Horrible Anxiety

[.Brittany.]

I don't know who else to reach out to at this point. I'm at a lost.

This past week, I have been struggling with severe anxiety. I am still taking my meds daily and haven't changed anything in my life. I have slowly felt my anxiety building up over the past week. Yesterday I completely broke and had a complete meltdown. Today, I woke up panicking and crying at 6:15 this morning and was supposed to be at work at 7 am. I ended up calling in at 6:30 bawling my eyes out to my coworker trying to explain what was going on. All I could get out was "I'm so sorry for the short notice, but I can't come in, I need a personal day".

I have spent today watching Disney movies, but I have still been crying every 10 minutes. I called in tonight for my shift tomorrow. I got maybe two words out to her before I started bawling. I told her there was no way I could come in. She then asked me if I was alone and safe. I lied to her, I am alone, but I am safe. I have some strategies to help me stay safe. I found my Ativan tonight, so I'm hoping it might help a bit.

At this point I don't know why I'm feeling the way I'm feeling. I wish the thoughts could just go away. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do to be able to go back to work? Or even to be able to function.

[MsNobleEleanor]

I am really sorry you are going through all of this.

I am wondering since you mentioned you haven't changed anything in your life I have a few questions.

Are you eating normally? Has your diet changed at all? More or less caffeine?
Are you drinking less water than you normally have been?
Do you have a sleep schedule? I am guessing you work shift work? Do you schedule your sleep around this okay?
Are you falling asleep normally, waking up more, waking up earlier? Could this be linked to sleep hygiene? How is your sleep hygiene? What do you do before you go to bed?

Sometimes, everything in our lives can be going well but something is off and it can be a simple fix. Could it be something from the list above? I have experienced the above before and when I do correct it I tend to feel a lot better. It can also cause anxiety believe it or not.


Hang in there.

[.Brittany.]

My diet and sleep schedule has only changed due to the anxiety. I have trouble staying asleep. I do take sleeping pills at night.