
I’ve been battling my old anxiety demons continuously since my concussion setback. That was seven weeks ago. The concussion symptoms themselves were sorta kinda back to okay within two weeks, though some of the symptoms persisted a few weeks longer. But the anxiety and panic ballooned and ballooned until they once again started afflicting me with physical symptoms that prevented me from using my arms and legs.
Many of the blog posts I have written in the past seven weeks were typed in a hurry; and once they were dashed off to you, I had to rest my arms for the remainder of the day. Sometimes I wrote the blog posts using voice and touch screen only, which is easier on my arms, but still requires strength that’s limited for me right now. Every morning when I wake and start to use my limbs, I get the uncommon pleasure—that is, horror—of discovering which body parts are going to be functional that day, and which aren’t.
And so anxiety related to recovering from my concussion morphs into anxiety about the anxiety itself. And so the cycle persists, until broken—which can be done through certain techniques and help from health care providers—none of which are quick or easy fixes, with the exception of psychiatric pills, which I am already maxed out on and desperately need to withdraw from, as they are now causing as much (or more) side effect damage as help.
And then the whole world blows up with the coronavirus epidemic. (If you haven’t already, please read my article Best Coronavirus Advice on how to protect yourself and others!) And my anxiety, which by this point had gotten sorta kinda back to okay, spiked once again.
This time around, I have less access to my health care providers, some of whom have closed their doors, and others of whom I have elected not to see, wanting to practice social distancing as much as possible.
However, several of my providers are able to offer services through phone and video chat: a blessing. And I am leaning in hard on techniques I can practice at home to manage my anxiety: meditation (see my article Meditation 101 for more info), energy practices taught to me by my new holistic psychiatrist, breathing exercises taught to me by my new holistic physical therapist, eating well and supplementing well, exercising (I can’t always run, but I can usually walk), and calling and texting numerous friends and family members whom I know I can rely on to provide me with love and support (as I love and support them back).
But all of this is not what I meant to write about today! I meant to write about two articles I recently read that describe how other people have healed from their anxiety troubles, and to compare their experiences with my own. And to write about what works in healing anxiety, and what doesn’t. Because I’m betting that lots of you out there have been infected by the anxiety bug . . . if not by the actual bug. And there are mental health solutions out there. Solutions other than hard drugs. Solutions that work better than hard drugs and with no side effects!
However, as this blog post is long enough, and I never know these days when my arm strength is going to give out on me, I’ll save the discussion of these two fascinating articles for next time. Until then, tell me, how are you coping these days? Have you been infected by the anxiety bug? Reading too much in the horror genre (i.e., news articles)? Watching too many scary TV shows (i.e., the TV news)? How are you dealing with your anxiety in the face of these real events that are really frightening and really harming real people? Are we gonna be okay? Are we gonna get through this?
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We’re gonna be okay. We’re gonna get through this. Love to you. Leave a comment. Tell us you’re okay. Hugs. L.A.
I’m doing A OK. Killing monsters, that’s what I like to do when I can’t get out-and-about or the news, in whatever form, is simply too much to handle. I’m on my fourth or fifth avatar in Dark Souls and I’ve spent hundreds of hours (over 7 or 8 years by the way) smashing, stambing, slicing, and burning things that one might imagine could be a covid-19 virus. Oh and petting the cats. Can’t forget the cats. ;~)
Hahaha, I love this! What a healthy reaction to the news. Kill a monster for me today, OK? š
Consider it done! :~)
Thanks!! Appreciate that!! š
Kill a monster today for me too, John. Thanks for being a monster slayer!
Most certainly! I’ll even kill a few more just for kicks! Who am I kidding, there will be more than a few dead monsters by the end of the evening! :~)
The more dead monsters, the better! You’re a hero!
I hear you Liza. I work in mental health in intake and we are working from home… these are trying times. What works for me was limiting my news media time and listening to music. I also uploaded a couple of recording apps on my phone and nook tablet and ordered a new ipad because I have an idea of how I can possibly record this book I have been reading to my mom who is in assisted living. I also like to sing so I am recording some things with my new apps. I watched a great episode of the crown and I’m a fan of Jack Ryan through Amazon so catching up on that. Had a church meeting through zoom yesterday so we could stay connected. All of this is helping through these turbulent times.
Jeanne, this all sounds so very healthy! And thanks for sharing the suggestions … so many good ones here. Love to you.
I’m temporarily in Florida and can still swim mornings in the community pool but I think that will change soon. I meditate, watch PBS, BritBox & Acorn TV- especially funny shows. I’m confused and scared because we are not in our permanent residence in PA right now. We were supposed to stay in Florida until the end of April but I’m thinking for more peace of mind we need to head back this weekend. I’m also avoiding most of the news except for updates about the virus from the NYTimes and CDC. We’ll get through this but it will be a bumpy ride. Peace to everyone.
Hang in there, Jean! Stay safe! Sending love!
I’m fine and enjoy reading your posts each day. I’m sorry to hear that it’s physically difficult! Hopefully it helps with your mental state.
with gratitude,
Ann
Thanks for checking in, Ann. And thanks for your support. Stay safe and be well and also thanks for reading! š
Well said and hugs to everyone!
Hugs to you, Carol!
It helps to be an introvert at times like this! We are all fine. James comes to visit, which I know is not social distancing, but our sphere of exposure is very much limited. I am content with the dogs, projects and streaming tv shows, so no complaints. If we get stir crazy, we go for a drive or play soccer in the back yard. Plenty of food and drink. I feel fortunate. I hope that soon you are well and content. Thanks for checking!
Yes … my introvert side is definitely coming out, too. Glad to hear you are doing well, Rhonda! Sending love!
My son has a long history of anxiety issues, and he’s not doing well at all with the current stress. Fortunately, he’s self aware enough to know that many of his obsessive thoughts and fears are not rational, which is huge, but all the same, in his words, he’s a mess. In the meantime, doing the best we can, one day at a time, striving for spring.
Oh Eileen, I wish you and your son all the best! Yes, this is such a hard time for those of us who already struggle with anxiety. I suppose in a way it makes us more connected to others. . . . We’re all in this together, we’re all anxious together, and, yes, we’re going to make it to spring together. In fact, it’s technically already spring! We did it! All my best š