This post is about the crippling effects anxiety can have on an individual. I am experiencing it right now. I tried a new medicine last night for the anxiety and when I woke up in the morning, I was shaking. I literally wanted to jump out of my skin. The medicine is called Buspirone. Obviously, my body didn’t like it. I contacted my doctor and she wants me to go into the hospital so they can manage my medicines. I’ve had some suicidal thoughts, however, I won’t act on them. (Simply put) I don’t want to die. The thoughts are there and that’s where it ends. For the most part, I’ve recognized that they are there, but I refuse to act on them. I would like to go back on the medicine that I was taking for the anxiety, only increase the night time dosage so I can sleep better.

The Hydroxyzine was working perfectly, even though I wanted to change. I made a mistake. I didn’t realize how good it was working until I tried the new medicine and had a reaction from it. I talked to the nurse at the doctor’s office a little while ago, and that’s when she informed me that my doctor wanted me to go to the hospital. I would be the first to admit if I needed to go to the hospital if I thought I wasn’t safe. However, if she would give me back the medicine I was taking, I would be fine. If I thought that I couldn’t control my thoughts and actions, I would go straight to the hospital. They are there because of the crippling anxiety from the new medicine that’s supposed to fight against the anxiety. Instead, it just made it worse.

Coping Strategies For Anxiety

I like the 4 square breathing technique for coping strategies for anxiety. The exercise involves taking slow, deep breaths while visualizing a square and counting to four for each segment of the square.

Here’s how to do the 4 Square Breathing Technique:

• Find a quiet, comfortable place to sit or lie down.
• Close your eyes and take a few slow, deep breaths to relax your body and mind.
• Visualize a square in your mind’s eye.
• As you inhale, imagine tracing the first side of the square and count to four.
• Hold your breath for a count of four, visualizing the second side of the square.
• As you exhale, visualize tracing the third side of the square and again count to four.
• Hold your breath for a count of four, visualizing the fourth side of the square.
• Repeat the entire cycle for a few minutes, or until you feel relaxed and calm.

Nonetheless, focusing on the present moment, also known as mindfulness, can be an effective way to manage anxiety for several reasons; reducing worry, increased self-awareness, increased acceptance, improved emotional regulation. This always helps me when I’m having a panic attack. It brings everything full circle to the present moment instead of focusing on the anxiety.

Anxiety In The Morning Or At Night

I feel that my anxiety is worse in the morning, than at night. Maybe because I love night time. I’m a night owl. There are several reasons why anxiety might be worse in the morning than at night. This might be the case because:

Higher cortisol levels: Cortisol is a stress hormone that naturally peaks in the morning and gradually decreases throughout the day. For some people with anxiety, this natural increase in cortisol levels can trigger anxiety symptoms.

Racing thoughts: Many people with anxiety experience racing thoughts, which can be more intense in the morning when they are waking up and the mind is fresh. This can lead to increased worry and anxiety.

Feeling overwhelmed by the day ahead: For individuals with anxiety, thinking about the day ahead can be overwhelming and trigger anxiety symptoms. This can be particularly true in the morning when there is uncertainty about what the day will bring.

Poor sleep: Poor sleep quality or sleep disorders can contribute to anxiety symptoms. If someone is not getting enough rest at night, they may wake up feeling tired and anxious.

Sleep And Anxiety

The anxiety is affecting my sleep, sometimes I don’t sleep at night. I have just kind of accepted that. Although, when I took the Buspirone last night for the first time, it helped me sleep through the entire night. I didn’t wake up once, like so many other times. What do you think, should I go into the hospital? Or should I find another doctor? Does she have my best interests or does she really care? Besides that, I believe my sleep has improved over the past month. I’ve been seeing her for about nine years.

Anti-Anxiety Notebook

The notebook typically includes prompts and exercises that encourage self-reflection and self-compassion. It can also provide space to record gratitude or positive experiences to promote a positive outlook.

The Anti-Anxiety Notebook may include sections for:

Identifying triggers: This section will prompt you to identify the situations, people, or events that trigger your anxiety. This can help you become more aware of these triggers and develop strategies to manage them.

Tracking symptoms: This section will prompt you to record your anxiety symptoms. This can help you identify patterns in your symptoms and better understand how anxiety affects you.

Coping strategies: This section will prompt you to develop and track coping strategies that work for you. This can include relaxation techniques, mindfulness exercises, or activities that provide a sense of calm.

Self-reflection: This section may include prompts for self-reflection and self-compassion. This can help you identify negative thought patterns and beliefs and develop a more positive outlook.

Overall, the Anti-Anxiety Notebook is a tool to help individuals manage their anxiety by encouraging self-awareness, self-compassion, and proactive coping strategies.

Conclusion

I might try the anti-anxiety notebook for myself. I found one on Amazon. Like I mentioned in the beginning, these last couple of days, I’ve been experiencing what I would call a crippling anxiety. In particular, it used to just be around people I didn’t know, now it’s when I talk to anybody. Consequently, I just feel like they’re judging me, even though they’re probably not. Therefore, I know it’s just the anxiety formulating all these thoughts in my brain. It has become a part of my identity even though I didn’t invite the anxiety in. It forced itself into my life and then took over. I can’t have a single thought without anxiety being there. I have to make a decision, should I just give in and let anxiety control the rest of my life or fight to gain back control what’s left of me?

Articles

-What To Know About Anxiety

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323454

-Understanding Anxiety Disorders

https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2016/03/understanding-anxiety-disorders

-Anxiety: What It Is And What To Do

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/anxiety-what-it-is-what-to-do-2018060113955

Have a Good One,

Cindee, One Voice – Unstoppable

“You’re not alone!”