#AnxietyTalk -- Take Three!

★ Spotlighted from Clarice Piper

“Crowded spaces are common for people I talk with and me too, esp when I'm stressed or overly tired”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“ugh hate feeling trapped, always sit by the door, hi everyone! :)”

★ Spotlighted from Christine Salek

“!! I also have misophonia. I've never known anyone else though.”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“hm I think my sister has that”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“I just can't stand not feeling like I have an "out" if I need one, thinking about that in itself is the one main thing I guess I get anxious about, all the overthinking doesn't help either :/”

★ Spotlighted from Blake Ian

“Just had a wonderful discussion today about Transcendental Meditation and the positive results it has had on reducing my anxiety”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“I need to learn how to meditate Blake, I have heard it does work wonders”

★ Spotlighted from Blake Ian

“Meditation has helped me learn to how to HAVe anxiety and not suffer from it... thats been the key for me”

★ Spotlighted from Michael Nam

“i had a bit of a panic attack this morning myself”

★ Spotlighted from Michael Nam

“Better, but mostly because I was able to see family and just be there for them”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“that is the key I think Blake, I went through MAJOR anxiety a few years back when I quit smoking it was terrifying, until I realized some of the stuff I was thinking was anxiety was actually excitement, it is hard to differentiate the too with severe”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“anxiety”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“it's like I began confusing my emotions, it was psychologically interesting, but there really is nothing worse than frequent panic attacks and now I know that”

★ Spotlighted from Blake Ian

“"Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional"”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“being around my nephews always calms me down... remembering to take it a little slower and soak it all in :)”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“thanks! it has been 2 years this may! can't believe it! :)”

★ Spotlighted from Michael Nam

“i've been sorta going at it at the cigarettes today, Rachel, so I'm really glad whenever anyone quits”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“yeah it has actually, but more it felt like I was re-wiring my brain to quit a HUGE thing in my life, almost like separation anxiety, it is what I always went to always! and when it was gone it hit me harder than I thought it would”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“@Michael me too, unfortunately both my nephews parents juststarted up again :/ but I told them I never will, all I can do”

★ Spotlighted from Clarice Piper

“I've been limiting my caffeine recently, and that has helped me too”

★ Spotlighted from Michael Nam

“I'll get back on the wagon again...I have to keep trying, right?”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“yeah we all have our bad habits and look at just how addicted we are to them, psychologically and physically months after quitting smoking I was driving to school and reached over to pick up a cig at the same spot I always did, it was like muscle”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“memory, crazy!”

★ Spotlighted from Clarice Piper

“I'm a life-long insomniac, so some days are tough, and I let myself have the extra caffeine, and other days I am able to go caffeine free”

★ Spotlighted from Michael Nam

“Thanks!”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“@Michael, yes always keep trying, it is one of the hardest things to do, quit, good luck to you! :)”

★ Spotlighted from Clarice Piper

“.@Katie: Absolutely! I think it is important for each person to find what makes the anxiety less and life better”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“way to go Nicole! that is another huge thing to stop!”

★ Spotlighted from Michael Nam

“Good point...caffeine hasn't been much of an issue for me unless I have it late in the day. Addiction is a problem in my family, but I've avoided our casual alcoholism at least *whew*”

★ Spotlighted from Michael Nam

“Addiction is a huge damn problem in my family...and now I'm angry again”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“my mom was at a sleep psychologist the other day she told her that if you have caffeine after 11 am forget about sleeping good, it takes something like 8-9 hours for caffeine to leave your system”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“definitely agree with that Katie! I went to treatment at 18 and I felt like a failure sometimes when I went back to it, but I realized that I learned my lesson at 18 I was drinking for all the wrong reasons; to avoid, escape, and later in my life I”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“drank for different reasons, enjoyment”

★ Spotlighted from Michael Nam

“My cousin died last night of a drug overdose. He happened to be my childhood bully and my mom's employer who is also my roommate.”

★ Spotlighted from Michael Nam

“otherwise I guess I'm getting by”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“sorry for your loss Michael :/”

★ Spotlighted from Clarice Piper

“That's a lot to take in Michael”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“my nephews are moving away from me real soon and I have always been their caretaker, I am so nervous about letting them go :/”

★ Spotlighted from Michael Nam

“Yeah, it's why I was overwhelmed this morning...so much other stuff coupled with negative stuff happening around. I just couldn't breathe”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“*hugs* Michael”

★ Spotlighted from Michael Nam

“and last week was soooo good too”

★ Spotlighted from Michael Nam

“thank you, Rachel!”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“aint that just like life? a constant rollercoaster”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“we are sane to be so anxious! lol”

★ Spotlighted from Michael Nam

“when it rains it pours”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“they are obviously just not paying attention”

★ Spotlighted from Michael Nam

“I kinda have to because I'm still recovering from a cold lol”

★ Spotlighted from Clarice Piper

“I think the calm people are either lying or not paying attention”

★ Spotlighted from Clarice Piper

“My anxiety is sort of the other way. I've been at my job a year now, I like it, I like my coworkers, and my boss - and I'm not looking at the next move - I've been moving around for more than a decade - and the staying put makes me a bit edgy”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“omg I get that Clarice so of the reason I rarely have real romantic relationships, it is more scary to have "found something" than to be without...”

★ Spotlighted from Michael Nam

“Clinic escorting? ;)”

★ Spotlighted from Michael Nam

“I was going to do stuff this weekend, but I may have to help with family stuff because it's so chaotic right now”

★ Spotlighted from Michael Nam

“but, it may help just as Nicole says...to be helping my family”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“I think if I did clinic escorting someone on the opposing side would get knocked out "accidentally" alot”

★ Spotlighted from Clarice Piper

“@Rachel - Yes! That's were I'm at now, the recent loves have moved out of state, and now that I'm going to be here a while, I'm thinking - do I really want to start something”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“@Clarice I get you it is it is really scary, because it is a serious thing and alot of people don't take it seriously anymore, like loving someone, settling down, it's a HUGE deal”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“why aren't more people nervous about big changes? :p I feel like a freak sometimes”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“@Michael yes down time is important, take care of yourself too”

★ Spotlighted from Clarice Piper

“@Rachel: Agreed! It is a huge deal! Letting someone into my life that close”

★ Spotlighted from Michael Nam

“the woman I'm seeing is in Seattle touring her show, so that...y'know what, it's almost like I have every micro-whatever for anxiety going on right now, so I'll just say yes. I should take a break sometime this weekend.”

★ Spotlighted from Clarice Piper

“@Rachel: NOT a freak - I really think that most people are thinking or paying attention”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“@Clarice it is, I watch people just jump into other people like it won't change them forever, I was always the girl hopping back and forth across the line, trying to find the courage to stay on the otherside”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“thanks Clarice :)”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“@Michael - maybe some nature would help? Always helps me :)”

★ Spotlighted from Michael Nam

“lol...last week I was counseling at a sleepaway camp”

★ Spotlighted from Clarice Piper

“I usually stay just outside, trying to find the courage to let people in (esp romantically)”

★ Spotlighted from Michael Nam

“it was...I keep thinking about those amazing kids, and it really does take some of the edge away”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“me too Clarice, I always get scared I am makign the wrong decision, but maybe by making no decision that is a decision”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“you are my hero Katie! :)”

★ Spotlighted from Michael Nam

“lol...I woke up one day and I had all these poly friends who really at least shifted my worldview on that score”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“so how sick is everyone of like trying to explain actual anxiety and phobias to people, so they take it seriously?”

★ Spotlighted from Clarice Piper

“@ Katie: Thanks. I'm wary of people in general, so finding one person to be romantic with it quite a lot of work”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“I really do want to be with a great guy, but I mean like it will take a special person to get me to be with someone forever, very special, like 1 of a kind, diamond in the rough stuff I will not settle and people don't get that”

★ Spotlighted from Clarice Piper

“@ Rachel: Absolutely: It should be as such - no one should settle”

★ Spotlighted from Clarice Piper

“@ NIcole: I hold the depression cards close too”

★ Spotlighted from Christine Salek

“Same, Nicole. I've found that it's easier for people to understand the general idea of anxiety (which comforts me to a point), but less so how truly debilitating depression is.”

★ Spotlighted from Christine Salek

“Yes. In my experience, how physically debilitating it can be for long periods of time -- people can't understand that even when they're witnessing it first-hand.”

★ Spotlighted from Michael Nam

“oh man!”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“Thanks Clarice, I think that too! What is the point of settling in a miserable relationship, no thanks :p”

★ Spotlighted from Clarice Piper

“Absolutely - there's a lot of "Just think yourself happy" type talk out there (roll eyes) If it was that easy, don't people think I would have done it by now?!?”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“oh my goodness! yes anything you need to do, do it Nicole”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“my nephew was just asking about Robin Williams and I was trying to explain suicide and depression it is a complex thing, people don't get that”

★ Spotlighted from Michael Nam

“I think the Robin Williams tragedy very much says how much of a problem people's view of depression still can be”

★ Spotlighted from Michael Nam

“That's probably why you're such the activist as well, Katie...I always feel like I should be fixing something as well”

★ Spotlighted from Christine Salek

“My fiancé's anxiety is like that (even though I'm not naming him, he's said it's OK to share) -- he gets preoccupied with being there for everyone, and often overdoes it when he worries about situations he cannot influence at all.”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“I had a seizure once because of too much stress, running around trying to finish school work, making dinner, watching my nephews, I just collapsed, that's when I knew I needed to calm down a bit!”

★ Spotlighted from Clarice Piper

“As we talked about a bit last time (or the first time) self care is incredibly important, but certainly overlooked (myself included)”

★ Spotlighted from Michael Nam

“self-aware but lacking self care :(”

★ Spotlighted from Christine Salek

“Exactly. And since my own anxiety peaked a few years ago, I feel like I've gained SOME insight since then, but when I tell him "you have to put yourself first," I have trouble believing it sometimes.”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“no I haven't had one since or one before that, it was just like all of a sudden my body couldn't handle all the stress”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“but yeah I am a caretaker to a T I am never NOT taking care of something or someone, trying to make more time for myself now”

★ Spotlighted from Christine Salek

“Rachel, that actually happened to me too. No prior history, it just happened once and hasn't happened since.”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“I knew someone else it happened to too Christine, and the doctors apparently told him it does happen every so often that people can have 1 or 2 seizures because of stress scary”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“that is a great idea Nicole! finding the RIGHT therapist is SO important”

★ Spotlighted from Michael Nam

“That's worth noting should I ever seek therapy, thanks Nicole!”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“what were some questions you asked? (if you don't mind me asking)”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“everyone could benefit from some talk therapy, even if it is just with someone who loves you unconditionally”

★ Spotlighted from Christine Salek

“>> for that reason. I'm literally too anxious to see a therapist to help me with my anxiety.”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“Christine, it is tough, I remember when I was in my teens when I was the most suicidal and depressed of my life and I just loved my therapist I found and then she left like 3 months later, I never really went back to see anyone else,”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“such abandonment issues I have”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“that is awesome Nicole, I'll have to remember to ask these things! :)”

★ Spotlighted from Michael Nam

“Insurance...there's an anxiety-inducer”

★ Spotlighted from Michael Nam

“Yeah, Nicole...I think we have similar political/belief leanings”

★ Spotlighted from Michael Nam

“I guess I'll see what's compatible with whatever ACA plan I pick up after my job ends in a few weeks”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“ugh what a world we live in :/ you are all so strong to be doing that work, and it is SO needed, people will just push anyone down they don't understand or agree with :p”

★ Spotlighted from Michael Nam

“I may hit you up as my ACA guide, heh”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“thanks for the tawk Katie and Nicole! And everyone! :)”

★ Spotlighted from Michael Nam

“my handle's @wordsmeanings”

★ Spotlighted from Michael Nam

“yes, thanks!”

★ Spotlighted from Christine Salek

“I'm @christinesalek if you want to follow me -- pretty much down to talk about anything, even if you just need a distraction.”

★ Spotlighted from Christine Salek

“Thanks Katie and Nicole!”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“definitely helps to know you aren't alone! :)”

★ Spotlighted from Clarice Piper

“Absolutely great to have people who know you aren't whining!”

★ Spotlighted from Michael Nam

“will do!”

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“thanks again! night all :)”

★ Spotlighted from Clarice Piper

“Thanks for hosting Ladies!”