In Need of Advice

[MegsB]

Hello, I am new here. I am a college student. I haven't slept for 72 hours. I am currently only taking two classes this summer. Yet even with a low course load this summer I am still beyond stressed. Can't sleep, have migraines, stomach discomfort, shaky hands, and have had 3 panic attacks in the past week. It seems that as time goes on my symptoms become worse. I am worried that heading back to college with a full course load next month i am going to absolutely lose it. I want to go to the doctors for help but I feel stupid doing so. Like the doctor will shrug it off. Not sure what to do.

[Hidden]

I would personally visit a doctor, I don't think they would see your symptoms as silly. Perhaps they can suggest some anti anxiety techniques or even perhaps some calming medication to help. Stay well

[Hidden]

Doctors are there for you!

Do not feel stupid about going to a doctor, it is their job to look after you, no matter how stupid you think it is they will take you seriously.

You need to go and see one so make that appointment ASAP and get yourself sorted out.

I hope you will be ok and if you need to chat about it all you are always welcome on here. Lots of people will chat with you.

Go see that doctor and take care of yourself.

[Savannah_claire_]

Aw I'm sorry you're going through this! And no, you're absolutely not stupid for wanting to go to the doctor's! If you want to go to the doctor then I think you should go to the doctor. However, I do think you should try to calm yourself down. Have you done any stress and anxiety relivers? Try deep breathing that helps me when I have anxiety a lot. Also use some essential oils and put some on your wrist, it give a calming scent. Try doing some sort of exercise like jogging, yoga, squats, and even just counting to 10 when doing jumping jacks. It's ok, everything will work out! You'll be ok, you're definitely not alone. If you need any more advice then definitely message me!

[capedlitigator]

I went through this in college. Get help!!!!!

[Super-]

I know the feeling of being so stressed and anxious that you can't sleep. Sometimes it's so bad that your mind may convince you that the doctor won't help you or won't take you seriously. I've made that same mistake before 😫. Bad decision caused by a mind that was tired (stress, anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia) and unable to process things correctly. Inability to concentrate and process all that is going on will do this. Headaches don't help either. You can look up how the oxygen in the brain is distributed differently, more to the amygdala and less to the frontal cortex. Fear (anxiety) beats healthy decision making.

I finally went to see a doctor and he was very understanding. I feared that he wouldn't be able to see how I was feeling, especially since you can't do a blood test or an X-ray for stress and anxiety. I wish I would have went to him sooner. I don't know why I didn't, other than likely the stress/anxiety/insomnia/panic attacks were affecting my mental processing and decision making abilities. Obviously they were!

I hope you go to see your doctor very soon. Please.

I've since learned that the cause may be an event, but the condition is always present. I thought I could fix it myself but that was a silly thought, another example of how we make bad decisions when our mind is injured. IT had already taken over and was regulating my decisions. I only got worse, but at the same time it was becoming my norm so I began to lose sight of what 'normal' really was. Does that make sense? I think there's a better way to express that but that's the best I can do right now.

It became a slippery slope and I didn't realize how much I was still sinking. Your mind makes you think you're coping, but are you really? I guess some do, but my guess is they already had the tools and likely recognized the signs early on and attacked it before it got too powerful. For me thoughts of self harm began to lurk in the shadows, and the whispers became louder. You fight them off, but like any predator they just wait for signs of weakness to attack.

All that to say that I hope you don't make the same mistake I did and wait. Don't let your mind fool you. I wish someone would have told me this early on.

[20Voices]

You are not alone.

The good thing is that you have recognized that you need help.

Took me until I had a break down before I got help.I thought I could deal with it on my own, because I was a coach and knew all about stress management, relaxation and building self-confidence.

I also didn't want to admit to anyone that I had started to hear several voices in my head. I was always used to that one negative voice mocking me most of my life and thought everyone had that voice as well, but to have all the other voices nattering in the background an laughing at me like a lot of bullies got way too much. Hence my user name.

My breakdown forced me to address the problem.

If you don't want to go to your doctor on your own find someone you can confide in and who will support you to go with you.

Make a list of how you feel, because when you are tired you may forget to mention something. Don't worry about getting emotional either, doctors are used to that and any good doctor should understand your distress.

The other things you can do is set-up a sleep routine. I know that doesn't sound like fun when you are in college, but it will help you feel less tired and help you to feel less stressed.

The sleep routine includes things like making sure you get at least 8 hours of sleep. That you turn off all electronics if you must have them in your bedroom, including your mobile. That you turn all electronics and even the TV off at least an hour before you go to sleep. That you don't drink caffeinated drinks or alcohol in the evening, and some people who are sensitive to caffeine need to stop drinking caffeinated drinks at lunchtime. Alcohol dehydrates you so not wise to drink late in the evening. There is so much more you can include to ensure your room is a safe comfortable place to sleep. I got all this information from a Stress Control class that I attended. I had to attend it twice because I was so tired the first time round I hardly took in any of the information.

Also why not speak to your student support team and see if this can give you some help and advise.

There are other things that you can do for college that will make things easier for you, but first of all you need to get help with your lack of sleep and stress.

Take care.