Why Does This Keep Happening? :( (stress Related)

[ChoctawWarrior]

I haven't been feeling well lately- I have complex PTSD and I tend to get sick under stress....which usually results in me being admitted into the hospital :(

Anyways, lately, I have been feeling increasingly anxious. I'm starting to not think straight again, like I did last time I got sick. For example, I get more forgetful than usual, more dissociative, and I begin to mix up words (though I'm not really doing the mixing up of words yet).

For another example of my decreasing condition, I'm starting to twitch more and more, as a result of my muscles being too tense, I think. I do not know how to let them down! I am getting sick to my stomach as a result of stress. I'm also seeing things out of the corners of my eyes, which comes and goes depending on the amount of stress I'm under, plus I'm getting more tired and weak.

I would really like to reverse these effects, and get well- I DO use coping skills, but they don't always help. Does anyone know how I can keep myself out of the hospital, and keep myself from getting sick in the future? I need to stay in school....and my anxiety is distracting me from focusing on my homework....and I feel like I'm in this constant panic attack, that's making me feel like I'm going crazy :(

If anyone has advice of how to relax my body, I would surely appreciate it. I would also like to know why this keeps happening...of course, I'm a senior in high school and I need to get things done. Life gets busy- I don't see others breaking down- and I don't want my inability to take too much stress to affect my getting into college and graduating. This is crazy! I'm just trying to keep up with life and I get sick! Why?

 

[The Albatross]

Muscles can only do two things flex or extend. When I start having body reacitons I clench my muscles systematically for about 30 seconds and then let them relax. I go through my body this way. It helps.

The other aspect is stress management. Most often when I stress I breath hold. It is common. So when I start stressing, I slow down and do some breathe work... counting to 4 on the way in, holding it for 4, then expelling it for 4. Oxygenation can help you with brain freeze and anxiety... and practice makes it a habit.

Self care (rest, good nutrition, good hydration, stress reduction techniques) helps. You don't see others breaking down or wearing down sometime possibly because stress and anxiety taxes the immune system.

 

[Ayasha]

Life gets busy- I don't see others breaking down- and I don't want my inability to take too much stress to affect my getting into college and graduating.

I'm a student as well, and deal with these feelings far more often than I would like. Something I have to remind myself, sometimes on a daily basis, is that these other students don't have the same problems I am facing-- if they did then they would probably experience the symptoms I do. Also, give yourself a break: you are dealing with a lot of things and school stress does NOT help it at all but try not to say you are incapable of handling this stress because you can, it will just take a lot of work and time.

If you are not already I do suggest looking into therapy because that does help a person to find better techniques and just get the extra support you need and deserve.

 

[KatB]

Choctaw, I know where you are coming from completely. I am also under very stressful situations and I am also a senior in college. I took sick leave since last spring.

Sorry to say I understand this very well.

 

[Mayday]

I'm starting to not think straight again, like I did last time I got sick. For example, I get more forgetful than usual, more dissociative, and I begin to mix up words

I get this too. Lately I have noticed that sitting on the ground outside for a bit, or walking around barefoot has helped me. Maybe because it's quite literally grounding me by being close to the ground.

 

[ChoctawWarrior]

Thank you all so much for your responses- I appreciate the insight :)

If you are not already I do suggest looking into therapy because that does help a person to find better techniques and just get the extra support you need and deserve.

I am in therapy now- just beginning to get in weekly :) Thank you, though! :)