still trying to figure out what the fear is

[lilgina]

Anxiety is something that is felt by everyone. Having some anxiety can increase a person's performance etc.. But when it becomes something that is constant it can really put a damper on getting on with life effectively. And having been dealing with this for the better of five years I still am trying to figure out how to get back to my old self. My old self was someone who would react reasonably when faced with anxious times by getting anxious, but I always bounced back and returned to my easy-going state.  I experienced a traumatizing event in 2005 but when it happened I was strong as usual. Not long after I began to have the classic symptoms of anxiety and some panic. Here I am, it's 2011 and I'm still trying to figure out what the fear is that is keeping this dreaded anxiety alive. Because if normal anxiety is a reaction to something that is perceived as bad or threatening, then my anxiety is still going on by some sort of fear that totally eludes me.
Any advice on how to find out the reason behind the anxiety?  I'm really ready to get to my old self again, this is getting old 

[lilgina]

Hello.......anybody out there?  That's o.k. I guess it's kind of something I have to figure out for myself. Any advice at all will be appreciated anyway. 

[Yan55]

Well  all i can say is that i understand you. Its hard to get better while there is a constant cycle of anxiety ect ect. I try to work on eating and sleeping and excercise. Like that i have alot more energy to work on my anxiety. For me i managed to figure out the fear and it has some what helped me. My fear is of the problem its self. Im scared to be anxious and i always think about if i will be. And thats what triggers it. Even knowing what causes my anxiety i find it really hard to work with. But i feel like im getting somewhere even if the progress is very small. When i dont worry or think about it life seems easier, but i always get back to my little bubble and think of it. I know thats what i am gonna need to work on.There are many different ways to start finding out. I started by talking and understanding my self, i went with logic even if it was against what i felt. I also decided to accept my anxiety and everytime it would come i would stop and tell my self " Dont fight it .. accept it ". You will find your way stay strong!

[lilgina]

Thanks so much Yan! I remember how easy it was to be anxiety free, but somehow it isn't easy getting back there. What you said makes total sense: I think it is the fear itself that is the fear. Thanks again. 

[PCGOPExaminer]

Anxiety is something that is felt by everyone. Having some anxiety can increase a person's performance etc.. But when it becomes something that is constant it can really put a damper on getting on with life effectively. And having been dealing with this for the better of five years I still am trying to figure out how to get back to my old self. My old self was someone who would react reasonably when faced with anxious times by getting anxious, but I always bounced back and returned to my easy-going state.  I experienced a traumatizing event in 2005 but when it happened I was strong as usual. Not long after I began to have the classic symptoms of anxiety and some panic. Here I am, it's 2011 and I'm still trying to figure out what the fear is that is keeping this dreaded anxiety alive. Because if normal anxiety is a reaction to something that is perceived as bad or threatening, then my anxiety is still going on by some sort of fear that totally eludes me.
Any advice on how to find out the reason behind the anxiety?  I'm really ready to get to my old self again, this is getting old 

I feel your pain with this as I have had GAD for 10-11 years. Within the past year, I went down from 40mg to 20mg of celexa on my own because things improve greatly for me. Well, that only lasted so long as I have 2 severe attacks, one last week and last night and went to the doctor and now  I am back to 40mg. I just hate this illness.

[Rainbeaufox]

Ive Totally been there, or should i say still am.  I have calmed my anxiety down alot.  Bu ibused to be calm and everyone came to me to talk or asked how i kept it together.  After a few traumatizing events i found myself slowly falling apart.  I went from driving 10 hours by mself to visit family to not being able to drive an hour to see a friend.  I so badly want to gEt back to my old self too.

I have found that forcig myself to do things has helped alot. I also read the art o happiness by the dalai lama and he has some words on suffering and anxiety that i personally found helpful.

[lilgina]

Thank You everyone for your replys and for understanding! Just knowing someone else is going through this gives me a little more courage to carry on.