Help: Anxiety!

[LadyTerra]

Okay. I can no longer take this and I didn't know where else to put this. Hopefully someone can help.

I have a balance dilemma. I've had it for some time now, and I'm not sure what the cause of it is, yet. Here's what I have: I am constantly worrying. I worry about school, I worry about home, I worry about my boyfriend (incessantly). And when I worry like this, I can hardly function. It's like I'm overwhelmed and I can't concentrate on school, which starts the spiral. And when I get depressed about school, I call my boyfriend, which makes me worry if I'm being a pest to him, which starts the spiral. Then I worry about my phone bill, which starts the spiral.

Is there any advice or anything I can do to ease this? I've actually have laid down, clasping my chest and uttered, "Calm down. There's no reason to be this worked up." There never is. I sometimes wonder if I have some of those crap anxiety disorders (Like General Anxiety Disorder) but this is insane. Can anyone help me out a little?

LadyTerra

[Psyche Ague]

I'm not well-versed on the subject, but you may want to see your doctor about an anxiety disorder. I've read that women are more likely to develop them than men but that they're treatable.

*hugs* I'm here for you if you need to worry, vent, or just talk.

[Rose Sunny Rionach]

I agree.. you should definately see a doctor. **hugs** Hope everything goes okay for ya. Anxiety can be a real b!%*# sometimes.

[Gwion]

don't let anyone prescribe you Xanax. Baaaaaaad News.

[kronje]

I'm sorry to hear you're so distressed.

I don't think going to doctors is a good idea. They will likely put you on Zoloft or Xanax or both. The medicalization of normal feelings is a bad, bad trend, imo. What if we called worry "worry" rather than "anxiety disorder" and what if we called sadness "sadness" rather than "depression" and what if we called "war PTSD" "horrible guilt for having killed other human beings and horror at the memory of having seen them killed" and what if we called certain forms of schizophrenia "shamanistic gifts"? What would happen then? Well, for one thing, stock prices of major pharmaceutical firms would fall...but what would happen to us as a society if we were not medicated out of our malaise? These are good answers to muse on.

You could find a good counselor or therapist and try to work through why you're so upset and non-drug methods of dealing with feelings.

I find the so called "serenity prayer," tho it is not of my religious inclinations, a useful way to think: Goddess grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. " We cannot control our friends' behaviors, our family's feelings, what socioeconomic class we were born into, whether or not we are the victim of random crime tomorrow, when our car will need new breaks, that sexism or racism exists in our culture, or if our prof gives us a pop quiz. We can control how we spend our time and energy.

HTH, and best of luck to you

[Psyche Ague]

While I agree that diagnosing depression and anxiety disorders may be flawed, there are real people with real problems out there who are really depressed and who really have anxiety disorders. Who are we to say Lady Terra does not have an anxiety disorder? Why should she suffer if there is a real solution to her problem?

As for schizophrenia, there are medical ways of determining if one is schizophrenic (excess dopamine, heredity, pre-natal influenza, etc.). This is a serious disease world-wide, not a gift by any stretch of the imagination (especially not theirs...).

Being sad is one thing. Being depressed is completely another. Depression is a real problem and should not be taken lightly.

Worrying and anxiety disorders are hugely different also. I worry, of course, but these worrysome thoughts do not plague me the way they seem to plague Lady Terra. If these thoughts are interfering in her everyday life and she is finding it hard to function, she should DEFINITELY seek help. There is no shame in trusting people who are well-versed in your problems and who can really help you.

Medicine, although I'm hesitant about them, can really help people. Make sure that therapy is a part of your recovery, though. This may help prevent you becoming dependent on medicine. If you or your doctor are hesitant about prescribing something, then don't take it! There are ways of dealing with problems without medication. I've been surviving depression for years without any medication. It's painful, but I like a more natural route. If your doctor feels strongly about prescribing something and you're still hesitant, ask another trusted physician for a second opinion.

My final advice is to see a psychologist or psychiatrist. If you don't know of any, ask friends whom they would recommend or ask your family doctor or a doctor at your local hospital. There is hope, I promise. Do your own research in anything they prescribe you. Look at trusted health websites or magazines or publications to see what possible side effects are and if these side effects outweigh your current difficulties. Don't just blindly take a medicine you know nothing about. Read up on what exactly it will do to you and if there is a chance you could become dependent on it.

This is not something to take lightly, as I'm sure you're aware. There is no reason to panic, though. Perhaps all you need is a break or some relaxation. But talk to your doctor first.

Best of luck and LOTS of love to you. ~Anni

[Amemphis]

Do NOT badmouth legit prescriptions EVER.

When I was five years old I screamed I wanted to die.
When I was eight I tried to commit suicide.
When I was 13 I became a cutter.
Then they put me on medication. I'm actually able to be happy and not just be miserable the whole time. Depression, schizophrena, and anxiety diseases are real problems, not just moods.

[materra]

What Psyche Ague has said echos my thoughts on the subject... I also think people don't realize that like an antibiotic, you can take a medication like Xanax for a short time while working in therapy to uncover a root cause. (Gwion, Xanax for a short time is very helpful, and controling the dosage is really important. However some folks tend to forget that detail.) If you need medication for a longer time remember anxiety is like any illness; you take insulin for diabetes wouldn't you?

All in all therapy combined with medications works... and to get a mental rest from all that pain and anxiety is sooooo worth it. I have worked with anxiety patients, and I want you to know if... if ... you have one, there are medications that can change your world. Please seek someone out for professional help... if you need information on psychologists for therapy, or psychiatrists for medications.... call your insurance company for their referal list....
No referal info or insurance? Speak to your county mental health program listed in your phone book for sliding scale fee therapists. Warm hugs, and best wishes. to you.

[shnen]

maybe you should look into taking some meditation courses as well. Tai chi, yoga, etc, can do you a world of good...

as well, you should probably go see your doctor :)