still new to anxiety

[fatinaziz]

Hi,

I just had the anxiety symptom weeks ago. I am an international student which has just arrives in the states for 5 weeks. The first week I was here i feel so homesick and sad and I can't barely sleep due to the jetlag. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th week was fine for me and I thought I started to adapt to the environment. However, last monday i started to feel anxious and it stays until today which is already 6th day. My heart beat so fast, i can't stay still and have the urge to move, walk or run and i feel tighten in the chest. when i try to stay still I will feel suffocating and the feeling is there until I fall asleep at night. I know the feeling appear due to overthinking and loneliness but I don't know how to control my thoughts. Everyday is hell for me. I feel time pass by so slowly and I feel exhausted. I tried the breathing techniques but it doesn't work and ended up I need to take a walk to feel better. I walk 8 miles per day. I was thinking to take prescription to overcome the problem because the anxiety is affecting my studies. Anyone here have advice what should i do.?

[Ktom8]

I understand how painful it is to be homesick and have severe anxiety. It is the worst feeling and It can be so debilitating. Your school should have various resources available to help you - do not suffer alone. First go to the school nurse. She can give you medication and refer you to someone to talk to. The school should have a counseling center The anti anxiety Meds are quite effective and once you get over being homesick you won't have to rely on them. Also join a club and make friends. Also Google college homesickness and read about others in your situation. It will make you feel less alone.

[Lostjoy]

Very good advice. I'm older, but just moved last year to a new lonely place. I'm having anxiety and depression over missing my whole family. It's been going on for 7 months. I am just now starting to feel a bit better. I just wanted to share that with you, so you know it can and will get better.

Hoping you feel better soon!

[fatinaziz in reply to Lostjoy]

yeah i think this feeling is might be because of missing my family or fear of being far away from them but thank god u said it will get better so I will hold on to that hope. Today i force myself to think about what I am going to do today and try not to think about home, or tomorrow or how long its going to be before i can meet them. I try to focus on the things that I need to do today and Alhamdulillah I feel much better compared to the last 6 days and I will try my best to continue doing this until I feel normal again.

[km147]

You are in a new country, the anxiety you are feeling may just be due to that. Seek advice from a psychiatrist or a therapist. Also kudos to you for making such a big move for your education. You are well respected in my eyes. It's not easy to move away for school let alone to a new country!

[fatinaziz in reply to km147]

thank you for saying that. I try to go to general clinic just now but they didn't accept my insurance and probably I need to find another clinic.