Im Jack, I'm '44. I've struggled with anxiety since I was a child. I got a fairly good grip of it in my 20s, after a difficult period in my teens (but everyone has difficulties in their teens, right)? I went to college, settled down with a woman and had a fairly normal life. It all went horribly wrong when I turned 30. My partner and I had a little girl, and we drifted apart. Things got very bitter and I left her and went to Australia. It was in Australia that my anxiety came back in the most overwhelming way. I was so ill with it I became unreasonable and delusional and I was sectioned. I have dual citizenship so I didn't have to leave Australia immediately. I've never really properly recovered from that horrific episode. Not long after this happened, my brother who also suffered from anxiety, hanged himself. We were very close. My anxiety levels became intolerable and I was terrified I would also kill myself, which I didn't want my family to suffer. I began self medicating, with booze and benzodiazepines. I've been in and out of hospital since then. My last stay in hospital was 3 months ago. I am on so much medication and the side effects are really catching up with me now I'm 44. I feel physically ill and anxious most of the time. I'm so tired of always struggling. I've long ago destroyed any social life I had. I used to be able to kid myself I still had some good years left. I don't now. I'm not saying I'm going to kill myself. I'm just truly sick of everything at the moment. I feel so desperately sad, anxious and unknown.
I started cbt a couple of years ago, but then I moved and the therapy stopped. It's definitely something I'm open to trying again. In fact I will speak to my psychiatrist about it when I next see him.
Thank you for taking the time to reply to me, I appreciate it, and I will take your advice.
sad to hear about your anxiety---you are not alone who are facing the anxity problem----there is million and billion people who have terrible anxiety problem---i have terrible anxiety problems and having panic attacks start when i was 26 now i am 30-----i visit alot of doctors and medicine didnot help me some time i am fine and most of the time i am not feeling well feel heavy on my left chest and have lot gas and burps---when my burps starts i burps hours-----which i discuss with doctor they say it to me its acid reflux......to be very honest some time i cry because when i see other people happy and i feel i am the one who are facing that kind of problem but my friend we are not alone recently i meet with few peoples they have the same problem with me but they never google and never think seriously about it---i have panic attacks when i am travelling in plane or in bullet train i feel that i have heart attacka nd later on burps starts------with that kind of conditions i am working daily 9 hours to 11 hours----and my work is not an office job i am working in a company as a labour--before i check spare parts of the car and now i am hanging parts all day----we need to go with it man for all our life----- anxiety didnot mean we will quit our work or life----we should face the problem by my own when ever i am at ork and having anxiety i didnot focus on that though i feel to bad but work is important to bcoz i have family i should work for them------may be this week i go to the doctor and ask for endoscopy in my own country i really want endoscopy and i discuss it with many doctors but they say me your problem is not severe----my opnion for you is that go to gastroenterologist and tell him that you want to do an endoscopy------if suppose you have gastritis or gerds doctor will give you medicine if it didnot go then there is a surgery for that which can help you alot-------i mention it again i have severe anxiety before i feel my heart escape beat and it will make me super worried bcoz i feel my heart stop for a while and then suddenly starts again----Thank God i feel fine from that i used famotodine tablets 40 mg 2 times a day for 2 months which helps me alot----now ihave a problem but i feel better then before try to go to the doctor and ask for endoscopy---or if you want try famotidine 40 mg hope it will help you-----and keep us update here and me to i will update you here whats going on if i find any medicine which can help me i will leave a msg to you here may b it will help you to
Jack you need to seek therapy such as cbt my love as they will give you coping startergies and hopefully turn around your way of thinking. I dont suffer as you do but im 53 and for the first time in my life im going to cbt Im fed up crying feeling anxious and being unhappy within. Im also going to have hypnotherapy to see if that can help too. I am on medication which has helped but I know that is not a long term solution and I need to get to the root of my anxiety and like your self I have had this since an early age. I want to spend the rest of my life enjoying life and enjoying my children and grandchildren. You are stronger than you think my friend. Im sure by writing on here to there will be others to help give you the strength to keep going and hopefully start to reassure along with proffessional help
your reply has really helped. It is very reassuring to hear from someone around my own age who is successfully or perhaps I should say, appropriately dealing with anxiety. I had never considered hypnotherapy, but it is something I will now look into.
I'm so sorry to read about your high levels of anxiety and depression. It sounds like you went through a really stressful experience when you were 30, and things have been spiraling out of control since.
Have you ever thought of trying hypnotherapy? It is a safe and practical approach to re-learning how to train your brain to slow down, let go of anxious thoughts, and experience a far deeper level of mental and physical relaxation than usual. With practice (self hypnosis) you can learn how to get these effects more and more consistently, and you'll notice that those effects last longer and longer until they replace the pattern of negative thoughts and emotion. In a nutshell, it teaches you how to take back control of your mind and thoughts.
Wherever you are living you should be able to find a good practitioner, and I would recommend reading up on hypnosis beforehand so that you know how it works. The book "Self-hypnosis The complete manual for health and self-change" by Brain M Alman and Peter Lambrou is very thorough. Or if you would prefer a shorter read, the one that started me on my journey was "Self Hypnosis" by William J Ousby (an older book, but simple and effective). Don't worry if you find it challenging to get on top of the anxiety with self-hypnosis at first, it does take some practice. A shorter route is taking a session with a hypnotherapist who will guide you through the steps and show you how to practice them by yourself - ask for an audio recording from them so you can practice more easily.
I really hope this helps. I have seen excellent results with my anxiety clients in the past, and they all attest to the relaxing, calming effects of hypnosis. I also practice it myself to keep daily stressors under control. It is really worth trying out, and at the very least you will find it a pleasant and relaxing experience.
your ur reply has given me some perspective. I realise I'm not alone, there are others suffering with anxiety and many struggling to cope with symptoms more sever than mine.
You sound very courageous and tenacious. I need to put things in perspective and realise that life can be a struggle. I had an endoscopy last year and was told I have gastritis and a hiatas hernia.
Thankyou for taking the time to offer me your helpful words.
Thank you for your very helpful, practical advice and the names of those books. This is something I am definitely going to look into.
Im actually quite excited by the prospect. Hypnosis seems like a practical therapy that offers relief and may help me to actually change the way I react to my emotions and experiences.
I am very encouraged by your kind and considered response. Thanks, you've given me something tangible I can look into and that has given me a good measure of hope.
You are very welcome. I am sure that positive attitude will enhance the benefits of hypnosis. I would add that keeping an open mind is the best approach as it is a different experience for everyone. Consistent, flexible practice is the way! Do let me know how it goes or if I can help in any way (questions etc).
I'm living in Scotland at the moment but I may move back to Australia in the future. I have started therapy, cbt and psychotherapy on a couple of occasions but something has cropped up every time which has interrupted and stopped the therapy. A death in the family or moving to a different country.
you are very welcolm my love I know I am very fortunate I only work part time but I have a very understanding manager and colleges and I have supportive friends and my doctor has been really good but I do know that those that suffer from this illness that do not get that support so if I can help anyone at all I will. I hope the hypnotherapy will work and Iam keeping my thoughts positive that it will. up until about six weeks ago for about five months I dont think there was a day go by where i didnt cry it was fustrating and I felt lost here a mature women sobbing every day not knowing which way to turn. There can be light at the end of the tunnel think of yourself for once and what ever treatment or course of action you decide to take dont let anything get in the way do it for you and do it for your own health YOU can change that is what I am telling my self. please keep in touch with people on here they are so supportive