Anxiety

[mel]

What are some tips or tricks you use to manage anxiety?

I'm going to be out of town for a few days to visit my family and up until last week I was excited to go. Now I'm all anxious about being away from home and being around people. I'm seriously contemplating not going but I do want to see my parents and my sister. I just need to get over the anxious feeling of leaving home for a few days.

[lovelovelove]

Sorry you're feeling that way- I know what you're talking about with wanting to go but wanting to cancel.

For managing my anxiety, I take long hot showers and drink lots of water. I clean, and I play games on my phone. These all help distract me if I'm feeling the anxiety build. Breathing exercises also. As for managing the anxiety about the trip, I don't have much advice bc I feel the same a lot of the time with plans. Generally what makes me go through with my plans is that I get more anxious about having to make an excuse not to go.

Hugs! You'll get through this.

[Deleted]

Breathing and pep talking myself. It's always better once you're there, it's just making the effort to get there.

You can do it!

[mel]

Of course my flight is delayed. Ugh! Now I really just want to go home.

[kirra]

Breathing.
Distractions.
Zentangles.

[btay]

I always bring a little bit of home with me when I travel, usually my favorite blanket. I also still allow myself alone time, even when visiting family. I go to the hotel early, or if I am staying with them I claim to go to bed early and then just read, or play on the internet by myself for a bit.

[Deleted]

Mar 10, 2015 11:54:08 GMT -5 mel said:

Of course my flight is delayed. Ugh! Now I really just want to go home.

Hope you made it there without too much distress!  Was going to suggest deep focused breathing.  Maybe for the flight home!  ((Mel))

[mel]

I made it and am having a good time with my family. I resisted the urge to hit up a bar at the airport. Now I'm staying pretty distracted with my family. I'm glad I came.

[mel]

Now I'm all freaking out because I go home tomorrow. I've had a great time with my family and tomorrow I will be back in my house all by myself with all of my "tools" available to me.

[lovelovelove]

Sorry maybe try to remind yourself what a good trip you had to try to keep a positive attitude. It's so tough. Can you get in with your therapist asap and to an AA meeting? And talk to us as much as you need!

[Deleted]

mel, how was the flight? How are things going for you?

[mel]

The flight was not bad. I got home in time to go to church this morning and then I took a nap because I was supposed to work tonight. I got all freaked out about going to work tonight ("but I've been away from my 'tools' for 5 days and even if I don't use them I still want to be near them just in case I decide I need them"). So I stayed home from work. I'm incredibly lonely and thought being at work would help but I was too anxious about leaving home. I see my therapist in a few days so I'll be discussing this sudden separation anxiety with her then. I'm also going to try to get to another AA meeting this week and I've asked to meet up with one of my good friends who has always been there for me. I plan to tell her everything that's been going on so that I can get her feedback and support as well.

I did have a drink when I was with my family. I had bought beer last time that I was there and I left it there. It was still there when I got there last week so I had one. My mom has the mindset of anything more than 1 drink makes you an alcoholic. She grew up with an alcoholic father so she has a skewed perception when it comes to alcohol. She made the comment "you better be careful with the booze. You are going to become an alcoholic". I replied with "mom having one drink doesn't make someone an alcoholic. See look I bought this last year. Look how long it's lasted me. One beer in 6 months is fine". I hid the fact that I've been drinking a lot lately including the three day binge. I'm not sure if it's because to me it's really not that bad, if I'm ashamed of it, or if I don't want her to worry about me, or all 3. It didn't feel good to lie though.

I have to go to work tomorrow night. I have to make myself go.

[Deleted]

Mar 16, 2015 0:08:34 GMT -5 mel said:

She made the comment "you better be careful with the booze. You are going to become an alcoholic". I replied with "mom having one drink doesn't make someone an alcoholic. See look I bought this last year. Look how long it's lasted me. One beer in 6 months is fine". I hid the fact that I've been drinking a lot lately including the three day binge. I'm not sure if it's because to me it's really not that bad, if I'm ashamed of it, or if I don't want her to worry about me, or all 3. It didn't feel good to lie though.

This is reason to go to another AA meeting.  You need to figure out if you are really an alcoholic.  

[flex]

Mar 16, 2015 0:08:34 GMT -5 mel said:

I did have a drink when I was with my family. I had bought beer last time that I was there and I left it there. It was still there when I got there last week so I had one. My mom has the mindset of anything more than 1 drink makes you an alcoholic. She grew up with an alcoholic father so she has a skewed perception when it comes to alcohol. She made the comment "you better be careful with the booze. You are going to become an alcoholic". I replied with "mom having one drink doesn't make someone an alcoholic. See look I bought this last year. Look how long it's lasted me. One beer in 6 months is fine". I hid the fact that I've been drinking a lot lately including the three day binge. I'm not sure if it's because to me it's really not that bad, if I'm ashamed of it, or if I don't want her to worry about me, or all 3. It didn't feel good to lie though.

I have to go to work tomorrow night. I have to make myself go.

This concerns me.  I understand why you weren't forthcoming about the 3-day binge because who wants to get lectured?  But I want you to re-read what I bolded and really think about what you said.  Any of the reasons you listed is not worth lying about, KWIM?

[mel]

I'm going to another meeting tomorrow morning and I have an appointment with my therapist tomorrow as well. I absolutely am on a very bad path right now and am abusing alcohol in place of cutting. I'm just substituting one for the other. I want and need to get back on track. I hope I can.

[sigir]

Mel, are you back on meds? I know you were on, then off. They could really help. I feel for you, I've BTDT.

[mel]

I am not on anything at the moment and haven't been since October. Counseling had been managing my depression and anxiety very well up until February (which February - end of April is tough every year). I did not get along with my psychiatrist at all as she had me on a combo of 6 different medications and never listened when I told her that it wasn't working for me and I felt way over-medicated. I felt like a zombie all the time. I set up an appointment with a new psychiatrist but it's not until next month. I am willing to be on meds but I need to be able to still function everyday.