Stress: How Does Stress Affect You?

[Deleted member 541]

I know that in life there will always be stress. Stress comes in many different forms, and can come from just about anything, and from everywhere.

I can handle stress, but in small increments or doses. Daily stress within my job, personal finances, friendships/relationships and such, are fairly easy for me to handle. But when it comes at me from outside forces, and wave after wave of it, I shut down and more.

The affect it has on me is, is what I am having a hard time dealing with right now. I isolate even more, I pull away from people, I stop doing the things I normally like to do, anxiety/panic rises, sleep issues, and I am now dealing with trying to avoid anorexia, which I am not doing such a good job of. I have lost 30lbs in 2 months.

I am back in therapy, and doing a bit of CBT right now for starters, and will soon join a DBT group so I am proactive in that dept..I know it's early to see or hope for much, but I am really struggling right now....

What I would like to know is how stress affects you, and how do you deal with it??????

 

[Iam]

First off ...good job She Cat for being proactive! That is what will get you through this. How stress effects me really depends, like you said, where it's coming from and how much at a time. I am assuming you are asking how do others handle stress when it gets to the point of affecting your daily life?

I tend to withdraw also. Sometimes it's just for a day or two so that I can process and I see this as healthy. I dont' want to over react with people in my life. Those closest to me understand that I need to withdraw at times and they give me my space. There are other times however when I withdraw for a very long period of time. I am in one of those right now, I'd say probably for the last 10 months. I think mainly right now because I am in therapy and that in itself is causing me so much anxiety.

When I am feeling like this I have to force myself to go out and do the things I enjoy. I find once I get out there that I feel better, maybe not "normal", whatever that is LOL, nor do I enjoy it as much as I can, but at least I am out there and feeling better. For me getting outside is absolutely imperative. Fortunately I live on property and have to take care of my horses, feed, clean stalls etc. Exercise seems to really help as well as good nutrition and proper rest. The later of which seems particularly hard for me right now as I am not sleeping well. I should listen to my T and start taking the magnesium/calcium supplements and valarian root to help calm me at night.

And....I do allow myself to take more space, more time alone and not berate myself for it. Right now.....with the stress of dealing with accepting this diagnosis of PTSD and really working to get better, I know that I need more room and time for myself to process it all. I think that is OK and realizing that it's ok takes a lot of the stress off me. I am able to tell others that I need it right now and they respect my boundaries. Well for the most part LOL......if I withdraw for too long someone will inevitably come pull me out of my shell. LOL!

Good luck She Cat. I think you are doing an incredibly good job in recognizing that you need help and are being proactive about it ;o)