DO I SUFFER FROM ANXIETY

I suppose looking back that my obsessive worrying has always been an issue but my life took a turn for the worse some ten months ago following a traumatic event. This led to rapid weight loss, insomnia, fear and panic. My GP was useless and I continued on a downward spiral for weeks. I have been on three anti depressants, other so called anti anxiety drugs and anti histamine to help me sleep. Although I am somewhat calmer now I cannot stop thinking about my condition. From the minute I wake up to going to bed at night I constantly think of how I feel and cannot concentrate on anything else. Song lyrics can run through my mind all day creating more fear. I am scared of virtually everything. I try to get on with my life but everyday seems the same. I just feel ill all day and have this awful feeling in my chest (it is not tightness) which makes me feel like I dont want to live. How can a feeling make you feel this way. I have such innocuous thoughts that make me feel terrible.

Sorry to go on but I'm getting really scared that I will never recover. Has anyone else suffered with a similar scenario and is this Anxiety?

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18 Replies

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debbiejay

7 years ago

Hi doodie

I totally sympathise, feel very much the same but just don't seem to know how to get any help. I have found GP's completely unhelpful and have almost resigned myself to not having any kind of life. I look normal on the outside, but am an absolute mess on the inside. I am scared of everything, in a total panic about everything get no pleasure from anything and just feel empty. I seem to particularly have a huge amount of social anxiety and hate having to go out or talk to people, as it just racks up the anxiety by a thousand percent, so I have no friends. Thought maybe I would try this site to see if it helps to talk to people in a virtual world. I too feel it in my chest all the time. It does seem to feel a bit better knowing that I am not the only opne feeling like this, as I usually feel very isolated, hope it is helping you too to get support on here. Best wishes. Debs x

doodie08

in reply to debbiejay

7 years ago

Hi Debs

I have been advised to stay away from Blogs and Anxiety forums as it only drags you further into the the downward spiral. However, I do feel it comforting to know other people have the same thoughts, feelings and sensations. The one in my chest is particularly troublesome as I seem to have it all the time. This seems to trigger more thoughts and so the cycle continues.

My work colleagues say I look much better (I confided in them) but like you on the inside the torment continues.

I dont feel qualified to give advice but you must force yourself to go out and meet people. I recently enrolled on a Physical Wellbeing course (over ten weeks) and find the other people friendly and open with their issues. Many are like you Debs. I could not do this a few months ago but have now found the strenght to move out of my comfort zone. Again I'm not a big believer in talking shops but I do get help on breathing exercises and other techniques to abate anxiety. Although these are not working yet I must perservere as it is the anxiety telling me to quit!

Here's me going on this site for help and end up trying to give someone else advice.

Debs as you seem to be experiencing everything I did please feel free to reply/post back. As the saying goes its good to talk.

Take care Doodie (by the way the name is from a cartoon character my son used to love)

debbiejay

in reply to doodie08

7 years ago

Hi Doodie, thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to reply, it was really helpful. I think you have been extremely brave to confide in your colleagues, it is so difficult to know where to start to tell anyone about this, and the way that you have found the strength to open up to people must show that you are making great progress towards tackling your fears. I hope they provide comfort and support to you.

The fact that you are able to give me some help shows that these forums are not all negative at all, I think it makes sense that people going through similar experiences can understand each other and offer advice that has worked for them. I am not sure what a Physical Wellbeing course is - I'll have a look on-line in a minute and checkout what's available near me, so thanks for that.

I dont know if my chest thing is the same as yours or not, but for years I thought that I had some kind of heart problem, and that I was going to die. I did have ECGs and tests and the doctors were adamant that my heart was fine. I thought that that knowledge would be comforting and help the feeling to go away, since I knew it must be emotional/stress related. However, I can't say that it has sorted the problem out. I guess I now know what it is, so don't think it's my heart, but the symptom is still there and it's not nice to live with and I know what you mean about it triggering more anxious thoughts. I also just want to say that I also know what you mean about song lyrics in your head making things worse - I have that problem too, and just can't stop it! I try meditation techniques and breathing exercises but they sneak back in as soon as I stop.

Anyway, I hope you've had a good day, it really is a case of taking it one day at a time, and eventually you will be able to look back and see how far each day's small steps have taken you. Debs x

riroar

5 years ago

Hi x I have always been a nervous awkard person I remember even in juniors and secondary school during exam time I use to b sick and have to do them in a private room. Also any public speaking or interview would scare me and tip me over the edge. After a health scare over three weeks ago which lead to my first full blown aniexty attack which like most thought I was having a heart attack. It's completely knocked me of my feet my heart was racing for first week so scared to eat or sleep and constantly thinking I'm dying. I was always on edge n jumped at the slightest noise. I have beeb sick stomach ache head aches hot flushes shakes struggle to breath, dizzy spells etc Also ive felt detached from the world n its like ive been looking through a glass window. Its been a real struggle. I've been in n out of a n e n doctors..had bloods n stuff but all comes back to my aniexty. I'm on my third week n still dont feel right xx good luck n stay strong.