'Nerves'

Did the GP give you a thyroid test?

I had thorough blood tests Elegran.

Have you tried something a bit more alternative than counselling, such as emdr therapy, Kate?
Or any self help techniques?

I had "nerves" when I was little.
I can't remember anything much about it, other than a rash, which needed cream every night, but "nerves" is what caused it, apparently.
(I was very timid)

No I haven't MissA but I've heard of it. I will look it up. I've been nervous all my life, unsurprisingly, but I assumed things would improve. They haven't. Thank you both.

Just seen in your opening post that you've tried self help.
Apologies.

It's fine MissA. I'm just having a whinge really. Poor me syndrome.

These must be deep-seated anxieties and I imagine the only way to tackle them is through hypnosis or counselling. We have our conscious mind and our subconscious mind and it's the latter which controls us. So when the conscious mind says you really want to give up smoking but the subconscious says you really don't, it's the latter which will win. The two have to be in harmony. Sounds like your subconscious is in control here and you somehow have to make it realise you have nothing to fear and are not ill. Only when your subconscious mind believes that will you feel better.

Emdr is supposed to create new pathways in your brain (or something!)
Meaning that it sets up new ways to react to situations- essentially, it trains you out of damaging thoughts.

I have had it, and despite being very very sceptical it seemed to work!

Thank you. A new pathway for my brain would be very welcome.

The thinking is that once a behaviour begins to take hold, your brain naturally goes to that setting when dealing with the fear of shaking (for example)
It then becomes a kind of default setting and is hard to stop.
I suppose it's like a master reset of your brain.
Only regards that behaviour though.

Yes I agree. It's ridiculous really.

This self-help material might be helpful.

www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself/Worry-and-Rumination

Kate1949 Have you got anyone to go out with? If so, are you better when someone is with you? Have you looked the Black Dog thread on here? We've all got anxiety and/or depression on there, and we empathise with each other.

Thank you Vicky.

HowVeryDareYou. Yes I have people to go out with. I have looked at the Black Dog thread. It us helpful and I sympathise that people are going through much worse than me.

Do you drink tea/coffee ? I was fed up of the way I was feeling so for 3 months or so I now drink decaffeinated tea & coffee ... just a thought

I drink tea but not coffee.

That nervous shaking is a real nuisance, Kate I suffered from it badly when I worked as a secretary and had to offer visitors cups of tea. The rattling noise was so embarrassing and half the drink ended up in the saucer. In the end I had to ask a colleague to take over as waitress. Business lunches where soup was served were another nightmare. I must have looked very odd holding the spoon hand with the other to minimise spillage!
Something which helped eventually was arm and shoulder exercises which seemed to make my muscles more stable and under control. I wonder if improving the physical side of things could help take your mind off the wobbling?
If my hands start shaking in company when I'm serving food I don't get tensed up about it now. In fact if I say "Look at my blooming hands. They're all over the place." I start to relax or someone will rush forward to rescue the situation.
I hope your problem won't stop you getting out and about.

I want to second getting your thyroid tested.

I've always had manageable anxiety but your thyroid can send it sky high!

Thank you. I know it's nerves. I've been nervous since childhood.

Oh Nell. Poor you. How I sympathise. I'm going to extraordinary lengths to avoid picking things up! I went for a coffee in M&S once which I never do by myself. The coffee was sloshing around all over the tray and the assistant ran from behind the counter saying 'Oo you're having a turn'. How embarrassing.

My husband is very level headed. If I say I might shake, he says 'You might. So what? People won't care. It's just you that feels embarrassed.' He's right. Thanks everyone. I'll shut up now!

It might be worth getting thyroid tested again as VioletSky suggests. When mine was overactive, I was jittery, anxious and hands shook, particularly in social situations. Holding a cup of coffee on a saucer was a nightmare! But when thyroid was treated, most of those symptoms went away.

Since your 'nerves' have been a long standing problem, it's probably not thyroid related, but might be worth checking anyway.

Kate1949

Just ask for blood tests to rule out a physical cause for your worsening anxiety..

Mental and physical health is often linked

My thyroid was checked when I lost my hair. They said it was fine.