2 years ago I had had a break down. I started having panic attacks and I would grind my teeth a bit. Eventually I shattered a tooth. Two years later and a root canal that tooth is causing issues due to an infection. I have a check up on it in a month. It’s not really painful, but it’s a grim reminder of all the issues I had.
I am a significant amount better than before. Meds and therapy helped a lot. But this tooth reminds me of a time where I was a wreck. It’s not a fun feeling. And I don’t know what happens next. I never got a tooth pulled for example, I don’t know what to expect.
Has anyone beaten anxiety issues? Will I be like this forever?
Edit: Went to my dentist, they looked at it, they are sending me to a specialist tomorrow. Wish me luck.
Edit 2: got scheduled for surgery today, they think they can save the tooth.
Edit 3: Surgery was not that bad.
I’ve always had anxiety issues, and got to the point of panic attacks before I got help. my psychiatrist says that breakthrough anxiety is normal, when there’s something especially stressful. it’s not something to beat or get past.
since it seems like part of what is causing (perfectly natural) anxiety is that you don’t know what to expect, why don’t you reach out to the dentist to ask what to expect? maybe do a little research, if that won’t send you panicking about the worst case scenarios you come across?
anxiety helps us look and plan for all sorts of future scenarios. if you can’t eliminate it, try to direct it into things you can plan and prepare for. and if it’s still interfering a lot with your life, talk to your Dr about changing the meds.
I will be reaching out today. They open at noon.
And to add to what this user said, planning is also key. Its actually what led my to realizing that my (really bad) ADHD was exacerbating my depressions and anxiety symptoms because I didn’t have the native skills to deal with them. Not thinking about ADHD I just learned to plan literally everything as a coping mechanism for the anxiety. Weekends I’d plan the general things for the week, then every morning I’d write out a detailed version of that day’s tasks, each broken down by parts. If it’s a call I have to make, I write out a little script with key things I need to say/ask and maybe write out the whole sentence so I don’t have to think about it mid convo, I’m just reading. Planning for as many things as I could like that really reduced the stress-load I’d deal in most scenarios.
I wish I could do that. My issue is I overplan. I found out I got diagnosed with OCD when I was a kid. I didn’t know this until recently. It all made too much sense. I obsess with planning and making things work. So when things jump out as life does; that’s when the anxiety happens. I lack that spark of spontaneous for a safe well worn plan that is acceptable.