Anxiety

Maybe your anxiety is related to your relationship? My anxiety began years ago when I was in a relationship. I have had trouble with panic attacks every since. To answer your question - yes, yes, yes. Being unhealthy and overweight definitely makes anxiety worse. Not exercising makes it worse. Food makes it worse. I've had anxiety for 18 years now. I've never been on meds. Drs have suggested it. But I've learned to control them over the years. Exercise helps tremendously! When I get up and exercise first thing in the morning I feel so much calmer and focused. When I don't I get restless. Adrenaline levels are high first thing in the morning and mine goes off the charts without burning some off. Food makes a big difference for me too. When I cut out caffeine and a lot of sugar and processed foods from my diet I became more even. No more ups and downs all day long. It was such a relief! I don't know if the meds will help you. I imagine they will. But keep in mind it's a band aid effect. At the end of the day when you're ready to get off them... whatever caused anxiety in the first place will cause it again unless you work through the issues. I have found it's better to control it without meds and I've been slowly working through my anxiety-causing issues also.

I have found that when my anxiety is bad, then the food gets bad and vice versa.. It is a vicious cycle I feel. You have to put into your mindset that you need to plan meals, eat proper snacks, and go day by day. Don't look at the next day or focus on what you should do or should not do. Just plan and realize that yes, anxiety definitely makes food worse! speaking from experience. Also, look at ways to cope with anxiety such as reading, walking, calling a friend, deep breathing (sounds weird) but I use this daily at my work.

When I was in high school, I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depression. However, when I got older, and was going regularly to counseling/psychiatrist, I was diagnosed as having Bipolar Disorder II and mild OCD. (Which my therapist said was likely learned behavior from my mom or a coping mechanism.)

ANYWAY.

I have found that regular activity and exercise helps my mental health. I am currently not taking any medication for my bipolar disorder, because I did not have health insurance for a long time and I couldn't afford it. But I have realized that when I eat better, stay active, and maintain regular sleeping habits that my depressive episodes are less frequent and far less intense. (I tend to operate under hypomania- that's what my therapist told me.)

At any rate... I have had anxiety attacks before, and tend to have a lot of nervous habits in general. I've found the best way to handle it- FOR ME PERSONALLY- it to acknowledge it, accept its happening, and let it ride its course. The last month and a half I've been in a depressive state and have holed up in the house and avoided socializing. About a week ago I decided "No More, I can't keep doing this". And I got up, went to the gym, and started back into my fitness routine and feel tons better.

Sometimes just venting or talking about things with someone who won't judge/doesn't think you're crazy will help a lot.

But you aren't alone. There are a lot of people with anxiety problems, or other mental / mood disorders, that are trying to get fit and do this journey. If you ever need encouragement or support, reach out to your boyfriend or your family/friends if they are understanding. Stay honest with them. I'm always honest with my friends when my moods bottom out, because it better helps them understand the best way to interact with me. (i.e.: if I tell them I am depressed and not feeling social, they know not to pressure me and tend to just check in on me and encourage me, which I need.)

Hi, anxiety can occur due to various reasons. In your case, I feel that your anxiety might be the effect of your relationship. Sudden waking up from sleep, numbness during the daytime are some of the common symptoms of anxiety disorder. Often, anxiety disorders come with the smallest of reasons which one can't imagine. However, frequent anxiety attacks are something serious, ignoring them may lead to further complications in the future. Approaching an expert anxiety therapist would definitely help you resolve your problem and lead a healthy relationship with your partner.

crystalroselynn wrote: »

I always feel like I'm thinking way too much. Like my heads gonna pop off or explode. It's like being in a dream all day long. I'm starting to think there's something wrong with me like brain damage or something even though I'm not sure how that would be possible. I just wish my brain would chill out for a second. Yesterday I almost freaked out over the sunlight. I hope that eating right and exercise helps me. I need all the help I can get

Have you tried writing? There is a book called "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron you might want to check out. Maybe your exploding head and "thinking way too much" is your creative self wanting to break free and be expressed? There is an exercise in AW called "Morning Pages" - it is free writing you do in the a.m. (or whenever you have time) where you spill everything out. It's not journaling. It's not composition. You don't evaluate it or even reread it later. You just spill all the "thinking too much" out on to the page. I have found it helpful - it's like cleaning out the mental & emotional pipes, freeing me of that "exploding brain" feeling you talk about.
Take good care.