How to recover from stress/anxiety burnout?

Because my OCD has been extreme and I have contamination fears with it (toxins, drugs, germs etc) it stops me eating a lot which you can imagine and in the space of a month I lost a stone and now its back, I've lost another 7 pounds less than a month so about a stone and a half in general in just over 3 months. I've went from 10 and a half stone down to about 9. When I tell people this, they have the cheek to say "oh I wish I had something that made me lose weight so quick!" You wouldn't say to someone with cancer who's lost weight so quickly due to illness so why is it OK to say that to someone who has lost weight due to a mental illness? Rant over. Really annoyed that so many people are so ignorant when it comes to MH in general and especially OCD.
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I hate when people disregard OCD like its nothing. Mental health awareness needs to be done! People need to know, and to know that they aren't alone!

I had my counselling session today after my breakdown and honestly I thought I didn't make any progress but after coming home, I feel so much better! How are you?

Yeah its annoying. That's why I'm very open and vocal about my experiences with mental health, to try and break the stigma. Some people will see it as attention seeking but I don't care. I've never understood how it could be regarded as attention seeking as a lot of people see you as stupid, weak or annoying if you have a mental problem and that's not the kind of attention anyone wants.

Glad you're feeling better yeah I'm good thanks. Pulled some muscles in back from painting yesterday so I've just been taking it easy today. I was stretching one minute and then crouching the next so blaming that for my pain. I'm not the most fit to begin with lol.

I keep forgetting that last week, I was at my utter lowest. I feel like so much more time has passed than just a week. Just shows that the bad times really don't last forever
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I'm still at my lowest, feel like I can cry anytime. I feel so alone. My anxiety is triggered by social issues and I'm currently dealing with social struggles. I feel utterly alone and isolated to the people I love. I went to work today and it was a small distraction but the social issues still played on my mind. I can't cope. I have college Monday and am already feeling very anxious. I have a deadline due and it cannot be extended and the work isn't really an issue, once I'm in the zone hopefully I'll get it done.

These social issues and really upsetting me and I feel all alone literally you are the only person who may listen, I hope. I'm so sorry for dumping this but I'm alone and scared that I always will be. I don't have my family or friends who understand both my anxiety and social struggles. Everyone is telling me to be nice to the girls and they'll soon get bored, which I understand but I still so upset and alone. I'm fighting the tears whilst writing this. I don't even know if I'm gonna get through this. Can't keep doing this, am I that horrible and annoying no one wants me.

I'm so sorry

Anon, how have you been the last few days? Things picking up now?

Still the same. I just spoke to a friend about my social problems and am regretting telling her, maybe that's the paranoia kicking in. Maybe I do need to buck up and ignore things, I'm just struggling to cope and hate feeling like this. Can't keep doing this.

How are you?

Even though you regret it a bit now, you still done the right thing talking about your feelings. I wouldn't say bucking up and trying to ignore how you feel is the way to go. It works for lots of situations but not really mental health problems. I would say accepting how you feel for the time being and not adding too much extra stress to it is the way to go but its easier said than done. My Claire Weekes books and audio tapes taught me how to accept my anxiety state and for the most part, I can do it.

I've been OK thanks. Up one minute and down the next. I took a really bad panic attack while out yesterday for the first time in ages as usually my bad ones have just happened at home recently and that floored me a bit but I'm trying to just remind myself that I've been here before and I've always bounced back and I just need to mother myself for the next few days pretty much and take it easy. I've been quite stressed and anxious the last few days as my stepdad took another mini stroke so I knew a big attack was coming eventually.

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I know what you mean about the up down feeling, sometimes it can be OK and other times it can feel terrible. Hope your stepdad is ok.

I went in today with a fresh slate and for a while things were OK. I'm going out with them tomorrow but am feeling anxious. They asked me last week but I said no as I knew it was out of pity. People have told me if I keep saying no then they will stop asking so I decided to say yes.

I'm trying to keep an open mind and trying not to let things bother me but it's difficult. I asked one girl if I had done something wrong and she told me no and the other girl just walked away. Mum told me to leave it and that not everyone will like me but it bugs me that we once used to be really close. Where did things go wrong? I just don't know what I'm doing wrong. I'm scared this might lead to a meltdown but am trying to keep calm.

Yeah he is fine now, thanks. Just gave us all a scare!

Did you get on OK while you were out?

Your mum is right though I know its hard to ignore or walk away from situations like that, especially when you were close to them beforehand. I've had that happen a lot with old friendships. It sounds as though these friendships are causing you more distress than happiness and in your state right now, you need to try and avoid as much stress as you can, which is hard but you have to put your well being first and not really bother about other people at the moment.

Yeah he is fine now, thanks. Just gave us all a scare!

Did you get on OK while you were out?

Your mum is right though I know its hard to ignore or walk away from situations like that, especially when you were close to them beforehand. I've had that happen a lot with old friendships. It sounds as though these friendships are causing you more distress than happiness and in your state right now, you need to try and avoid as much stress as you can, which is hard but you have to put your well being first and not really bother about other people at the moment.

Hey Spock's Socks,

I'm stressing out and don't know who else to talk to. Keep freaking out and stressing thinking something is wrong? What do I do? Im struggling to keep calm. How are you? Hope you are ok?

Most of your symptoms I have too, except the pill and three period thing and they affect me in a very similar way. From one minute to the next I can hardly focus on anything as there'll be some something rearing it's head. I obviously don't have THE answer but in terms of coping the best thing you can do it be kind to yourself, baby yourself. Sounds ridiculous but honestly when there's that much going on (a lot of stress) it's not time to speed up and start exposure therapy it's time to slow down and treat yourself as kindly as possible.

Also when you get those feelings that are most overwhelming, purge! Purge on here or to someone on another MH forum or whoever you feel comfortable talking to without feeling like you're burdening them and they'll hate you for it :/. As in Samaritans or whatever. Honestly the best thing is getting rid of the feelings/airing them. Then rest and do something nice for yourself watch something you like or have a hot chocolate etc. Or if you're going out go for a short walk. Avoid unnecessary stress and then as you feel your strength/resilience bolstered by the rest and treating yourself well, then start to do a little more that you couldn't do before without becoming so completely overwhelmed. If that makes sense.

Hope that helps a bit

You and I are more similar than you think. Maybe that's why we clash so often.

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