Sorry for the delayed response guys. I went a couple of weeks ago to a counsellor and I got on well with her and was pleasantly surprised as she seemed to understand how everything was feeling inside my head. She was sympathising with the turmoil I must be feeling etc and it was nice to hear instead of "oh you'll be fine". It was a positive meeting as she said that everything I am feeling is fixable with some hard work and that there is nothing wrong with me. A lot of what came up seemed to be other people having issues with things and me getting worked up about it. I suppose it's about changing the way I think and I have been trying to tell myself "it's their issue, not yours" since the meeting. But it is hard. I have another meeting with her tomorrow which I am nervous about again.
Feeling very stressed out at the moment with this whole going on holiday with his family thing. Everything is all planned and it feels all pressurised and like I'll have to three weeks following them around. It's hard to explain what they're like. Let's just say my boyfriend, although he loves them dearly and they're generally nice people, is made up to be living over here on the wirral, away from them. For his whole like he's felt judged and under pressure by them and now I realise what it must be like in his head! Over the past six months, I have gone downhill and I'm now attributing it to them and these two holidays I've had to go on with them. I will never go on holiday with them again! I don't want to be with these people. They're not my kind of people! They're very sociable and pretentious and happy happy happy... And competitive and opinionated... and I just feel on edge all the time! I don't feel like I'm making any sense. I'm just in a low place. I can't wait to return from holiday! Sounds awful. It will probably be fine, but I'd just rather not go, with them.
Hi, you have almost described my inlaws in that passage to a " T ", except their whole life is based around drinking and manipulating everyone else into doing what they want to do. Mine came to stay for a night a few weeks ago and my anxiety levels the week before, almost made my head lift off. I loathe them with a passion and it's caused me no end of domestic turmoil in the past. I'd stop short at staying I hate them, I think detest would be a better word !
I really can put myself in your shoes over the looming three week holiday as I once had to spend ten days with mine in the South of France, where we had to do what they wanted for the whole time, which involved nothing more than drinking and eating - I coped by going for a massive run every evening by myself, otherwise I'd have said or done something terrible .
Obvioulsy I'm not suggesting that you go for massive run every night, but consider the possibility of taking a short course of sedatives whilst away with them. They will take away nearly all of the anxiety and make you feel normal ?.
The situation with the holiday is eating you up and isn't aiding all other good stuff your doing. It's only something to think about ?
If you're honest with your GP about how this affecting you I'd imagine that they'd want to help - however sedatives should only be taken for a short time as they can be habit forming .
Ps - I understand why your partner won't say anything to them, as mine have such a hold of my missus, that they can almost reduce her to a wreck with very subtle emotional head bending .
PM if you want to talk in private x