So I have had anxiety since a traumatic event in my life, and I've noticed that there is this feeling I have. It's not physical but it is like a feeling of uncomfortability in my mind, like my mind is locked in a cell. It's like there is a layer surrounding my mind preventing me from feeling happy, and especially free. I feel like where my mind used to feel free, it now feels trapped, uncomfortable, mentally claustrophobic, or like it's locked in a cell. It's so hard to describe but it just makes me feel like I'm literally never relaxed, and I feel as if I can't experience the free feeling of happiness like I used to. Is this normal with anxiety or has anyone experienced this indescribable feeling? Thx
That is very normal to experience with anxiety.
in a sense we ARE trapped in our mind, because we are not feeling like we are supposed to which is happy with peace of mind.
That layer surrounding our mind is fear, anxiety, and negativity which is no fault of our own .this is what anxiety does to people .
I have had the feeling of not being relaxed for many many years. So I know exactly what you're talking about.
very often, anxiety and depression go hand in hand. Many are not aware they have depression also.
but we absolutely can feel happy again if we don't let fear take us over!
we have to fight for ourselves.
I will share some things that have helped me. They may not all pertain to you so use what you think may help. I send this to people suffering from anxiety.
A book I highly recommend is called Mindfulness. It shows us how to get rid of the negative layers and have control over anxiety.
it.
1. what I did was first of all speak with a counselor. They see this on a daily basis and have the tools to help you manage this. Anxiety and stress is difficult to manage on our own and it really helps to talk to someone else. I keep going even when I start to feel better because it's like a lifeline for me. Find a counselor you feel comfortable with. They help you see the anxiety for what it is and it help you manage it. If you ever really feel out of control and can't manage, seeing a counselor would be the first best step!
Remember....FEAR stands for false evidence appearing real. Which means sometimes when we have symptoms we think they are related to some terrifying disease, when in reality the odds are much higher that they are not. Our minds will go to the negative if we let it, so we must be in control.
Don't let fear take you over! Be a fighter for yourself!
2. Secondly, I go to Google or YouTube and look up audio meditations like one called I put in my earbuds and lie down and listen to them. They teach us to separate our thoughts that are negative from ourselves. This is something I think could really benefit you!! They completely calm down my brain and body to the point where I almost feel like I'm floating.
A couple I really like are called "Train your mind to relax and sleep " and "clearing subconscious negativity"
This is such a great thing to do for your brain and overall health. I do this a couple times a day specially when I'm laying down to sleep.
it will just calm everything down when you are having an acute anxiety attack
For panic attack, search you tube for "panic attack emergency "
3. Stay active! The worst thing you can do is sit around and think too much about all this. It will bring on more anxiety. As well as the symptoms. When I exercise my body completely calms down and the symptoms often go completely away.
4. Stay social! This helps keep your mind off your worries. The less you are alone the better at least until you manage your anxiety. Just do things that you enjoy.
When feeling anxious or anytime you'd like, do deep breathing. Breathing through your nose for about five seconds and make sure your stomach rises. Then exhale through your lips as though you're blowing out a candle slowly for another five seconds. Do this as many times a day as you need to. It helps if you're lying down but you can also do it sitting. This is explained in the book.
Eat healthy! Stay away from processed foods especially sugar. Sugar has an inflammatory response including in the brain. This will just increase your anxiety and can possibly bring on depression.
Remember,The WORST thing you can do is react with fear and anxiety when you get symptoms. Then your brain shoots out a hormone to protect you but it can cause your heart to beat faster, which in turn creates more anxiety! A vicious circle.
I have had symptoms for many many years on and off and now I pretty much ignore them but I do try to stay as healthy as possible and do those things I listed above. The meditation audios really are excellent please try them and do them often !
You will be fine once you get this under a little control. You will have a long great life and you deserve peace and happiness.
Don't let fear take you over! Be a fighter for yourself. Fear is based on non reality.
Hope you feel better soon!! 🌻
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Hello Jake, yes most definitely trauma and the anxiety related to it can make you feel like you do. After trauma we feel very vulnerable and we can unconsciously create safely barriers for ourselves so we feel safe and we can shut down also. The layer you describe is like a protective shield, protecting you from those traumatic feelings, trying to make a safe space for you, but it certainly can feel like you are trapped instead. A lot of feelings are also trapped in that protected space. Have you talked to anyone professionally about your trauma or how you feel? I have been through stood trauma myself and know the feeling of being stuck and trapped inside self.
What are your tips for feeling back to normal??
Much like Jan said
Eat good nutritious food to support your mind and body
Try not to worry about how you are feeling right now ( I know that's s real tough one) as the worry will keep your protection patterns going
It's about relaxing your nervous system again so try to do things that can do that, so your system will start to believe it it safe to return to normal. If you like you can google grounding techniques which help for this. Being in nature works for me and music too and I do breathing techniques.
Also any emotions that were a natural reaction from the traumatic event need to be processed, which may need some professional help from a therapist. These emotions stay trapped within us, they aren't fun to feel but if we don't release them they get stuck and can cause a lot of issues for us long term.
Self care, positive self talk and acceptance of how your body and mind are actually trying to protect you right now can help, instead of seeing this current time as a permanent thing.
Also good friends and support.
You are not alone in these feelings, even though they are uncomfortable they are a normal reaction to trauma.