I have a mild case of agoraphobia. I have been working really hard, exercising, meditating, desensitization...trying to do the positive "self talk." Well, I have noticed a trend. Every time I getting ready to start my period (a week before), I see a huge DROP in my mood and my anxiety just shoots back up!!! It's such a bummer, b/c it makes me feel like all my hard work was for nothing. But I try to keep the positive attitude...and boy, I feel like that little voice of anxiety is really working against me. I don't know if it's just the PMS or the high anxiety or my celexa...but just this morning, I woke up feeling like I don't CARE about this certain person in my life anymore. We were never together, he has a g-friend, but he had totally won my heart over (since 1st grade) and hearing from him sort of made or broke my confidence. I would get so lonely for him that I would get really really DOWN. Now, ALL OF A SUDDEN, I just don't care anymore. I woke up this morning with different plans for my future and if he's involved or NOT, I really don't care. I'm sure this is the anxiety playing tricks on me but, me waking up with a totally different attitude...that doesn't mean I'm going crazy does it?? hahaha I'm mean, my emotions for him have been SHUT OFF overnight, is that normal?. I'm just having a hard time dealing with the "self talk" stuff. I feel like I'm going insane! Someone give me some good advice! I could use some uplifting advice or advice from someone who has experienced something familiar! Let me know!!
Thank you for your question.
PMS can most definately have an impact on anxiety. There was a previous post written about this subject: When Anxiety is Tied to Hormonal Changes.
The Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) also has information on how hormones impact anxiety and one theory they put forth is that the connection may help to explain why women seem to develop anxiety more often than men. In the article, it states, "Although the details are still unclear on how hormones affect anxiety disorders in women, the early evidence does indicate that connections do exist."
It seems much more research is needed in this area to help women cope with an increase in anxiety during times of hormonal fluctuations.
It is a great first step that you have seen this correlation in your life. Talk with your doctor, therapist and your gynecologist to see if there is some strategies and treatment you may be able to incorporate to help you through this week or two prior to your period beginning. Just knowing and understanding there is a cause (and that the cause will soon be gone) may help you cope and develop coping strategies.
As far as the certain person in your life, maybe it is simply time for you to move on and find a relationship in which you are that "special" person. You deserve it. Maybe it is time to allow this person to continue to be a friend but time to place your needs first and not tie your hopes of a relationship on someone that wants to be your friend. There is someone waiting for you. Open your heart to allowing someone else in and you never know what may happen.
Please let me know how you are doing.
Eileen
Thank you so much for the wonderful advice. I truly appreciate it and will do my absolute best to cope and change for the best. I'm so glad I found this site. It has helped me so much and I'm so thankful! Thanks again. And before I go, I feel like I have done a great job dealing with my agoraphobia and trying to handle my physical symptoms with stress and anxiety. I seem to be having a really hard time with my anxious "self talk." I'll be feeling great and then that little voice of anxiety will pop in and say, "You're feeling great now, but how long is it going to last?" and so forth. My mind just seems to keep racing with those negative thoughts. I don't understand why. I'm doing my best and trying my hardest to get through this hard time in my life. I try to replace every negative thought with a positive one, but it's really hard!! Will this get better with time? Thanks for the uplifting advice. Thank you.