Anxiety Problems

A

Alwaysnfocus

Member
I'm a regular poster here...using an alternate ID...

Despite years of doing this over the last few years I have increase problems with anxiety to the point it affects my job and enjoyment of it. Yes, I've tried the pro help. I was curious if anyone else here has had any problems with this, I could use some conversation about it. PM is the best way.
 
Here are a couple of things that might help you:

1. Keep in mind, "What's the worst thing in the world that could really happen?"
Some days, it's just a job. That's okay. Most people, every day is just a job. You have a better job than that. If you lost your job, would it be really that bad, especially if it's causing you anxiety? Think about how you actually might be relieved that the anxiety is gone. If you can think that way, then you can keep your life the way you like it, and remove the anxiety.

2. Are you getting enough creative progress in your life?
Nothing beats problems like little steps towards some goal that is productive that you chose. The special part of that last sentence is 'you chose.' It's your life, and if it's become a job at work, well, sometimes that happens. Do little things in your life that you chose to make a better world or exercise creativity. In other words, you'll lose the anxiety if you get off your hands, even in some little way, and do something to feed what really keeps you going instead of thinking that doing what someone tells you to do for a paycheck is going to truly match up to what you really want to do in the universe.

3. Take comfort in what you have.
Do you have a family? Do you have children? Do you have someone in your life? If you've developed a slow burn anxiety (been there) you might need to realize that it has been at the expense of something, and more importantly, someone. For a while, spend some more time with friends and family, and see if that doesn't help.

PM me if you want to.
 
Caffeine?

Do you drink caffeine? When I worked in Phoenix, I drank coffee in the morning, then Coke (on ice) throughout the day, because it was often above 100 (77 days straight at one time.) Then I wouldn't drink them on the weekends at home. I had withdrawl symptoms galore.

Caffeine withdrawl can cause anxiety attacks. I suspect it affects different people differently. My dad drank 4 pots a day. No problem. But I now drink mostly decaf... or half/half and rarely Coke anymore. Lots more water!

Here's some generic internet data:
Regular caffeine consumption reduces sensitivity to caffeine. When caffeine intake is reduced, the body becomes oversensitive to adenosine. In response to this oversensitiveness, blood pressure drops dramatically, causing an excess of blood in the head (though not necessarily on the brain), leading to a headache.

This headache, well known among coffee drinkers, usually lasts from one to five days, and can be alleviated with analgesics such as aspirin. It is also alleviated with caffeine intake (in fact several analgesics contain caffeine dosages).

Often, people who are reducing caffeine intake report being irritable, unable to work, nervous, restless, and feeling sleepy, as well as having a headache. In extreme cases, nausea and vomiting has also been reported.

References.

Caffeine and Health. J. E. James, Academic Press, 1991. Progress in Clinical and Biological Research Volume 158. G. A. Spiller, Ed. Alan R. Liss Inc, 1984.
 
Do you feel as though it's work related or just due to everyday stress?

Pro help is great, but I'd definately find someone that I could confide in. Worst thing in the world is to keep it all pent up inside you.
 
Couldn't hurt to get a medical check-up.I ran into something similar several years ago.When I saw a doctor,it turned out that my blood pressure had risen dangerously.With medication,it came right down.Helps to eliminate the possible physical solutions.
 
PTSD help

About 20 years ago when TV was really fun and cops didn't have a truckload of crime scene tape I had some issues, depression in my case.

After a stint of working 24 days straight I had a day where I shot a total of 8 fatalities in a 24 hour period. Shooting, motorcycle, couple shot after break in and a family in a mini van fire on the way home. It just finally pushed me over the edge until I was scared to go out. (When I started to like overnight editing I knew I needed help.)

I talked to my family doctor who put me in touch with a psychologist who did post incident counseling with the local fire department. With an outlet to talk about it and a little help from Americas pharmaceutical industry (managed by an MD the guy worked with) I came around pretty quick and was off the drugs in about 6 months.

I talked to him again after the OKC bombing (which I was at) and he called me after
9-11 because he knew I managed crews in NYC.

This to say if the anxiety is work related get in touch with someone who understands the situation and I'm a firm believer that meds can make your life a whole lot better very quickly by changing your brain chemistry which allows you to function while you work on the root of the problem. I have to say that with the drugs I was a new man in about 72 hours.
 
I try and remember 3 things that have been imparted to me over the years....

1) I do this for a living. It's NOT my life.

2) There's guys out there digging ditches 9 hours a day for 1/4 of my pay.

3) Whatever happens, my day is over at midnight.



Goodluck. Those honestly do help me when I feel like I'm about to die or kill. But seek the help of a professional.
 
This is going to sound silly, but it's a very genuine question: do you have some kind of hobby or a way you spend time on yourself?
 
You couldn't imagine the healing spirit of laughter.....watch some something, read something funny....anything to get you laughing...it helps, really.

Or how about excericise? I am an avid martial artist and the stress of the day get washed away whenevery I get a good work out in......try it. Running a 10k beats punching the face out of a snotty reporter.

If you need anymore help...let us know. We are all here for you.
 
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