Anxiety is the demon within me.

[Astrid007]

Salutations!

My name is Astrid. I am severely suffering with Anxiety problems. I worry about situations and small things unnecessarily and quite frequently. I'm 19 years old turning 20 in three months, I fear that my days of being young and having fun will be eliminated by my Anxiety, which is why I've joined the Anxiety UK Community today. I find that the stress i'm enduring has rose significantly due to the pressures of my Anxiety problems. Not only do I worry about things but I find it difficult to sleep, therefore disrupting my routine. I'm up all hours, i'm feeling tired a lot in the day due to this. I'm over-thinking and my brain is over-active all the time so I can't concentrate on one thing or be relaxed. I'm constantly eating more, i'm becoming more anxious and scared in social situations. I have to ask my friends or family to basically "hold my hand", not in the literal sense. I get nervous all the time, sometimes I get nervous to just go downstairs to say hello to my family. I hide away in my room until eventually feeling okay enough to go downstairs. I have panic attacks occasionally, sometimes it hurts because I feel like I can't breathe, it feels like one sharp intake of breath and then that's it - I think i'm gonna die. Oh God help me!

I feel like it's taking over my life. I've tried reading a book to help with Anxiety but it didn't work and hasn't helped at all.

Maybe i'll figure this all out, but for now, what should I do? I feel so alone.

Astrid.

PS. That's a picture of me.

[Hidden]

You are not alone dont worry, thousands and thousands of people suffer anxiety.

There is help out there and support from others on this site so hang in there, see your GP about it, they can help a lot.

Lovely picture by the way

Dimitri x

[elephantb0y in reply to Hidden]

In my 84th year I am experiencing panic attacks and anxiety breathing. Ihave no idea what has caused this. Controlled heavy breathing helps, but not for long, doctor has put me on 10mg Citalopram. I hope it works. Best wishes to all my fellow sufferers

[Bigtonyd]

You have made a big step to talk about your feelings. many helpful people here. Im fearly new to the site my self. I started getting the shortness of breath and chest restrictions. When I have an attack comming on I find long deep breaths help calm.

How long have you been getting this can you pin point anything that may have originally triggered it.

[Astrid007]

Thanks Dimitri. At least I know i'm not alone in this. I'll talk to my GP and see what they say, i'm really scared and nervous about going. I'm very shy and embarrassed. I don't feel normal.

Thanks Bigtonyd, I felt that I needed to do something and telling someone whilst hiding behind a screen is much more easier than talking to someone face to face about it e.g GP. Long deep breaths? Ok. How long has this worked for you?

It's been this way for a few years but i've been scared to talk about it.

[ilsonbunny]

AH bless you I know how terrified you are feeling. I am 61yr old female and started with Panic Attacks 35yrs ago and yes sweetheart it will take over your life IF YOU let it. Please go and see your GP and ask for a referrel for CBT thats cognitive behavior therapy. I have had 2 courses and it works wonders. You will meet with a therapist once a week for maybe 10 weeks who will listen to all your fears and give you all the support you need to overcome your Anxiety. You are not a freak you are not Loony or any other of the labels we think may be attached to us. There are many celebrities who suffer Panic/Anxiety but strangely enough I dont panic in any situation. It is not a weakness it is something we ourselves create. No one as ever died from having a Panic Attack The pysical symptoms are so scary and we all think no one else knows or has these symptoms surely. YES we all do on this sight.Please ask for help from the lovely people on this sight between us we can usually answer so many questions

Good Luck Hun xx

[Hidden]

Hi astrid

I know how scary it is but there is help out there hun. You don't have to struggle your gp can put you in touch with someone who will help you understand how you are feeling and give you some coping mechanisms. I'm much older now but I was the same as you at your age but support then wasn't much good so I struggled on, you don't have to. Write down how you are feeling and hand it to your gp if you find it easier they will understand. I wish I had asked for help years ago. You are not alone as you will see if you get chance to read blogs on here. You are young and beautiful please don't let the grip it has on you get any tighter love eve x

[Hidden]

You are normal dont worry, you are just struggling, it will pass, let us know how you get on.

You have nothing to be embarrased about your GP is familiar with anxiety disorder he wont bat an eyelid, it is his/her job to refer you for the help you require.

Dimitri x

[Rg2910]

I share ur distress...will include u in my outlandish prayer

[Hidden]

Hi Astrid007, time to get control of this to keep it from getting out of control and prayerfully eliminating it completely. One thing I realized as I approach my 60’s is that although I thought I had a good view of myself, I really did not know who I was. I found that when I found God but the anxiety had gotten so out of control it took me a really long time to get it under control. Join some in person groups where they are supportive and caring. Build some really strong relationships that uplift you and celebrate who you are. The Bible says we are fearfully and wonderfully made, you are precious in the eyes of God. I am not saying ignore it when we need correction but when a person makes a mistake if we are doing right we correct in love, so I am not saying look for people who will let you go the wrong way and not tell you so they do not hurt your feelings, but look for relationships with people that will say it is alright, let’s change that because you are too wonderful of a person and I want you to be whole, happy and successful. You know those groups with the mushy kind of people who you younger people call corny. I am in the United States so I hope you know what corny means. The best to you!