Hi
Until about a year and a half ago I never understood that I had a potential issue with anxiety. At this time I lost control of my ability to sleep and developed severe sleep anxiety - ended up breaking down, going on meds etc. I navigated my way through this really well IMO and was really back to 'normal' within 4-6 months. I also came to the understanding that this had been going on for years with me - maybe once every year or two (at differing levels).
I have a pretty stressful job (which I love) and when things don't go 'perfectly' the self imposed stress sets in and it sets of my anxiety - it's like a switch. This has just occurred again in the last couple of weeks. This is probably the first time I actually understood what was going on with me and feel like I have been able to work my way through it within about a week - now I'm quite calm, with limited worry (not irrational worry) and much more present.
I wondered if anyone else deals with this 'situational' and quick onset anxiety that does not occur often and how they best handle it. I would love to be able to really get on top of this, as it's pretty scary when it sets in.
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Hi Craig, this is how it’s been for me too. I’ve tried to go over what triggers it and I think it’s when I get run down and tired and I try to take on too much at work and in life. I feel that each time it happens I deal with it better than the last but for now I’m trying to accept that it’s just me and not to allow myself to get too stressed, eat healthy and sleep well. My friends say that one day I’ll just say enough is enough and I’ll just shrug off the anxiety, I’m hoping they’re right because it is a scary thing to go through. X
Sorry I forgot to add that CBT has really helped me in dealing with it so I have the right tools to overcome it quicker when it does kick in but citalopram helps me by blocking the severity of it with the panic attacks but I wouldn’t recommend citalopram to anyone who struggles with sleep as it can make it harder to sleep for some.
Thanks Gemma - I think you're right.
I think this has to do with how I look after myself - work too much, don't look after my sleep, drink too much...etc. Then when a few things don't go my way, I go into panic mode - which is irrational. I also think I have trained myself to never be present - I find when I address this it really helps.
This is the first time I have actually understood that what was happening to me was not 'real', and I think that really helps. Seems to have gone now (after 4-5 tough days).
I hope like you say it gets easier each time =).
Thanks
Craig