*Sigh* I think I'm relapsing

[CrownofThorns]

I usually post in the Hypochondria section because that has been the source of my anxiety.

Despite having thought that I was just about over this anxiety and trying to give others advice, it seems like this week I may be suffering a relapse. Only this time, it seems to be accompanied by social phobia. My husband and I have a concert to go to, and I'm getting panicky at the thought of leaving the house. At the same time, I'm getting restless at having been IN the house all day long.

Maybe it's just because it's been a stressful week what with Christmas, last minute shopping, and end of the school semester stuff to wrap up.

I just don't want anxiety in a different form to start kicking in.   

[Duckie]

Anticipatory anxiety is the worst!!  You're absolutely right that all the stress at Xmas could have something to do with you feeling more anxious.  It's just a stressful time of year. 
But I have heard of something called 'symptom shifting', meaning that the anxiety will rear it's ugly head in different ways.  It's a tricky and sneaky disorder, so you have to be one step ahead.  Whatever it throws at you, be ready with your tools to kick it in the butt. 
Just remember that you're stronger than 'it' is...........

[floridaguy65]

Anticipatory anxiety is the worst!!  You're absolutely right that all the stress at Xmas could have something to do with you feeling more anxious.  It's just a stressful time of year. 
But I have heard of something called 'symptom shifting', meaning that the anxiety will rear it's ugly head in different ways.  It's a tricky and sneaky disorder, so you have to be one step ahead.  Whatever it throws at you, be ready with your tools to kick it in the butt. 
Just remember that you're stronger than 'it' is...........

Hi COT:) Yes, I agree with Duckie.

You alluded to a pretty stressful week. And, anxiety is, of course, a cunning master of disguise. It can cloak it's arrival and leave you floundering for answers as to why it is here (or back). All it needs is the slightest of opportunity to slither back in to our lives, sometimes.

IMHO, don't call it a relapse. Call it a setback (a minor one at that, perhaps:). Setbacks happen when dealing with Anxiety Disorders...to me, this is fact. Also fact is that we are, still, capable of getting back on our healing paths by using all our learned techniques for alleviating anxiety. They have brought us to the door of solace, before. We opened that door and walked through, then. So, why can't we, calmly, crack open that door just a little and shimmy on in for some additional, yummy solace...behind the back of that clever bugger - Anxiety:)

Peace and Feel Well:)