Hi, Merely Me - thanks for sharing your anxiety story. I think it helps to hear about people's experiences like this because we often think we're the only ones who look stupid or do the wrong thing and everyone else is so confident and sure of themselves. NOT! I don't know of too many people who are all that confident of themselves - one I can think of tries to act like it, but is a nervous wreck which everyone else can see. When I worked, life was a lot more stressful and my kids were younger and needed a lot of attention. As you know, I also have a son with autism so there is a certain amount of stress with that which never quite goes away. Mostly, my anxiety affects my ability to either fall asleep or stay asleep.
Anyway, I look forward to reading more from you!
Hiyah Judy!
Thanks so much for coming over! I feel I can write about endless topics here as I have suffered from anxiety my whole life. I am sure you have your stories as well about battling anxiety issues. I am hoping the rest of our gang comes to visit as well. I am sure most folk who suffer from depression can also relate to having stress and anxiety.
Hope to see you here again! Thanks for reading and commenting.
Hey, Merely Me!
One thing which caught my eye which I have to comment on immediately. If to prove my dateable worthiness, on TV or anywhere else, I must walk a high wire, I may as well join a monastery now.
Anxiety has been a constant companion and I believe a precursor to many periods of depression. I question, at times, which is the bigger part of me. I think anxiety is the larger culprit, particularly where social affairs are concerned. I can also relate to rickety, open steel stairs coming off the 3rd floor of my grade school down which every fire drill required we walk. I dreaded hearing that bell.
The condition hasn't kept me from doing a lot of things, though as a constant companion, it was often the deciding factor in voluntary affairs when it was easier to say no, than to push myself out the door. I remember being told, especially when younger, that I was just nervous when voicing my reservations about doing something or going somewhere and me thinking, yeah, I know that, but why? I still wonder.
I'm looking forward to your writing about this condition as much as I look forward to your writings on other Health Central sites. Good luck to you!
Thanks for being so open. You really help me. You said three things that helped today. Drivers licence at 39. Lets me know we are all different and I don't have to beat myself up for not being like someone else. Face fears. You have been able to face some of your great fears, maybe I can do the same. Help others helps you. That is why I am writing now. I hope what I write helps some one. Thanks for being there "community". I am glad we are not alone.
Awww thanks so much for this comment! You made my day. Yes...community is what it is all about...people helping people. I absolutely do want you to share your story.
Yep...I was a very late bloomer when it comes to driving. There is a lot to that story...I will be sure to tell it.
I hope you make yourself at home here....I am so glad you came over from the depression site. Now we have two homes! yay!
Stay tuned as I will be writing a lot more and I hope you do too.
Hi Merely Me,
I too was helped and surprised when you wrote about getting your driver's license at 39 and your lifetime of anxiety. I was truely inspired by this in the same way the other person wrote about. I thought, 'she did not follow the same order as everyone else, is ok with it all and can write to help others, and is such a source of strength for others coming along.:)
thanks for your openness and strength:)
Marishka
Hey there Marishka!
So glad to see you here! Yep it is true...I am maybe the oldest person to finally get her license. There is much to that story which I will share in a post but...I lived in the city forever and...I always took the bus. Then when we moved...I either took my bike or yes my husband would drive me to places. I am perhaps...unusual but I have survived somehow.
I hope you hang out here in addition to the depression site. It is nice to be surrounded by friendly faces!
Hi Merely Me,
Thanks again for your support. I got to thinking!
I am wondering who helped you driving all those years? Did your husband? Also, what types of therapy helped you most with anxiety or help most?
Marishka
Hello again!
Well mostly my therapy was directed towards alleviating my depression. For anxiety...I have to say...I have suffered. But I have found ways to deal with it on my own. I think that the most important thing about therapy is to find a therapist who you get along with. I think the relationship matters more than the actual method.
Again...I am glad to see you here! Thanks for reading my post!
Hi Merely Me, I was hospitalised for Anxiety at 19, not Depression as you'd imagine. I was treated for Anxiety for years. Then a psychiatrist said that Anxiety is part of Depression, and unless the Depression is dealt with the anxiety will be there. This seems to be present thinking.. but Ideas change. I do know that when i am depressed, the anxiety is bad and is usually a sign that a Depression is on the way. I wake up sometimes with a 'freefloating' Dread. OF nothing and everything. A churning in my stomach, a primal fear, like a wild animal in the wrong territory. I do breathing, Mediatation, stay away from sugar and stimulants. Its been my companion since i was a child, as early as i can remember. At 5 I was put on Sedation for involuntary shaking in bed at night. I learnt the world wasnt a safe place.I never felt safe or loved or that 'its going to turn out ok'. I try and give myself those messages now. Isay hey rose you got this far. Fear and Anxiety burn up so much energy and cause cortisol to go v high in the body making auto immune disease and acid worse in the body.Knowing this doesnt make it better. Each time i go out that door, i am anxious, why? because i am an anxious individual. going to a class all make me v anxious. I sweat, blush, but carry it off and people think Im very assertive and confident lol. Compensation acting ?
Its stopped me doing alot of things - travelling,taking parts offered, jobs offered.
Sometimes I wonder if its the Ego, afraid of failure ? or a survival mechanism gone wrong. My doctor years ago when i was 16 or 17 told me some Violins were very finely tuned, and that was me !!! lol.
So good to see you Rose!
Thanks for coming here. Yeah anxiety has been my buddy for all my years and it seems to be getting worse now for me. Perhaps it is my MS...I don't know.
I like the violin analogy...that would be me too. I get that dread thing in the morning too...it is horrible.
well...I am glad you are here. lots to talk about between depression and anxiety huh?
Now how about that cruise? 
Hi Merely Me, Quite a few people Ive spoken with, have that morning 'dread' churning fear in the stomach, for me its an elevator,, going up and down continously, not so much butterflies, but the solar plexus are the target. Another friend of mine is Vertigo. great ! I get in on the light Rail or bus, usually in a crowded place. It makes me stagger and just to put the icing on the Cake - people stare. I do find keeping my life simple, eating regularly, cutting out junk-food, meditation and trying [not easy] to stay away from Toxic people helps. I always thought as we got older, that we got more confident, it seems to be the opposite with me lol. I have this dread, that they find a Vaccine for Anxiety,Phobias,General anxiety Disorder, depression and that its a one off shot in the arm. A safe Vaccine that leaves you without needless fear and andrenaline rushes. Calm, perfectly running brain chemicals, no major panic attacks. thats a dream ok ? The Cruise.. No MM I havent forgotten the Cruise. Its just on the back burner. Hard to get enthusiastic in this cold cold weather.
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hi
I was pulled underwater
Right now I wont even go near water because i'm scared of it
I'm anxious going to bed and anxious about getting up
Jon
Hi Jon!
I am glad you came over to join this site! I hear you about water. I can go in it but not deep water...it definitely scares me.
So your anxiety is pretty much all day? I am sorry Jon...that must be so hard to live with. What sorts of things help to calm you?
not much
If I get out and talk to someone
I have a hard time with that
I get heartbearn.
Jon
Hi Jon, Good to see you over here on this site too. Jon, I understand your fear of water. I feel embarrassed of mine. When I was a young kid, 3, my elderly grandma was bathing me, I went underwater and she couldnt get me up. Believe it or not, I remember that. I have a dreadful fear of water. I hate public swimming 'baths' or pools and cant stand the chlorine. I can only go into water at the Sea. I find that a long soak in a bath can be very therapeutic Jon. Relaxing,, get your neck down into it and let it relax your muscles.