Anxiety/OCD

Don't have old but do have probs with anxiety. (And depression). Much better these days but I 'tap' when I'm feeling particularly anxious. For me it is a marvellous way of calming myself down and which I can control myself. Have also had a lot of counselling in the past. I also now write poetry which helps me to cope with my feelings. Do try all those recommendations above Deny and Believe you will get there. Imagine what that final goal will look like. You can do it!

Old! Should read o c d !!

A friend of mine is a hypnotherapist and she deals with this type of problem, have you thought of trying this? It seems very successful

A member of my family as just gone through a period of anxiety finding going out too
Much etc she is anti depressants but finds tapping helps other thing adult colouring
And mindfulness also helps hope all who are suffering get help they need xx

I hate people coming round to our house too so if we go to theirs for a meal, we usually reciprocate with a meal out somewhere reasonably priced and foot the bill. Problem solved for me!

It is amazing how many people suffer with mental health problems.I have suffered with anxiety and depression for years.I didn't even recognise it as anxiety. I thought it was a physical problem.I was often ill at Christmas or other holidays.Stomach problems Racing heart ectra ectra.Last Christmas it was unbearable and in January I started having treatment antidepressants and coucelling.A year on and I am still anxious a lot of the time.I can only sympathise with you.Good luck.

A friend of mine was so ill with anxiety and depression she could could hardly function .She had excellent support from her GP who commenced drug therapy and arranged counselling which had amazing results .She did try to come off her tablets but started to relapse and will now probably always stay on them . she is so well now ,leading a happy busy life and enjoying every day ,totally unrecognisable from s few years ago.I really hope you gain the support like my friend did so that you can enjoy your life to the full x

It must be hard for you especially at this time of year. Hoping you find something or someone who can help. Hope in the new year you will feel stronger.Its a horrible condition

DENY....it's a bad situation to be in I know.
If anyone has the absolute crass to say Pull yourself together.....Your answer is....I'M NOT A PAIR OF CURTAINS....try it love.
Healing by Angels is simply lovely....I have a friend who has this gift ....but more importantly uses it to help others. Maybe you could try to fid one in your area.
Talking your fears out loud to yourself and writing them down can be helpful.
Next time you are full of fear etc whisper for an Angel to come to help you get through it....that helped me too.
Hope that you find something in what we all write that jumps out at you and then try clinging to that lifeline.
Sending very Best Wishes to you and yours.

Just reading through this thread has given me a timely reminder of why I think Gransnet is such a great community. There are so many helpful, supportive posts; encouragement from people who really do 'get it' and others who don't 'get it', but nevertheless are trying to understand and help.

Sorry I can't offer any more advice than has already been given, but I'm so heartened to read this.

Christmas day and have managed to get to almost 1.30 without the anxiety. Now I can feel the pit of stomach starting to churn and all the unnecessary thoughts gathering in the brain for unravelling. Had dinner at 11.45 as it was meals on wheels as too ill to cook this year. Have heard from no one so have phoned one son and text one. Now looking at list of help lines open today. These volunteers are worth their weight in gold. I just want normal days back without all the Christmas hype, adverts etc. Hope t hose of you that are able are enjoying yourselves.

How kind of you to spare a thought for others Marnie when feeling so churned up inside yourself.

Hope things are easier today.

Thanks to everyone who has shared experiences and ideas here. Next time I see my granddaughter I shall show her this thread. She is in her early 20s and anxiety is taking away her job prospects and derailing her young life. She has coped so well with so much in the past and now this blows up. We must change attitudes to MH sufferers.

There has been some improvement in attitudes to mental health over the past forty years but a long battle still to come.

For many if a person has a mental illness which causes them to break the law there is little or no acceptance .

I can understand your feelings, though can't explain them. I had a friend when away at college who had a similar thing - compulsive hand washing. It had to be so many times soaped and rinsed each finger then each hand. Several of us share a bathroom, but she had her own cubicle, the walls covered in suds of pink Lifebuoy soap.
She went off for a year, as she couldn't keep up with her studies. When she came back she was a lot better, and obtained her degree.I wish I knew what treatment she had, but we lost touch with eachother.
Deny - has your doctor suggested medication?

Thanks again to everyone who has commented and given ideas.
I am already on Prozac and will be for life.
It is a lifelong battle, but I will not give up!!

Happy New Year to everyone!

xx

What about self-hypnosis Cd's or downloads. Reprogramming the brain could be the answer.

If you're not feeling happy
and you're in disharmony
Surf the web for hypnosis downloads
some of them are free
You name it you can get it
Whatever your affliction
From "Growing your bust to DD"
or "Curing an addiction"
My friend Janet and I
have really got in deep
She has one for "Astral Travelling"
My download makes me sleep
We've been nervous when riding our broomsticks
So we bought "The Fear of Flying"
When the grandchildren get upset
We'll fly off and stop them crying
Then we'll be so knackered
we'll get " Jetlag Reliever"
Yes we've got lots of faith in hypnosis
We really are a believer
So we're just rushing off again
To hear that soothing voice
Why don't you surf the net for hypnosis tapes
There are lots and lots of choice

I'm no expert either, Deny, and I hope you find a solution to your problem. Something in your original post struck me, though - you say you have children and you would like them to come and stay with you. Have any of your children inherited this condition and would it help to talk to them about it and maybe try therapy together?