Anyone else suffer from chronic Anxiety?

[heartmonster]

I suffer from this same exact problem,. Ive never actually gone to the doctor for it. Simply because I cant afford it,. But I have this feeling all the time. I can barely sleep at night,. and if there is a small problem going on with my boyfriend or at school for example,. it is turned up by 1000x's. I try very hard to not focus on it,. or think about it,.. by playing sports,. listening to lots of music( i always have my ipod ) and just trying to put it in the back of my mind and believing someday it will go away and i will get better.

[Hot Carl]

Maybe you can get some relief by reading a book called Self-Coaching by Joseph Luciani.

[Always A Lesson]

D-Lish, I totally understand. I'm sorry to hear about your anxiety.

I just came back from the drs. office. Last week I had these strange heart palpatations when sitting still. My doctor just said he thinks its anxiety, he has them too.

 

You'd be amazed how strong our brains are.

 

As soon as he and other staff confirmed the anziety and I understood, they slowed down. I will do further testing to be on the safe side, but, I'm investigating all relaxing forms of exercise, yoga etc..

 

I think we (think we) can cope daily with life burdens but sometimes our bodies/ brains take in the stress and it manifests itself in various forms, as in heart palpatations and wierd occurences, they vary in different forms.

 

Have you tried having someone pray for you? You would be amazed how it helps and relieves the anxiety.

 

 

Many years ago, being a single mom, I had so many burdens coming at me , left and right, keeping the lights on, feeding the kids, being in school, being lonely, elderly parents, you name it..... I mentally was living in fear and couldn't sleep and it seemed all the burdens were sitting on my chest. No really, my chest felt like someone was sitting on it. I barely could breathe. Well, one day in church, at a certain part of the sermon they asked people to come and get prayer. I ran down to the front, didn't care who looked at me. I needed relief, it was that bad. I told the minister praying what the problem was, he held my hands and prayed.

 

You can believe me or not, but it felt like chains feel off my chest. I can't even explain it, but from that day on I've never expereinced that heavy chest feeling. (EVER)

 

NOW...

 

10 years later, I'm dealing with the heart palpatations, but, I will be going for prayer real soon.

 

I'm not trying to persuade anyone of anything, just letting you know what worked for me.

 

 

 

AS for your abnormal smears, not to worry!!! It happened to my sister, she had an undetected vaginal infection which she had to clear up, no problems since then. SHe had 2 abnormal smears too.

Edited May 10, 2010 by Always A Lesson

[Peaceful Guy]

That you think anxiety can be "cured" by smelling the ocean?

 

well, i was being sincere.

[Peaceful Guy]

the sound of the waves, the fresh air washing over you.. the smell and stars. maybe you need a good vacation??

[D-Lish]

the sound of the waves, the fresh air washing over you.. the smell and stars. maybe you need a good vacation??

 

Vacations do help of course. Everyone needs to take a time out now and then. I make sure to stay pretty active and exercise is an important part of my routine.

 

Unfortunately, it's not a cure, just one of many tools that lighten the burden. I understand what you are getting at though.

[Engadget]

I'm starting to think I have some form of generalized anxiety disorder. My life has literally fallen apart in the last 4 months or so, and lately I've been so constantly panicky that I can't do anything. There's been times I start shaking, or gasp for breath if I think about something.

 

I went back to college, and for some reason ever since I was young school has made me so incredibly nervous I just can't do it. If I start having trouble in a class, instead of working harder I shut down because if I don't, I'll have a nervous breakdown.

 

I don't know, but it needs to change. It's killing me right now, I become so worried I can't even make simple decisions and I end up not moving and brooding on what's bothering me.

 

I would see a therapist if I could, but I'm pretty sure my insurance doesn't cover it. I don't feel like I even have a future, I can't find a job, I don't know what I want to do, and I can't even force myself through my last year and a half of college for my Business degree.

[D-Lish]

I'm starting to think I have some form of generalized anxiety disorder. My life has literally fallen apart in the last 4 months or so, and lately I've been so constantly panicky that I can't do anything. There's been times I start shaking, or gasp for breath if I think about something.

 

I went back to college, and for some reason ever since I was young school has made me so incredibly nervous I just can't do it. If I start having trouble in a class, instead of working harder I shut down because if I don't, I'll have a nervous breakdown.

 

I don't know, but it needs to change. It's killing me right now, I become so worried I can't even make simple decisions and I end up not moving and brooding on what's bothering me.

 

I would see a therapist if I could, but I'm pretty sure my insurance doesn't cover it. I don't feel like I even have a future, I can't find a job, I don't know what I want to do, and I can't even force myself through my last year and a half of college for my Business degree.

 

It's normal to have situational anxiety- especially during stressful times in your life. I know for me, I've had anxiety since I was a child. I never remember feeling "symptom free".

 

I don't have to be "worried about something", my body just reacts as if I am. It does make it hard to concentrate.

 

I am lucky that my healthcare system allows me to have unlimited visits, therapy, and resources that wouldn't be afforded to me otherwise. Do you have to pay to see a school counsellor?

[IronMaiden]

I'm starting to think I have some form of generalized anxiety disorder. My life has literally fallen apart in the last 4 months or so, and lately I've been so constantly panicky that I can't do anything. There's been times I start shaking, or gasp for breath if I think about something.

 

I went back to college, and for some reason ever since I was young school has made me so incredibly nervous I just can't do it. If I start having trouble in a class, instead of working harder I shut down because if I don't, I'll have a nervous breakdown.

 

I don't know, but it needs to change. It's killing me right now, I become so worried I can't even make simple decisions and I end up not moving and brooding on what's bothering me.

 

I would see a therapist if I could, but I'm pretty sure my insurance doesn't cover it. I don't feel like I even have a future, I can't find a job, I don't know what I want to do, and I can't even force myself through my last year and a half of college for my Business degree.

 

 

I would see a doctor experienced at treating depression and anxiety issues. Once you get on a correct medication, the extreme pain and disability of this condition will fade considerably and you will be able to think clearly and obstacles will not feel so insurmountable.

[Engadget]

I would see a doctor experienced at treating depression and anxiety issues. Once you get on a correct medication, the extreme pain and disability of this condition will fade considerably and you will be able to think clearly and obstacles will not feel so insurmountable.

 

I would consider taking something for anxiety, but I won't take anti-depressants. I've taken them before, one to quit smoking and one to sleep and I hated them.

[gypsy_nicky]

Have you tried CBT 'Cognitive behavior therapy'? The drugs work better with a combo of psych counseling.

 

Also, are you under stress?

Edited May 12, 2010 by gypsy_nicky

[Engadget]

Have you tried CBT 'Cognitive behavior therapy'? The drugs work better with a combo of psych counseling.

 

Also, are you under stress?

 

If you're asking me, no I haven't and my stress...yeah. Lost my job, broke up with my girlfriend, losing my apartment, moving back home and losing my pets and college.

 

However it seems like my stress is way more than I should be feeling.

[Nikki Sahagin]

I have suffered with anxiety since I was a child so I can 100% relate. I feel a lot of people misunderstand anxiety sufferers because anxiety is such a common problem but anxiety to the point where it destroys your life is a very real beast. Mine manifested in biting my nails to the point where they bled, avoiding social activities and giving up on things, being unable to eat and getting a severe choking feeling in my throat. It has been present since I was a child. I even had to be pulled out of playgroups because I was so afraid. When people say 'pull yourself together' they don't understand the difference between nerves and full blown anxiety. Pretty much all day every day I live in a state of permanant anxiety, I can't tell you what i'm genuinely afraid of and whats just the anxiety colouring my life. But I think, despite all of our fear, we are very brave to live with this day in day out.

 

I want to go on meds but I feel in the UK there is much more of a stigma/suspicion around going on meds than in the US. I wouldn't know what to go on either.

[D-Lish]

I have suffered with anxiety since I was a child so I can 100% relate. I feel a lot of people misunderstand anxiety sufferers because anxiety is such a common problem but anxiety to the point where it destroys your life is a very real beast. Mine manifested in biting my nails to the point where they bled, avoiding social activities and giving up on things, being unable to eat and getting a severe choking feeling in my throat. It has been present since I was a child. I even had to be pulled out of playgroups because I was so afraid. When people say 'pull yourself together' they don't understand the difference between nerves and full blown anxiety. Pretty much all day every day I live in a state of permanant anxiety, I can't tell you what i'm genuinely afraid of and whats just the anxiety colouring my life. But I think, despite all of our fear, we are very brave to live with this day in day out.

 

I want to go on meds but I feel in the UK there is much more of a stigma/suspicion around going on meds than in the US. I wouldn't know what to go on either.

 

Well I can tell you that meds do help me a lot. I just started back today after a long break.

 

It's really hard to explain anxiety to people that don't suffer from it. I can handle the irrational thoughts, I talk myself through them when they surface- it's the constant physical feeling that I can't control, it's always there.

 

The thing about being on meds is that no one has to know but you and your doctor. I think it would be worth exploring the idea with your doctor- just to see what your options are.

[skydiveaddict]

Nikki: I had to go on meds for ptsd when I got back from Afghanistan in Nov. Besst thing I ever did,

[Nikki Sahagin]

Well I can tell you that meds do help me a lot. I just started back today after a long break.

 

It's really hard to explain anxiety to people that don't suffer from it. I can handle the irrational thoughts, I talk myself through them when they surface- it's the constant physical feeling that I can't control, it's always there.

 

The thing about being on meds is that no one has to know but you and your doctor. I think it would be worth exploring the idea with your doctor- just to see what your options are.

 

I think I feel that to go on meds would be to admit failure. In the UK they seem to want you to do everything else BUT meds; i've tried CBT but it only helped as you say with the thoughts, not the physical sensations which is the ahrdest part. I also get really worried/anxious even at the doctors so its a vicious cycle!

[Marek]

I've posted about my anxiety before, but a few threads of late have prompted me to write about it again. Sometimes it helps to not feel so alone with the disorder. I've spoken to some on here in private and exchanged stories- but tonight is a bad night and I wanted to talk about it.

 

What I find is that people that don't have anxiey, can't understand it.

I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I don't have panic disorders or social phobia, etc. What I experience is chronic worry that manifests as a heightened fear response in the body. I just posted to someone about how it feels to live with anxiety. My best explanation is that every day, all day- I live on the cusp of a fear response. You know that feeling you get when something scares the crap out of you- like someone sneaking up behind you when you are caught off guard? How your body gets a rush of adreneline, the hairs stand up all over your body, you might get a warm flash followed by a cold flash, your stomache does flips...? It's a fight or flight response.

 

That feeling is my existence all day- all the time. It never ceases.

 

I've taken meds for it in the past. A cocktail of wellbutrin combined with clonozopam works well for me, but I don't really want to be a slave to meds, so I go off them and try and control it.

 

I masque it very well. I have learned to adapt since I have had anxiety since I was a child. I don't remember ever not having this physical feeling of the butterflies in my tummy.

 

I am def going back on my meds soon as I know I feel better when I take them.

 

Yesterday I got a call from my doc's office that I had 2 abnormal pap smears in a row and they are sending me for a clonoscopy (sp?) (looking for cervical cancer). Of course I am in huge worry mode now waiting for the next test and results. I don't go for that test until next week, and of course I can't eat, sleep, or concentrate believing I have cancer. I think such an issue would cause any normal person to worry- but I am currently experiencing such an intense physical reaction that I can't settle down.

 

I guess I am just looking to others that can relate to me and if anyone has ever found a coping mechanism that I might not have heard about.

 

Hello D-Lish

 

I can relate to your situation, in part. Whilst I don't suffer from Generalised Anxiety Disorder, I do suffer from social anxiety. It's pretty crippling, as it leads to a very isolated life, and that in turn leads to depression, and that in turn has led me in the past to dabble in drugs and alcohol.

 

It's been a longstanding problem, too. In the past I've been prescribed various drugs: Valium, Effexor, Remeron, Chlorpromazine. Valium helped somewhat, but I was only prescribed it for a short time; Effexor and Remeron didn't help my anxiety, but the Remeron did help me sleep. Chlorpromazine, whilst it helped with the anxiety, had some nasty side-effects, plus I felt like the Living Dead on the stuff. So at the moment I'm simply taking Remeron, and that's at least helping me sleep, but the depression remains.

 

I'm also currently in the process of receiving counselling. But it's still too early to notice any positive change. Have you ever tried psychological counselling? Some former clients praise it in regard to getting over anxiety disorders and other such things.

[CLC2008]

The Sugarland concert was really good...

 

I am posting here about it, because I almost did not make it to the concert.

 

I was meeting people there, so I had to drive by myself on a very treacherous highway for close to 2 hours. I pulled over about a 1/2 hour into it, and sat in my car for 10-15 minutes trying to decide whether or not I could make it.

 

My immediate thought, was to turn around and go back home. I started to get really frustrated and upset with myself.

 

The reason I started to become panicky, was because as I was driving, thoughts started popping into my head...I thought "what if there is no shoulder to pull over if I get nervous while driving"? Or, "I can't really see good at night, how am I going to handle driving back when it's dark out"?

 

But after all was said and done, I said screw it....And I drove to the concert, had a Miller Light and kicked back in my lawn chair and enjoyed the music.

 

I made it home and said my thanks to God that I made it back safely.

[lino]

Mine isn't chronic but I do feel it from time to time.

 

I guess it's getting worse as I get older.

[D-Lish]

Hello D-Lish

 

I can relate to your situation, in part. Whilst I don't suffer from Generalised Anxiety Disorder, I do suffer from social anxiety. It's pretty crippling, as it leads to a very isolated life, and that in turn leads to depression, and that in turn has led me in the past to dabble in drugs and alcohol.

 

It's been a longstanding problem, too. In the past I've been prescribed various drugs: Valium, Effexor, Remeron, Chlorpromazine. Valium helped somewhat, but I was only prescribed it for a short time; Effexor and Remeron didn't help my anxiety, but the Remeron did help me sleep. Chlorpromazine, whilst it helped with the anxiety, had some nasty side-effects, plus I felt like the Living Dead on the stuff. So at the moment I'm simply taking Remeron, and that's at least helping me sleep, but the depression remains.

 

I'm also currently in the process of receiving counselling. But it's still too early to notice any positive change. Have you ever tried psychological counselling? Some former clients praise it in regard to getting over anxiety disorders and other such things.

 

Yes, I have done counselling, CBT, group therapy, the whole bit.

I find that therapy in conjunction with the meds works best. It's the physical feeling that is so crippling at times.

 

I know what you mean about the drinking- I have used it as a tool to relax in the past- btu it made things much worse for me.

 

Wellbutrin has been good for both anxiety and depression. Wihtin 6 weeks of starting it, I was back to normal- no zombie effect- much clamer and more focused. My depression lifted quickly.

 

The Sugarland concert was really good...

 

I am posting here about it, because I almost did not make it to the concert.

 

I was meeting people there, so I had to drive by myself on a very treacherous highway for close to 2 hours. I pulled over about a 1/2 hour into it, and sat in my car for 10-15 minutes trying to decide whether or not I could make it.

 

My immediate thought, was to turn around and go back home. I started to get really frustrated and upset with myself.

 

The reason I started to become panicky, was because as I was driving, thoughts started popping into my head...I thought "what if there is no shoulder to pull over if I get nervous while driving"? Or, "I can't really see good at night, how am I going to handle driving back when it's dark out"?

 

But after all was said and done, I said screw it....And I drove to the concert, had a Miller Light and kicked back in my lawn chair and enjoyed the music.

 

I made it home and said my thanks to God that I made it back safely.

 

Glad you made it and had fun!!!

[alphamale]

Yes, I have done counselling, CBT, group therapy, the whole bit.

i prefer Xanax 2mg/day

[CLC2008]

Yes, I have done counselling, CBT, group therapy, the whole bit.

I find that therapy in conjunction with the meds works best. It's the physical feeling that is so crippling at times.

 

I know what you mean about the drinking- I have used it as a tool to relax in the past- btu it made things much worse for me.

 

Wellbutrin has been good for both anxiety and depression. Wihtin 6 weeks of starting it, I was back to normal- no zombie effect- much clamer and more focused. My depression lifted quickly.

 

 

 

Glad you made it and had fun!!!

 

Yes, it took about 2.5 hours, but I did I did!!

[Meaplus3]

I'm a little late to this thread.. but D I can relate to everything you typed about the anxious feelings.. and the adreneline.. I have lived with it for the past two years.. and it's at it's worst right now.

 

My xanax is not even working as well as it used to.. and I will not increase the dose.. want off that med. All I can tell you is if it gets bad.. call your local hospital and try to see if you can have an eval done at their BHU unit. This is what I've had to do as of the late.. since the therapy for my panic disorder.. is not working due to the lack of proper therapy in my area by private therapists.

 

I'm to the point as of the late where.. I've been stuck back home alot.. and I don't like this. I feel like I'm slipping backwards... and that stinks. People say meditate.. do yoga.. relax in some way or another.. but you know what.. that does not always work when one is in the throws of anxious thought's. I wish I had the answer for you.. for if i did I would be cured to. I believe it must just take time.. and the right mix of the right therapy.. and or meds for each one of us. From on anxiety suffer.. my heart goes out to you.. and I understand.:love:

 

As for the paps.. and cancer, I hope that is not the case. But, a physical disease can cause anxeity.. so it's important to have that all ruled out. This I know from all the testing I've been through.

 

BIG ((((HUGS))))

 

Mea:love:

[dazzle22]

I have suffered with anxiety since I was a child so I can 100% relate. I feel a lot of people misunderstand anxiety sufferers because anxiety is such a common problem but anxiety to the point where it destroys your life is a very real beast. Mine manifested in biting my nails to the point where they bled, avoiding social activities and giving up on things, being unable to eat and getting a severe choking feeling in my throat. It has been present since I was a child. I even had to be pulled out of playgroups because I was so afraid. When people say 'pull yourself together' they don't understand the difference between nerves and full blown anxiety. Pretty much all day every day I live in a state of permanant anxiety, I can't tell you what i'm genuinely afraid of and whats just the anxiety colouring my life. But I think, despite all of our fear, we are very brave to live with this day in day out.

 

I want to go on meds but I feel in the UK there is much more of a stigma/suspicion around going on meds than in the US. I wouldn't know what to go on either.

 

 

That is just not right that this disorder has this stigma. It is extremely neurochemical and strongly inherited, and someday we will look at this like trying to tell a diabetic to 'will their sugars to go down'.

[D-Lish]

I'm a little late to this thread.. but D I can relate to everything you typed about the anxious feelings.. and the adreneline.. I have lived with it for the past two years.. and it's at it's worst right now.

 

My xanax is not even working as well as it used to.. and I will not increase the dose.. want off that med. All I can tell you is if it gets bad.. call your local hospital and try to see if you can have an eval done at their BHU unit. This is what I've had to do as of the late.. since the therapy for my panic disorder.. is not working due to the lack of proper therapy in my area by private therapists.

 

I'm to the point as of the late where.. I've been stuck back home alot.. and I don't like this. I feel like I'm slipping backwards... and that stinks. People say meditate.. do yoga.. relax in some way or another.. but you know what.. that does not always work when one is in the throws of anxious thought's. I wish I had the answer for you.. for if i did I would be cured to. I believe it must just take time.. and the right mix of the right therapy.. and or meds for each one of us. From on anxiety suffer.. my heart goes out to you.. and I understand.:love:

 

As for the paps.. and cancer, I hope that is not the case. But, a physical disease can cause anxeity.. so it's important to have that all ruled out. This I know from all the testing I've been through.

 

BIG ((((HUGS))))

 

Mea:love:

 

Hi Mea, at least I know I can take a break from the seriousness of anxiety sometimes and have a laugh with you when we talk about what we go through.

 

The thing about anxiety is that you feel so abnormal, and people that don't get it actually believe you must be abnormal, or they think you can just will yourself back to normality as dazzle pointed out.

 

I am still awaiting the specialist appointment for the colposcopy (sp?).

I started back on my meds recently and it helps. I decided with the help of my doc to take both the wellbutrin and the clonozopam. I mean, why wouldn't I do it? It helped me, and I can afford it again.

 

I've told the story before of a guy I dated, and after only a short period of time we were driving in gridlock traffic in downtown Toronto. He started to get agitated and all of a sudden flew out of my car and started running up the street. I was a little shocked at first, I actually laughed thinking he was joking around- but it turned out he was having a panic attack and needed to bolt. When he finally connected with me and I picked him up he was so embarrassed and explained he had a panic attack and didn't want me to see him like that. I wasn't at all phased by it- and only found it mildly amusing, simply because the situation was as funny as it was serious. Someone without anxiety would think "wtf, this person is bat-shyte crazy". I told him not to run next time I'd help him through it.

 

I don't get panic attacks- but having anxiety, I get the disorder as a whole.

 

Again guys- it's nice to talk to people that can relate. I really appreciate everyone that has chimed in.