[whisperingskye]

I already posted this in the depression forum but I guess it's more fitting here. Hoping for some words of wisdom...

I don't know what the problem is with me right now. This is an unusual thing for me.

I very very rarely have issues with anxiety. Yet for the last couple of weeks it has become a regular occurrence. And with it I'm getting very agitated. And I'm struggling to deal with it.

The only way I have found to ease it is alcohol and self harm. Not healthy I know.

I just feel so on edge all of the time and by the evening I can't keep it in check.

I don't know what to do...

Have you the number for your local crisis line? Have you considered presenting yourself to an emergency room?

In the meantime, slow down. I can do this by concentrating on where I am and my 'place' in it (I believe this is called mindfulness). Consider the feel of the ground beneath your feet. Is it soft or hard. If you are wearing footwear, imagine the point of contact with the floor, the socks inside your shoes, the pressure upon the soles of your feet. Move on up. Is anything in your hands? What is its texture, etc. What 'relationship' do you have with whatever is around you?

When I am anxious I hold onto a 'worry' object like a stone.

When I think of SH, I drag a feather across my inside arms.

I'm sure others have some great ideas too. That's because we care.

[Skeezyks]

Anxiety is something I've pretty-much always struggled with. Some things that help me currently are walking meditation, going for walks outside, & listening to soft music... particularly chant. I also avoid watching things on TV or the internet that are of a violent or otherwise disturbing nature. My personal opinion is there is a lot we can do in terms of managing our immediate surroundings that will help to minimize the amount of stress / anxiety we experience.

Beyond that, since I am a "student" of the Buddhist nun Pema Chödrön, I strive to simply stay with things as they are in the present moment... whether it be happiness or sadness, calm or anxiety, serenity or fear. I strive to hold my seat, maintain my equanimity & meet it with acceptance & lovingkindness for myself & whatever it is I am experiencing.

[whisperingskye]

Originally Posted by justafriend306

Have you the number for your local crisis line? Have you considered presenting yourself to an emergency room?

In the meantime, slow down. I can do this by concentrating on where I am and my 'place' in it (I believe this is called mindfulness). Consider the feel of the ground beneath your feet. Is it soft or hard. If you are wearing footwear, imagine the point of contact with the floor, the socks inside your shoes, the pressure upon the soles of your feet. Move on up. Is anything in your hands? What is its texture, etc. What 'relationship' do you have with whatever is around you?

When I am anxious I hold onto a 'worry' object like a stone.

When I think of SH, I drag a feather across my inside arms.

I'm sure others have some great ideas too. That's because we care.

I'm not at the stage where I would need a crisis line and emergency room would achieve nothing. Thanks though.

I know a bit about mindfulness, have never quite managed to do it well. I should probably try harder..I just always find instead of relaxing me it makes me feel a whole lot worse, never quite worked out why.

They same thing seems to happen with meditation or any other kind of relaxation I try.

[Fuzzybear]

[glowsinthedark]

You mention this is unusual for you - any idea of what might have triggered it? Is there something in particular you feel anxious/depressed about? Or is it free-floating?

[whisperingskye]

No idea what triggered it. It seems to just be free floating. I have been struggling more lately with my mood so it's probably linked to that, just find it weird it's not happened before.