Anxiety?

[Laurelin]

I'm beginning to wonder if I have an anxiety problem. I don't know much about anxiety disorders except Josie has generalized anxiety disorder and my mom did too. I read somewhere they think it may be genetic.

I'm missing class again because every morning I wake up miserable with stomach problems. I don't really want to go into too much detail but it's bad enough I can't get to school at least for now. I was up all night, just tossing and turning. Even if I do sleep throughout the night, I wake up really tired. On Weds when I was approaching my math class, I started having trouble breathing and shaking a bit just because I had to face that class. I walked to the bathroom and got a drink and tried to calm myself down. Shortness of breath, nervous sweating and trembling happens almost every day for me lately. I KNOW it's irrational because it's just a class, but I can't help it. I go to bed every other night just with the biggest feeling of dread and the end of the world.

I just don't know what to do from here.

 

[~Jessie~]

I'm going to send you a PM

 

[FoxyWench]

it certainly sounds like an anxiety attack!

as to where to go from here theres a number of options my first suggestion however would be find someone to talk to about it.

 

[xpaeanx]

I have the same problems as you... so I know how you feel.

I normally just force myself to do stuff, but I have seriously been considering going to talk to someone... I just feel if I do go to someone than I'm really *admiting* I have a problem... right now it's just me saying it...

 

[~Jessie~]

I dealt with anxiety for years until I finally reached a point where I needed to do something about it. I majored in psychology, so it was really, really difficult for me to admit I had anxiety issues.

 

[bubbatd]

It's a horrible feeling .....slow ,deep breathing helps .

 

[Beanie]

LOL Jessie, I have a minor in psychology and it's sort of funny... I know I have an anxiety problem and I tried several different meds to get a handle on it. None of them worked so instead of continuing to try and find one that worked (what I SHOULD have done) I got frustrated and quit trying. BAD BAD BAD. I should know better but still.

Laurelin, my anxiety disorder gives me tummy problems too, so I hear you on that. =< I would recommend doing what I didn't do - go find a trusted psychologist and try to find some meds that work for you. You might not have to be on them forever, but you're going through a pretty rough patch here, so sometimes you just need a little bit of help to get through things. Sometimes your GP can help you out and prescribe stuff, but somebody who actually works daily with anxiety disorders and depression is FAR more likely to not only be able to better prescribe something good off the bat, but they are also going to be better equipped to suggest what next to try if what they give you first doesn't work (as opposed to the situation I ran into where the doctor told me "I've given you everything I can, sorry." Sigh.)

 

[zoe08]

I have the same problems as you... so I know how you feel.

I normally just force myself to do stuff, but I have seriously been considering going to talk to someone... I just feel if I do go to someone than I'm really *admiting* I have a problem... right now it's just me saying it...

This is me too.

I haven't had the issues as bad as I did in college. But there were nights when I felt terrible, I went through a spell where I hardly ate anything cuz I always felt sick. And at night I would be shaking so hard and couldn't sleep I would be sore the next day.

I still have breathing issues, and don't feel well if I have a lot of stress (which is most the time).

If I had the money to see a psychologist I think I definitely would.

Actually your college probably has a place you can go. I went to the dr when I was in college and he wanted to put me on meds and suggested I go to a therapist. I opted to go for the therapist first and wait and see on the meds. You could get 8 free 1-hour sessions at school. So you might check if you have that option there. It definitely helps me to have someone to talk to, and I wish I still had that.

I never went back to the dr. after my 8 free sessions, I probably should have and being on meds now would probably help me out a lot, but I can't stand admitting that I need help. So I am trying to work it out on my own...and that is not easy.

 

[Doberluv]

I'm sorry you're having this unpleasantness. It sure does sound like anxiety issues. A combination of therapy and anti-anxiety meds would be my thought. Go see your doctor. I hope you get this resolved. ((((HUGS))))

 

[Zoom]

I got so stressed out by my high school chem class that at least twice a week I would end up in the nurse's office with an upset stomach and migraine. I'm sorry your math class is doing this to you...have you looked into taking the W yet? I'd still recommend that as well as the advice already given in this thread.

 

[Squishy22]

I have the same problem. Whether it be checking out at the grocery store, going to a class, or even talking to someone on the phone or driving... I feel like panicking. Dealt with it all my life. I was worse as a child.

I'd check into some meds. I know xanax has worked wonders for some people. I don't have health insurance so there is nothing I can really do. But my advice is to see a doctor!! Oh and eliminate caffiene for your diet. Stimulants can make it much much worse. Caffiene can make you nervous, jittery, and panicked feeling. I have recently just started drinking only caffiene free stuff, and its made a big difference.

 

[Bailey08]

I would definitely start seeing someone. Since you're in school, you can almost certainly see someone for free (at least for a certain number of sessions).

You have so much going on in your life, and have for a while, that it may be situational. But it could also be the case that it's just the way your brain is wired. Medication can help, and talk therapy can help. I would definitely look into both (you may have therapy with a psychiatrist, or you could see a psychiatrist for meds and see a therapist (psychologist or another therapist) for therapy). You can actually change the pathways in your brain, which is pretty cool IMO.

I also really found this recent article interesting: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/04/magazine/04anxiety-t.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&em

Exercise can also help fwiw.

 

[corgi_love]

I have really bad anxiety issues as well.

All I can say is be REALLY careful if you decide to take medication for it. Most anxiety meds are extremely addictive, and most doctors won't even warn you about it. Also pay very, very close attention to how you feel mentally after taking them for about a week, because that's usually how long it will take for a person to start feeling depression symptoms. I went into extreme depression from a couple of them, and it's so important to pay close attention to how you feel.

Good luck, I hope you find something that works for you

 

[Bailey08]

I have really bad anxiety issues as well.

All I can say is be REALLY careful if you decide to take medication for it. Most anxiety meds are extremely addictive, and most doctors won't even warn you about it. Also pay very, very close attention to how you feel mentally after taking them for about a week, because that's usually how long it will take for a person to start feeling depression symptoms. I went into extreme depression from a couple of them, and it's so important to pay close attention to how you feel.

Good luck, I hope you find something that works for you

What did you take? SSRIs can be used effectively and are not addictive or dangerous. However, some of the drugs that are used for short-term relief (e.g., Klonopin) for more severe anxiety can be addictive and any doctor that prescribes them should let you know that. Sometimes it still makes sense to take them for a short period of time or in a particular situation, but ask questions and be careful.

 

[Laurelin]

Thanks everyone and thanks for the PMs too. (Jessie and Yoko) They really are helping. I've read everything and am trying to digest things a bit and it's been a crazy day for various reasons so I haven't had much time to respond.

I know meds can work because Josie is on them and they're doing wonders for her. I'm going to call her therapist even though she only works with minors. But I know her pretty well and I figure she might have some ideas on who to consult.

 

[elegy]

i finally broke down and went on meds because i had stomach issues every morning too. i'd wake up with this horrible nebulous overwhelming anxiety and bad nausea. i couldn't say "i'm stressed about xyz" it was just this cloud of anxiety. my GP put me on prozac and the puking stopped very quickly because the morning anxiety just went away.

i was only on meds for a short time but they really did help.

 

[puppydog]

Hear hear! I say horaay for meds. I rencently started to wean myself off my SSRI's. What a mistake-a to make-a! I didn't sleep at all this weekend. Had shivering, nausea, sweating and general sadness.
Needless to say, I am back on the full dose today!

 

[FoxyWench]

im putting serious thoughts into going back on meds myself, with all thats going on right now ive found myself slipping...

with my anxiety i had a generally good hold on what triggered and could avoid or bring a "security blanket" (either a good frined or one of the dogs), but lately ive been having attacks with none typical triggers for me.
add to that the depression...
i just have to find someone i feel comfortable with...

 

[Laurelin]

I am talking to Josie's doctor today hopefully to get some ideas where to go. I think I may have another bout of depression too, I had a really bad bit of depression a bit over a year ago and I had just gotten over it when my mom died. I know I'm really prone to becoming depressed because of my hormonal imablances and PCOS. It's a really common side effect so my dad is concerned that might be going on again as well. I can't really tell if I am depressed or not.

This morning I was sick again and almost had a panic attack on the bus. That seemed almost triggered by claustrophobia if that makes sense... It was packed and I felt so trapped in there.

 

[FoxyWench]

one of my triggers os crowds, any kind of crowds, but i also have social and general anxiety disorders so...
do you usually feel anxious when in larger crowds of people?