FRUSTRATED
I recently had a month-long panic over my job that ended with me not only losing my job, but launching into the worst anxious spiral of my life. I feel like I’ve been shot through a portal into some hellish dimension of internal suffering and I have no idea how to escape.
Anyway, I’m looking into anxiety and OCD therapy, and I’m nervous about the whole “sitting with discomfort” thing. Sometimes it feels like it makes things worse and more scary, especially with physical symptoms. I want to learn how to get past those because they feel so freaky and real… but I want to learn to control my responses. It seems like the only way to get better, so if anyone has advice on that specifically I’d like to hear it.
@sinkingCloud
😔
I'm really sorry to hear that you are struggling so much.
It can be intense
Trying to learn why you feel this way.
And what works best for you.
But it's brave that you are trying 💙
I hope you find the answers that you need!
I’m sorry that you’re dealing with this anxiety and job loss. That sounds so hard, and you will make it through this. It is a season of your life, and it will get better. You can identify what triggers these physical reactions for you, and deal with those triggers thru therapy. But during an actual attack, you just need to make it through. Don’t focus on feeling in control, because that’s like trying to control the waves of the ocean. You just need to ride it out. I like the 5,4,3,2,1 grounding technique, here’s a video: https://youtu.be/zilmlTO5i9Q?si=68OfCLYgPYQd6fD
Something else that helps me is focusing on my breathing. Breathe in for 4 beats, hold for 4, breathe out for 4, hold for 4. You’ll find what works best for you. Don’t hold these feelings in, that’s how you explode. Journal, talk to someone, keep posting on here! Things will get better ❤️🩹 Hope some of this helped
What is the stuff that scares you the most when you spiral out of control?
I’m worried my health will never be the same. It’s starting to freak me out a lot. And I’m trying to stay positive and upbeat and strong about it. But the physical symptoms are a LOT to wrangle.
Do you have the strength to go for a run or exercise in someway? How do you feel about exercising?
I used to love taking long walks, and from time to time I would life weights or do those stretchy bands. Lately I get exhausted by very minor things and it frightens me. I could try to see how I could handle some minor weight lifting or stretching…
