Severe Anxiety

[Rose143]

Hi everyone,

I am a 27 year old female who has struggled with anxiety my whole life. I remember at age 12 having my first panic attack but thinking it was just an asthma attack because I've had asthma since a young age. Any way, the last 4 years of my life, my anxiety has taken a turn for the worst and has left me feeling debilitated really this last year. I have a great life, a wonderful partner, loving, supportive family, etc. my anxiety has become so bad that I've been through 4 jobs this year alone bc I don't know which end is up. I have been going to CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) this last month but it seems to be making me feel worse. I am not on any meds bc I'm scared to take them. I have a constant feeling of shortness of breath, my chest is tight all of the time and I feel fatigued and have a very hard time concentrating. I obsess and google everything, trying to find something wrong with me and always jump to the worst. I've been to the ER 3 times now and still, they tell me it's just anxiety. I'm at my wits end here and feel defeated.

[johncraig]

I've been through everything you've been through.

The CBT did a little for me and some Meds eased my depression but i still have regular bouts of anxiety.

It's taken a while for me to admit it but it's part of me and admitting that helped me come to terms with it a bit.

I personally find talking to others in the same situation as ourselves helps a lot and walking is a great help to me...not a cure but a help.

Googling can help to an extent but you have to find your triggers and coping techniques yourself...i wish you well and don't give up...john

[philly101]

Googling your symptoms doesn't help. As google will tell you that you have some severe illness. I would try and stay away from googling your symptoms. The symptoms you are having are from anxiety. Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, fatigue, hard time concentrating, etc. Do you know why you are feeling anxious? You need to find the trigger points of your anxiety and the thought process that goes along with it. Do you exercise regularly? Just like John said walking helps. I ride my bike, it helps me a lot. Hope this helps.

[Rose143 in reply to philly101]

Hi Philly101,

I have never tried meds before but I am almost at the point where I am tempted to try them since I cannot get a hold on my anxiety. I have just started exercising regularly again. Sometimes I become so out of breath though, I am unable to really get a good work out in.

[Hidden]

I was in your shoes and there's light at the end of the tunnel. Read some of my more recent posts and see what I've done and it really works. I would type it, but it's pretty long.

[Taranicole31404]

Hi you sound just like me I have had anxiety since I was 8 and I have a hard time doing anything I barely leave my house. I feel short of breath all day I think about breathing all day I get dizzy I too am very scared to take any mess I suffer from health anxiety I google illnesses at least 3 times a day

[Rose143 in reply to Taranicole31404]

You sounds just like me. I'm so afraid to even drive alone because I feel like I can't breathe constantly and i feel like something will happen while on the road. You have never tried meds before?