a public I get paranoid that people are judging me although I know deep down I’m too irrelevant for them to care.
With public places I am fine most of the time so long as I’m not stuck in a crowded place.
To cut a long story short, I need a job as you can’t live on nothing (obviously) but when I can’t even sit opposite someone and hold a brief conversation about general topics without going bright red, clamming up, stuttering and getting so warm I nearly faint.
Does anyone have any experience with social phobia/being judged and how you got/get through it to actually live a life ?
Because at the minute life is just so pointless with no actual reason to get up daily. I’ve pushed most of my friends away since I can’t face meeting up with them in fear they’ll realise how pathetic this illness I’ve given myself is.
Been to the counselling sessions on and off for years but they just haven’t seemed to address the issue properly, CBT never really happened due to waiting lists.
Any job suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for reading
I would seek some propranolol from your doctor to control the clamminess/flushing/palpitations, and get a referral for psychotherapy.
I am not sure CBT is necessarily the answer, psycotherapy takes many forms and exposure therapy may be as beneficial for you.
To start with, have a think
- is it the sweating/flushing that you are scared people will judge you about?
- is it being in open spaces that make syou scared?
- is it general criticism you are fearful of?
I hope you go well and wish you all the luck.
Thank you for the messages you’ve taken the time to write. I have a doctors appointment for tomorrow and will be talking to him about options regarding both therapy and medications.
Acceptance is key but I think it’s time to actually use the help of others instead of just pushing against it alone.
For me I think I just need some reality checks in terms of life is far too short to be living like I have for so long. It’s impacting my family as well as my own well-being which isn’t good for anyone.
It’s so odd for men to actually accept anxiety is a thing as any male role models in my life have always been of the mindset of ‘shyness is something everyone has, man up’
Thanks again, I really appreciate it.
Acceptance is key but I think it’s time to actually use the help of others instead of just pushing against it alone.
For me I think I just need some reality checks in terms of life is far too short to be living like I have for so long. It’s impacting my family as well as my own well-being which isn’t good for anyone.
It’s so odd for men to actually accept anxiety is a thing as any male role models in my life have always been of the mindset of ‘shyness is something everyone has, man up’
Thanks again, I really appreciate it.
Well done for going to see the doctor tomorrow. I've suffered from severe anxiety since I left school nearly 20 years ago and it's still just as bad now so I know what you're going through.
It's annoying I can't even go to family meals it's that bad as I start shaking like crazy then I get paranoid people notice and think what a weirdo I am.
I also find it impossible to write in front of people, keep eye contact, keep a conversation going, basically anything that involves doing something with others watching. Even when a stranger is due to turn up to pick something up I walk around the house constantly physically shaking, feeling sick to my stomach.
I'm on session no. 3 with CBT training and tbh just can't see it making any difference but I'll see it through.
It's annoying I can't even go to family meals it's that bad as I start shaking like crazy then I get paranoid people notice and think what a weirdo I am.
I also find it impossible to write in front of people, keep eye contact, keep a conversation going, basically anything that involves doing something with others watching. Even when a stranger is due to turn up to pick something up I walk around the house constantly physically shaking, feeling sick to my stomach.
I'm on session no. 3 with CBT training and tbh just can't see it making any difference but I'll see it through.
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