Anyone else suffer from Anxiety?-Long

[kelseygirl707]

Yes Smokey I know exactly what you are going through. I have been Diagnosed with an anxiety order, it started very young, but really blossomed in Junior High. I would have nightly Anxiety attacks, where I would be crying, throwing up (out both ends, LOL), and Hyperventilating (not sure thats spelled right). My poor mother would be up with me for hours ever night, and it was all related to school, I wasn't picked on, and had friends, but I just didn't feel like I fit in. The anxiety disorder made it impossible to function in class, as I feared being called on, so I was failing all of my classes. Finaly in 8th grade I began Independent Study, a form or homeschool, and excelled to a 4.0 GPA. As I got older and began working Starting a new job would send me into those same anxiety attacks, I now have a very Cushy Job with a boss that doesn't give a rats ass, yet I still have small anxiety attacks once in a while, that I will be fired.

Since meeting my husband I have relaxed alot, he is very loud and outgoing, and that seems to be rubbing off on me. He has backed me up 100% in going back to school, and I have taken a few classes, but getting myself to sign up, then actually show up to the first class (and not throw up) is nearly impossible.

I now have severe TMJ (Jaw Disorder) because I grind my teeth when I'm sleeping due to stress. And also we are finding it very hard to Conceive a baby, as stress throws my body out of wack.

When I was younger I went to counseling and although I didn't like it, I must say that the breathing exercise they taught me works well, I still use it today. All you gotta do in breath from your stomach, distending you stomach out all the way.

Good luck, and please feel free to email me, I am always around.

~Kelsey~

 

[farmerlor]

I just got back from the doctor who told me that all of my problems are stress related. It's a vicious cycle; I get up in the morning and immediately I'm overwhelmed with taking care of my kids with special needs, homeschooling, farming, housework, financial problems, and worries about the world in general so I end up getting very little done and then feeling guilty about it because I do so need to be perfect. The stress affects my health by lowering my immune system so I feel bad about being ill all the time which causes more stress which makes me sick. I have ulcers from worrying, migraines from tension and lack of sleep and pain from various back and knee ailments.
But my doctor says I need to get back on my exercise program because the hormones secreted during exercise relieve stress. I also need to get a little better nutrition which will also help me deal with the stress and immune problems. I'm going to start taking my anti-anxiolitics more consistently and we'll see if I can't break this cycle.
I hope you too find some help for your anxiety.

 

[bheila]

Smoky73-I'm so glad to see that you wrote about your anxiety. I've been thinking about posting about my anxiety/panic attack issues for weeks but didn't have the guts to do it.

for you!

I've had anxiety/panic attacks for about 12 years. About 2 years after they started I went to the Dr and she put me on Zoloft. What hell that was! The Zoloft made my attacks so much worse

I've never been fond of taking medications or going to the Dr's so I opted not to try any more meds.

I know why I have anxiety.....it's my weight. I've been overweight since I was about 6 years old. I was teased throughout school but it never bothered me much or held me back. So I don't quite understand why it affects me so much now but it does

I don't like to be around crowds. I haven't been to the dentist in 10 years. I miss out on my kids' school functions. I hate going out in public! I don't like talking on the phone to people I don't know. I didn't even go to my step daughter's wedding.

When I know I HAVE to go somewhere I can't send my husband then that's when the anxiety starts. I get cranky, my heart starts to pound like it's going to fly out of my chest, I sweat like crazy then it's like I almost go into a tunnel and can't hear the other people around me. I just want to go into the store or appointment and GET IT OVER WITH! Like today, I had to go to Walmart to get my migraine meds. When I got to the checkstand I started sweating. I HATE IT!

So now to the positive parts of my disorder

It started getting better 2 years ago, why? That's when I started getting into chickens, ducks, turkeys and then finally my goats. I've found that I go out more then ever and meet new people. I still don't like going out in public but I love seeing the animals and the people I meet are nice

Sorry this is long, I thought that I would be sitting here

because of all of things I've missed out on in my families lives but I actually feel better. I see how much I've improved.

So Thank you Smoky73

 

[NancyDz]

I get anxiety attacks and take Klonopin also... it really helps also I do the breathing exercises that kelseygirl talked about. I went to counseling for a while too and that helped me stop having the major anxiety attacks that I would get that actuallty ended up being Post Traumatic Stress. Now mine are more minor, I can feel them coming on and the klonopin keeps that at a manageable level.

Smoky, I would definitely recommend seeing a counselor for anxiety.... or maybe even Post Traumatic Stress. The waking up choking sounds more like PTSD and there are things you can do in counseling that will lessen if not stop that from happening. I used to be on all kinds of drugs for the anxiety, depression, insomnia, etc... and after counseling I only use the klonopin on an as needed basis. I'm actually surprised your doctor hasnt recommended that
you see someone...have him give you a referral.


Good luck and hang in there!


Nancy

 

[THough1956]

My son is 11, 2 years ago he got sick on his stomache and then started saying he could not breathe and his heart wasn't beating or was beating to fast. Medical doctors dismissed him and after 3 visits said he should see a pyschiatrist, while waiting 2 months to get an appointment I had him in the emergency room, we thought he was having a heart attack, then ran lots of test, even a brain scan and finally a councelor can in and said he needed a pyschiatrist. While still waiting for his appointment to roll around he starting thinking everyoen was looking at him funny and were going to come kill him, he touched something poison and was going to dye, that he wanted to die, his breath was cold, kept smelling things. The worse night came when he said he we were in danger and someone was coming to kill us, I sat with him as he screamed and yelled they were here knives. I sat with him many nights as he was so scared he was dying.

I would have never in a million years believed this could happen to anyone especially a child. He has panic attacks, anxiety, ocdc and adhd. He takes zolof and strattera and that just takes the edge off. The schools are not helping, they don't understand. How can you learn when all this goes on in your head. And also he has no close friends. I live in fear that as he gets older he will find a way to kill himself. And this all just seemed to come overnight.

I find comfort that at least their are some other people to talk to going thru similar things. Is there light at the end of the tunnel?

 

[bawkbawkbawk]

Klonopin (Clonazepam) is HIGHLY addictive.

 

[allmypeeps]

Hi SMOKEY,

I will be 31 in May. I was physically and emotionally abused by my mother as a child then by b/f later in life.... I had depression as a child and later developed enxiety/panic attacks (chronic fatigue & fibromyalgia symptoms).

like you, I find it hard to leave the house at all...not even to check the mail unless I have makeup on and look at myself 100 times in the mirror first. I havent worked in 5 years and feel like a leech on my husbands arm. Sometimes he will want to go somewhere- (someplace stupid like McDonalds for a burger or Home Depot) and I will literally cry because I have to back down and say "I can't go"...I TRY but when I get close to the door I have a melt down.

I can't help it. I know what you are going through!! Hopefully you have family support and helpful peers.
My father says: Get a JOB and you will feel normal. (whatever!)
My own sister says: I'm just doing it for 'attention'. (@!#%$@!)

I am NOT the type to take meds (had a bad reaction to a couple and have never felt the same since so I avoid them like the plague now).

One thing that has helped alot for heart palpitaions is the natural suppliment "L-theanine" it is naturally occurring in 'green tea' its what makes the tea relaxing. It is completely safe and supposed to cause a relaxing/meditative effect but you retain alertness and mental clarity. I found it does help alot.

ALSO...if you believe in chinese medicine at all...anxiety stems from the LIVER being unhealthy. So eat a liver friendly diet, drink lots of water and maybe do a detox or take some liver supporting herbs. I took some pills called 'liver happy' and I have not felt axious for a whole month...no jitters, cold sweats, heart flutters....even when I got worked up about something I was amazed I did not go into full panic mode......

Look into it! it just may help for you....Find a natural doc if you can...regular docs do not look to cure the cause....just medicate the symptoms.....which medication is fine, but I personally rather find a way to balance my system so I stop the cause.

Also, may seem lame, corny, flakey to some....but my aunt has learned about past life regression and she is taking classes in it. There are people with extreme fear or phobias who remember about their life before this...some people go back many many lives. My aunts husband had a pain in his shoulder that would not subside and dr's didnt know why. His past life regression session he remembered being an indian warrior and getting an arrow thru that shoulder. (laugh all you want ha ha ha) after discussing it and awakening the pain had disapated and soon disappeared. Also a girl who had traumatic fear of water remembered and spoke of drowning in 3 other past lives. After remembering the incidences under regression she now swims and boats.

anyway...just throwing some alternative ideas out there....at LEAST attempt to support a healty liver and see if it make any difference.

e

 

[ams3651]

Take the medication. I realize now that I have had anxiety for most of my life. I also had the fear of people you mentioned. I have what my mother calls Nervous Stomach, when I am upset or stressed I will vomit or gag. That I have not found a way to deal with other than trying not to get to that place. Now that I have become aware of my anxiety in the last few years i find it easier to control. I know how I will react to things like unexpected expenses, a medical crisis, a meeting at school for my kids or being angry with my boyfriend. I force myself to be in situations that make me uncomfortable and I prepare myself for them. My boyfriend recently laughed at me (playfully) when I mentioned that I am very shy. He has known me 10 years. I told him, I force myself out of my shell. Im probably not a good poster child for medication as I only take it when there are periods of time when I feel I need it. Day to day I deal with it. You could try a therapist, maybe they can help you learn to handle some of the stresses you have.

 

[NancyDz]

Quote:
Yep, that's why I dont take it daily... just when I feel an anxiety attack coming on and can't get calmed down with my breathing exercises. I take it maybe once once every two weeks.... my anxiety attacks seem to be more stress related now. It's definitely something that should be monitored by a doctor. I used to take it daily but really never had a problem with it and it was easy for me to go off the daily dose when I felt like i had other techniques to deal with anxiety.
If someone is having anxiety attacks to the point of making them sick or fearful to go places... I think it is the lesser of those evils.

I certainly had way more problems with the depression meds I was on as far as side effects... and was so HAPPY to get those out of my system as they made me feel like a zombie.


Nancy

 

[mmtillman]

Just knowing your are not alone is half the battle. You are a very strong person to be able to work and still deal with these issues...which tells me you can do whatever you set your mind to doing.
I pray that you can find the combination of things that work for you to deal with these problems , till the issues are no longer a problem.
You see....you just described how I used to be....but after years of prayer I overcame it little by little. So have faith you will overcome it and you will! Hang in there!