How does everyone pull themselves out of the downward spiral of saddening and fear that i am in?

[Nicnormriddle]

Hey Everyone,

My name is Nic and I was having a good week until yesterday. See I had a schedule, I was finally taking care of myself, I saw a future and everything. Then a so not healthy dose of survivors guilt came knocking at the door and I had a feeling of destructive force to myself. Unhealthily I spend the afternoon doing all that I shouldn't. When I went to work my night shift job (convenient I don't sleep anyways). I was destroyed. Came home to a few less then ideal phone calls. Spaying clinic for my cat. Where the doctor simply said that she would not work on my cat has she lost to much weight. (however she is losing weight because of her cycles) and rather then actually book an appointment with the clinic I panicked and hung up because I felt these people were just to 'unsympathetic' a word I use to describe others when I can not stop my fear infused thinking. Then I got a collection call from a university I attempted to attend last year who were only collecting 80 dollars but I felt as though they were going to tear my entire life apart. I am scared. I know it isn't reasonable but I am immobilized. I called in sick for tonight. It's my second sick call in so many months which just makes me continue to panic. My question goes how does everyone pull themselves out of the downward spiral of saddening and fear that I am in?

 

[RandyMac]

Not everyone does.
That is no way to live.
Being that you are cognisant of your situation, means you will most likely find your way.
how many meds are you on?

 

[bellbird]

Try taking small steps, rather than attempting to tackle everything you need to do at once.
You could make a list of the things you need to do. Having things physically written down somehow makes things more achievable for me; when they're all just floating around in my head they seem to inflate into much bigger tasks:
-perhaps seeing a therapist to help get you back on track. You are by no means weak, and it's awesome that things had been going better for you. This is just a little blip, which we all get from time to time. And you will get through this- the fact that you've reached out makes me even more sure of that.
-perhaps see a doctor to review any medication(s) you are on.
-call back the spaying clinic.
-call back your university if you need to.

-also perhaps try to identify what your fear is relating to (a therapist would be a good person to talk through this with). If it's feeling out of control and like there is just so much to do (I get this a lot), the list idea and breaking things down into small, achievable tasks/goals, could help :)

 

[mumstheword]

Just thinking about gratitude can help you brain move into an upward spiral. Just the act of looking for something to feel grateful for can help.
Naming your emotions helps.
Taking action, in some way addressing your situation.
Talking about it helps.

 

[Angrylittlebird]

I have no advice to offer you, Nic, just a high-five for hanging in there. I have the same downward spirals over and over. Personally (I know everyone is different), I keep going downhill until I finally give in and allow myself a day to just grieve/feel raw. I saw a video once on a website (it is Jehovah’s Witnesses) that suggested for people with ptsd to have healthy things they like to do, especially something active like swimming, running, etc, and to give yourself that extra time and attention when you feel yourself in that negative spiral. I think often we don’t give ourself the tlc that we need, then wonder why we feel overwhelmed so easily. It’s hard to do when we have so many responsibilities to care for. Still working on this myself Nic. Please give yourself a pat on the back from me for juggling a job, pet, home, etc, and all on little/no sleep! Please give yourself permission to take care of yourself too. Hugs.