topic Re: Anxiety in Wellness

Anxiety

happycat — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 09:13:32 GMT

Has anyone devoped this, or had in get a lot worse, when they have gotten older?

I have many nights, like this one, when I simply cannot sleep thru the night. I wake up and the "what ifs" start going thru my mind. They are what if's that I can do nothing about. Also the things that have already happened, a family friend died last night and when I woke up, his family was on my mind and I couldn't go back to sleep.

I know this is anxiety, I just don't know how to fix it. I am going to make appointment with a dr. This is no way to live and getting worse.

Just wondering if any of you have dealt with this, or if you have ideas anything that could help.

TIA

Re: Anxiety

panda1234 — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 09:36:25 GMT

I have a friend who suffers and so does my daughter. Meds are the only thing that are going to help. I would not go to your PC, I would go to a psychiatrist because it might take a combo of meds and only they know how to do that. There might be something new out that the PC might not know of or been in serviced on.

Re: Anxiety

Furgirl — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 09:37:54 GMT

Yes I have. It’s 04:30 and I’m still up. Ativan helps, but not really anything else does. I don’t like to take it for fear of becoming dependent, but I do when I really need it. I don’t have to work tomorrow, so I guess it doesn’t matter that I’m awake. Good luck in your search for help! It’s a miserable situation.

Re: Anxiety

Remar — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 09:41:25 GMT

I'm so sorry you're going through this. I know all about anxiety. I had my first panic attack when I was 18. I had no idea what was going on. It took me 5 years and seeing several Drs before I got a diagnosis. Severe anxiety, panic attacks and depression.

You're doing the right thing by making an appointment with a Dr. You will be taught how to break this cycle of repetative thinking and worrying.

I know this is a very personal question, but are you going through menepause? I'm asking because there are several psysical reasons a person can start having anxiety. If I were you I would also see my primary Dr to have some tests ran. Hormones, thyroid, vitamin B levels.

Do make those appointments because you're so right, it's no way to live. I'm always here if you want to talk.

Re: Anxiety

violann — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 09:41:33 GMT

@happycat wrote:
Has anyone devoped this, or had in get a lot worse, when they have gotten older?
I have many nights, like this one, when I simply cannot sleep thru the night. I wake up and the "what ifs" start going thru my mind. They are what if's that I can do nothing about. Also the things that have already happened, a family friend died last night and when I woke up, his family was on my mind and I couldn't go back to sleep.
I know this is anxiety, I just don't know how to fix it. I am going to make appointment with a dr. This is no way to live and getting worse.
Just wondering if any of you have dealt with this, or if you have ideas anything that could help.
TIA

Sending you major cyber hugs and sympathy. Yes, I went through an enormous series of life changes a few years ago, and now, no matter what I do, I’m awake between 3 and 4 every night/morning.

I will actually be calling a CBT today who SPECIALIZES in this problem. I have previously tried a low dose of an anti anxiety medication, every type of sleep nutrient and sleep supplement there is, getting up when I wake up, NOT getting up when I wake up, too many other things to list.

I very rarely take half a Benadryl or half a painkiller + Benadryl, but avoid doing so because I’ve had problems with Benadryl in the past.

This coming night, I’ll send you positive sleepy thoughts when I wake up. Please do the same for me. Let’s see if we can help each other!

Re: Anxiety

violann — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 09:42:21 GMT

@panda1234 wrote:
I have a friend who suffers and so does my daughter. Meds are the only thing that are going to help. I would not go to your PC, I would go to a psychiatrist because it might take a combo of meds and only they know how to do that. There might be something new out that the PC might not know of or been in serviced on.

Did this, didn’t help.

Re: Anxiety

violann — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 09:43:57 GMT

@Remar wrote:
I'm so sorry you're going through this. I know all about anxiety. I had my first panic attack when I was 18. I had no idea what was going on. It took me 5 years and seeing several Drs before I got a diagnosis. Severe anxiety, panic attacks and depression.
You're doing the right thing by making an appointment with a Dr. You will be taught how to break this cycle of repetative thinking and worrying.
I know this is a very personal question, but are you going through menepause? I'm asking because there are several psysical reasons a person can start having anxiety. If I were you I would also see my primary Dr to have some tests ran. Hormones, thyroid, vitamin B levels.
Do make those appointments because you're so right, it's no way to live. I'm always here if you want to talk.

Have done all of these, literally ALL of them, nothing has helped.

Re: Anxiety

AngelPuppy1 — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 09:47:39 GMT

@happycat wrote:
Has anyone devoped this, or had in get a lot worse, when they have gotten older?
I have many nights, like this one, when I simply cannot sleep thru the night. I wake up and the "what ifs" start going thru my mind. They are what if's that I can do nothing about. Also the things that have already happened, a family friend died last night and when I woke up, his family was on my mind and I couldn't go back to sleep.
I know this is anxiety, I just don't know how to fix it. I am going to make appointment with a dr. This is no way to live and getting worse.
Just wondering if any of you have dealt with this, or if you have ideas anything that could help.
TIA

@happycat

I do have a ton of anxiety! I certainly feel for youl I have always been a very high strung individual and somewhat nervous and tend to internalize and worry about things. And yes, it has gotten a lot worse since i have gotten older! I have told my doctor about this on many ocasions and she has not done a lot to help me. I have a few anxiety pills but they don't want to give you many as they are addictive. I only take 1occasionally when at night I cannot sleep at all because I am so anxious. I do once in a great while have a full blown panic or anxiety attack. I would say, go to yor PC dr. first and see if you get help there. If not, I would see a psychiatrist.

Re: Anxiety

qualitygal — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 10:39:26 GMT

I think the longer you live, the more likely you can go through this. I turn to God. Repeat verses and just remind myself, if it's beyond me, I'd better put my trust in Him. Anxiety is not easy.

Sorry for your friend's loss.

I think it's normal. Things change so often, sometimes it's hard to keep up and take it all in. That produces anxiety. My husband has been a big "what ifer" since he was a child. Out of the blue he'll do a what if and I reel him back in. I think he kind of does that for me at times too. Maybe you can find someone to talk with o these occasions.

Best of luck.

Re: Anxiety

Roni18 — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 10:51:06 GMT

Paying attention to my diet has helped me a lot. I found that wheat especially was triggering me off. I have not cut it out entirely. I try to go gluten free at home and then if I am going to eat pasta or something out I will try to do at lunch and not night. Probably just doing this helped my anxiety improve about 80 percent. Before I did this I was having what I would call worry attacks about every night. Now I don't have them often.

Also, try to distract yourself when you are having a "What If" episodes. Our imaginations are too good and we trick ourselves into believing these negative thoughts. Do what you can to get more sleep. My anxiety is always worse with less sleep.

Re: Anxiety

Slainte — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 11:41:18 GMT

I have found significant help with anxiety with mindfulness meditation. I try to meditate 10-20 minutes each day and work to become aware of anxiety triggers including the "what ifs." http://myessentialthree.blogspot.com/2017/08/cognitive-distortions-and-mindfulness.html.

UMass has a great program that helps with physical and emotional issues through their Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program, https://www.umassmed.edu/cfm/. Jon Kabat-Zinn, one of the program's founder's book, Full Catastrophe Living, is available at most public libraries and is so helpful.

Working with your doctor is a great start. My PC doctor was the one who referred me to the MBSR program and a psychologist who was trained in the program.

Good luck.

Re: Anxiety

Suzeecat — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 20:10:40 GMT

Yes, my anxiety has definitely increased in recent years. In my mid 50s I went on HRT because hot flashes would trigger anxiety attacks. I could live with the hot flashes, but the anxiety attacks would keep me up losing sleep. I eventually weaned off the HRT, and hot flashes subsided but the anxiety still creeps up on me, especially at night and early morning. I tried CBD oil to help with my insomnia. It didn't help the insomnia but I found relief from the anxiety with it. I would rather use the CBD oil than prescription drugs with all their side effects.

Re: Anxiety

Tribesters — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 22:26:18 GMT

@happycat

My Mom & Sister have suffered from anxiety for years. They take Xanax. I’ve always prided myself on being the calm one in the family. But not anymore. I have the exact same issues as you when I try to sleep. I worry about all the things that might happen & it’s impossible to sleep. I have found that Andrew Lessman’s Nightime vitamins help me relax & sleep. I get them from HSN.

Re: Anxiety

catwhisperer — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 22:30:25 GMT

@Tribesters wrote:
@happycat
My Mom & Sister have suffered from anxiety for years. They take Xanax. I’ve always prided myself on being the calm one in the family. But not anymore. I have the exact same issues as you when I try to sleep. I worry about all the things that might happen & it’s impossible to sleep. I have found that Andrew Lessman’s Nightime vitamins help me relax & sleep. I get them from HSN.

@Tribesters...a big thumbs up to you for going the natural route rather than running to the doctor for meds. I wish you continued success.

Re: Anxiety

Cakers3 — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 00:12:25 GMT

@happycat wrote:
Has anyone devoped this, or had in get a lot worse, when they have gotten older?
I have many nights, like this one, when I simply cannot sleep thru the night. I wake up and the "what ifs" start going thru my mind. They are what if's that I can do nothing about. Also the things that have already happened, a family friend died last night and when I woke up, his family was on my mind and I couldn't go back to sleep.
I know this is anxiety, I just don't know how to fix it. I am going to make appointment with a dr. This is no way to live and getting worse.
Just wondering if any of you have dealt with this, or if you have ideas anything that could help.
TIA

@happycat Hi-that is perfectly normal.

Do see your primary care doctor; write down everything you have been experiencing.

A good physical is always indicated. PCP's today can certainly prescribe medications for anxiety, too.

I will agree that getting older seems to require less sleep; both DH and I often do not sleep through the night.

I will suggest that events, past or present, may be on your mind consciously or subconsciously before you go to bed. Then they will manifest in a bigger capacity; you wake up anxious either knowing or not knowing why. Sometimes a word, a plot in a TV show, or any other trigger can set off your anxiety.

I will suggest to you that a counselor can also help you with meditative techniques and talk therapy.

Anxiety can have many causes; so do get that physical, talk it out with a counselor-you can determine for yourself how long you will see him/her.

You are not alone; easing your mind will take time but once you start to learn a better way to handle anxiety I promise you that you will find relief and learn to be ok.

In the meantime, losing sleep may not be healthy but right now it's what is happening. Try to accept that - ok, I'm awake now and perhaps doing something more constructive-read, e.g. can allow those other thoughts to take a back burner.

Try not to fight it; it is what it is but it doesn't have to be permanent.

I wish you all the best in getting this resolved. Sincerely I do.

Re: Anxiety

simplyfriends — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 00:30:32 GMT

@happycat

This is what I use - I purchase at a health food store or you can probably get it on line. It helps calm me - because yes, I can relate to being stressed at night and not sleeping. Good luck.

Re: Anxiety

bonnielu — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 00:36:58 GMT

My early married life was stressful. I had panic attacks. And then I conquered them... I started finding ways to help people, do things for others. And later on together as a married couple we found a hobby with people all around us still continuing in the helping mode. I am cured of my anxiety. It has been almost 50 years since it got resolved without medicine or extra outside help.

Re: Anxiety

blackhole99 — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 00:42:59 GMT

If you are person of faith, pray or repeat a mantra over and over until you fall asleep. I say this because it has helped me, I say," hover over me Lord, let me feel your presence. Also, a nice cup cup of Yogi brand Kava Sress Relief tea or their Turmeric with Meadowsweet & Ginger Tea might help an hour before bed.

Re: Anxiety

hckynut — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 03:15:40 GMT

@happycat

Yes! I spent 7+ days in a Mental Ward where I was diagnosed with Anxiety/Panic Disorder, and Clinical Depression. That was over 2 decades ago, but I will never consider myself cured, only keeping it under control.

Anxiety comes in many forms, and for differing reasons. Mine was/is for a Chemical Imbalance in the brain. I am glad you are going to see a doctor with this issue. If this is really an issue with you, sooner is better than later for making your doctors appointment.

Wishing you well,

hckynut(john)

Re: Anxiety

happycat — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 01:48:19 GMT

Thank you, all you sweet people for your open and honest replies. I went to a therapist today. It was a walk in, thats all they do at this clinic for first time patients.

I talked for over an hour to a therapist, who asked me questions and said she thought I was depressed. I go back in a week. It did make me feel better to speak with someone. I didn't get anything to help me sleep as at this facility, you have to see the therapist a couple of times before they refer you to the psychiatrist who gives the meds.

Anyway, thank you for your kindness and advice. I am going to look up some of the things different ones of you mentioned that may help me sleep.Thanks again, I truly appreciate your kind responses, all of you.