[AnxiousGirl]

Hey guys, so for those of you who read my last thread, I'm still experiencing bad health anxiety.

That post was written a few days ago and the anxiety has just gotten worse. I had an extra long weekend so I was off school today but I had another bad anxiety attack and had to take medication or else I thought I was going to die. Now im lying on the couch with a bad headache and feel sick to my stomach. I decided to stay home tomorrow morning (im ahead in the class) and instead study for home. I can't believe my health anxiety is actually interfering with my schooling too. I have a therapy appointment on Wednesday so I just want to get there so I can let all of these feelings out. I already emailed my T (read my last thread) and she knows whats going on but I dont think she knows the extent of it.

I dont really know if this is a question or not but I am a bit worried. Have any of you had to miss days of school/work because of your mental well being? Or lack of... I am a huge perfectionist so it's not like I stay home and do nothing, I actually stay home and study all day.

Thanks!

[JaneTennison1]

You only ever have so much energy to go around (look up the spoon theory) right now all your physical and mental energy is spent trying to fight anxiety and to survive. It's ok to need a break where you just rest. I think it makes you better able to tackle some things and maybe even a better student. Give you time for you and never feel badly for it. We need what we need to face the demons we do. You aren't hurting anyone.

[AnxiousGirl]

Originally Posted by JaneTennison1

You only ever have so much energy to go around (look up the spoon theory) right now all your physical and mental energy is spent trying to fight anxiety and to survive. It's ok to need a break where you just rest. I think it makes you better able to tackle some things and maybe even a better student. Give you time for you and never feel badly for it. We need what we need to face the demons we do. You aren't hurting anyone.

Thank you. I always feel so guilty when I take time for myself but it has to be done. I can't wait to tell my therapist about all of this though so hopefully she can help a lot.

[JaneTennison1]

I thinks it great you are at a point where you can't wait to talk to T about all this. Try and think about how you would treat someone else who felt this way.

[ilikecats]

I've missed a lot of school over the years due to depression. I still ended up with good grades, and my mental health was probably helped by staying home when I needed it. Try not to worry (though I know it's not easy) and just take the time you need to feel a bit better.

[AnxiousGirl]

Originally Posted by ilikecats

I've missed a lot of school over the years due to depression. I still ended up with good grades, and my mental health was probably helped by staying home when I needed it. Try not to worry (though I know it's not easy) and just take the time you need to feel a bit better.

Yeah my parents are telling me the same thing. I'm getting a 95 in one course and a 90 in the other so I'm not worried, and it's a light week this week (no tests or anything). My friends keep asking why I stay home though and I keep lying to them saying I didn't have a car or I had a family event and stuff. Not sure what to do about that. At least once I talk about this on Wednesday I can get it sorted out with my therapist.

[ilikecats]

Originally Posted by AnxiousGirl

Yeah my parents are telling me the same thing. I'm getting a 95 in one course and a 90 in the other so I'm not worried, and it's a light week this week (no tests or anything). My friends keep asking why I stay home though and I keep lying to them saying I didn't have a car or I had a family event and stuff. Not sure what to do about that. At least once I talk about this on Wednesday I can get it sorted out with my therapist.

Yeah that'll be good to talk to your T. One thing you could tell your friends is that you weren't feeling well. They don't have to know the details, it could be just a cold or something like that. That's what I used to say to people, that I was sick.

[AnxiousGirl]

Originally Posted by ilikecats

Yeah that'll be good to talk to your T. One thing you could tell your friends is that you weren't feeling well. They don't have to know the details, it could be just a cold or something like that. That's what I used to say to people, that I was sick.

The thing with that is last week I also stayed home for a day or two and said I was sick. Now if I say it again they might think somethings up. I dont know, I feel like I have to talk to my therapist about all of this to get some insight and advice.

[LonesomeTonight]

My T has said before that anxiety can be exhausting. Mentally and physically. It definitely is, and people who don't experience it probably don't understand.

[Gavinandnikki]

Where do you think your health anxiety stems from? What's the origin?

[AnxiousGirl]

Originally Posted by Gavinandnikki

Where do you think your health anxiety stems from? What's the origin?

I have GAD so it's always there I guess. But when I was younger I lost my great aunt to the illness (starting with a C) then two years ago I lost another family member to it as well so I think it escalated a lot. I had blood work done just 3 years ago (I'm 20 now, so at 17) and was told I have a 100% healthy body inside and out and my doctor said that I wouldn't need another blood test for a while because of my health and age. Now when I hear about the illness online or anywhere I start freaking out. I honestly don't know how to cope. I had to delete all social media and everything. I'm wasting my youth away because of this.

[Gavinandnikki]

Do you exercise? Work out either at home or at the gym? Taking a long walk listening to great music is one way to alleviate health and general anxiety.

I know that seems like an obvious suggestion, I just wanted to know.

[AnxiousGirl]

Originally Posted by Gavinandnikki

Do you exercise? Work out either at home or at the gym? Taking a long walk listening to great music is one way to alleviate health and general anxiety.

I know that seems like an obvious suggestion, I just wanted to know.

I usually like to lift weights and walk around the block. I constantly listen to music which sometimes helps but if I'm in a bad mood it just makes me cry :P

[The_little_didgee]

Originally Posted by AnxiousGirl

I dont really know if this is a question or not but I am a bit worried. Have any of you had to miss days of school/work because of your mental well being? Or lack of... I am a huge perfectionist so it's not like I stay home and do nothing, I actually stay home and study all day.

I have GAD that wears me out mentally and physically. It is a chronic problem. Usually I have to plan my life to allow for time to recover or else my health will suffer. When I was a student, I would take days off to rest/recover. It helped keep me well. I don't see anything wrong with this. It may be a problem with employment. There are ways to work around it though.

Unfortunately most people don't understand anxiety.

[AnxiousGirl]

Originally Posted by The_little_didgee

I have GAD that wears me out mentally and physically. It is a chronic problem. Usually I have to plan my life to allow for time to recover or else my health will suffer. When I was a student, I would take days off to rest/recover. It helped keep me well. I don't see anything wrong with this. It may be a problem with employment. There are ways to work around it though.

Unfortunately most people don't understand anxiety.

For sure. I decided to go to school today but take it off tomorrow since I have more classes today. Also have a session tomorrow so hopefully my T can help me because I've never been this worried about anything in my life. I really need her help.