What do you struggle with?

[leothelioness]

I thought this would be a great thread for us to share all of our struggles and hopefully be able to encourage one another in overcoming them. It's a lot easier when you know you are not the only one who is struggling.

My main struggle is just being able to get out of the house by myself. When I do go out I always have to have someone with me for comfort reasons. I have social anxiety disorder, so dealing with people by myself can be very overwhelming at times.

Another one of my struggles is getting a job. I know that may sound like the easiest thing in the world, but I struggle with it because 1) it means interacting with people on a regular basis and 2) being reliable. I'm afraid I might not live up to that because I have not been reliable in the past because of my anxiety.

So, my goal for overcoming this is to get out of the house everyday, even if it's just to drive to town and straight back. I plan to take it one step at a time. One little victory at a time.

Share yours.

P.S. If you want to PM me with any questions or just for encouragement, feel free to.

 

[Soulwings]

I have a conglomeration of anxiety symptoms... panic disorder is the worst. I struggle with panic attacks that can be either psychologically based (worries, fears about things, even just generalized) or physiologically based (out of breath, cold). They really suck. I've had them since I was 5 but they've gotten loads worse since I was switched off one of my meds this summer (and I don't want to go back on it because it causes weight gain - I didn't know that - and I have an eating disorder, so yeah... definitely didn't want to deal with that).

A smidgen of social anxiety, although that's gotten a lot better. I'm still shy but I can fake confidence, which - I have been told - shows that it exists somewhere in me. Go figure. I certainly don't feel like it does!!

And generalized anxiety. Just anxious. Not always to the point of panickyness, but tight muscles and sometimes a hollow feeling in my arms and hands. REALLY weird feelings there.

 

[Jesusfreak4life8629]

My major struggles are Bipolar, OCD Tendancies, Social Anxiety Disorder and Panic Disorder.
I have panic attacks on a regular basis, although I am taking two different anxiety pills twice a day.
I really struggle with crowds, loud noises and violence, all those things set me off for a panic attack, which I have to deal with almost on a daily basis.
When I have panic attacks, I get shaky all over, I hypervenalate(sp?), my heart beats fast, I have a terrible urge to cry, and I feel like the walls are caving in.
With the Bipolar, I have Bipolar II, also called Depressive Bipolar, which means I'm on the more depressive side. I have tried to kill myself more than enough times, and I still struggle with suicidal thoughts. I'm a recovering cutter, although I do slip sometimes...but I never quit quitting.
With the OCD, I wash my hands and use hand sanitizer way too much, I have to have colors in rainbow order, and I cannot STAND feet, or my feet getting dirty, I wear socks 24/7 to cover my feet and so they don't get dirty.
I have been hospitalized in a Psych Ward eight times, and I don't think I'm done yet.
So, over all, I really struggle, so prayer is greatly appreciated.

 

[Soulwings]

I've been in the psych ward 4 times, Sqiz, have tried to kill myself twice and have been suicidal too many times to count, am also a cutter (haven't SI'd since July, though), am anxious - I take two different anxiety meds a day (up to 7 separate pills total, two of those are prn [take as needed])... geez. You and I sound a lot alike!! And yes, I'm bipolar as well. Type II, with more depressive tendencies than (hypo)manic.

s

 

[Jesusfreak4life8629]

I've been in the psych ward 4 times, Sqiz, have tried to kill myself twice and have been suicidal too many times to count, am also a cutter (haven't SI'd since July, though), am anxious - I take two different anxiety meds a day (up to 7 separate pills total, two of those are prn [take as needed])... geez. You and I sound a lot alike!! And yes, I'm bipolar as well. Type II, with more depressive tendencies than (hypo)manic.

s

It's nice to know other people struggle with the same things I do. We are a lot alike. Thank you for sharing that with me.

 

[Soulwings]

You're welcome. I'm here if you ever need to talk, okay?

 

[Mrs. Luther073082]

Mine are going to unfamiliar places alone and driving in unfamilar places.

 

[leonardomonkey]

Hi Guys

Mine are Health anx, which for the last 12 months has been 24//7, panic attacks, crowds, struggling with drinking for the last 15 years, thought i had quit drugs until i relied that i was taking way too much codeine ( for my "headaches" have since stopped ) cutting etc etc.

The health anx is really kicking my butt lately, and i am so upset because any time i go to church i get panic attacks, which sucks because i got a word from a prophet that i was going to do good things. Sorry for the rant, i find it hard to "talk" to people.

Cheers
Leo

 

[leothelioness]

Mine are going to unfamiliar places alone and driving in unfamilar places.

I can so relate to that. I hate it. That's one thing that's keeping me from doing things I should already be doing. It's that fear of the unknown.

 

[Soulwings]

I'm scared of driving to new places too... which is why I've not gone to visit a friend yet 60 miles away - should be an easy drive, and I miss her, but I don't know the place at all.

 

[UnitynLove]

Stay encouraged brothers and sisters God can set you free from all your issues and problems.

 

[chokmah3]

Trust. I struggle with trust. I am afraid to let my guard down because so often people have betrayed me. I know I can trust God, but I'm human and feel a need to have other people in my life. It's really hard to let the walls down because I'm afraid of getting hurt again.

 

[BlessedMommy05]

I struggle having PTSD and panic attacks as well.. They didnt use to bother me till in the past year or so have really kicked into gear and are hard to handle when I need them to be.. I dont often know why they kick in at certain times but when I do, try and keep calm to keep going.. I love to drive and go places but Hubby is more worried than I am about going any where.. Go figure?

 

[Soul_Golem]

I am schizophrenic bi-polar with a previous history of seizures. I also have anxiety attacks that are taken care of almost completely by medications. I also take sleep meds for insomnia. I used to have a problem working, but the meds have taken care of that. I had a schizophrenic attack that begun sometime early this week, maybe before that, because I didn't refill my meds on time. I went to the hospital for it and they made sure I was okay before I left. It is annoying, especially when people don't know what is going on and start to judge you. What bothers me the most is becoming disoriented and the wild mood swings. But, for the most part the meds do their job, and I usually don't have to cope with it. Sometimes though I can tell it is time to lay low and not open my mouth or go out and try and be sociable. I think what helps is being educated about it, and knowing you have an illness. For many years when I was a younger man I went undiagnosed, and I was basically seen as a troublemaker and many people hated me and I even got beat up a few times for my mouth. Then finally I was given a psychiatrist and now I no longer have those problems. I do run off the mouth at times, but it isn't nearly as bad as it was when I was in my early twenties.

 

[leothelioness]

It is annoying, especially when people don't know what is going on and start to judge you.

I agree. I know that at some point someone has probably judged me. It's incredibly frustrating. Glad you're all right!

 

[amariselle]

I have struggled with anxiety for quite a few years now, since I was in highschool. Lately though it has become much more generalized and I have had a number of panic attacks, one was so bad I went up to the hospital at 4:30 in the morning.

I am on medication now and have been seeing a counsellor, and that's seemed to help. I sleep through the night better now, and haven't had a really bad panic attack for around 2 months. I've learned better how to manage anxious thoughts and feelings, but I still have a ways to go.

I've also been looking for a job since I graduated from College this past spring, but things around here aren't too good as far as work goes, and I've had to move back into my parents' house.

The thing I struggle with the most in all this is that I haven't felt like myself at all since it started to get more severe. I feel disconnected from who I used to be, and sometimes I'm not even sure who that is anymore. I've actually felt I need to ask my parents if I still seem the same to them, because I feel so different and lost most of the time.

I have learned since this started though that this issue is far more common than I used to think. I'm glad I came across this place, reading all of your stories helps me to realize that so many people out there struggle with things like this. Thankyou all for sharing what your going through. I think that stigmas and isolation are some of the most harmful and destructive things when it comes to dealing with these challenges. I hope that we all can continue to be honest about what we're dealing with and support one another through everything; it makes a tremendous difference.

Ashlee

 

[wallaby]

this threads been kinda dead for a while but im not about to start a whole new thread just about myself. i struggle with generalized anxiety disorder.....that include social anxiety disorder, a fear of plants and animals and a billion other things and situations. so...fears, panic attacks, and all that jazz. ive had it as long as i can remember, which is before kindergarten. i struggle with OCD, mainly involving obsessions rather than compulsions. its not a huge deal, but i have to do things every day that bother me, like getting wet/getting dry, eating off plates i feel unsafe about, etc. im about a decade in to a deep depression now, too. ive had sleeping problems my whole life....currently im an insomniac. sometimes it gets so bad that i have lots of hallucinations...and none of my hallucinations like me :-(. without meds, i sleep maybe 1-3 hours a night most of the time, and often skip entire nights of sleep. (on meds im still skipping nights of sleep on a weekly basis at the very least.)

ive tried about 13 medications to manage my disorders and ive yet to find a combination that does much for me. i see a counselor every other week, but....that doesnt do anything for me. talking about it doesnt help me at all. i see a psychiatrist to work on meds with, but right now theyre barely taking the edge off things. and i gained like 25 pounds...which bothers me immensely. a lot of things bother me immensely though.

my disorders have pretty much ruined my life...i cant find employment im capable of, ive failed out of college twice, i have no friends anywhere close, im unable to be understood by the majority of people, and other similarly lame problems. in short, im a very unhappy person looking to find some degree of fulfillment in life.

 

[AlwaysBe]

hang in there buddy

 

[crysacev]

I've also struggled with social phobia and anxiety for about 2 years.
I've just begun getting used to getting out the house, and enduring what have been fearful situations, only to remember that they are only as fearful as I've allowed them to become.
I have had trouble keeping jobs because of my poor job performance and interaction with co-workers.
I'm still hopeful though. Even after all this time!
I just began the job hunt once again. I'm excited. Pray for me! Crystal in L.A.!
haha.

 

[Legion.As.One]

Well, (here goes thread revival)
I've been, recently (as in last 7 years), been building up on trypanophobia. Which is a fear of needles. Just the sight of stainless steel containers, pictures of needles, blunt syringes and the smell of sterilization and even just thinking about needle make me nervous. When I have a panic attack I go insane. My chest tightens, my palms are sweaty, I cry, my muscles seize up and start twitching, I hyperventilate and crouch on the ground. I've missed out on many important vaccines because of this. I also tend to get a bit violent when cornered with a needle.

I know its probably not really anything compared to others, but its my own burden.