Am I Going Insane?

I wonder, have I taken too much on? Wanting to keep up to date with housework, to learn the flute, to write another novel, to memorise Scripture, to workout several times a week, all the while fulfilling my responsibilities as a wife and mother and part-time teacher ... I think something has to give and it seems to be me.

I know when there's too much stress in my life - I start to feel overwhelmed and as if I can't cope. If I ignore these warning signs - and I usually do - then weird physical symptoms start appearing.

Some people get hives.

Or indigestion.

Or ulcers.

Some people pull their hair out.

Or develop nervous tics.

Not me. Instead I feel as if I have hairs caught in the back of my throat, that the whole of the inside of my mouth has been burnt, and that my tongue is swelling up. These are not pleasant sensations. And the more I concentrate on them the worse they get.

So I have to ignore them.

And deal with the stress.

Thing is, that's easier said that done. And in the meantime I wonder: Am I going crazy?

Comments

BellaMama said…
Definitely not going crazy...or we all are already and you'll just be joining the group! : )

I've found that when I feel overwhelmed in such a situation the Lord will bring this verse to mind and I repeat it and dwell on it whenever to keep me from giving place to the devil - "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
Phillipians 4:13

This is the verse:

"Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established." Proverbs 16:3


"The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe."
Proverb 18:10

You're always safe (and sane) with God!!

Blessings to keep going!!
SchnauzerMom said…
No you're not crazy. Maybe you just need to sit aside some things for a while. I love BellaMama's choice of scriptures!
Daisy said…
Jules ... please don't burn out, my friend!! You need your rest too! Stress is a killer and your health is important! You may have to plan your days so you can space it all out over the week if possible.
Unknown said…
No you aren't crazy. I do think a person can take on way too much though. You have to find a good balance so that you aren't stressed. If you start feeling stress, then ask the Lord to reveal which things to cut back on so that your stress isn't so high. He doesn't want you to stress. He wants you to cast your cares upon Him!
bunches of yarn said…
Kkkrrraaayyyzzzy! Sure enough, that must be it! or...maybe you have a huge B vitamin deficiency. Typical symptoms. You need beef liver (the most B vitamins in a food) or Brewer's yeast/Nutritional yeast, (the second in B vitamins) or a roast, etc. Perhaps, a B complex from the health food store, or all of the above to get you over the 'burned out' feeling that Daisy mentioned. But, as always,"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Pro 4:23
^__^
Jules said…
I want to post what I've found has eased my symptoms in case someone else does an internet search and ends up here. It was suggested that my symptoms were due to stress (possibly, although I didn't feel particularly stressed), a Vit B deficiency (Brewer's yeast made it worse), an allergy (noticed no difference with the anti-histamine tablet I took), insanity (definitely a possibility - LOL), menopause (there is something known as Burnt Mouth Syndrome - BMS - common amongst women who have gone through menopause - I'm not there yet but it's still a possibility), or oral thrush.

Since I was treated for oral thrush years ago even though I didn't have the characteristic white spots in my mouth, I decided to try drinking approx 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar in 3 cups of warm water twice a day and immediately noticed a reduction in symtpoms. I also avoided yeast and sugar, and have experienced a huge lessening of symptoms. This seems to point to oral thrush - but it might just be coincidence. Still it works for me.

I've also adapted a modified yeast-free diet. There are several such diets online and none of them agree! However, for me I've cut our yeast (bread, crackers, brewer's yeast, and that Aussie favourite, 'Vegemite'), sugar (particularly refined sugar), and any other foods that are femented or have the potential to grow yeasts (dried fruits, mushrooms, vinegars apart from ACV, alcohol - not that I drink it but I'm including it in the list for my readers, etc). I've also found that not easting/drinking piping hot foods/drinks has helped, and the occasional sugar-free stick of chewing gum (even though I'm not a fan of chewing gum) doesn't hurt either. And I eat natural low-fat unsweetened yoghurt every day.