A safe place for anxiety sufferers to share.

hedonist

I wonder if writing a letter to your mom might help?  You articulate yourself pretty well in words; perhaps you could do the same with her.  Plus it allows her to digest it all in silence, at her pace, think about it, etc.  It may change nothing, but making the effort could do wonders for your self-esteem.

And speaking of others bringing you down, don't let one or two assholes here (or anywhere) make you feel unworthy.  To me, it says a lot about the character of someone who would deal a mean blow under the guise of "help".

Try not to overwhelm yourself with what-ifs.  Just one breath, one step, at a time.

You can do it.

HughFreakingDillon

hedonist said:

I wonder if writing a letter to your mom might help?  You articulate yourself pretty well in words; perhaps you could do the same with her.  Plus it allows her to digest it all in silence, at her pace, think about it, etc.  It may change nothing, but making the effort could do wonders for your self-esteem.

And speaking of others bringing you down, don't let one or two assholes here (or anywhere) make you feel unworthy.  To me, it says a lot about the character of someone who would deal a mean blow under the guise of "help".

Try not to overwhelm yourself with what-ifs.  Just one breath, one step, at a time.

You can do it.

excellent suggestion, hedo. I have found this works well in all avenues. My wife recently wrote a letter to me about concerns she had about our relationship, and it allowed me to digest it without the immediacy of a conversation where things can quickly spiral into anger and defensiveness. 

I highly recommend her suggestion. 

dankind

I've always been forthright about my mental health (in classrooms, work environments, at home, out with friends/family), and it has only been helpful. It relieves the heavy burden of anxiety that manifests itself when it feels like I'm hiding an essential part of who I am.  

I even mentioned my old therapist (jocularly) in a job interview once, and I got the damn job!

Having said that, it has only come up naturally. If it doesn't come up naturally, I wouldn't feel like I'm hiding anything if I didn't bring it up. I mean, if I just brought it up out of the blue, that would just make me seem crazy.

deadendp

dankind said:

I've always been forthright about my mental health (in classrooms, work environments, at home, out with friends/family), and it has only been helpful. It relieves the heavy burden of anxiety that manifests itself when it feels like I'm hiding an essential part of who I am.  

I even mentioned my old therapist (jocularly) in a job interview once, and I got the damn job!

Having said that, it has only come up naturally. If it doesn't come up naturally, I wouldn't feel like I'm hiding anything if I didn't bring it up. I mean, if I just brought it up out of the blue, that would just make me seem crazy.

Seem?

I believe in honesty. I believe if you lead with, "Hi, my name is T_A and I am currently enjoying the benefits of a better psych drug," that may be a bit TMI for that moment. I agree with Dankind that roll with it if it comes up naturally. "You know, the character in that movie was so incredibly anxious. My heart goes out to them. I truly understand their struggle." My guess? That honesty will be appreciated. The door has been cracked open for the date to comment, ask... I feel that if they want to know more in that moment, they will open that door more. If not, it isn't saying that they don't want to know, but are respecting the courage it took to mention it and may discuss it further (bit by bit) in time. 

Thoughts_Arrive

hedonist said:

I wonder if writing a letter to your mom might help?  You articulate yourself pretty well in words; perhaps you could do the same with her.  Plus it allows her to digest it all in silence, at her pace, think about it, etc.  It may change nothing, but making the effort could do wonders for your self-esteem.

And speaking of others bringing you down, don't let one or two assholes here (or anywhere) make you feel unworthy.  To me, it says a lot about the character of someone who would deal a mean blow under the guise of "help".

Try not to overwhelm yourself with what-ifs.  Just one breath, one step, at a time.

You can do it.

I would if she knew how to read English. And I cannot express myself how I would in her native language.

lastexitlondon

Is she italian by chance. My partners family are blunt and rude and racist. They are italian. 
I wrote  a letter once on the advice of a councillor.  To my dad. And the idea is to write it wether its sent or not. In my case i did not send it . But it cleansed me a fair bit. 

Thoughts_Arrive

Croatian.

Maybe I might try that. I actually started one years ago to my family.

OffSheGoes35

rgambs isn't back yet. :( 

deadendp

OffSheGoes35 said:

rgambs isn't back yet. :( 

I believe it is generally a 2 week minimum. It's not a permaban.  He'll be back.

mickeyrat

deadendp said:

OffSheGoes35 said:

rgambs isn't back yet. :( 

I believe it is generally a 2 week minimum. It's not a permaban.  He'll be back.

mine were a week each. first one they forgot about me. had to email them.

deadendp

mickeyrat said:

deadendp said:

OffSheGoes35 said:

rgambs isn't back yet. :( 

I believe it is generally a 2 week minimum. It's not a permaban.  He'll be back.

mine were a week each. first one they forgot about me. had to email them.

Ahh. I am wrong. Sorry about that. Maybe that's why he isn't back. 

mickeyrat

deadendp said:

mickeyrat said:

deadendp said:

OffSheGoes35 said:

rgambs isn't back yet. :( 

I believe it is generally a 2 week minimum. It's not a permaban.  He'll be back.

mine were a week each. first one they forgot about me. had to email them.

Ahh. I am wrong. Sorry about that. Maybe that's why he isn't back. 

or he is using his time off here incredibly well......

OffSheGoes35

mickeyrat said:

deadendp said:

mickeyrat said:

deadendp said:

OffSheGoes35 said:

rgambs isn't back yet. :( 

I believe it is generally a 2 week minimum. It's not a permaban.  He'll be back.

mine were a week each. first one they forgot about me. had to email them.

Ahh. I am wrong. Sorry about that. Maybe that's why he isn't back. 

or he is using his time off here incredibly well......

Probably. He goes hiking and shit...

lastexitlondon

He grows his own food also and its cropping time so he may be canning toms. Either way wrongful  ban in my eyes. We must protect eachother. And will do the same with hindsight i didnt act because i want to not shoot from the hip as i would  in life. On here its just so easy to implode at the ignorance i encounter  to all subjects really.  
No human should  be little anothers pain. Ever 

Thoughts_Arrive

Exactly Rob.
The 'lazy' comment was the most hurtful. Little does he know I am trying my best.
Anyways, rgambs, if you're reading I send you my love.

OffSheGoes35

rgambs, quit enjoying yourself and email the mods, so you can get your a$$ back on here!

lastexitlondon

Im not sure what the word for it is but im getting in a zone where i no longer care about anything  much. Not sure if its dangerous or not but i do feel like ive reached a point of resignation or defeat. 
I guess i will find out

Thoughts_Arrive

Are you on medication? Some antidepressants can have that effect.
It could be a sense of learned helplessness creeping in as you have been unable to escape from the anxiety.
I am in a Facebook support group for people with mental health issues and someone posted that they are dealing with health anxiety, so know you are not alone Rob, have you tried searching for a Facebook support group for people with health anxiety specifically?
If I don't reply it's because I have to go bed, getting late and need to be up early. Take care bud.

OffSheGoes35

Deleted.

Thoughts_Arrive

My anxiety really went through the roof during a lecture when a girl I met last week walked in. I am still anxious.
Girls make me anxious to the point I feel sick.