Terrible anxiety

Army Wife said:

I have TERRIBLE anxiety. Times where I don't leave my house for weeks on end. If I do I have to be with someone. I do have a counselor that I see every Friday. (she comes to my house) My husband tries to get me out of the house to do things, like go to the store or to his parents house or whatever but I just can't do it and it hurt and he just doesn't understand even tho he has his own anxiety issues but they are different.

I guess what I am looking for is maybe some advice on what I can do to help my anxiety get better? I am going to be making an appointment with my doctor soon to talk about stronger anxiety and depression meds as I feel they are not working as well as I like them to. I want to be able to focus as "normal" person.

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I understand; well, a bit at least. I suffer from anxiety myself and rarely leave the house, but at least I can do it if I really try.

I am not sure I can give you any advice; given a choice I will always stay home. But please be assured you are not alone; there are probably many others here who will understand.

Do you have a garden? I used to not be able to go into the garden at all, but my daughter wanted a cat, and the cat wanted the doors open so she can go into the garden. Bit by bit I got used to that, and now I spend time in the garden most days; it is now not a problem any more. I think that is the only way to do it; very gradually.

Army Wife said:

I have TERRIBLE anxiety. Times where I don't leave my house for weeks on end. If I do I have to be with someone. I do have a counselor that I see every Friday. (she comes to my house) My husband tries to get me out of the house to do things, like go to the store or to his parents house or whatever but I just can't do it and it hurt and he just doesn't understand even tho he has his own anxiety issues but they are different.

I guess what I am looking for is maybe some advice on what I can do to help my anxiety get better? I am going to be making an appointment with my doctor soon to talk about stronger anxiety and depression meds as I feel they are not working as well as I like them to. I want to be able to focus as "normal" person.

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I've got it too only not to the same extent. Know you're not alone and you're in my prayers

Army Wife said:

Thank you for replying.

Sadly I don't have a garden. We live in the basement of an of our apartments. So when the people upstairs takes care of the lawns and stuff. But when we get our own place I want to get one.

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I hope you do get a garden soon; it might help.

Is there a park nearby? Somewhere good to aim for; it might be easier than just trying to go shopping.

Hopefully your counsellor is helping you to get to the root of your anxiety and why you are afraid to go outside, if you don't already know the reason.

I can't really imagine what you are going through as my anxiety problems are different, but in the past the only thing that has helped me to 'get over' my fear of something is simply by doing it. I do it by breaking down something big, like going outside, into the smallest steps possible. So I start by thinking, ok I will walk to the front door, nothing more, and see how I feel when I get there. If I feel uncomfortable or unwell then I will just go back. Then once at the front door think, ok now I'll try opening it and looking outside, feeling the fresh air on my face. If I feel uncomfortable or scared then I'll just close the door. The baby steps are far less scary than the big thing, and over a period of time you may find you can get further and further before you get uncomfortable. The trick is to not plan ahead, or think about how far you will get today. Just focus on the little steps one at a time.

I also find when I panic that focussing on relaxing my body physically and deep breathing helps far more than trying not to panic.

Not sure if that helps but its all I've got

Bless yer heart, i used to have panic attacks....as Holoman stated, the relaxing of the body and slower, deeper breathing (rather than the shallow, rapid breathing that happens when panic attacks occur) helps, and will continue helping as we learn to breathe more slowly and practice C-A-L-M more and more.

Hugs and prayers to you (((hug)))

Army Wife said:

I have TERRIBLE anxiety. Times where I don't leave my house for weeks on end. If I do I have to be with someone. I do have a counselor that I see every Friday. (she comes to my house) My husband tries to get me out of the house to do things, like go to the store or to his parents house or whatever but I just can't do it and it hurt and he just doesn't understand even tho he has his own anxiety issues but they are different.

I guess what I am looking for is maybe some advice on what I can do to help my anxiety get better? I am going to be making an appointment with my doctor soon to talk about stronger anxiety and depression meds as I feel they are not working as well as I like them to. I want to be able to focus as "normal" person.

Click to expand...

I can leave the house but Anxiety still keeps me a prisoner..if you need someone to talk to, Im here

Army Wife said:

I have TERRIBLE anxiety. Times where I don't leave my house for weeks on end. If I do I have to be with someone. I do have a counselor that I see every Friday. (she comes to my house) My husband tries to get me out of the house to do things, like go to the store or to his parents house or whatever but I just can't do it and it hurt and he just doesn't understand even tho he has his own anxiety issues but they are different.

I guess what I am looking for is maybe some advice on what I can do to help my anxiety get better? I am going to be making an appointment with my doctor soon to talk about stronger anxiety and depression meds as I feel they are not working as well as I like them to. I want to be able to focus as "normal" person.

Click to expand...

My Lord has always been faithful in answering my prayers for Wisdom to know what can/if anything I can do.

Catherineanne said:

I understand; well, a bit at least. I suffer from anxiety myself and rarely leave the house, but at least I can do it if I really try.

I am not sure I can give you any advice; given a choice I will always stay home. But please be assured you are not alone; there are probably many others here who will understand.

Do you have a garden? I used to not be able to go into the garden at all, but my daughter wanted a cat, and the cat wanted the doors open so she can go into the garden. Bit by bit I got used to that, and now I spend time in the garden most days; it is now not a problem any more. I think that is the only way to do it; very gradually.

Click to expand...

Have to agree with that, though I'm not afraid to go out I do worry about driving places I'm not familiar with. I had to drive to an area I was not familiar with for work, was stressed the whole drive but I made it there and back in one piece and felt pretty good about it. Have you e ear thought of trying cognitive behaviour therapy? One thing it advocates is gradual exposure to what you are anxious about until you are less anxious. I stress the gradual though. Good luck in your struggle

Maybe driving out to the countryside and go for walks there? Taking walks in the forrest?

The more you are outside the better.

Army Wife said:

I have TERRIBLE anxiety. Times where I don't leave my house for weeks on end. If I do I have to be with someone. I do have a counselor that I see every Friday. (she comes to my house) My husband tries to get me out of the house to do things, like go to the store or to his parents house or whatever but I just can't do it and it hurt and he just doesn't understand even tho he has his own anxiety issues but they are different.

I guess what I am looking for is maybe some advice on what I can do to help my anxiety get better? I am going to be making an appointment with my doctor soon to talk about stronger anxiety and depression meds as I feel they are not working as well as I like them to. I want to be able to focus as "normal" person.

Click to expand...

I know somebody that has similar problems and seeing a psychiatrist they diagnosed a mild adult schizophrenia. They gave meds for that and it seems better. I know the term schizophrenia is a stigma and people think negative out of ignorance and fear. Some folks make fun, but millions have some form. They are applying for disability since schizophrenia qualifies for full disability

I have anxiety too. I agree, try a therapist and a psychiatrist. Hope your anxiety improves soon.