dr phil

[autumnthebrat2]

I happened to be watching dr phil Yesterday. There was a woman that had an anxiety disorder. It was so strange to see someone in the flesh that was almost just like me. I say almost because mingled in with her severe anxiety, she had a hoarding issue. Her symptoms were almost Identical to mine and her hypervigilenc and determination to find out what was wrong with her was just like me in the beginning of all this. At my stage now, I stopped all the pulse checking, blood sugar tests, blood pressure checks and the other obsessive things I was doing to find out what was wrong. With her, there was a stress trigger that started all this and this was similar to me. I always had the tendency to be this way, but not to the extreme. My sister died suddenly at 12, my mothers husband died in his sleep, my aunt died in a fire. I grew up wondering when I would be next and I came close during one serious asthma attack. So the stage was set and I am also a very high strung perfectionist. This woman was very nice and I really could relate to her anguish. Check it out if you have time it aired yesterday at 1/26/18. Dr phil talked about neuro therapy, biofeedback and a couple of other treatment options. I think he is a psychologist, so he is not big on medication. Anyway, everyone have a great day and weekend

[Agora1]

autumnthebrat2, thank you for sharing the Dr Phil show yesterday. I was glued to the tv set. Kept thinking if only the forum could be watching this right now. It doesn't take a genius to see in her body language all she was going through during that hour. I highly recommend everyone giving it a watch date was Thursday January 25th. Well worth looking at. x

[autumnthebrat2 in reply to Agora1]

I'm glad somebody else saw it. It's funny, as I am watching it, I'm thinking, can't she see this is anxiety. I am sure everyone was thinking that about me during my highpoint. I was also so determined to show everyone that I really did have something wrong with me. During all my tests, I came out with a positive liver enzymes indicating hepatitis. I probably raised my liver enzymes by the attivan I was taking and a couple of beers one night. I also came up positive with lyme disease which resulted in a spinal tap. After the spinal tap, you are suppose to lay still for awhile, but I was so annoyed from the cat meowing, I was up and down the stairs to put him outside. The next day I had such a terrible head ache and was vomiting, I ended up being admitted to the hospital and had a cat scan. During the evening I was given some med that dangerously lowered my bp, and the nurses came in trying to raise my bp. I also had a echo that found that I had a mild dilation of my ascending aorta, which freaked me out. Thought it was like an aneuryism. Cardiologist said not to worry and not the cause of my problems. That was 30 years ago oh, subsequent lyme test showed it was a false positive. I had issues with breathing where I couldn't catch my breath. I had pulmonary function tests. I started having blood in my stool from constipation, so ended up with a colonoscopy......Once this anxiety starts going, it's like a wild fire. I kept fueling it with each test which led to more anxiety. Muscle twitches started and of couse I went to a neurologist who performed emg's and nerve conduction studies. It's really embarrassing just mentioning this, but maybe someone can somehow benefit from it. During this time I had an infant and a government job that was so stressful. What snapped me out of it was I had mentioned to the neurologist that I sometimes could not move my neck it was so tight, so he prescribed me amytriptiline. I did not know that this is a dual purpose drug that is given for nerve pain, but also for depression and anxiety. if I had known it was a antidepressant, I probably wouldn't have taken it. Thank God for my ignorance. Well that's my story, I went for 30 years drug free after that until a couple of years ago during extreme life stressors. Well, that's my story, sorry for the length

[Agora1 in reply to autumnthebrat2]

Thank you for sharing that. It helps us in understanding each other when more than just a few words that "I have anxiety" are shared. Usually there is much more behind anxiety and how it grows. My fears spiraled out of control over the years, it wasn't until I finally put 2 and 2 together that I realized the cause of my anxiety. Now when I see or hear someone like the woman on Dr Phil, I feel empathy for her but yet anger for Anxiety taking away the lives of so many people. My anger makes me strong and puts me in the place I'm at now, anxiety free.

I've enjoy sharing stories with you autumnthebrat2. Little do we all know how much alike we are. Enjoy your weekend. xx

[Indigojoe in reply to Agora1]

This forum has given me the "family" that I never had that UNDERSTANDS how I'm wired ( pun ).

I use what I read here, and advice from many when I am alone, and have to face some appointment, or person or situation I do not want to face. I replay other's stories, get my strength and know that I am not alone in this.

[Agora1 in reply to Indigojoe]

I feel the same Indigojoe. It's comforting to be understood in what we go through without the emotional put downs. I'm glad to be a part of this family just like you do. xx

[scottlayton35 in reply to autumnthebrat2]

Thanks for sharing. I think we're all similar in that we end up on a crusade to find something wrong instead of accepting an anxiety diagnosis. All the tests and googling just fuels the fire. I was bought a fitness watch for xmas and it just made me obsess about my pulse and as a result my heart palps got worse. Ultimatley i know that if there was something physical wrong with me i would have collapsed or died by now so it proves it's just anxiety.

[Agora1 in reply to scottlayton35]

scottlayton35, I agree that the fitness watch might not be a good idea for someone dealing with anxiety. I hope you tucked it away for now and turn to relaxation/meditation and deep breathing instead. With that you will get results and not add fuel to the fire. xx

[tamka38]

I watch it yesterday too I been dealing with anxiety since 8 and I have my good and bad day's

[Cwoods]

I was watching clips of it couldnt find the whole episode and i totally can relate to her on how you are feelings and no one takes u serious or think its all in your head.