I think something might be wrong with me. Anxiety issues.

[castmember19]

I don't know if it's a medical or psychological issue but I'm beginning to think it might be.

I think I might have some sort of anxiety disorder. I'm constantly afraid of everything.

• I'm afraid of driving and cars, I fear that I'll get into a car accident. I've been in two major car accidents before but I have had a fear of cars before the first accident even took place. I have days where I just have a terrible feeling I'm going to die on the way home and all I can do is pray and drive home safely. I fear for the safety of my parents whenever I know they're driving constantly.
• I'm constantly paranoid that somebody is going to steal my car. This isn't totally bogus, because I work in an area of town where stolen cars are kind of common. I avoid taking my car to work if I can but then get nervous when someone comes to pick me up late at night because I'm afraid they might get shot by someone suspicious late at night.
• I'm afraid someone is going to break into the house. We did have a break-in a few years back but we now have an alarm system and new gate in front of the door. It's unlikely but whenever I leave the house and I realize no cars will be in the driveway, I fear what I will come home to. I'm also scared when I hear noises outside and I'm inside my own house already.
• If my mother doesn't answer her phone when I call, I get nervous that she's died or something. Sometimes I have to call my aunt or sister to see if they've had contact with her to soothe my worries. I always get after her when she finally calls back.
• I'm always afraid someone will pull out a gun in a public setting, especially at university or if there is a big event going on in town.

This is how I've lived for a few years so I didn't think much of it for a long time. I thought it was just the way I was, a worrier. All until today when I was driving with my father and I had to close my eyes the entire way to our destination and back home. (My dad is a terrible driver, even someone who wasn't paranoid could tell you that.)

I told my mom that I feel as if all of this is affecting my life. I already have gastritis as acid reflux which is supposedly attributed to stress. I don't want to go through the rest of my life scared of everything. All I want is to not worry about all this stuff but I can't. It makes me worry that it might be something more than just being paranoid. Is there something wrong with me? I've tried to google similar issues but nothing sounds exactly right. I don't have panic attacks. Can anyone give me some advice?

 

[jwfla422]

First let me say I am really sorry you have to deal with this anxiety as it's really hard to do especially without any support. What you are experiencing is not uncommon so don't feel like you're the only one (even though at times you probably feel that way).

My dd who is only 12 started with anxiety disorder last fall and struggles with it from time to time. We actually had to take her out of public school and put her in private school (a small one) because it got so bad.

It's very hard to deal with what you have at such a young age. Have you tried to seek any type of therapy? My dd saw a therapist for a few months and it helped give her some tools to use when she gets in anxious situations although she still struggles with it even with those tools. And she may need to go back to therapy from time to time, but if it helps its a great thing to do. There are also medications you can take as well if it gets really bad.

I am not a psychologist or a therapist but I highly recommend seeing one. It's not a bad thing, they are there to help you. Depending on where you live you may be able to see one at no charge otherwise most do take insurance. I'm not sure if you go to school/college or not but you should see if your school offers any type of counseling.

 

[Christine]

Hi there!

I have probably lived with some form of anxiety disorder all of my life. Don't feel bad about it, it is the way you are wired. However, I will agree with you that it does seem to be taking over your life.

First I want to say that I also deal with bouts of gastritis and am going through something now that has set my stomach off. I think I may have an ulcer. That has really kicked off my anxiety. I can't get in to see my gastro until June 8th. Fortunately I do have the meds on hand to treat this but that aren't treating it well enough. Stress/anxiety do not CAUSE these things--they figured that out long ago, however, when you do freak out you do produce more acid and it can definitely exacerbate the underlying stomach disorder.

As for the fears, you definitely seem to "over" react and suffer with an almost post-traumatic type response to the things that have happened to you in the past. So somewhere in your mind, you do over catastrophize things. You also seem to be bothered by the possibility of random crime. You probably don't realize it but I'm sure the evening news and reports of crime bother you more than you know--stop listening/reading them!!

I agree that a therapist would be a good starting point. Easier said than done because I good one is hard to find and often hard to pay for but I think it's important that you "talk out" what's really bothering you and it's helpful to have a therapist "show" you how to redirect your thoughts and show you where you are going wrong in your thought process.

I'm not a huge fan of medication since most of them made me sick or made me feel worse but lots of people do very well on them.

I would also urge you to see your GP for a routine exam. During some of my worst anxiety episodes I discovered I had low ferritin (low iron stores) and was borderline anemic. This exacerbated my anxiety in a HUGE way. It was't the cause. As I said, I'm wired that way, but it doesn't help it at all.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I agree with the previous poster-talk with a therapist. And if the first one you talk to isn't the right one, keep trying until you find the right one for you. Also, consider starting a journal where you write down your fears. It can help to express your feelings in a place where there is no judgement and seeing them on paper might make them seem less overwhelming.

 

[mommasita]

I agree with the previous posters. Getting some professional help, would most certainly benefit you. These things are not easy, but they are impossible to overcome either. Wishing you the best.

 

[yourMaire83]

I've had some issues as well. They have gotten worse in the last few months and I have to admit I waited until it was completely debilitating before I sought help. I was afraid to go to see someone and be put on drugs right away, so I went to a psychologist. They are PhD instead of MD, so they have to refer you to someone else to get you a prescription. This has been a great step for me. I hope maybe this will help you know that there are different options out there for seeking help.

Good luck and I wish you the best.

 

[lemondog]

I feel for you...I have anxiety that was dictating my life. I finally broke down and saw a psychiatrist, who diagnosed me with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and started me on medication and that was a true lifesaver. I am now unexpectedly pregnant and had to come off my medicine and I am really, really struggling with overwhelming thoughts of worry and dread. And to make matters worse my 7yo has just been dx with GAD and is now seeing a therapist.

I also encourage you to seek professional help. There is NO NEED for you to live your life feeling this way. I promise you it can and will get better.

 

[katrina1122]

I have panic/anxiety disorder.

I was always an overly anxious worriesome person. As a 4 year old I'd make sure the cars doors were locked so no one would steal it. I was afraid when my dad drove home when we were under storm watches, etc.

In my late 20's I was given a medication to help me stay awake due to extreme insomnia. It worked, but it also caused my anxiety to go thru the roof and started panic attacks and eventually led to a deep depression too.

I was on and off several meds and went through a few years of therapy. My depression is in check now and I haven't had an attack in years, but I do still have anxiety from time to time. Like when my dh is driving and we are in lots of traffic I'm afraid we'll rear end someone. I can no longer go on roller coasters or water slides as they cause my anxiety to go up before I get on them and I used to love them.

There is something wrong with you, but it's nothing to be ashamed of, it's just how your brain is wired and a possible chemical imbalance. You can work through it and live a normal life as an abnormal person. Don't take that the wrong way...I am abnormal too in that I have to remember to keep calm and talk myself down when things cause panic. It's ok, I'm fine with it. I tell anyone who asks about it, what depression and anxiety are like. Until you have it you don't know. But there are tons of us out there who do.

Talk to your dr, there are meds and there's therapy for this. Don't live in fear of becoming anxious, it just makes things worse. You are fine, you just have to learn to adapt.

I hope this didn't come off wrong, be strong!