Anxiety Support Group

Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...

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Erica1982 12/28/2011

Hi everyone,

I am a 29 year old female and I suffer from horrible anxiety. I am currently under the care of a Psychiatrist, and take medication, but I still suffer greatly. My problems are mostly medical fears. I am scared of dying, I have to ask my husband every night if I am going to die, otherwise I cannot fall asleep. I fear going to the doctor, the dentist, any medical professionals at all. If something about my body changes (for example, a weird stomach pain or any unusal discomfort) I get scared that I have a severe, life threatening disorder and that I am going to die from it. I already have high blood pressure which I take a diuretic for, but when I go to a routine doctor's appointment, it's always extremely high because I am so, so anxious. I feel like I am scared of everything. I am scared to drive my car, I am scared to go for a walk by myself, I am scared something bad is going to happen to me, I am just always scared. I feel like I live within a prison, and sometimes, I feel as if I'm the only one out there who lives like this. I know realistically that's not true, that there's many people who suffer from anxiety, but it's hard to find anyone to talk to who can relate. I wanted to reach out to anyone through DailyStrength who can give me tips, or comfort me with their own similar stories. I'm so sick and tired of feeling all of this anxiety. Constant fear, panic attacks, it's terrible. I have much more to say, but I will stop for tonight. Thank you for taking the time to read my story, and if you have any advice, I'd love to hear it. Hope you all had a nice holiday season, and I wish you all a Happy New Year.

deleted_user 12/28/2011

Which of these statements are true for you?

1. I have always been a worrier/negative thinker.

2. I am smart.

3. I am sensitive.

4. I have a big imagination.

5. I have a tendency to overthink and analyze everything to death.

6. I like to be in control at all times.

7. I am constantly fidgeting.

8. I feel like I always have to be doing something.

9. I find it hard to relax.

10. I tend to be "inside my head" a lot.

deleted_user 12/29/2011

can see where lily is going with this. Your brain is hardwired to think that the worst is going to happen and as a result your sytem is dumpind shedloads of adrenalin into your body in a fight of flight response. Its natural its how we work. The only person who can help you is you. You need to retrain your metabolism to a point where you can face everything without fear which will have the same result. I was the same as you. Everything had fear and i mean everything. But you cant think like that. You have to change. It isnt easy trust me i know this but if you get into a cycle of "catching" yourself and realising that it is your brain that is in control not your body you will have a better life. Be VERY aware of what your mind is doing and "remind" it that it doesnt have to be that way. Trust me it works.

deleted_user 12/29/2011

Yes, I feel like this too. I am 19 years old and I've had anxiety symptoms since I was very young, but it really spiraled out of control around age 13 or so. I have a very intense and debilitating fear of passing out. Because of it, I hate being in crowds. I don't go to concerts, I don't spend large amounts of time in the mall and I really just like to be in smaller groups. I still live with my parents, but I sometimes wonder how I will get by on my own eventually. I don't want to live with them forever, and I do want to move out and get married eventually. However, even simple, every day tasks like grocery shopping are an ordeal for me and aren't complete without having to leave the store like 5 times. It sucks and people don't realize how debilitating it is. To calm myself, I like to have distractions- if I start to get wound up, I will check my phone or play a quick game on it. I always have mint gum with me because it is calming. As for medical anxiety, I don't really have advice. I have it to and I struggle with it. I feel like I have to face my fears to overcome them, so I've been doing that, but it is really hard. I would definitely recommend doing it though. You can't let anxiety deprive you of living your life. Easier said than done, but some things do get a little easier after a while, like driving. I was petrified to drive, but eventually after making myself do it, I got in the swing of it, and it isn't bad anymore! It is so hard to force ourselves to face fears, but it does pay off.

Good luck to you and have a happy New Year!

deleted_user 12/29/2011

Yeah, I agree with what elament said. It is up to you and it is all about "re-training". What I like to do is show people how their personality contributes to, and in most cases, causes their anxiety disorder. Because that is what helped me the most.

deleted_user 12/29/2011

You still can sleep on your own. That is wonderful. That thing that you are having I call moderate anxiety. I had it like that for several years till I got strong anxiety. Lost sleep and was in constant movement day and night with circle of thoughts going non-stop that left me disabled.

Try not to take tranqulizers because they can propel you to crisis. I was successfuly managing moderate anxiety for 7 years by running 2 miles every other day, hiking, traveling, working two jobs (both physically demanding), studying in college online, investing into stocks, painting, embrodary, floral design and other hobbies which are interesting for you, make you tired and distract from thoughts. Even got license to drive semi truck one winter when I felt like anxiety was getting worse of me though I even did not drive car at that time because was scared to drive it.

I recognize same thing I had. I had to ask my husband whether I am not dying, was scared to drive car, go to doctor on my own. Basically had whole thing you have described.

deleted_user 12/29/2011

I see you are already taking Ativan and Zoloft. Believe me by what you described your anxiety is not severe yet. Tranquilizers and Celexa propeled me into severe anxiety and depression. The anxiety was reduced to tolerable level by Elavil (Amitriptyline). I was still not able to get rid of depression.
Severe anxiety it is when you walk circles day and night, can not sit, lay, sleep , eat, find cloth, go to restroom, read, talk, barely able to take shower, can not control your thoughts that run on their own in circles. Whole basic activities (eat, sleep, go to restroom) can be done only under shot of Diazepam or something simulare.

deleted_user 12/29/2011

Some people told their anxiety was also reduced by Trittico, Effexor and Remeron (antidepressants).

deleted_user 12/29/2011

I feel you hun...I was ans still am the same way..somethings have gotten way better and somethings not so much...hang in there...i also have a fear of meds soooooo im scared to take thm

joanna3 12/29/2011

I'm sorry you're going through this. I know it's awful. One thing that really helped me was telling people. You'll at least be taking a stand that anxiety won't privately torture you. It feels tremendous to meet someone who says, I have it too. Please be reassured that anxiety is very common. Also, it has nothing to do with being crazy. I recently had a different sort of problem and had to remind myself that I learned from anxiety to share my troubles, even though it was embarrassing. I found I had lots of support and all the good ideas helped me find my way through. A few stinkers showed their feathers, too...but, far and away I found I had some really good friends. Very Best Wishes.

Erica1982 12/29/2011

I really, really can't thank you all enough for taking the time to not only read my post, but to respond to it. You all have given me so much to think about, and the support is truly tremendous. Lily, I have 1-10 on that list. So true. When you put that list out there, and asked me which statements are true, I was stunned to realize that they all are. Lonly- I am so sorry to hear that you have suffered from severe anxiety. I hope I did not offend you by calling my anxiety experiences severe.. I DO consider them severe, because I feel as if they get in the way of everyday life. Itsallabout- I am sorry you are going through this, too. Your situation sounds very similar to mine. I will try the mint gum.. Mint is one of my favorite scents, so I wonder if it will help me to be calm. Lily and Elament, I know that you're right and that I need to be rational with my thoughts and that I need to face my fears.. It's just SO, SO difficult for me sometimes. I almost feel as if my anxiety has complete control.. It's so frustrating. I had a good day today, and I am thankful for that. I have good days, and I have bad.. As I'm sure you all do. It's so nice to be able to come to a place like DailyStrength and connect with others who can honestly "get" what is going on.... Again, thank you all, so much for your love and support.

deleted_user 12/29/2011

Erica,

I think most of us would have answered all 10 as true statements on Lilgirl's statement list - LOL!!! And I really am laughing because I am wiggling my feet as I type!!!

You ARE NOT your brain. Thoughts do not make you who you are. Feelings come and go. It is not just the situation or circumstance; it is the FEELING that you will not be able to cope. You can cope. Nothing lasts forever. These are the things I tell myself that have helped me. There are some great books out there. Knowledge is power! Check them out on the recommendations page.

deleted_user 12/29/2011

LOL I am one to ten too. Look its 4.30 in the morning and here i am online doing my bills because i cant sleep for thinking about them lol. Must admit had a bad day yesterday. I just wanted a few hours of the old me again so i got sozzled and yeah for a few hours i felt like the old me. I felt strong wasnt worrying was listening to music and really enjoying myself and it was great. But now i am agitated and to add fuel to the fire now bloated with gas from too much beer. And guess what? got into such a state when i went to bed i said goodbye to my little boy (only in my head of course)as i was sure i wouldnt wake up again i felt so bad. But here i am again...still alive. Anxiety is possibly one of the worse ailments there is. Its like dying every day without dying. A living hell that in some ways death would be more preferable. You can see why in the days before the internet more people used to kill themselves as this condition can really make you feel alone and in a bubble or as you put it in prison. However these days we have DS and when you read on here about so many others going through the same thing it becomes easier to accept that you are not dying its just part of the parcel.

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