Re: Relapse
Originally Posted by
No Imagination
With my CBT, and just some common sense, I think I can see what triggered it initially, and I think it's continuing at least in part because I'm now worrying about it being back, but again I can see it. This should be helping to deal with it but it doesn't seem to be and I'm not sure what to do?
I know this is just panic/anxiety and I know it can't hurt me but it isn't particularly pleasant and obviously I don't want to start feeling like this again on a regular basis.
I just wondered if anyone had been through something similar and had any advice in terms of how to deal with it after a period of not having it? And did it come back hard when it did come back, as mine has definitely come back strong, shaky most of the day, no appetite, adrenaline rushes, the usual things. I'm still on my medication, which is 40g Fluoxetine and 40g Propranolol, that hasn't changed over all of this time.
My anxiety is currently running at 9/10 on level of severity. Physically, it feels a lot like I did when I had my breakdown 4 years ago. But. And it's a massive 'but' (leave it) I am not adding fear to the mix.
My FIL just died. He was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago and I'm having a BIG fibro flare which I always get this time of year. I know what the issue is. I don't have to send it stratospheric by imagining I have all kinds of diseases. Been there, done that. So I'm just going with the symptoms, and lucky for me I can tell the difference between what's fibro and what is anxiety, but there will be overlaps. The nocturnal panic attacks are back, as is having a massive poo at 4am in the morning. I'm just going with it all and ramping UP the relaxation and selfcare, and the MOST effective thing is being mindful of what goes into your brain before you go to sleep!
What you don't do is allow fear to take back control.
When you've had a breakdown, I think it's realistic to say that there will be bumps in the road. but that's really all this is - a bump. You know so much more than you did when you had a breakdown. You know how bad anxiety can make you feel, and what you must do to bring those stress levels down.
Recovery, as I keep saying, isn't never having these sensations come back - it's in how you respond to them when they do show up again.
All the very best to you.
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A thought is harmless unless we believe it.