When the anxiety feels like too much (throw love at it)

[@erikadelzell]

I’m not a commenter but this truly was amazing. Brought on tears because I resonate with this beyond belief. I’m frequently nauseous and panic stricken. I struggle to function daily lol. Sending hugs and thank you for sharing 💝

[@noamweizmann]

You’re the only person I’ve ever related to, the only person I’ve even seen talking so openly about Agoraphobia, when I wasn’t able to leave my bed, you helped me so much. I appreciate you. Just wanted to say that ❤

[@seinfeldchik]

You hit the nail on the head, Lauren. I panic whenever I feel nauseated or in pain. It’s beyond exhausting. The back and forth of analyzing symptoms and having difficulty discerning what’s anxiety-related and what’s an illness is constant.

[@LaurenRose.]

It is definitely exhausting! (But heartening to know that I'm in good company 🥰)

[@Kenzz8630]

For the first time in years I woke up this morning totally relaxed and peaceful, it didn't last all day but it was really nice. 😊

[@ChristineHowie-hx2ly]

I'm exactly the same lauren everything you've just said is the same as me exactly 💯 😢

[@puja2728]

wow you just explained so beautifully how I’ve been feeling for years❤ your videos help so much and make me feel less alone

[@LaurenRose.]

🥺 Thank you for your kind words!

[@ChristineHowie-hx2ly]

Yes thanks lauren for doing these videos you explain so well

[@LaurenRose.]

Glad you like them!

[@leeannirvin8557]

Yes! Well put...I could never find the words. The back and forth of am I sick or is this just anxiety? exhausts me. Also the "injustice" of it all. Thank you for doing these videos and giving a voice to all my muddled thoughts that I have been unable to string together ❤

[@LaurenRose.]

Ah thank you, Leeann. I'm glad to be helping in some way!

[@PokeMike]

Thank you for this video. I've found that acceptance, self love and compassion are usually the most effective things for me when my anxiety or panic is really bad. I relate sooo much to the 'Am I sick or is this anxiety?' There was one time recently I got panicky but it turned out I was just actually sick and I threw up a few hours later and suddenly my anxiety was gone as because the nauseous was over and there was a reason for why I had been feeling it.

[@LaurenRose.]

Absolutely - although I find that compassion is the one I have to remind myself of over and over again. It's strange how it's my go-to when it comes to others, but when it comes to myself, I'm the first to jump on the 'not this again!' bandwagon. I'm sorry to hear you were unwell - but so interesting how we relate to physical unease! It's all about the unknowns, isn't it?

[@PokeMike]

@@LaurenRose. oh yeh 100% the first reaction to the feelings are ALWAYS "oh no not now" the compassion for me usually comes after it settles a bit but I'm still 'on edge' because otherwise I'll feel bad/disappointed/frustrated so I really try and force the compassion instead. Yeh it's interesting, I wonder how much of it all just drills down to a fear of death. I know that's something I've struggled with my whole life. And it's also what fight or flight thinks it's is prepping us for - a life or death situation.

[@carolwhelihan1514]

My terrifying issue is always is this anxiety or am I losing my mind, this time permanently? I think constantly when I feel a little "better" i start worrying about how soon will the severe anxiety come back. My relapse 3 years ago makes me feel like a shell of the person I used to be.

[@LaurenRose.]

That feeling is really scary. And I do notice that the more you buy into it, the more of a sense of 'disreality' seems to seep in, it really feeds into itself! I'm sending you love and support, Carol! I think it's part human nature to worry about the other shoe dropping, and then just part and parcel of anxiety in general, too. But regardless, it's a crappy feeling. I hope you find some ease ❤️

[@carolwhelihan1514]

@@LaurenRose. thank you for taking the time to answer! So nice of you!

[@laurenpyper7545]

I had this exact thing yesterday! I've been sick for a month straight. The flu..got better then 2 days later strep throat.. got better then 2 days later strep came back lol. I'm still on antibiotics and not 100% but feeling better. It was my son's birthday yesterday and we were going to take him to the skating rink, a huge exposure for me right now, but he has special needs and likes to be pushed around to watch lights. So OF COURSE I have to go lol. The whole morning I felt so lightheaded, nauseous, sick and I couldn't tell how much was anxiety and how much was me actually sick. I was angry and frustrated. Racing thoughts of, okay I can face anxiety but what if I'm actually sick and pass out on rollerblades 🤣 I hated wasting time deciphering between the two. I told myself I had to try and if I was sick, we can figure it out. I went and it was 90% anxiety lol 10% still recovering so I'm very glad I went, gained more confidence knowing even when I did feel a little sick it was okay and we had fun.

[@LaurenRose.]

Ooof it sounds like you've been through it!!! That's a long time to be unwell, hopefully you are on the mend soon (sending healing vibes your way!) And I absolutely hear you on the 'wasting time'. It does feel like that, and I get frustrated myself about that tension I stir up in my own body by doing that differentiation between sick/anxiety. I do try to remind myself though that people do a LOT of things when they are sick. I work in an outpatient department of the hospital and a patient in the clinic the other day had to be sent down to Emergency because they were *really* unwell, but they had just been going about their day as usual. And then there's me of a morning going, "Am I well enough to get in the car? Am I well enough to take my kids to school?" You have to laugh, really!

[@laurenpyper7545]

@@LaurenRose. Lol! Yes! I see myself as far too fragile! My husband can be sick and still running errands/work and I'm like.. how are you doing that?! You're a superhero! 🤣That's why I'm learning to be kind to myself but still put on my big girl pants and say, you can do it lol I had to go to urgent care to get diagnosed for strep and I had to get up and go immediately after a nap all disoriented, 103 fever, as sick as a dog. I was too sick to focus on anxiety and went to the hospital, stood in line, waited in the waiting room and made it through the appointment. I'm like, see.. if I can do that when I'm really sick I can leave the house with the sniffles lol What an adventure teaching our brains what we are capable of! And thanks so much, I'm feeling much better ❤️