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When Anxiety Strikes

Me and My Munchkin: When Anxiety Strikes

Tuesday 17 July 2012

When Anxiety Strikes

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Today I looked up the definition of anxiety on Google, and this is what it told me:

A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.

When I was 20 I was diagnosed with a social anxiety disorder, alongside my depression. This meant that I would have a full blown panic attack whenever I was placed in a social situation, often resulting in a meltdown.

After it was treated I didn't have any real problems with anxiety once I fell pregnant, other than the occasional bout of anxiety which is fairly normal in any mother's life. This was up until I separated from Master A's father 9 months ago. Since then, my anxiety has steadily got worse. Thinking about having to let my Munchkin go to his father's house sends my heart racing and shortens my breath quicker than ever before. It doesn't help that I know I have to actually see his dad, which usually results in an argument and being told that I'm doing a bad job as a mother.

Anxiety can take over your life if you let it. I find that in the week that leads up to Master A going to his dad's house I am on edge, cranky, can't usually get it off my mind and I dread having to let him go. There is also another reason why I get so anxious about letting him go, that occurred over the weekend that I can't share with you all just yet, but it's safe to say that I let this situation rule a good part of my life, and I am ready for that to change.

Anxiety causes your stress levels to rise, which in turn means that you get run down, and more likely to get sick. It can keep you awake at night, affect your choices, and affect your relationships with other people. I am lucky that so far, I have not yet let it affect my relationship with Master A.

With the problems that anxiety can cause for people, can you really blame them for wanting to get help and get it fixed? I have started with a trip to the doctor. It is still on my to-do list to look into yoga. I also keep a journal that I will be using more often to sort out my thoughts if I get overwhelmed.

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I am still recovering from the flu (so you will have to excuse if my writing is a little all over the place today!) and once I am back to my old self again I will heading back out on my walks to clear my head. We are also seeking help with regards to custody over Master A, meaning this is one less thing I have to worry about sparking an argument with his dad every time we see each other.


These are some of the things that I am doing to help deal with my anxiety issues. Not everything will work for everyone, and there is medication to help those with severe anxiety disorders. If you feel you are one of these people, I can not urge you enough to see your doctor and get some help.

Do you suffer from anxiety?
What do you do to help stop a panic attack?


Linking up with the gorgeous Jess from Diary of a SAHM for IBOT

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30 Comments:

At 17 July 2012 at 06:55 , Blogger Kim-Marie from Kimba Likes said...

I'm very sorry to hear this. I haven't suffered from anxiety, yet I had a mild anxiety attack recently, triggered by an asthma attack triggered by bronchitis. It was no fun at all, so I understand the minutest tiniest bit of how it makes you feel.

Hope it all works out very soon for you.

 
At 17 July 2012 at 06:56 , Anonymous Deb @ home life simplified said...

Big hugs to you Chrissie! I suffer from anxiety (and depression) at times as well. Mine most often stems from feeling overwhelmed, putting too much pressure on myself and needing to feel in control all the time so the best ways for me preventing it escalating are to cut back, breathe, use positive talk (rational!) and trust in myself and the universe (get rid of the catastrophizing)

feel better lovely!

 
At 17 July 2012 at 07:20 , Anonymous Penny said...

Oh Chrissie, this must be so hard for you. I don't really have advice but I am here to send a hug from the blogosphere.

 
At 17 July 2012 at 08:43 , Blogger bloggingmumof3 said...

:( it's not easy. i have anxiety. not to the point where i have anxiety attacks that are bad but i freak out about things and play over scenarios in my head before they even happen then work myself up into a state. it's not fun

 
At 17 July 2012 at 09:35 , Blogger Yvette Bowyer said...

never been diagnosed.. but since being back in Perth, I've become more recluse and scared to be my bright bubbly self I was in the UK.

 
At 17 July 2012 at 11:03 , Blogger Chrissie Me and My Munchkin said...

Thankyou so much. It can be a hard thing to do deal with. I'm sure that everyone has suffered some form of anxiety at some point in their lives, even if it's not a full on attack.
Chrissie xx

 
At 17 July 2012 at 11:05 , Blogger Chrissie Me and My Munchkin said...

I am very similar Deb, and have been called a catastrophizer more than once. Once thing people that do that are also guilty of is black and white thinking. I think taking a step back and just breathing are the best things to do. I was forced to do this over the weekend and it has worked out for the best.
Chrissie xx

 
At 17 July 2012 at 11:06 , Blogger Chrissie Me and My Munchkin said...

Thanks so much Penny. I'm sure this is no different from most mums that have to send their children to their fathers house for any period of time, particularly if the relationship is strained between the parents. Nevertheless it is something that is taking a huge amount of energy at the moment and I am ready for a change!
Chrissie xx

 
At 17 July 2012 at 11:08 , Blogger Chrissie Me and My Munchkin said...

I can do that too. The constant worry about what could happen can take over your life. We really need to take a step back and view it through someone elses eyes but it is harder than it sounds!
Chrissie xx

 
At 17 July 2012 at 11:09 , Blogger Chrissie Me and My Munchkin said...

Change can certainly trigger anxiety. Sometimes it can be a case of adjusting your thinking to something more positive.
Chrissie xx

 
At 17 July 2012 at 12:32 , Blogger Grace said...

Sending you love, Chrissie. I used to get anxiety attacks when I was in the stressful, corporate world.
I hope you're getting lots of support. Don't be afraid to ask for it x

 
At 17 July 2012 at 12:32 , Blogger Misha - TheBlingBuoy said...

I think you're right about saying that anxiety plagues most mothers to varying degrees... we worry so much about our children but sometimes, it can be utterly crippling. More people being open and honest about it can help, as well as sharing what has worked and what hasn't. Thank you for doing just that Chrissie.

 
At 17 July 2012 at 12:52 , Blogger EssentiallyJess said...

I have suffered a little bit along with PND, and that's enough. It's such a horrid feeling.
As someone who also has to let her child visit their father, I also know that that is a really tough thing to do. I wish I didn't have to!
Anything you can do to make that process gentler on all of you is a good thing!

 
At 17 July 2012 at 12:58 , Blogger Catherine Rodie said...

I had a series of panic attacks when I first moved to Australia. After months of saving and planning I suddenly found myself totally alone on the other side of the world and it scared the living crap out of me.
I met a lovely lady at Blogopolis who writes a blog aimed at people who suffer from depression and anxiety. If you don't already know it you should check it out: http://tryingnottodisappear.com/
Lots of love to you.
Cx

 
At 17 July 2012 at 13:05 , Blogger The Kids Are All Right said...

Yes to anxiety attacks. It helps for me to think positively about the world and my place in it and that it is ok to not be perfect. It is my race to run, not anyone else's and so what anyone else thinks doesn't matter. Life is short and we get one shot at it. It's your life to lead the way you want.

 
At 17 July 2012 at 13:06 , Blogger The Kids Are All Right said...

Ha ha - lots of cliches in there, but these are the thoughts that help me :) And it's gotten better as I've gotten older.

 
At 17 July 2012 at 13:55 , Anonymous Tracey @ Bliss Amongst Chaos said...

I've suffered with Panic Disorder for over ten years now. It has been completely debilitating at times, but now is medication controlled. It's always on my mind though.
Fingers crossed you can work out a custody agreement to make it easier on yourself. Stress does horrible things to us 'worriers'!
xx

 
At 17 July 2012 at 17:30 , Anonymous Carly said...

Wow I feel like you got inside my head and summed up my life with anxiety!
While I mostly have it in control (that I control it rather than it control me... most of the time)I still need to take the time and look into ways I can help myself more, and Yoga has been on that list for soo long but I never get time.

The best tip I have and that works for me is when you are having a panic attack and you are out somewhere and want to run and leave the place, DON'T. The panic attack will pass just as fast if you stay and don't flee and you will also then avoid associating that particular situation with anxiety attacks.

 
At 17 July 2012 at 17:41 , Blogger Chrissie Me and My Munchkin said...

Thanks so much Grace. Bloggers are a great support system in the cyberworld. And My family and friends are great in the real world so I am well covered!
Chrissie xx

 
At 17 July 2012 at 17:43 , Blogger Chrissie Me and My Munchkin said...

I don't always like to share my stories, I am a pretty private person but I know it helps to put it out in the open, for me and for other people to know that they aren't alone. There are other people out there that have the same or similar problems.
Chrissie xx

 
At 17 July 2012 at 17:45 , Blogger Chrissie Me and My Munchkin said...

It can be horrible to let your child go for any period of time. It seems to be getting worse as time goes on, but as I said, the fact that we aren't getting along is a major cause for that. PND is hard enough without anxiety attached. Good on you for working through it!
Chrissie xx

 
At 17 July 2012 at 17:46 , Blogger Chrissie Me and My Munchkin said...

I can imagine that such a change would cause a bit of anxiety! I take my hat off to you for going through with it though I don't know if I would have the guts! Thanks for the link I will check it out!
Chrissie xx

 
At 17 July 2012 at 17:47 , Blogger Chrissie Me and My Munchkin said...

Oh and I am a worrier! It can totally run your life at times can't it. I'm glad you have seeked help and are having it treated. Sometimes it's the best way.
Chrissie xx

 
At 17 July 2012 at 18:52 , Blogger Chrissie Me and My Munchkin said...

Carly thanks for your tip that really makes sense. I would definitely look into the yoga, it is supposed to really help anxiety!
Chrissie xx

 
At 17 July 2012 at 21:05 , Blogger carmen said...

I have to admit that I've definitely been touched by more than my fair share of anxiety attacks. I see myself as managing them these days... more so than any cure.
Yoga is amazing for helping to deal with it though.
Here's to getting back on track! x

 
At 17 July 2012 at 21:20 , Anonymous Denyse Whelan. education Specialist said...

Looking here at so many lovely supportive people makes me reaffirm why bogging and connecting with other bloggers is so good. I am so sorry to read about your anxiety. The Days of mine ( sometimes overwork brought it, or catastraphising) have generally left me as a much older person than you . That's something to be said about getting older. I think doing all you can to bring up your son & be the best mum you want to be is just great and to not have a supportive partner makes it doubly great. Go you! Doing what you can to get through
Denyse from #teamibot

 
At 17 July 2012 at 22:04 , Blogger Tubbah @ Organising: My Crazy Life said...

I've had 2 bad anxiety attacks. They were 3 years ago now, and these days I still get a tight chest and shortness of breath, but no pain like I did before. I'm not taking on as much as I did before, and it's definitely helping. I agree with the yoga :) I really want to get back into it :)

 
At 18 July 2012 at 13:11 , Blogger Chrissie Me and My Munchkin said...

That's great that you are managing them! I really must look into the yoga...
Chrissie xx

 
At 18 July 2012 at 13:12 , Blogger Chrissie Me and My Munchkin said...

The support in the blogosphere is great isn't it? I am blessed to have such awesome cyber friends :)
Chrissie xx

 
At 18 July 2012 at 13:14 , Blogger Chrissie Me and My Munchkin said...

Anxiety attacks are horrible. And even mild anxiety symptoms can be crippling. Good on you for not taking on too much. Learning to say "no" is essential!
Chrissie xx

 

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