Mental health issues can be quite insipid. They creep up on you slowly, so you don’t realise there’s a problem until things have gotten out of hand. That’s one of the worst things about anxiety; it’s a vicious cycle. Anxiety breeds anxiety. One panic attack can lead to weeks thinking it over. Analysing it. Trying to figure out what went wrong. Beating yourself up about it. Fearing what might happen if this means you’re getting sick again. Frantically trying to come up with a magic solution to stop that happening. And if you can’t find the answer, what then?
It can make you question how strong you are. It takes the shine off how you feel in yourself. It’s exhausting thinking this way all the time – and not just because these thoughts keep you awake at night. There can be so many physical symptoms of anxiety as well. To name but a few:
– headaches
– fatigue
– heart palpitations
– irritable bowels
– shortness of breath
– difficulty concentrating
– chest pains
Along with this there’s the intense fear that something bad will happen. And as the feeling that ‘something is wrong’ increases, you fear how this will affect your life, your career, your relationships. Everything you’ve built and worked on. And it’s so hard to communicate what’s happening, because you don’t want to be a burden and your mind is racing at a million miles an hour and there is no obvious reason for it.
There are some self care steps that can help:
– using meditation apps (such as Calm or Headspace)
– writing in a journal
– seeing friends
– doing things that make you laugh or smile
And of course the usual things, eating regular, healthy meals, avoiding too much caffeine or alcohol, exercising regularly and sleeping well. Mind also have some useful information.
But if these steps aren’t helping break the cycle it’s time to seek support. Contact your GP, or see if work or a local charity can offer counselling. Or, if things are particularly bad contact NHS Direct on 111.
Remember you are not defined by these thoughts and symptoms. You are not your anxiety. You can’t do this alone, and you deserve the support to get your shine back š
threepeaksformind 