Anxiety/Stress Issues

[Disney518]

Just looking to see if there are others out there.

I recently have been getting high blood pressure readings (and I'm in my 20s) after doing all the necessary tests to eliminate other causes my doctor has said its most likely stress related and that I should go to counseling to get it checked out. I've always known I was a worrier but I guess life's problems started to really get to me. Has anyone else out there experienced extreme anxiety/stress issues that they needed to get checked out?

 

[Magix]

I'm dealing with Myofascial Pain Syndrome right now. The left side of my neck hurts like heck, although the Trigger Point is in the right shoulder area. Lots of pain and annoyance. They tell me it's at least partly posture related, but I can assure you it's primarily stress. I've been a stress case for a good 20 years now and, although sometimes it eases off a bit, I've encountered progressively more physical symptoms over the years.

For what it's worth, my cat is also experiencing physical symptoms of stress/anxiety currently. We both live with my father. He doesn't have any symptoms of stress. You don't think that's a clue, do you?

You're quite young and you would be very wise to get into counseling and explore your reactions to stressors, before you become ingrained in a manner of thinking that leads you to worse problems. It's fantastic that the problem has been identified now and you can get help. Good luck!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My youngest just finished up for the most part her therapy with a counselor. She is 13. She is also on meds for depression, only 5mg.

She was very good at helping my dd identify her goals and then help her reach them. Plus how to deal with the anxiety associated with it.

It is a matter of retraining your brain to think differently. Instead of doing the anxiety response to a situation, you learn how to handle things proactively and postively. The counselor was really good at it.

I know she is only 13 however she has high goals for herself and wants to acheive them despite her anxiety. With the counselors help she was able to do it. It took about 8 months with the counselor and she was on meds prior to that for about 5 months.

So yes, give it a try. However try and get recommedations from a doctor to find someone who deals with anxiety well. I got the name through a nurse in the peds office.

And yes, my dd was in physical "pain" from her anxiety. It does do a number on you.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

one of my friends has been recently going thru some stress/anxiety problems. she's starting to worry me tho, she'll freak out over the smallest thing, and she hasn't called her doctor yet. idk what to do

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

I was in counseling in late high school/early college for GAD and other issues. I was also medicated with Zoloft. It really did help - I learned better coping techniques and it helped to get things out. I will say this: if you do decide to go into counseling, don't get discouraged if you don't find a good match at first. The first woman I went to was the type who tried to "relate" to teens and be "cool" and whatnot, and I thought she was just a moron. The second woman was a much better fit for me. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[kilee]

No depression, but anxiety and panic attacks. To the point I've hypervenillated and broke into crying hysterically.

I say no depression, because this wasn't an all the time thing. Sometimes they could be quite frequent and other times months could go by w/ no "attacks".

I don't honestly know what triggers them. I have been able to pinpoint the feeling of when they are coming on though. I try really hard to immediately occupy my thoughts w/ something/anything else. If at all possible I try to throw myself into an activity.

It doesn't stop some mild anxiety still, but it's been about 18 months since my last full fledge panic attack.

 

[disfan07]

I have been seeing a therapist since I was 14 (6 years) for depression, anxiety and OCD.

The therapy has helped immensely to the point where I only take meds when I have to fly (I get major anxiety attacks when flying). Ive been off all depression and anxiety meds for about a year.

This caused huge problems for me though because 2 years ago (4 years into therapy) I developed a fast heart rate (maxed at about 220). I had talked to my therapist about it and she advised me to get it checked out because it was so high. Well I was a teenage girl with documented anxiety so they brushed it off as an anxiety issue UNTIL we moved and my new cardiologist called their BS on that and found out that I have an idiopathic arrhythima....now i'm on an anti-arrythmia drug and getting much better.

I agree with a PP about not giving up if you don't like the first therapist you see. I went through 7 therapists in 2 years in Virginia before I found one I clicked with and it took me 4 tries since I moved here in June to find one I clicked with and that was by going to see one of my teacher's friends who is an amazing therapist.