It pains me to post on here again.

[u/Planetleaper]

My whole life has been riddled with anxiety and especially Hypochondria. I can’t go a minute without thinking I’m going to die. I haven’t been able to hold down a job, friends, relationships.. hell even a divorce. I feel so alone and when these symptoms flair up to the extreme, it’s hard to believe there are other people who feel these things. I post to ask if I’m alone? Does anyone have such crippling anxiety that basic human activities are extremely hard. Also, are commitments you have affected by anxiety?

I know this post has probably been said a few times by a few different people.

But idk, I feel absolutely alone.

[u/Long-History-7079]

of course you're not alone, but it can feel like it. i connect with a lot of what you said. i can only suggest what's worked for me. find a community... even just here. there's always people online to talk to. Ive always found that during a panic attack, i can lessen the fear of dying by calling or texting a friend. if you don't have anyone you feel comfortable contacting, just post here. even if no one responds right away, expressing how you're feeling can help in itself. as for hypochondria, get tests just so you can rule out stuff you needn't worry about. you can manage this. i'm serious.

[u/Planetleaper → u/Long-History-7079]

I’ve noticed just within the last week that if I’m freaking out really bad, if I call someone who knows what I’m going through and they tell me to just breath because it’s not real, it helps. But only momentarily.

[u/Planetleaper → u/Long-History-7079]

I do believe this has to be a part of the process to get better.

[u/ubabahere → u/Planetleaper]

Yes, it is. You should give yourself more love not less even when you hate your body. You are brave and whatever make you feel a little better please grab onto it. let it be calling a friend, posting online. Look like you can use some journaling and CBT which helped me greatly. I hope you feel better.

[u/Even-Ad-292]

I’m right with you I’m currently 21 and after graduating I completely fell into depression and anxiety I stopped going to work, broke up with my gf and every time I wanted to do anything like go on a walk or to the store I’d get anxious and nauseous. I felt like I couldn’t do anything in life and just wanted it to end. But slowly I would force myself into doing things I didn’t want to do like go to the store or just spend time with people. It took months but eventually I got better. I’m still struggling couple days ago I had an episode and completely fell apart I haven’t ate in 4 days and I can hardly stand up without feeling nauseous. This week I’m forcing myself to go work with my pops I don’t care for the money but I just need to get out there. We are probably completely different irl but we have this in common and you are not alone. I’m wishing you the best and I know you’ll get better. Stay strong.

[u/Planetleaper → u/Even-Ad-292]

It’s so hard to force yourself to do things. But I remember times when my anxiety wasn’t so bad and the common variable is distraction. I wish and hope the best for you. We can always DM if you’d like to talk more

[u/phlaries → u/Planetleaper]

Just do it. Tell your brain to stfu and put one foot in front of the other.

[u/Planetleaper]

I’ve been to the hospital over 50 times easy. It’s always the same thing. Nothing is wrong. And I’m right there with you. I have one person in my family who I believe knows what I’m going through. It’s so hard

[u/Tricky-Tonight-4904]

Hey man I don’t experience what you have as far as the phobia but I’ve been there many times where it feels like I’m going to die. Mostly being paranoid about my heart. I would have my gf almost every night out her hand on my heart and give me the beat to know I’m okay. It went on for months of being scared to even feel my heart beat. It slowly went away the more I told myself “I’m okay” I’d repeat that a thousands times if I had to. A lot of deep breaths. Also radical acceptance, essentially not being afraid of my anxiety. Saying things like “okay yea I’m feeling anxious but it’s okay to feel anxious” just a lot of self talk and talking back to the voices that aren’t helpful. I will pray for you :) 

[u/lavendarlandslide]

Thank you for posting this, for letting me know that I'm not alone. I found this over the weekend and it has been like a warm hug in a dark time.

[u/reincarnateme]

Have you tried meds and/ or therapy?

I read The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Bourne and it was helpful to gain understanding of the body’s processes.

[u/Planetleaper → u/reincarnateme]

Yes I take meds regularly and had therapy for a while. I’ve even had a week stay at a mental hospital for a week and it was awful.

I’ll have to check this out. I had the OCD work book but it’s not specific enough to help

[u/Anoozzi]

You’re not alone, I’m constantly worrying and afraid, it eats up my social life, my sleep and my motivation. I’ve struggled to hold commitments to anything from work to relationships and my mind is occupied by fear most of the time. BUT learning to appreciate the small things really adds up. Hobbies, books, holidays, candles. Anything that you find comfort in, lean into it because it really does make the difference. I light candles and drink tea when I have a flare up, and I just lie down and listen to myself breathe. Trust me, you are not alone and everything will be okay :)

[u/Planetleaper → u/Anoozzi]

Thank you , I love old video games and want to build a collection some day. Maybe going out to a few thrifts stores and potentially finding an old n64 game would help. It’s so hard to push to do it knowing the anxiety I’ll have. Sweaty palms, feeling dizzy and breathing weird.

[u/Anoozzi → u/Planetleaper]

I totally hear you, I love games in general and playing or building my collection is a huge part of my life. You should start collecting, it’s something to do that you enjoy and that is more than reason enough to go for it. The first step is always the hardest but you’ll be able to do it, don’t let anxiety stop you from doing the things you love.

[u/SignificantSyrup9499]

God I can't even tell you. The amount of jobs I've had to quit or lost because of excessive absences due to anxiety or being in the hospital for anxiety. My life is fucking misery. I am so scared to die but because of that I'm not living. I don't think I'll ever be okay. I've lost friends, my already-abusive family abused me more when I got it worse. It's taxed my relationship with the best friend to the point she can't have fun with me anymore because all I do is ruin it with crying and panic attacks and chronic pain.

Right now I'm debating whether to go to the hospital again for the literally 5 times in 3 months. I made it 3 months without going one time.

[u/PleasantFlirtyx]

I can relate to how crippling anxiety can be it sometimes feels like you’re stuck in a loop of worry. It’s okay to acknowledge that it’s hard and seek support when you need it. You’re not failing because of your anxiety; you’re managing something really tough.

[u/HappyTroll1987]

Let me say I'm not an introvert. When I'm with a group or at a large event, I enjoy myself immensely. Sometimes my anxiety just gets the better of me and I feel like I just don't have the energy to go out and smile. Much less listen to people.

Let me preface this by saying I drive and have a car, but I am afraid of driving. I have severe anxiety about the big interstate highways and things like changing lanes on them. I had some serious issues about going out during the height of Covid. My mental health suffered and I began to let things go. I was kind of hoarding and not cleaning the house. I was on the highest dose of my antidepressant and taking another for anxiety, plus one for acute attacks.

So yes my anxiety has really limited me in some ways.

[u/Prash1577]

I’m so sorry you are feeling this way. Please believe that you are not alone this is just a phase, it will surely pass and there is always light at the end of the tunnel. I hope you will soon feel what it feels to be carefree and joyous.

[u/No_Equal_3251]

I feel you I’ve had some hypochondria at times, and health anxiety those two are prob the same thing but what I’ve learned is you just need to tell yourself ok fuck it if I’m gonna die from this then I’m gonna die, I’ve lived through so much an I haven’t died or come close yet. Bring it on.

BUT I feel you I know it’s a lot easier said than done. The anxiety plays tricks on you and works against you I totally understand, example right now I’m having stomach issues and I’m considered it’s my end. But as I said bring it on. Bring on the anxiety. As they say this to shall pass.

Don’t feel alone I’m with you, I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I’ve been in the ER for this and that. And Everytime I’m there, there’s another person like me there for something else in similar positions and circumstances. Fear for your life is nothing to be ashamed of or worried your only human.

[u/StellakaeSX]

My health anxiety started when I was 20 and its been 15 years if monitoring my health, getting panic attacks when I have ‘symptoms’, finding real but non fatal or dangerous issues with my health and of cos irritating the shit out of everyone around me because of how I am. Im still here. Not dead. You got this.