Feel so Anxious.............Venting.............

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Old 01-15-2013, 09:41 AM
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Feel so Anxious.............Venting.............

AH has been gone over a month - house is peaceful but I have just suffered so much loss with my parents passing and now Ah moving out and my old Grey being so sick - and my last son leaving for a 4 year college in the Fall - I am a nervous wreck literally. I am jittery- I have twitches and muscle spasms- I feel like I am gonna jump out of my skin and I hate it. I have started eating better - trying to get sleep - as I don't sleep more than 2 hours - I am taking more vitamins - reading self help books- reading spiritual stuff - playing mindless games to calm myself - watching peaceful tv - getting support from friends......I am trying but I guess I know AH will eventually get nasty - I will have to move out of my house and go god knows where .........I need to just get thru a day at a time ! I don't want to go on any meds as I have in the past and the side effects floor me. I lived with a verbally abusive angry A and it has taken its toll on me physically and emotionally - I feel like I will scream if I am startled or hear a noise and literally I jump like a scaredy cat............ Any ideas would be great......... I am a happy person and wake up pretty happy and go to bed pretty happy but this whole anxiety thing sucks ..................
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Old 01-15-2013, 09:47 AM
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Maybe way out in left field on this one but IMHO medical and pharmaceutical sciences have yet to develop a chemical or procedure that can approach the efficacy of a puppy when it comes to busting one out of the blues. I think there is somethign in puppy breath that releases endorphins but then again I may be a little off... Jury is still out on that.

Trading a man for a puppy is a pretty good trade.
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Old 01-15-2013, 09:59 AM
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RHS, I'm sorry to say the only thing that broke me of my anxiety was long-term therapy. I did cognitive behavioral therapy for a couple of years that focused on self-care and self-soothing. That in conjunction with SR made all the difference.
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Old 01-15-2013, 09:59 AM
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Cynical One has a great article in her blog about our brains having a hard time adjusting to serenity because we are so used to making too much adrenaline. I think it just takes time for our brains to return back to normal. (God and exercises help me find some well needed balance. ) I will find it the article for you!
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Old 01-15-2013, 10:12 AM
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I am so grateful - I would love to see that article. Thank you for your responses! I am gonna call myself Anxious Annie..............
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Old 01-15-2013, 10:14 AM
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The Brain Chemistry of Being a Loved One
Posted 11-16-2011 at 11:42 AM by cynical one
Updated 11-16-2011 at 04:28 PM by cynical one
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The Brain Chemistry of Being a Loved One
~Lori Pate
B.A Psychology
University of Texas at Austin

Many people who have loved an addict have felt like they were going insane from all the chaos, worry, regret, fear, anger, confusion and more that comes with caring for someone who is in active drug addiction.

It seems reasonable that if the addict would just stop using, everything would return to normal and a happy life would resume. There is usually more going on though. There are chemical changes happening not just in the brain of the addict, but also in the brain of the loved one.

"What? I'm not the crazy one! The addict in my life is the only one going crazy, not me!"

That isn't always true. The chemical changes in the brain of a loved one should be understood to help speed recovery. Chemical changes in the brain of someone who is constantly in a state of stress, fear, anxiety and anger are not insignificant and are accompanied by withdrawal symptoms just like an addict who stops using.

The brain uses chemical messengers, called neurotransmitters, to allow us to feel feelings. Hunger, thirst, desire, satisfaction, frustration, fear and every human emotion are felt by the activity of chemical messengers in the brain. The most important messenger in this situation is norepinephrine (also known as adrenaline).

Norepinephrine is known as the "fight or flight" chemical messenger. This chemical is what causes us to feel a rush of energy when faced with a dangerous situation. Proper activity and levels of this messenger help humans get and keep themselves safe from harm. This chemical gives us the super-human abilities to outrun an attacker or think quickly in an emergency.

When a dangerous situation is perceived, norepinephrine is released in the brain. Receptors in the brain have "parking spaces" for the chemical to "park" in, which deliver the message. Once the chemical is plugged in, we feel a burst of energy, and a drive to get ourselves safe, take action, run or fight.

After the event is over, the messenger is released from the parking spot, and recycled to use again later. We begin to feel calmer and safer. The rush subsides. Heart rates return to normal. The feelings of fear and anxiety subside.

This happens all the time in all healthy humans.

But the human brain does not like constant stimulation. As soon as we are excited from a chemical message, the brain goes to work to return levels to normal. There are several mechanisms that work to do this. First, the chemicals are picked up by "reuptake" chemicals. Think of them like a tow truck. They are constantly floating around, looking for a chemical to tow back home. Recycling the chemicals restores levels to normal.

If constant stimulation occurs, causing constant chemical messages, recycling isn't enough. So the brain, in its effort to regain a normal balance, will begin destroying the chemicals permanently. If we are constantly in fight or flight mode, the brain determines that we have too many "fight or flight" messengers, so destroys them.

For someone who actually has too much adrenaline in their brain, this is helpful. But for someone who is constantly in a situation where they really are put under stress, and are triggered to respond to fear over and over, the destruction of their chemical messengers begins to cause a brain chemistry imbalance.

There is a third mechanism that the brain uses to restore balance. After recycling and destroying the messenger chemicals, if the brain is still being over-stimulated, it will destroy the parking spaces that the chemicals plug into. These are called dendrites. Once a dendrite is destroyed,it can not be repaired. It will never again receive the chemical message it was designed to receive. It is like yanking out the phone cord of a phone that won't stop ringing. It will never ring again.

When a loved one is in a constant state of worry and fear, the brain first experiences stimulation. It feels imperative for the loved one to take action, sometimes desperate action, in an attempt to remedy the fearful situation. If this stimulation continues day after day, the brain can not tolerate the constant stimulation and starts taking action to regain balance. Adrenaline is destroyed. Receptors are destroyed.

This is when the insanity of being a loved one really takes off. The loved one is no longer chemically balanced. Several things happen at this point:

****Things that used to signal danger no longer feel so dangerous. There simply aren't enough "danger" chemicals or receptors to accurately convey the appropriate feelings. At this point loved ones may begin accepting very dangerous situations as OK. For example they may feel it is a good idea to track down a loved one at a dealer's house, or accept a loved one who is violent and abusive in their home. They may make a choice to allow a dangerous person to be around their children. This is not because the loved one just isn't making good choices. More accurately it is because their brain chemistry has been altered by the constant chaos, and they no longer have the right feelings that would initiate safe choices. Unacceptable behavior doesn't feel as truly dangerous as it is. ****

Still, some loved ones are aware enough to know they should stop being in a dangerous situation. When the loved one stops contact with the addict in their life, that is when withdrawal sets in.

Withdrawal occurs when the brain is accustomed to a particular level of chemical activity, and that level is suddenly reduced.

A loved one who has become accustomed to constant stimulation from fear and concern, who then suddenly finds themselves in a safe, calm environment, will feel withdrawal because their brains have adjusted to a high level of adrenaline.

Withdrawal symptoms cause the loved one to feel quite uncomfortable. They will feel sad, have sleep problems, and feel that something is missing or just not quite right. This will cause the loved one to feel a desire to reach back out to the chaos they were accustomed to. The chaos will cause a hit of adrenaline to occur. This is the exact same cycle that an active drug addict goes through: stimulation followed by withdrawal. Withdrawal feelings cause a desire to be stimulated again, because the brain does not like extremes.

Because the loved one who has undergone chemical changes has lower than normal adrenaline activity in the brain, they will crave stimulation. They will feel an overwhelming desire to "check on" the addict, or to take a phone call even though they know it will not have the end result of a pleasant conversation. They will engage in arguments that they know have no possibility of being resolved while the addict in their life is still in active addiction. The will feel drawn back to the fear and worry they just escaped.

An extreme example of this is seen when a battered spouse continues to return to their abuser despite having other options.

This is the brain chemistry side of the chaos cycle of being a loved one.

So does it ever get better?

Yes! It absolutely can get better.

The human body can make more adrenaline, to replace what was destroyed when under constant stress. Not quickly, but slowly, it can replenish the levels of adrenaline so that the person feels normal, without needing chaos in their life to achieve a balance.

The human body makes neurochemicals from our food intake. A healthy, protein rich diet gives the body the building blocks it needs to make more adrenaline. Regular light exercise, a normal sleep pattern, a safe environment, and a healthy diet will help the brain recover.
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Old 01-15-2013, 10:38 AM
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I found From Abandonment to Healing by Anderson really helpful to explain what was going on for me (not about addiction per say).

I also have found therapy helped.

I am in this training and trauma/PTSD is often about incompleteness of the experience, especially in the nervous system and the body. I had no ability to deal with those strong feelings, physical reactions etc by myself. Therapy and body worked helped with these. I did not do it at this time but I wonder if Tension Releasing Exercises (I did those later) might not help.
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Old 01-15-2013, 11:46 AM
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You are suffering from so much stored up trauma, and it takes a while to let go of it. And it is hard if you are expecting more harassment from your AH.

There are some things that have helped me. First, taking long walks in peaceful places will wear you out physically, and lighten your spirits. For me, there is a lot of serenity in a vista onto the beauty of nature. If the weather doesn't permit, walking in a large indoor shopping mall can help, too.

Meditation also helps. It brings me back to the moment, away from all the past horror, and keeps from going into what somebody here calls future "catastrophizing". Keep reminding yourself that, no matter what happened yesterday, or what might happen tomorrow, THIS moment is yours, and it is peaceful and safe. Own that more and more.

I've been reading really intricate psychological thrillers; they aren't very peaceful, but they fully engage my mind. Lisa Gardner writes some good ones, Steven White, Kate Wilhelm are on my current list. They get me out of my own space and troubles. Same with TV shows. I got Netflix for TV, and I've gone back and watched whole series that I missed the first time around. I watched 3 seasons of Damages with Glenn Close - she's a lawyer with an attitude and a lot of convoluted challenges to manage. Kept my attention like the psychological thrillers do.

I agree with Poh's Friend - a puppy is great. Or, can you borrow a lively dog for a bit? Maybe offer to walk someone's dog while they work. My little dog has been a godsend. And, when I talk to myself, it looks like I'm talking to her.

Therapy is also essential me. Alanon meetings work for a lot of people.

I am also finding that now I'm starting to get my own routine going. I always loved to cook, and now I cook what I especially like, then freeze extra portions. That takes time, and I enjoy it, and it feels really nurturing.

I've started asking myself, when I find myself wandering around doing something useless or counter-productive, "Is this important?" "Do I REALLY want to be doing this now?" And that helps me re-direct myself into something happier and more productive. (Read note above about having a dog nearby so that people think you are not just talking to yourself...)

Music helps me, too. I have lots of CDs, love all kinds of music, and I pick different kinds when I'm in different places. Reflective jazz when I need to calm down or early classical like Bach's Brandenburg concertos. Sometimes lively up-beat stuff when I'm feeling down. Or take-down-the-walls, let-all-the-feelings-OUT stuff like Barbra Streisand or Mandy Patinkin doing Broadway. Then I'm choosing to let someone else's mood re-shape mine.

For me, it is a process of re-educating myself. I was constantly on-alert waiting for the next attack, criticism, crisis, whatever AH had in mind for me. Now I have to re-program myself to take back my time for me. And I think the article that LoveMeNow posted about brain chemistry is very important to take in, too. It will take time for us to accept peace and serenity as our normal mode.

Time, I think, is the biggest healer. That and learning to react less and less to our AH's destructive overtures.

Humor is good, too. I decided that my AH's recent declaration that I owed him $8000 for the diamond and ruby engagement ring that he gave me put a whole new twist on our marriage. I thought the ring was for eternity, when it was actually a lend/lease program and I didn't understand that it was costing me, for the 20 years at $8000, $400/year to wear that ring.....

We get to own who we are now, and eventually, we'll figure out how to own our own reactions and feelings. I'm with you in this boat, and after 6 months on my own, it is getting much better.

ShootingStar1
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Old 01-15-2013, 11:54 AM
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I have found that meditation helps... have you tried that?
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Old 01-15-2013, 02:31 PM
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"I am jittery- I have twitches and muscle spasms- I feel like I am gonna jump out of my skin and I hate it." (Redheadsusie)

^^^^^ This used to happen to me also. ^^^^^^

What I was assuming to be stress, turned out to be an elevated blood pressure, strange how when I let go of all the crazy stress, (the addict) my blood pressure returned to normal.

Keep taking deep breaths, it really does help with the stress. And so do hugs, so sending you support. ((((((hugs)))))))
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Old 01-15-2013, 02:52 PM
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Did you mean...

...trading an alcoholic for a puppy? I sure hope so.

Cyranoak

Originally Posted by PohsFriend View Post
Maybe way out in left field on this one but IMHO medical and pharmaceutical sciences have yet to develop a chemical or procedure that can approach the efficacy of a puppy when it comes to busting one out of the blues. I think there is somethign in puppy breath that releases endorphins but then again I may be a little off... Jury is still out on that.

Trading a man for a puppy is a pretty good trade.
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Old 01-15-2013, 03:28 PM
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Abuse does that to you.
It takes time but it will get better.
Hugs to you Susie.
:ghug3
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Old 01-15-2013, 04:30 PM
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Thank you so much! I love the Brain Chemistry information- it makes sense - I also think all of the ideas are super- I have been checking my blood pressure- and it was elevated - has actually gone down a little. I am taking some holistic "Natural Relaxants" my chiropractor gave me. I will check out some of the authors - thank you and I am working on the meditation- music is so important to me and I listen to all kinds on Xm - I am a Realtor so always in my car - today I had a closing in another town ( YAY CLOSING) and on the ride I played some Earth Wind and Fire which always makes me super happy and takes me back to college days! My clients today are wonderful and kept complimenting me as a person and as a Realtor so that was uplifting. I need to just stay in the moment and remember I am ok- these anxious feelings will come and go - and get fewer - I am so blessed with many many things and am grateful for you all here and the support I get! I can't thank you enough for helping me get through this ~ With love - :
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Old 01-15-2013, 04:51 PM
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I like Poh's idea of a puppy. Yes, it would be lots of work at first but that would give you something positive to focus your thoughts and energies on. I also agree with ziggy about meditation. It has been a huge help for me.
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Old 01-15-2013, 05:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Redheadsusie View Post
AH has been gone over a month - house is peaceful but I have just suffered so much loss with my parents passing and now Ah moving out and my old Grey being so sick - and my last son leaving for a 4 year college in the Fall - I am a nervous wreck literally. I am jittery- I have twitches and muscle spasms- I feel like I am gonna jump out of my skin and I hate it. ..
I can't believe what you posted!! I have been trying to drum up the motivation to post something so similar when I saw your post.

At the moment I feel so absolutely awful. I go to AlAnon meetings and yet I still feel so anxious and sad. Today I spent the day feeling downright terrified. My son has just got his own place and will be moving within the week. I am struggling with my income and AH does not acknowledge my presence on this earth. I feel alone, scared anxious and well just without hope.Today was so hard that I decided to just accept AH's divorce and selling of our house. Holding on just hurt too much.

Being in this situation is sad. About 14 months ago AH and I were still together and he laid into me one evening out of the blue. Called me names and was so horrible I had a massive anxiety attack, The next day he made no apology but tried to prepare an elaborate meal for us - I was unable to even eat as I was so upset. It sucked then and it sucked now.

Having somebody that takes no responsibility for any of their actions - who says that it was all my fault and I was a psycho just adds to this feeling of helplessness and frustration. Making me feel insane. I was in touch recently with a recovered alcoholic who said
"
my wife - I made her insane! I had spent so many years denying things, twisting things, lying, etc. that she didn't know what was up or what was down. .....That is why they say it's a family disease. Live with one of us for a while and your way of thinking and living changes too...for the worse. "

And that certainly is part of how I feel. Its difficult enough dealing with empty nest syndrome and divorce and add into that alcoholism - its very very hard.
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Old 01-15-2013, 06:19 PM
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It sounds like you have good coping skills, but maybe these coping skills aren't doing enough to ease your overall anxiety? A month out is still early but, if you find that things don't improve, maybe consider seeing a therapist or a psychiatrist. It helped for me when I got to the end of making things better on my own. I know it sucks but u know what? I finally gave in and got professional help, and things have gotten much better. Best of luck
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Old 01-15-2013, 07:37 PM
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This is not profound but it is something simple that I do to transport myself outa here most evenings after she kills her bottle and is asleep on a sofa. I unwind in a dark room listening to music that I heard as a young kid on an AM radio station back home.

Try it: TL's Live Feed - TERRY LEE OFFICIAL SITE -- MCN Pgh Oldies It's best is from 10p.m. to midnight.
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Old 01-15-2013, 07:50 PM
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Neverquit that is nice - makes me think of my parents - they loved this music and it brings back nice memories! I thank you and will use it to relax!
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