I'm not going to jump in with a ton of advice as a single thread post isn't going to land you in complete relief from your anxiety issues. I might suggest taking one small aspect of it at a time and taking steps to change your perspective and behavior. On the little information in your comment, I say the easiest place to start maybe the fact that you feel ashamed of your past. I lived a long time with guilt, shame and remorse over things in my past. Finding a way to change my perspective on that has made a world of difference. Especially if you hope to be in a position to help others down the line, your past experiences may well serve as quite an asset for being of use to others who are similarly afflicted. There are a million cliche ways to say it but how I usually frame it is that "I have given up all hope of creating a better past for myself." Being wrapped up on things that have happened in the past will have a powerful impact on present and future reactions and behaviors. I wish you all the best.

I'm not so good with advice but I can say I know what it's like wanting to help others when you struggle in helping yourself but if you say you have hope don't give up on that just like you want to get through your anxiety others do too and if there's a chance you might be able to help then that's a reason to stay alive just remember you have a purpose so don't give up on trying to find it

Have you been tested for the MTHFR gene mutation? It inhibits absorption of certain minerals and can be a cause of lifelong unexplainable anxiety.

There's a lady on here, Reed 47 or something, who got a diagnosis, started taking some kind of folate (ie a mineral supplement, not a psychoactive antidepressant type medication) and who then had to go through the process in her fifties of not being an anxiety sufferer. She said it took her a while.

Just repeating what I gleaned from her: she said it's a cheap test, a mouth swab or something. She said it's not common, and that doctors don't necessarily know about it. She said the cure is also cheap, because it's just a vitamin.

So it's the best possible outcome, as far as I can see. I would eliminate that from my enquiries if you've had an entire life of this.

you are all very kind! thank you so much for caring. i'm so glad i found this website. i have not been tested for that gene mutation, but i will look into doing that.

thanks again :) (hugs)

I have had anxiety and OCD my whole life also. There is hope. I found a very good therapist to help me when I was in my twenties. Then I got more help and the meds I really needed in my late thirties or early fourties. Was given the name of an anxiety clinic. They specialized in Anxiety and addiction. That improved my life a great deal.

Anxiety has plagued my life as well. Before I was prescribed medication I would lay in my bed every night thinking I was going to die. I was scared of being alone, especially in the dark.. I remember having this problem since I was very young., and for the longest time I just didn't tell anyone. It was my normal to lay in bed every night paralyzed with fear. It wasn't until last year that my anxiety spiraled out of my control and I began looking for help. I am now medicated and see a therapist somewhat regularly and it has made a huge impact. I'm definitely not cured, but I can go to bed and feel safe which is just wonderful!

I had dropped out of college for personal reasons previously and at the age of 24, and now I'm back in school learning about mental health! I am extremely interested in how genetics can affect the mind since I know my condition is genetic! I plan to be a social worker who works with patients that have mental illness and don't know what's wrong with them! It's never too late to find help and get your life started! We all move at our own pace and I believe that those of us who suffer from anxiety and depression are put here to help others with these issues too! Stay strong and keep your head up! It's easy to fall into a slump of disparity. Trust me.. a bunch of horrible things happened to me before I realized that I couldn't just keep living my life the way I was! In order to see change you first have to make a change!

My advice to you, would be to make a change about the way you feel about yourself! People who suffer from anxiety normally suffer from low self worth. How you feel about yourself on the inside effects everything else about you! Start by self affirmations and aknowleging your strengths as an individual! I'm not sure if this is for everyone but I've done a lot of research about anxiety and learned a lot about myself and it has helped significantly to know that this wasn't my fault and although, I may not have control over my genetics, I do have control over the choices I make in life!

I wish you the best of luck and I hope this helps to encourage anyone who struggles with anxiety and the fear of taking those steps to getting better!

At the age of 24, I'm finally back learning about mental health* excuse my typo

I agree with what Jesshev said about listening to positive affirmation. Louis Hayes is good. She is on Youtube under positive affirmations. The change begins with the way your thinking. Be your Best Friend. Love yourself.