New to this and I could use some advice...

Hi, I'm not sure where to start with this but here goes nothing.

For the past 18 months or so I've felt a change. The only way I can explain it is it's like living in a pressure cooker. I feel very anxious and irritated for no apparent reason. Everything just frustrates me to the point that I've had meltdowns in front of people at work and my family. I just feel as if I'm under this enormous pressure and everything stresses me out. It's gotten to the point where I don't want to do anything. I still do the normal things that have been in my routine for a while (church, work, school) but I don't do anything else. I just can't do anything without getting frustrated.


A family member suggested that I should just get over it and get out of the house. I tried going out with some friends and almost felt as if I was going to have a panic attack. My heart just started racing and my thoughts were all over the place so after 5 minutes, I left and went home. The only thing that I find works is music or white noise. So I've gotten into the habit of having my earbuds in with music or white noise playing when I go out to run errands.

I just don't know what to do anymore. I'm sick of feeling trapped and unable to have fun. I have no idea where these feelings have come from. My mother was bipolar and I was verbally abused as a teen. I'm not sure if that could be the reason for all this or not.

Is this something that could be helped by seeing a therapist? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Sorry to hear things are so tough.
You could go to your doctor and explain how things are. Everyone is different but for some meds work, for some therapy works and for some they need both. (At the moment I'm the latter).
It can help so much to talk about things, that's why I suggested seeing your doctor, so you can talk through your options.
I think for most people it's a combination of things which gets them through a period of anxiety or depression/both.
Having said that, I've been suffering for about 15 years on and off and although I've learnt some things that help I've recently gone through an awful time and felt like I didn't know what to do anymore. So I guess even when you find things that help, you can still hit a bad patch.
Anyway don't know if any of this is helping......... There's lots of stuff online as I'm sure you know, even just being on here can help a lot I think. Some people find a self-help book that really helps. Just got to find your way I guess.....
Good luck,
love yo-yo x