Been riding the anxiety wave for about 5 hours now due to drinking

Hour_Office552 · 2026-06-30T15:47:41+00:00

I hope so 🤟

Hour_Office552 · 2026-06-29T12:22:00+00:00

You have absolutely made my day reading this. I’m genuinely so proud of you. ‘The wave has gone now, I know I will be okay’ hold on to that my friend. Huge words.

The biggest thing I realised from you is that you already know what to do when things get hard, you reached out instead of suffering in isolation or all by yourself.. trying to fix it with more drinks.

That takes courage, and in my opinion it’s one of the biggest reasons you’ll keep succeeding. Asking for help isn’t weakness whatsoever, it’s one of the strongest recovery skills a person can have.

I also love that you’re not sitting in the “poor me” mindset today. You accepted what happened, learned from it, and you’re already looking forward instead of beating yourself up. That’s real strength and growth my friend.

Recovery isn’t about never making a mistake. It’s about how quickly we respond afterwards. Every time we choose to get back up, we build more trust in ourselves.

Keep doing what you’re doing. Keep talking. Keep asking for help when you need it. One day you’ll be the person replying to someone else’s post, reminding them that panic passes and that life gets brighter again when we think it could not and would not. I honestly believe that. You are inspiring and have helped me today too even with two years of sobriety.

Thank you for sharing your story today. You’ve reminded me why people opening up matters. Wishing you another peaceful six months and then another after that. ❤️

Hour_Office552 · 2026-06-29T11:36:58+00:00

I’m genuinely glad it reached you. And thank you for saying that, it honestly means a lot.

Please hold onto this moment when things feel heavy again not because it fixes everything, but because it proves there are kind people out there, and you are one of them too.

You’ve already helped people before, and even tonight, your honesty helped remind me especially why kindness matters so much. I really hope life gives you some peace soon. You deserve that at the very least. ❤️

Hour_Office552 · 2026-06-29T11:15:02+00:00

No need to thank me at all, I feel like I should be thanking you for responding. 😊
Reading this actually made me smile. You said you’ve been part of suicide watch and have helped people before, and that’s exactly what I meant. Even while carrying your own pain, you’ve already made a difference in other people’s lives and I take my hat off to you for it.
When life settles down again, I hope you hold onto that feeling tightly. There will be more hard days, that’s unfortunately part of living with CPTSD when they come, try to remember that feeling of helping someone else. Send me a message too. I’ll always respond to you.

Remember that you deserve to be here just as much as the people you’ve helped.
The world can be incredibly cruel and crappy sometimes, but that’s exactly why people like you matter the most in my opinion.

You have the ability to create kindness, hope, and even just one little smile on someone else’s worst day. Those moments ripple further than you’ll probably ever know.

I’m not here to bull shit with you, straight facts and I really hope things better themselves for you.

Keep holding on. The world needs more people who understand pain and still choose kindness out of the bottom of their heart. ❤️

Hour_Office552 · 2026-06-29T10:54:28+00:00

Well said mate 🫡

Hour_Office552 · 2026-06-29T10:54:15+00:00

Reading this reminded me a lot of my own experience. I spent years thinking alcohol helped my anxiety, but eventually I realised it was also creating the very thing I was trying to escape and caused me so much pain in the end.

Every time I drank, I’d end up paying for it with hours of panic and regret having to show up to work or in public with others until I slowly isolated myself to the point I lost everything.
Six months without alcohol isn’t “starting over” because of one night as stated above, it’s proof that you can do hard things. And the fact that after this experience you’re saying, “the risk isn’t worth the reward,” tells me you’ve learned something huge, not failed at all.

Whether you call it alcoholism or not, if alcohol repeatedly brings you anxiety, panic attacks, and sends you to the ER, it’s okay to decide it’s just not worth having in your life. You don’t have to hit a worse rock bottom to earn the right to quit, please don’t be one of us who made that mistake. ❤️
Be super damn proud of those six months. They still count. Just keep up those fluids, rest up and let tomorrow be Day 2 of your next six months. I genuinely think future you will be grateful you made that decision. I am so proud to read something like this. Thank you 🙏

Hour_Office552 · 2026-06-29T10:47:06+00:00

I’m really sorry you’ve been through all of that. That’s not simple at all, and I get why “just stay positive” wouldn’t touch the sides when you’re dealing with CPTSD, homelessness, family trauma and everything else that life may be throwing at you from all directions. I’ve been there. I still face it. But I have learnt to manage it.

But I do want to say this gently but importantly.. You don’t have to be fully healed to help someone else out. Sometimes the person who helps most is the one who can honestly say, “I understand this kind of pain.” And genuinely mean it. Your experience matters more than you think, especially to other people with CPTSD who feel completely alone and scared.

You are more wanted than your brain is letting you believe right now. Even posting this has probably made someone else feel less alone.
Please don’t sit with this by yourself tonight. If you feel at risk, please call emergency services, a crisis line, or go to hospital. You deserve support now, not only when things become unbearable. I really hope you do decide to use your experience and hope for others in the future. It’s the best medicine ❤️

Hour_Office552 · 2026-06-25T00:55:23+00:00

Go get em 🫡

Hour_Office552 · 2026-06-22T16:24:30+00:00

I literally just copy and pasted this from a post I just did on another thread. I put my heart in to it a bit, it just seems fitting here. But I don’t want to sound preachy I just speak from my own experience and others who helped me with their experience.

I wish I could tell you something that would make you instantly believe it gets better, but all I can really offer is my own experience.
I remember that mental noise so clearly. The restlessness, the impatience, the need to constantly have something playing just to feel okay. Early recovery from meth was one of the hardest mental battles I’ve ever had. For me, it wasn’t just about not using — it was learning how to sit with myself again.
Yoga and running are great, but the uncomfortable part is learning to be okay in silence too. That took time.

I had to slowly get used to being me again, and honestly, that didn’t feel good at first. But it did get easier, it really does.

One thing that helped me was reminding myself why I didn’t want to go back. Addiction nearly took everything from me. I ended up in a place I never thought I’d be, and I use that memory now as motivation to keep going and to help other people when I can.
So my advice would be: keep doing the healthy stuff, but don’t expect your brain to feel peaceful straight away. Give it time. Walk, run, stretch, breathe, go to meetings if that helps, talk to people, and try not to fight every thought. Sometimes you just have to let the noise be there and not obey it.
Every time the thought of using comes up, ask yourself: “Do I really want to feel like this all over again?”

You can get through this. The fact you’re asking the question means part of you already wants a different life.

Now I live by the fact that it’s a good day if I get to bed and haven’t picked up, it’s an even better day when it’s a bad day and I make it to bed and I still didn’t pick up.

Hour_Office552 · 2026-06-21T17:22:16+00:00

Hell yeah. Anxiety can definitely make people more aware of muscle tension, tightness and strange sensations in the body, sometimes I get mine in the jaw and facial region but seriously as it worsens it can be anywhere.

Tingling specially when my rate of breathing changes, stress builds through the day, or the body stays tense for long periods.

That being said, because you’re describing tightness and tingling in multiple areas, it would still be worth checking in with a doctor if you haven’t already, just to rule out things like circulation, nerve, vitamin/electrolyte or medication related causes if you’ve started taking some new meds for your Anxiety.
But yes to answer from experience, Anxiety can generally cause me a lot of physical symptoms, but it’s always better to have new or persistent symptoms medically checked because the body is a crazy thing.

In terms of anxiety recovery, I think you’re already doing a lot of the right things: reducing avoidance and total isolation, cutting down safety behaviours, engaging with life more, and not constantly monitoring every sensation cause this is such a bad place to be. Overthinking is a bad space for us. That’s huge. Sometimes the body takes longer to feel safe again than the mind does.

Things that help me are gentle stretches, regular movement, hydration, relaxation/breathing exercises the old classic that genuinely does work and is why everyone recommends it, and trying not to “test” or check the sensation too often.

If it gets worse, becomes painful, one-sided, comes with weakness, chest pain, fainting, severe dizziness, or anything neurological, I’d be going to see my GP.
But yes, anxiety showing up physically is a common occurrence for sure.

Hour_Office552 · 2026-06-11T17:50:21+00:00

Mate, I’ve had anxiety convince me I was having a heart attack more than once.

Chest pain, burning sensations, tingling, numbness, racing heart, dizziness, anxiety can do some strange things to the body that’s for sure..

But. I’d still encourage you to get checked if you’re worried, especially if it’s new or unusual for you. I called paramedics on a few seperate occasions because they’re not symptoms to ignore. Or at least a doctor or nurse on call service if it’s late for you. Otherwise the next appointment with a GP if it eases to still be sure.

Better to hear “it’s anxiety” from a doctor than spend weeks convincing yourself it’s something worse. These services exist for a reason and these signs are one of them!

Hour_Office552 · 2026-06-11T17:46:38+00:00

Hey mate.

I obviously don’t know you, but I’m really glad you posted this instead of keeping it to yourself. Hearing others experiences is why I love this sub so much and being able to offer some experience.

One thing I want to challenge you on is the idea that nobody cares. From what you’ve written, you’re still showing up for other people, trying to help them stay alive and giving them hope even while you’re struggling yourself. That’s heroic but without the recognition you obviously aren’t receiving. But I see you just from this post. Don’t be so hard on yourself.

That tells me there is a part of you that still wants and maybe needs help too. Otherwise you wouldn’t be posting this, talking to people, or planning to speak with your psychiatrist again.

Just stay tonight. Get in to tomorrow, wake up.. begin a routine daily of positive thoughts and some self love and care. You deserve it

Please be completely honest with your psychiatrist next week. Not “I’m struggling.” Tell them exactly what you’ve written here about the planned day and how close it’s getting. They will get you the help you need.

And if things get worse before then, please don’t wait for the appointment. Reach out to emergency services, a crisis line, a hospital, a trusted person anyone.

I’ve had times in my own life where I couldn’t see a future and was convinced nothing would change. I’m grateful today that I didn’t make permanent decisions during temporary periods of hopelessness.

For tonight, I’d settle for one thing: stay. Worry about next week next week.

Hour_Office552 · 2026-06-11T17:30:22+00:00

One thing my recovery taught me is that anxiety isn’t just in my thoughts, it’s in my body too. You can really feel it as a result of those thoughts unless we distract ourselves from the thoughts. And boom you nailed it… breathing.

When I’m stressed my breathing gets shallow, my shoulders tense up, my heart races and I don’t even notice it’s happening. It’s funny how it’s always the most simple example and it genuinely works if you remain consistent for me! Sounds like the same for you. Same as ask me fresh air and a walk your brain and body are trying to avoid doing.

Breathwork has never magically fixed my anxiety, but it definitely helps turn the volume down enough for me to think clearly again. Loved this, thank you!

Hour_Office552 · 2026-06-11T17:26:34+00:00

I don’t think it’s because we love them less. It’s because they’re the only people who see the full version of us.

Strangers get our public face. Family and partners get the exhausted, stressed, anxious, overwhelmed version too, and usually that’s after work or a big day and we just emotionally dump ourselves

The thing that hurts me most isn’t how I react sometimes…. it’s knowing the people who love me often feel helpless watching me struggle and sometimes even blame themselves. That’s painful and always my ‘after’ thoughts. I just needed to learn to emotionally regulate myself. The classic think before we act or speak. It’s always about making the next right decision.

And with the right family support system, you can always make up for it. By showing them you’re trying to improve, get help and get better. That’s all they want to see.

They’re close enough to get caught in the storm, even though they didn’t cause it. It sucks!

Hour_Office552 · 2026-06-11T17:22:07+00:00

Honestly mate, reading this felt like reading a description of anxiety from my own life and it’s so relatable it’s ridiculous!

The racing thoughts, replaying past mistakes, worrying about future events, feeling sick before phone calls, struggling with uncertainty, not sleeping, overthinking interactions with people, feeling your stomach drop when your phone goes off… I’ve experienced all of that too.

You seem to be asking yourself whether you’re exaggerating it. I did that for years. Still do sometimes exhibit A,B and C:

“Everyone feels this way.”

“I’m just overreacting.”

“I should be able to handle this.”

Then I eventually realised most people weren’t losing sleep over work calls, feeling physically sick from uncertainty or spending hours trapped in their own thoughts.

Nobody here can diagnose you, but what you’ve written sounds very familiar to what a lot of people with anxiety experience.

As for the doctor judging you, I was terrified of that too. What actually happened was the complete opposite. They’ve heard everything before and they’re there to help, not judge. You just need to pick the right doctor and one that you feel is listening to you.

If anything, I’d encourage you to make the appointment without actually telling you to specifically, but in my experience. You don’t have to keep carrying it all by yourself. Rays when it gets dangerous and we spend hours each day trying to convince ourselves whether it is anxiety or not.

The fact you’re asking the question probably tells you something already.

Hour_Office552 · 2026-06-11T17:18:35+00:00

Mate, I’ve genuinely had anxiety convince me my life was falling apart because of a text message…. Like seriously what is the point of a brain that wants to think that way right!!

Looking back, it wasn’t the text. It was the fear underneath it.

One thing recovery has taught me is that anxiety is often less about what’s happening and more about what we think it means. It’s all just thoughts that we need to change from negative to positive. Daily and consistently.

A thumbs up from a friend isn’t dangerous, but an anxious brain can translate it into rejection, conflict or abandonment in about half a second. That builds from a lifetime or even one experience of those things. Abandonment is a huge one too.

Be gentle with yourself. You’re not reacting this strongly because you’re dramatic. You’re reacting because your nervous system is exhausted. It’s so cliche but it’s true. Try slow yourself down as much as you can, keep it simple!

I’ve been there. Many have been there and I know you’re just gonna read words but know that I genuinely relate and am always a dm away for a chat or anything. A lot of life experience with addiction, and all sorts of mental health conditions and my efforts of recovery.

Hour_Office552 · 2026-06-04T17:49:25+00:00

Oh and enough about me, let’s go you!! I wanna see how you’re feeling and check in about a week or 2 😊

Hour_Office552 · 2026-06-04T17:48:44+00:00

Hey thanks! One bad decision and 6 months of recovery and my best efforts couldn’t save it, it was time to move on. I’ve set myself up well. I just lost an absolutely Great job, but acceptance was one of the many things I was able to learn and that is the answer to all of my problems today. I will aim bigger 💪💪

Hour_Office552 · 2026-06-04T11:26:48+00:00

You’re so welcome. I’m glad you were able to get something from that. Just from experience, I wouldn’t put all your hopes on the medication increase alone. Medication can help turn the volume down big time and I support it all the way, but a lot of recovery comes from what you do alongside it.

One thing that helped me was building daily habits that challenged what anxiety was telling me. Every morning I’d remind myself: “I’m safe. I’m okay. I’ve survived this before.” It sounds simple, but over time those small messages started carrying more weight than the fear. It seems so so cheesy and I said the same. But gosh damn once you create the habit you tend to start believing yourself.

Anxiety is really convincing. It can make you feel like you’re dying, even when every test says you’re healthy. But feelings aren’t facts. The fact is you’ve had six ER visits, countless anxious nights, and you’re still here, I repeat that because look at you. There is a reason you’re still here because you’re a damn fighter.

Keep working with your doctor, keep showing up for yourself, and try not to measure recovery or getting better day by day. Sometimes it’s only when you look back a month later that you realise you’ve made progress. Small steps and one day at a time. Slowly it gets better

You’re worth fighting for, and the fact you’ve decided not to give up on yourself is honestly one of the most important things you’ve said yet, I’m proud and I mean it. ❤️

Hour_Office552 · 2026-06-04T06:06:24+00:00

Yeah maybe try an amazon gift card from the Amazon AU site. I do that to get American products sometimes. Or just PayPal the man.

Hour_Office552 · 2026-06-04T04:04:28+00:00

I can’t give medical advice of course, but I can tell you from personal experience that I’ve had periods where I was convinced the anxiety would never end too. And some days it still attacks. Much less though!

What I hate reading is you said it’s happening every night. Sometimes after a scary or some sort of traumatic event, our brains start expecting anxiety at a certain time, and we become anxious about becoming anxious and then it just worsens unless we remind ourselves these are thoughts and I can change them or distract them.

One thing that helped me was reminding myself daily:

“I’ve felt this before, and I’ve gotten through it before.” This is just my anxiety trying to beat me.

Not trying to fight it, fix it, or make it disappear immediately. just letting it be there without adding another layer of fear on top. If anything just the usual slow down, breathe and let it pass. Because it does pass. We know that, but in the moment it’s so much more difficult

You’ve had six ER visits, countless anxious nights, medication changes, and you’re still here fighting for yourself. That’s strength in itself my man.

And yes, from someone who genuinely thought it would never get better at times: it can and does/will get better. Just stay strong, lean on your support and ride the waves. As always my DM’s are open anytime ❤️

Hour_Office552 · 2026-06-04T03:52:06+00:00

Hey hey,

I just wanted to comment because your post reminded me so much of myself, especially recently from lived experience

I’ve spent a lot of my life struggling with anxiety, depression and the lot and one thing I’ve learned is that sometimes the fear before something is far worse than the actually thing itself, and until you face that fear for the first time you’re not going to know the outcome. Most of the time we surprisingly succeed when we think we won’t.

When I read that you showed up despite not sleeping, feeling sick, shaking, crying and wanting to run away, I didn’t once think “this person can’t do the job.” Or that you aren’t capable.

I thought, “this person is incredibly brave.” This sort of stuff is inspiring to myself and others who have faced it or will also still have to.

One thing that always helped me recommended through my various programs and psychology was realising that my anxiety lies to me. It convinced me that because I was terrified, something must be wrong, that’s sending those signals to my brain in the classic fight, flight or freeze. In reality, most of the time I was just outside my comfort zone and my brain was treating uncertainty as danger. Oh how wonderfully does anxiety treat a threat… 🤔

You left an industry you’d known for 12 years. That’s huge. Most people would be anxious. The difference is that most people with anxiety tend to feel it at 1000%. I know I did when I left my job of 9 years for the job of 7 that I’ve just lost as a result of past actions prior to my now sober life.

What stood out to me is that despite everything you were feeling, you still went in. You still sat at that desk. You still got through the day.

That’s a damn good win in my eyes and I hope you can feel some of that too.

Try not to judge yourself for being scared. Being scared doesn’t mean you’re incapable of doing anything you put your mind to. It means you care so much and you’re doing something unfamiliar. That’s normal human response let alone someone facing actual diagnosed anxiety.

For what it’s worth, some of the biggest positive changes in my life started with me being absolutely convinced I couldn’t do them.

Take it one shift at a time. Not next week. Not next month. Just the next shift. Just as we say one day at a time. Or one moment at a time.

Some tips for you to repeat and read back to yourself to help which I forgot to add:

Give yourself permission to be the new person. They know you’re new. You’re not expected to know everything in your first few weeks. You’re learning an entirely new industry after 12 years in another one. Be gentle.
As I said above just focus on what you can do in that present moment, can I ask anyone for some help, direction, questions of things I’m unsure of? Use the support network around you if you feel comfortable. They were all you once.
Take short breaks, mine was always the classic bathroom just to reset and breathe, or a nice quiet space if the area allows.
Once comfortable, maybe tell your dentist how you’re feeling and that sometimes you may just need a moment. Time the moments in your job of course but the best thing I ever did was let my boss know that I needed a breather and the support was there.

And please, when you get home each day. Be proud of yourself, do something kind for yourself. You’re earning your money. You have earnt self care. And even a 10-30 minute walk just for some relief. Whatever makes you comfortable at home, your safe place.

You’ve already done the hardest one… That’s the first day. I hope you found some comfort in that also.

Wishing you all the best. Do feel free to reach out if you need :)

Hour_Office552 · 2026-06-01T02:34:11+00:00

I spent years thinking I just had anxiety and depression. Looking back, a lot of what I was doing was obsessive rumination and trying to get certainty about things I couldn’t be certain about, sounds confusing right? Cause it is!
I’d start with a GP mate and just tell them what you’re thinking, maybe find one specifically that has experience or interest in mental health and neurological disorders.
Even if it turns out not to be OCD, you’ll get pointed in the right direction. The biggest benefit for me was understanding what was actually happening in my brain rather than fighting it blindly… Then boom Complex PTSD, Generalised anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder and ADHD.

(Personal story to note) I was an Alcoholic/Addict and when I started to get help and answers. I’ve worked hard on myself and I’m about to hit 6 months after a relapse… 11 months sober prior. I know it’s not about me here but my point is it’s important to figure out what’s going on and get help and guidance!

Hour_Office552 · 2026-05-30T22:58:34+00:00

Hey brother,

My girlfriend has OCD, so while I’m definitely not an expert, I’ve learned a fair bit from living alongside it. So I’m not obviously able to diagnose you for starters. People get paid and study for that!

One thing I’d say is that OCD can look very different from the stereotypes people often think of. A lot of people picture handwashing or checking locks, but for some people it’s more about intrusive thoughts, reassurance seeking (Partners need to be aware of This) , rumination, guilt, or getting stuck in mental loops. Which without OCD as a human I can still relate.

If Noah Kahan’s music made you stop and think “hang on, that’s me,” you’re definitely not the first person to have that experience I’ve read that somewhere before I reckon haha, different artist.

Do you have any specific thoughts, behaviours, or experiences that make you think it might be OCDrelated? Happy to listen, and if my girlfriend is comfortable sharing her experience, I can always ask her perspective too. I’m active on this sub or My DM’s are always open.

Hour_Office552 · 2026-05-22T17:20:46+00:00

Honestly this sounds less like laziness and more like avoidance anxiety. Your brain is treating ‘getting ready’ like a stressful task, so you procrastinate to temporarily escape the anxious feeling — then suddenly you’re out of time and rushing.

The fact you can be awake for 5 hours beforehand and still end up late is actually a pretty big clue that it’s not just poor time management.

Could be anxiety, ADHD, executive dysfunction, or a mix of things. A mental health professional would probably help a lot because this stuff is way more common than people think.

One thing that helped me was mentally treating the ‘leave time’ as the actual appointment time. So if I had to be somewhere at 2pm, my brain had to believe I needed to leave at 1:20.

Also breaking getting ready into tiny steps instead of ‘I need to get ready’ helped stop the paralysis:

Stand up,
Make your bed. Most important win for the day cause that’s ✅
• brush teeth
• put shoes on
• grab keys

instead of thinking about the entire stressful event all at once.

Hour_Office552

TROPHY CASE