[need2move4ward]

I broke down last night in tears from working so hard to find a place to live. I hope I'm over it--it needed to come out---I'm in the "what if" stages, I also start school in a week after being off a year, I am scared.
I am scared of everything, why? The only thing I'm doing to take care of myself is eating healthy. No exercise, smoking a bit too much, and tensing up with stress that I'm physically exhausted, and my heart won't stop racing.
Why is this happening?
Is difficulty swallowing part of anxiety and panic disorder?
I tell my doc--be he just looks at me.

[NewDawnFades]

Dear need2move4ward,

I am sorry that you are having a rough time right now. I do understand those feelings. Every feeling that you mentioned are some of the basic tenants of anxiety and panic disorders. Physical exhaustion, racing heart, tension, and difficulty swallowing are all indications of anxiety along with the panic attacks. It seems that you are burnt out from all these things piling on at one time. I know that I would be, for sure.

I want to mention some things that might help a little. As bad as the panic attacks and the anxiety can get, I found that praying will be the foundation for the next points I am going to add. Find a doctor that will take your struggles seriously. I gathered that he is not showing any concern for your well-being. I could be wrong though. From what I have read, this one is not cutting it. Second, is to get rest! You mentioned it yourself, that you are physically exhausted. Your body is begging for it. I really struggle with insomnia and know how much lack of rest can affect both the body and mind. Finally, I have found that if you make a ordered list of the things that you need to have done (by importance), you then have a tool to use to keep everything in perspective. When things begin to mount up, I automatically start making a list. Those along with calm breathing, drinking water, listening to soothing music, and making time for myself, have offered some relief during some of the most stressful times in my life.

For me, one of the most important things that I have to remember (but I forget all too often), is when Jesus said, "Why do you worry about tomorrow? Let tomorrow worry about itself." I added that because you are scared about going back to school after a one-year hiatus. I have been off work for 6 months due to major surgery on my shoulder. Next week, I get cleared to go back. I too, am struggling with something very similar, and I am scared also. But, I also know that I really need to follow through with my own advice. If you really think about it, you have to wonder why in the world would you have anxiety about going back. It's not like you are beginning something that you have never done before. Wow, now all I have to do is back up what I am saying here, by applying to myself. :-)

Well, I hope this might help you in some way. You owe it to yourself not to try to take on everything at once. Making that list that I mentioned earlier, forces you to handle one thing at a time. Before you know it, you'll be checking off the last item on your list. Then you get to treat yourself to having fun as a reward.

Please take care of yourself and I hope you have a good weekend.

Sincerely,

David (NewDawnFades)

[Perna]

I find making a quiet space in the morning and doing some writing down of my problems and feelings helps ground me and give me ideas and rests me. When so much is going on in my life it's easy to become frazzled feeling and scattered and ineffectual. Focusing on the bigger picture and looking at just what needs to be done next and how to do that helps me feel less frantic. With all those thoughts running around in my head, getting them down on paper gets them out of my head and somewhere concrete where I can see them and arrange them so they work out better.