what can i do about my anxiety, just want to be normal and happy?

Question

hi, ive suffered severe anxiety / social phobia for the past 18 years and really need to get sorted, feel im just existing with no meaning in life, ive been off work for 4 days since the new year break and really feel i cant go back tomorrow the thought of it makes me feel sick, i was a manager in my last job for 10 years until i got paid off 6 months ago now im just a shelf filler and know ill never be anymore than that because of my anxiety, should i ask my doctor for a sick line? anybody any ideas what im going to do? im sick of worrying being anxious but can never imagine living a normal life. Serious answers only please

hi, i thought about yoga but again im too anxious to go to yoga classes, do many guys go to yoga? thanks

Answer 1

Tell yourself: "I am good enough for anything in life". "I am worthy of the best that life has to offer". "I love myself and am worthy of love".
"I actively love and therefore love is returned".
It will be hard at first but if you consciously only think those thoughts, in about a month, you will change your way of thinking. After about 4 months you will suddenly realise that your life is going in a much better direction that what you've been accustomed to in the past.
See, it's cognitive therapy. Using positive thoughts with no room for argument will eventually take the place of negative dialogues in your mind. Your anxiety is self-created AND a wonderful, joyous life can also be self-created. I wish you the best of luck.
You will be exactly what you want to be as soon as you quiet your inner "chatter". Prepare yourself for the surprise of your life when you feel your mind empty and light.
Best wishes.

I read the advice about Yoga. It is good when you have a foundation to base it on. It isn't so good when you are adrift. The fella above me recommended a book. I haven't read it but judging from the title it will be along the same lines as the book I'd advise you to get. I would say, you first need to change your general outlook before using tools such as yoga. It is good and by all means, try it for exercise but the mind can be extremely tricky and you will need to unravel all the tangles and negativity before focusing on yoga.
Once again, prozac - a tool - is ok in the short run but isn't a cure. You need to go to the source and the source is the thoughts in your mind. You are the only person occupying your mind and it is up to you to create a great environment.

Answer 2

Every person at least one time has gone through this stages The situation occurs due to
1> Work pressure , tension , fear of fail
2> situation under which we cant do anything to prevent it.
Remedies
1> Try to think about anything else e.g. what will you do on holidays.
2>Take a walk, can increase your confidence.
3> Yoga. Just relax concentrate on your breathing with both eyes closed.
4> Pray. No matter how tired mentally , physically you are ,it will recharge you.
5> Leave that incident ,learn from it. Make sure you will not suffer it again in your whole life.

Answer 3

You need to take your mind off of yourself, trust me all anxiety bols down to is you concentrating more on yourself and the past that the outside and the future. I've been having trouble with anxiety this past month, I know its nothing compared to 18 years but even in this short time ive experienced panic attacks which have not been nice. don't try and figure out what caused your anxiety in the past, the past is irrelevant. Instead focus on the now. You need a target to aim for such as maybe getting a new job or chasing a dream such as travelling for example. Anxiety is not an illness, and its not somethign that will drive you crazy, its just your mind over reacting to the world.

See a doctor.

Answer 4

You should seriously consider going to your GP and asking for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, it deals with the errors in your thinking, and exposes you to your fears, in your case social situations and from the sound of it self esteem issues.

You say that you will never make anymore of yourself, this is not true, it is your anxiety speaking, negative self talk etc.

I have suffered with severe anxiety problems myself for four years. I had to pull out of uni and became housebound with agoraphobia due to extreme health anxiety, but since beginning CBT therapy recently I am slowly getting back to normal (whatever that is!). If you had asked me a year ago if I thought I'd ever get better, the answer would have been no. Now I feel totally different! Life can only get better!

CBT is the best form of therapy and can help people no matter how long and badly you have suffered!

For more info try these links:


http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Booklets/Making+sense/MakingsenseCBT.htm

Answer 5

You must discuss this with your GP. Your GP should be able to refer you for counseling. MIND are the charitable organisation that can probably help. Down here in Hastings we probably have the countries best NHS mental problems support team. I went to a men's group meeting regularly and also individual sessions. There are prescription drugs that might help, but some can actually make it worse, so if you are prescribed something the doesn't seem to work then go back to the GP and they'll try another type. Any believe it or not, there is a dummies guide book on dealing with anxiety, you might gain something from the book, it's called "Overcoming Anxiety for Dummies (For Dummies)".

Answer 6

concerning yoga-great idea, but why dont you buy a yoga dvd and start out at home if you feel uncomfortable joining a group. and yes- many men participate in yoga classes.(even"manly" men) and listen to all this great advise you received from these other people.you have a very common problem.there so many people that share what you are going through. best wishes

Answer 7

Firstly cut out caffeine and alcohol if you need to.

Then try Dianetics - you can buy a book on it for about £6 and learn about the therapy; which can be cheap also.

Try to avoid becoming dependent upon prescribed or any other drugs. They may hide the symptoms but will not be a cure.

Good luck!

Answer 8

You sound like you are living a life of fear and that can be cured.

Read Eckhart Tolles "The Power of Now"

Trust me, just read it. It will change your life.

Answer 9

I think you feel so alone and very lonely and lost SOI suggest you gets some pills to settle you down from the dr and then find out who you are what you are and follow your heart and I do so wish you could find a mate that would help you and love you for what you want to be and this is what I think, How cl;ose to the truth am I?

Answer 10

Hi there - please, please, please TRY YOGA!!!!! I had the same **** going on with me and the yoga made ALL the difference - I am not joking. It changed my life (so much that now I teach yoga). Don't lose hope - b/c there is hope. I tried medication I tried therapy and yoga has helped the MOST.
Good luck. :)