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...
Hi everyone...so I have panic disorder, derealization, agoraphobia, acute anxiety OCD and severe depression due to all of this. I am living at home for winter break and have been for the past 5 weeks, it's been great since I can hide out and not have to go to class or work. But come Sunday I'll be moving back into my dorm room and being responsible for 5 classes, one of which is public speaking. Simply reviewing the syllabus for one of my classes almost set me into having a panic attack. It's not the work that scares me but the being accountable for spending so much time out of my room and in the classes. I've been crying every day for a week and fear I will have a huge breakdown when my parents move me back in. I'm in the process of switching/finding medications that work for me so my anxiety symptoms are still running rampant. I would love to take a semester off but I can't let this anxiety control my life anymore than it already does. I'm losing all hope that I will "snap out" of these afflictions that I just acquired last semester while I was extremely ill...I am profoundly depressed and under the burden of anxiety over NOTHING all the time. I hate my life and just wish more than anything I could let go of this and go back to who I used to be
Is there any way you could take a lighter course load for the semester? I know you said you're not so much worried about the work as being in class, but maybe if you could take 3 or 4 classes instead of 5, it'd be a little less stressful. If you feel you need to take a medical leave for the semester until you get your medication adjusted and such, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I took a medical leave before for anxiety/eating disorder related issues. Just keep in mind that sometimes, avoiding/being out of school makes it more difficult to come back (at least for me it does).
Do you see a counselor while at school? I would really encourage you too. Most colleges offer free counseling services, and I'd definitely take advantage of that if I could. It can really help to talk to someone about how you're feeling.
I also want to say that no matter what you decide to do (take fewer classes, take a medical leave, etc), dont forget to take good care of yourself, mind and body. Eat well, get enough rest, and make time for relaxing and fun activities you enjoy. I have found that yoga/meditation, journal writing, and exercise are all really good ways to lessen my anxiety and help me cope with stress. I know with the hustle and bustle of school, it's easy to put self-care to the side.
My heart really goes out to you. What you're going through is tough, but you will get through it because you're even tougher. Take care, and please feel free to message me if you ever want to chat! It sounds like we are going through very similar things.
I can understand greatly what you are going through. In 2010 I had to medically withdraw because my mental illness was ruining my life and I wasn't taking care of myself.
I agree that maybe you should get some free counseling I did that for a while too.
After my medical withdrawal I got on meds and now am pretty stable and back at school and my grades are greatly improved!
I take classes part-time too now instead of full-time.
I know my limitations now too.
I hope you feel better. PM me if you want to, I would love updates.
http://life.nationalpost.com/2014/01/13/is-meditation-the-new-anti-depressant-mindfulness-practice-may-be-more-effective-than-drugs-for-anxiety-depression/