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Weekly Prompt #41: Are there any underlying beliefs or fears that fuel your anxiety?
by ASilentObserver
Last post
1 hour ago
...See more Hello all and welcome back to another discussion,  A couple of weeks ago, we discussed what kind of behaviors anxiety has caused you to engage in. [https://www.7cups.com/forum/anxiety/General_2428/WeeklyPrompt40Whatkindofbehaviorsdoyouthinkanxietyhascausedyoutoengagein_336332/] Thank you to all who participated and shared your thoughts with us. I appreciate you all. I hope all who may read it find it relatable, too. If anyone hasn't shared them yet, please share them here [https://www.7cups.com/forum/anxiety/General_2428/WeeklyPrompt40Whatkindofbehaviorsdoyouthinkanxietyhascausedyoutoengagein_336332/], and I look forward to reading and discussing them with you.  This week's prompt:  Are there any underlying beliefs or fears that fuel your anxiety? There are often underlying beliefs and fears that fuel anxiety and these can be categorized into a few key areas like core beliefs, fears, negative thinking patterns, etc. Let's start to discuss and share these behaviors and I look forward to hearing your thoughts and experiences. Did you join us in the Anxiety Support Chat? It is available every Wednesday for the entire day. [https://www.7cups.com/connect/groupChatrooms.php]
A Little Reminder 🦋
by daydreammemories
Last post
Saturday
...See more
Conquering Anxiety: Panic Attacks and How to Tackle Them
by SoulfullyAButterfly
Last post
October 25th
...See more Hey everyone, I’m excited to join the Conquering Anxiety series with a discussion on panic attacks. These attacks can be scary and feel overwhelming, but there are ways to manage them. What is a Panic Attack? A panic attack is a sudden surge of intense fear or discomfort that peaks within minutes. Physical symptoms like shortness of breath, chest tightness, heart palpitations, dizziness, or numbness can accompany it. These symptoms can be really frightening, but it's important to remember that they're not dangerous and will pass. How are Panic Attacks Different from Anxiety? Anxiety is a general feeling of worry or unease, often about future events. Panic attacks, on the other hand, are sudden and intense episodes of fear that come on strong and fast. People with anxiety disorders may experience panic attacks, but not everyone who has a panic attack has an anxiety disorder. Strategies for Managing Panic Attacks In the Moment: * Deep Breathing: Shallow breathing is common during panic attacks, but deep, slow breaths from your belly can help slow your heart rate and calm your body. Try inhaling for 4 seconds, holding for 7 seconds, and exhaling for 8 seconds. * Focus on Your Senses: Ground yourself in the present moment by focusing on what you see, hear, smell, taste, or touch. Notice five blue things in the room, count the sounds you can hear, or sip some cool water and describe the taste. * Positive Self-Talk: Remind yourself that this is a panic attack, it's temporary, and you'll get through it. Some people enjoy writing their own affirmations in advance. * Relaxation Techniques: Progressive muscle relaxation involves tensing and releasing different muscle groups, which can help ease tension. Practicing PMR regularly during calm periods can be very helpful for managing general anxiety and reducing muscle tension. This lower baseline tension can make you less susceptible to panic attacks. It is not recommended that you practice/apply PMR during periods of panic attacks or long-term anxiety as the body is already in a heightened state of arousal/tension during such states. General Strategies: * Learn Your Triggers: Identifying situations or thoughts that trigger your panic attacks can help you avoid them or prepare for them. A panic attack journal can help you look for common patterns that may be triggering. Some common triggers are stressful situations, social situations, or negative thoughts. * Challenge Negative Thoughts: When anxious thoughts arise, challenge them with evidence-based reasoning. For example, if you're worried about passing out in public, remind yourself that panic attacks, while uncomfortable, are not dangerous. Try evaluating the evidence that supports and is against the thoughts you are having. * Seek professional help: A therapist can teach you coping mechanisms and help you understand your anxiety. Actionable Activities: * Create a "Calm Kit": Assemble a collection of items that help you feel grounded and relaxed during a panic attack. This could include calming scents like lavender, a stress ball, pictures of loved ones, or a playlist of soothing music. Having this kit readily available can be a helpful reminder that you have tools to manage your anxiety. * Practice Visualization: Imagine yourself in a calm and peaceful place during times of low anxiety. This can create a mental refuge during a panic attack. * Develop Your Personal Panic Attack Plan: Personalize what you will do during a panic attack according to your needs. Discussion Questions: Members: 1. What are some of your experiences with panic attacks? 2. What coping mechanisms have worked well for you? Listeners: 1. Are there any resources you'd recommend for people who struggle with panic attacks? 2. How can you best support someone who is dealing with a panic attack? Remember, you're not alone in this. There is help available, and you can learn to manage your panic attacks.  This post is part of the Conquering Anxiety series, you can find all posts of the series here.  [https://www.7cups.com/forum/community/CommunitySpace_2590/ConqueringAnxietyMasterpostOngoingSeries_327724/] You can join or leave the tag list here. [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe4lpVXC3O_M5IFg4EGkFVJ5y3rj9re7Wq4bOhaVIGOvcRpAw/viewform] @exuberantBlackberry9105 @unassumingEyes @WeEarth @CordialDancer @YourCaringConfidant @daydreammemories @yellowPineapple3652 @BaklavaBaby @CalmRosebud @Gettingbettertoday @GregariousSky @mytwistedsoul @sincereZebra2546 @pamharley003 @Sugarapplefairy5 @orangish @NovaIsNB @Blahblah1805 @KateDoskocilova Note: We are looking for people who have worked on their anxiety management (progress counts, it's okay if your anxiety is not all the way managed yet) who are willing to share their experience to help others. Please message @Hope [https://www.7cups.com/@Hope]directly to contribute to a post in the series.
Starting business school in the fall and I’m terrified
by anxiousaf61
Last post
October 16th
...See more My dream for years has been to go to business school, I hadn’t processed before how many presentations, social interactions, and internships would be involved with this and now I’m freaking out. I’ve also heard most business students are very outgoing and confident which is something I’m not. How do I handle all of this falling on me at once?
Driving
by powerfulEast299
Last post
September 26th
...See more I HATE DRIVING, no one understands how and feel and they force me to do it which makes it worse, I need help
How do you cope with your phobia?
by DreamsofAuratus
Last post
September 3rd
...See more I have a phobia that I'll be addressing with a therapist soon. It's so debilitating that I can't name it without getting triggered. Lately, it's been getting so much worse — I am starting to avoid certain rooms in my home and becoming reluctant to go outside, even though I used to love going outside. My partner also has to do certain tasks for me now, because every time I did it, I would have panic attacks. I don't want this fear to control my life. If you've recovered or are recovering from your phobia/s, please share your story and/or any resources that helped you.
Darkness
by Lightyourlife
Last post
August 22nd
...See more I have a phobia of darkness. I kind of need help for that. I start having a panic attack whenever I am in somewhere dark.
Agoraphobia
by Mommie74
Last post
August 20th
...See more I'm I alone??
Ruin
by Mdreaming101
Last post
July 9th
...See more When my anxiety peek, I have paranoia. The world must be out to get me. Not that I’m so important. But that something bad will happen and I’ll be sued. Financial ruin. Everything will be taken from me. I wouldn’t have a bed, a roof over my head. I’ll be on social welfare, trying to make ends meet. Be force to work jobs I don’t like. Everything I work for gone. It is not true. I know it is not true. But I can’t help thinking I can’t screw up. I can’t afford to screw up. Anixety says, it doesn’t need to happen now. It can in the future. A possibility. I am *** at myself for freaking over a possibility. The peace I cannot have because of a possibility. If what I do now won’t alter the future, then what is the point of freaking out? Nothing. A waste of what time I have now. Ugh.
Homelessness
by powerfulBalloon4612
Last post
May 4th
...See more Hello,  I think this is my first share here but I am terrified that I am going to be homeless when I am older. I have autism and I have trouble with budgeting my money. 
Does anyone struggle with Agoraphobia? If so, how do you deal with it?
by AvariceGautier
Last post
March 15th
...See more I am 34, with Agoraphobia, and I can't leave the house without an anxiety medicine and either my husband or sons. I can't go around crowds even with them. The big open space is terrifying but I hate being closed in. Does anyone else get these kind of contradicting problems. 
Anxiety and philophobia
by Juderoad
Last post
February 11th
...See more Hi I have a date coming up but I'm so nervous and scared I've avoided relationships for almost 2 years now [19rn] cause others didn't work out but I think I like this person it's hard to tell I feel bad about myself like what if they don't like me but then I get sort of relief bc if it doesn't work then I guess I'll stay single and the thing is I work alot and I'm worried if that's going to get in the way bc 1 I don't have a car so I have to rely on someone to take me which suck but hopefully soon getting one and 2 it's far away what if they want to go out more and I don't have time or a week to go out cause I'm far from them!! idk I'm just really afraid of messing up and work stuff also I'm embarrassed of where I live so any one coming over or even seeing where I live is terrifying it sucks I just don't know how to feel like I want to go out but I also want to crawl back inside my safe space any advice I'm truly scared of it this happening I don't want to make them sad but Also sorta scared to start things
Weekly Prompt #15: What is your biggest fear?
by ASilentObserver
Last post
November 29th, 2023
...See more Hello everyone, I hope you are all being easy on yourself this week. Last week we discussed: How do you ensure a good night's sleep despite the anxiety? [https://www.7cups.com/forum/anxiety/General_2428/WeeklyPrompt14Howdoyouensureagoodnightssleepdespitetheanxiety_310994/] [https://www.7cups.com/forum/anxiety/General_2428/WeeklyPrompt12Doyoufeelpressuretoconstantlyachieveandexcelatworkduetoanxiety_308224/] [https://www.7cups.com/forum/anxiety/General_2428/WeeklyPrompt11Doyouthinktherearecertainpersonalitytypesthataremorepronetofeelingmisunderstoodordismissed_307445/]Thank you to all who participated and shared their thoughts for discussion. I enjoyed them. I hope you all did too. If you didn't share yours, please share them here and I look forward to reading and discussing them with you. [https://www.7cups.com/forum/anxiety/General_2428/WeeklyPrompt14Howdoyouensureagoodnightssleepdespitetheanxiety_310994/] This week's prompt: What is your biggest fear? Describe it in as much detail as possible. What triggers this fear? How does it make you feel? This week I want us to reflect and explore this topic that can help us understand and deal with our biggest fears. Let's get started and all thoughts are welcomed! ------------------------- Join us in the Anxiety Support Chat every Monday and Tuesday! [https://www.7cups.com/connect/groupChatrooms.php]
Was it touched? How can I get past it?
by PinetownTree
Last post
August 20th, 2023
...See more In the spring I needed to undergo colon surgery for the third time. My coworkers sent some get-well cards to my house, but one of them drove out to put theirs on my car. I was mortified cause my car is super sentimental to me even though what they did was super nice, my job is my big source of phobias like seen here: healthunlocked.com/my-ocd/p... [https://healthunlocked.com/my-ocd/posts/149794117/just-looking-for-kind-words...?responses=149810741&utm_source=notification&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=email_individual_response] My mom wiped my car off, we said that because my car was covered in gunk then my car wasn't touched directly but it has started to torment me endlessly...thinking I can't drive my car places or if I do it'll spread contaminations. I like car movies so now I can't watch them because I think of my own car, how I couldn't save it from touching when I went out of my way for years to be sure people wouldn't touch it. I recently cleansed my wiper blades the envelope was under, they were covered in thick layers of gunk. My windshield was covered in pollen when it occurred, plus they were cutting trees on my street so it was covered in sawdust. Who knew how long it was since my car was washed cause I was in the hospistol? I've seen where people say there's layers of oil on your windshield over time or other dirth buildup that happens from driving. Our cams outside looks like the coworker just slide the envelope , didn't touch the car itself so is it possible with enough layers, the glass or the wiper wasn't touched by the person or envelope?
Phobia of Medical Needles
by midhaynight
Last post
August 8th, 2023
...See more I have a severe phobia of needles, specifically medical needles. Lancets, syringes, and blood draws freak me out. Normally this would be a problem for an average person, as they only need 1-2 blood draws a year or less, however I am a uncontrolled type 2 diabetic. My phobia has caused me to neglect medical attention as every time I go to the doctors they either force me to go get a blood draw (which is worst type of needle I can find) or trying to get me injectable medications. No matter how much I tell them of my fear they keep telling me my life is at stake and I should 'suck it up'. But that is the exact point. I'd rather die then go near a needle. I avoid pricking my finger and in fact haven't touched my blood meter in almost a year. I feel bad about lying to them, but I feel worse when looking at a needle. My fear has also caused them to believe that I have high blood pressure, as every time they check my blood pressure they mention an A1C test and my blood pressure SKYROCKETS, and when I tell them this they just seem to brush it off. My health while okay(?) for now is going to fail, my blood sugar (apparently) ranges around 450+ and my A1C is usually above a 8. Just for reference blood sugar should be less then 120 and your A1C should be less then 3. My doctors are baffled as I should be in a coma or even dead right now. Nothing I have done seems to help, as taking medication (That is supposed to make me numb to the world) doesn't work until AFTER the blood draws and taking a tranq seems excessive. I have gotten my blood drawn 5 times in the past 2 years and every time I have either fainted, thrown up, or both on the attendants. Listening to music doesn't work, and I have even tried emersion therapy which only has made it worse. The weird part of all this is the fact that neither sewing needles or tattooing needles freak me out like this. Just medical needles. Has anyone here felt something similar to this or otherwise have any advice to deal with this?

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Anxiety

Coping with Anxiety Growth Path by Cheery Mango

Anxiety Growth Path by Izzy

Relaxing and calming Guided Visualizations by prestigious professionals, compiled by 7 Cups

Tips to Cope with a Panic Attack

(Resources for recognizing a panic attack and coping with a panic attack)

Some relaxing gifs to help you calm down! 

(Take a look at these gifs/follow their instructions to help you calm down and relax in the event of a panic/anxiety attack.)