When daily life becomes effected
Hi all! I have been struggling with anxiety since I was 8 years old (now 22). And although it has gotten a bit better, it still effects my daily life. I work in business and seriously struggle when I go into a meeting (especially when I’m presenting), or have to travel for work. My boss recently asked me to travel for a work project which I initially said yes to. Over the weekend though, my anxiety took control and I had to text my boss to tell him I couldn’t go. I was physically sick. Throwing up for 3 days straight in anticipation for this business trip. I know I’m missing out on opportunities which is effecting me and the job I’ve worked so hard to get. And to make it worse, I have very little support for when my anxiety attacks hit.
I'm really sorry you go through that Roze. I can relate too as I also have anxiety. When it hits, do you do any exercises to help ease the anxiety? A few things that have been helping for me is self help books focused on anxiety. One book I'm reading is called badass ways to end anxiety. I've only been on 7cups for about a week but it's done wonders to talk and be open about my anxiety. Another app that helps (they have exercises for especially when you're experiencing anxiety) is called DARE. I'm a pretty lazy person but I had to learn from a past anxiety attack that if I wanted to get any better, I had to learn to put the work and effort in to get better. Learning to overcome anxiety, from my experience, means retraining your thoughts and knowing that anxiety can't physically hurt you. Whenever your anxiety flares up, face it head on and tell yourself this "So what if I get an anxiety attack? It can't hurt me" it takes practice. I've done this only a few days now but I found that when I say this to myself, I literally feel the anxiety slipping away and a sense of calm washing over me. It really does help :) I know how you feel about not having the support you need to help you through it. I've had to learn to take the bull by the horns and help myself because I don't have anyone who knows what it feels like to experience anxiety. You can and will get through this!