This is something that I can experience on an on and off basis, with and without warning – which can be the most frustrating part about having complex anxiety. The start of feeling anxious can be the scariest part (perhaps more referred to as a panic attack). I have found a good description of what this can feel like in an article recently saying “helps the body focus solely on survival, shutting down everything that it deems unnecessary including our rational thinking.”

There are more good explanations on anxiety in this article which I found helpful) (https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youngwomenstrust.org%2Fvoices%2F7-ways-to-manage-anxiety%2F%3Fgclid%3DCjwKCAjw15eqBhBZEiwAbDomEvWm8aAGVjTY6RSa9tvk_i6dRtbEZi5YGDDC4LoTY-TnGR2o9mYJKxoCKIYQAvD_BwE%26fbclid%3DIwAR15B1fxL-zHteLGL9GEfGO57Vzi4oU_YB9Q4D1x_lqfMuzbQDmr9r7rfl4&h=AT3ARN60x7MqndNpZPbBsCcSQuDUZDwcE0Kp_YfxYDC7I0wj1Mwl3mdJ_VrwxugEaaKgitsvZFxyfvVKR5jNInOIXlhcBaLr7i2bylRP2BRiBP25CTT9DZcxokwVg-iIRsFh-w

In this state, it can be hard to see a way out. However, if you put your mind on wanting to get out of it and recognise that you’re having a panic attack – it IS possible. I have found my own process (as not a full extrovert) to be:-

1. Trying to achieve a calmer state – both physically and mentally. This can be with medication and the environment I put myself in
2. Reassuring myself with the truths of the situation (what can bring me comfort). I often try to write these down to come back to refer to.
3. Depending on where you are on the introvert/extrovert scale – you may have already shared your anxiety with someone. Or you may only start to feel comfortable sharing with people after you have given yourself the needed reassurance.
4. Either independently, or with someone else, starting to think about what will help. Usually easier to think of the short term first. I often tell myself (and other people) to forget about the practicalities for a minute and what seems like the best thing to do.
5. Finally, thinking about longer term and what I can do to manage the particular anxiety in the future.

As I said already, this process can not always follow this pattern and an anxiety can come back the same or stronger when you least expect it. What I need to remind myself of is that no one is perfectly mentally healthy at any point in their lives and its ok to feel anxious about the same and/or new things from time to time. I perhaps think about this more at the moment as I wait to try another type of therapy to look more into the reasons and triggers for my anxiety which I’m hoping will be helpful.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope you find it helpful. As always, feel free to get in touch with any questions/feedback/comments, I always love to hear them. Stay tuned for the next instalment (which I’m hoping won’t be as far away this time).

Until next time

K