Hi everyone,
I've been reading through some if the threads here and you all seem like you are really having to cope with a lot.
My own anxiety (I haven't actually been to a doctor for it so no diagnosis) actually centres around a different, physical condition I have, that causes my bladder to burn and spasm- there is no cure for my condition, but thankfully it tends to have long periods of remission (my last major episode was 2010), therefore I have long periods free from serious anxiety. However, when I do experience a "flare up" of my physical problem, I really seriously struggle with anxiety, because of the sheer hopelessness I feel, wondering if this time I won't go into remission and I'll be left in pain for the rest of my life. This evening I felt the beginning of a flare up with my bladder, and I had a proper full-on anxiety attack, probably the worst I've ever had. I'm so scared, it's left me feeling very weak, and dreading it happening again. Also, a lot of the online advice for panic attacks seem to work with the reassurance that the panic is for no reason, and that nothing bad is going to happen. But in my case, it's not for no reason, and something bad is happening, and I'm panicking because I can't cope with that! Does anyone else here have anxiety or panic attacks as a result of chronic pain, or some other physical condition?
Thank you x
Hi,
Yes, I frequently have anxiety as a response to chronic pain. I have chronic pain syndrome and once in a while, when I get really stressed out and anxious, I'll remember that I'm in pain all the time and it'll trigger an attack. What I find helps is calling or talking to a friend that can distract me and tell me how strong I am to be dealing with all of this while still going about my daily life (or trying to). When you feel it start coming on, try to distract yourself. Watch a movie or talk to a friend or play instrument or do any hobbie that you love. It really helps. Best of luck.
Hi eve,
Your situation sounds tough, it's great that you have people to talk to. Being in pain is a very dark and frightening place, I find it makes me feel more lonely somehow, because I'm the only one who can feel my own particular pain at that time, if that makes sense. I think I need to make myself talk about it when it happens- I often get so that I'm reluctant Ro talk about it, because that makes it "too real", which I know is very silly, and I'm sure if I talked about it more then I could get reassurance from others.
Thanks x
I feel the same sometimes. I sometimes avoid talking about it because I feel like if I do then it'll become more real than it is. I like to pretend that if I ignore it and don't talk about it or think about it, it doesn't exist. Of course, that's not the case. I think talking about it is fine, as long as talking about it doesn't become excessive or turn into "complaining."