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Hello everyone! I am really struggling and can't seem to get out this funk I am in. I can't sleep even though I am exhausted and so anxious that I feel nauseous and can't eat. I know this anxiety has to pass and I will get past this, but I just don't know how or when. I am so tired of crying. Anyone gone through a really tough life situation during treatment and have helpful tips that helped get them through? I know this isn't healthy, but I can't talk myself down.
(((((Hug)))) Christina! Are
(((((Hug)))) Christina! Are you seeing a therapist or crisis counselor?? IT is really helpful during a life crisis to get support. I highly recommend. And reach out to friends and family if you can. IT WILL PASS!!
If we don't excel at health, the only other option is disease.
Doing all the above and helps
Doing all the above and helps for the moment I'm talking to someone, but doesn't last! I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel! The nightmare is only beginning!
Christina- Let's talk soon!
Christina- Let's talk soon! Are you free anytime?
I know i always say this but I swear it is the only thing that works for me at least-. One Day At A TIme-. SO hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel I am sure but maybe you need to shrink it down to NOW. How can you get through just this one 24 hours? Right now it is probably at a peak so all resources need to be called in to get you through each day. You won't need this much help forever. Use your faith- you are not alone in this. You are loved.
People have been where you are and have come out the other side and you will too! Love you!
Also- wonder if it would be ok with Matia to use some short term homeopathic remedies or bach remedies just for this acute stress?
Sweety, I know where you are
Sweety, I know where you are coming from. I know deep down you believe things are going to get better, it's just so hard when you're hurting and need relief. The anxiety caused by constant pain just gets to you after a while. But we both need to hang in there. Things will get better!
Sending big (((HUGS)))
Kelly Howell meditation on
Kelly Howell meditation on YouTube helped me with sleep, I was over the worst of insomnia though when I started. Laughter, YouTube your favorite funny stuff, for me Mad tv, meatballs 'it just doesn't matter' and golden girls. If all else fails just hold on, it will get better.
Jessica, I love Meatballs!
Jessica, I love Meatballs! Great movie! Love the North Side CIT's song. :)
And I second the suggestion of watching funny stuff. It really does help. I like to watch Everybody Loves Raymond and Funniest Home Videos sometimes too.
DEFINITELY watcg funny stuff.
DEFINITELY watcg funny stuff. I have watched JIm Carrey doing Vanilla Ice like 50 times. I remember in the beginning of my darkest days with this illness reading one of jack Handey's books every time i was feeling inconsolable. The laughter is so good for us
Thank you all! I am trying to
Thank you all! I am trying to occupy my brain with reading and watching funny movies. I can't say I've seen meatballs! Will have to look into that one and I love the golden girls! Why is life so difficult? I have had enough of a bumpy road, when does the journey ever smooth out?! I am so angry and sad!
One ot the things that helps
One ot the things that helps my kids (and a LOT of people with anxiety) is to think of the thing that is making you anxious, and imagine the worst possible outcome regarding that thing. Talk yourself through that point of "what if"? Let yourself imagine the what if actually happening. Then sit with that and ask yourself, if you could live with that? Chances are, you can. Do this often as the feeling comes up. Let yourself go all the way to the "what if". If distraction does not work all of the time, then do the opposite. Simple breathing tecniques might help. I know you feel better when the therapist is there and then it unravels. But for the rest of our lives we have to find ways to cope in these moments. This may mean simply using the tecniques that your therapist recommended for longer. Two of the tecniques from the mindfullness class I took recently are to feel your feet on the ground and at the same time, notice your breathing. Continue to focus on feeling your feet, and noticing your breathing until you start to feel differently. This works well if you are anxious in front of other people because they wont even notice you are doing it. The other one, is to bring your attention to WHERE in your body you are feeling the anxiety. Notice exactly what it feels like. What sounds you are hearing, whether you feel hot/cold/tired/scared/worried/ and WHERE in your body you feel it. Just bringing your mind to where you are in the present. When you are in crisis, the trick is to do this as LONG as you need to until you get some relief. This may mean the first few times you do it you have to do it for a longer time, and then each time you need to do it, it may be less time until you feel some relief. Half of the issue with anxiety is it means we are not in the moment. We are somewhere else. Doing things to bring you back to THIS moment are very helpful. This is the only moment we have!
If we don't excel at health, the only other option is disease.
hey to add to mImi's idea.
hey to add to mImi's idea. Somehting that has helped me- a mini mindfullness break: stop and engage all the senses "what do i smell, taste, hear, see" It literally takes about o minute but helps ground me
Oh Christina, you're in my
Oh Christina, you're in my thoughts and you are strong and WILL get through this. And I agree that funny movies are a great mood-changer, and any very fast-paced TV show (Scandal, for example) that makes me fully engage with it at least takes me out of the anxiety-place temporarily. I know it's "tuning out" but sometimes we need to when "tuning in" gets to be too much (but of course tuning in can a useful place to go at other times.)
The crying is so exhausting. I totally get it. This year has just been one crisis and tragedy after another and I am totally with you sister! I often think of you out there in the middle of the country (I don't remember where you live exactly) and think to myself that if you're persevering, then so can I! I'm serious! I wish I could say that I've made it through and have lots of great insight, but I'm in the weeds too and all I know is that I'm getting better at boundary-setting and checking in with myself and asking for help when I can. And I think that with IC, we've got a leaky gut but our guts can somehow be a metaphor for all the leaky energy we give away, too.
I am totally rambling. I just wanted to say I'm thinking of you a lot and that really hot showers help me calm down, too. xo
Thank you ladies! All the
Thank you ladies! All the suggestions have been very helpful! I spent the night talking to friends and family keeping myself occupied!so much to deal with, but trying to take slow deep breaths second by second. I tried forcing some food, but my tummy is rebelling and increased burning! Stressed with filling in for someone in a different position tomorrow, hopefully once I get tomorrow over with I can focus more on making a plan. Unfortunately there is so much unknown and out of my control at the moment that the worst case scenario would mean tradgedy, so treading the water very lightly. In a few months I hope to write how I managed through this and came out so much stronger! Hugs back to all!
I've been going through some
I've been going through some very heavy emotional stuff too, so I can definitely commiserate with where you are right now. I'm still dealing with it, but it has gotten much better, and I've gotten out of the panic phase. Just remember that you're not alone and everyone goes through very difficult things--life happens. Things that have helped me: getting outside and taking walks, listening to music/singing along, stimulating my mind with other things (reading, movies, etc.). I know it's hard to focus on other things when you're so in it, but you'll get through this. Hugs. :)
Christina!!! I feel for you -
Christina!!! I feel for you - please know we are all here for you!!! Did you ever try tapping? It may help. Just a good way to feel and identify your emotions and a good coping mechanism. Please know you're in my thoughts and prayers! LOVE Claire C