Anxiety Disorders

[swedeace]

I have become quite interested in the types of anxiety disorders. I have felt some of these symptoms badly, and they get to a point where they are so unbearable for me. I, therefore, cannot stand myself at times. I'd like to research more in order to know whether or not I should look into further help or therapy.

I just want to know if anyone else has helpful info OR even has an anxiety disorder they'd like to share? Like stories, how you recognized when to get help, how you're dealing today, etc. If you take drugs or just go to therapy, etc. You can either PM me in private or post here. It doesn't matter to me. There is just so much for me to share that I want to know what is and isn't helpful out there.

Thanks again for any suggestions.

[*MIBabe03*]

I'm sorry that you're feeling that way. I started having anxiety attacks in September. I didn't know what was wrong, and for me I thought I was dying or having a heart attack. I went to therapy and my doctor also prescribed Xanax. Soon after that we found out that I was Diabetic. I had to go to this all day class, where they give you information about being Diabetic. They said that when your sugars are out of whack, that it throws everything off and heightens depression and anxiety. Since then, I've gotten my sugars under control, and I have not had an anxiety attack at all. I've also gotten myself slowly off the Xanax, thanks to my doctor. I doubt that you have Diabetes, but I believe that was my problem. I know there are others on this board who have this problem too, just remember that you're not alone.

[Hollow]

social anxiety is awful. it interferes with my life.

[*Pleasant Tomorrow*]

I have social anxiety. I bet people think I'm an ******* because I seem like I'm ignoring them when in fact it's just because I'm scared pitless of them.

[AllIWantIsYourClutch]

Yeah I actually really realized I had a problem like this last night...I was at a friend's house and I started feeling really uncomfortable and I had to leave and I got in my car and had like a breakdown...It was weird. I think I need some kind of medication or something...

[Chad22]

I Have Social Anxiety. I Get nervous when people I'm Not comfortable with talk to me, And If I'm At like a store or something and See someone I Know, I Always pretend like I Can't see them. It really is a pain, And its been making me miserable lately.

[rusyd]

I have been suffering w anxiety most of my life. When I was younger I didn't know what it was. It can be very hard to deal with alone.There are meds like Zanax or Buspar that treat symptoms or through therapy. I take Valerian Root which is over the counter and helps me when I have anxiety attacks. Also many anti-depressants can help w anxiety disorders. Good luck w everything.

[marmalade]

I used to take Valerian Root, but the last two times I took it, the crying and nervousness got worse.
Now, I use Lexapro, and I’m feeling much better.

[swedeace]

Thank you all for sharing. It is much appreciated, as it helps with ideas. *group hug*

I fear that I might fall under having General Anxiety Disorder. The following symtoms are what I cannot escape from:

-irrational behavior
-anxiety
-OVER-analyzing
-shy
-having NO problem getting up in front of huge groups of people but have SO much trouble approaching small groups or even individual people
-cannot open up to ULTRA personal feelings, thoughts, and emotions to family for fear of being judged (funny thing is I KNOW they're not judging me but still can't escape the belief)
-fear of people - I fear people SO much it's not funny. I'm always feeling like I have to walk on eggshells, especially towards people I really care about, thinking I will drive them away and they'll never-ever talk to me again.

I found this website that lists some types of anxiety:
Avoidant Personality Disorder: Chronic and longstanding fear of negative evaluation and tendency to avoid interpersonal situations without a guarantee of acceptance and support, accompanied by significant fears of embarrassment and shame in social interaction.
Attribution Style: How people assign causality for behavior and events.
Extroversion: A personal preference for socially engaging activities and settings.
Introversion: A personal preference for solitary, non-social activities and settings.
Shy Extrovert: A person who performs well socially, but experiences painful thoughts and feelings.
Self-complexity: holding many different views of the self rather than a narrow conception.
Social Fitness: Desired general state of wellness in which the degree of social participation is determined by personal preference rather than by discomfort and fears of negative evaluation. Social Fitness assumes a proactive orientation, adaptive functioning, social empathy, and responsivity to people and social stimuli.
Social Fitness Model: Education and training in adaptive social behavior, thinking patterns, and emotional states.
Social Anxiety Disorder: A DSM-lV diagnostic category defined as persistent avoidance and or discomfort in social situations that significantly interferes with functioning.
http://www.shyness.com/encyclopedia.html

I feel that I have experience some of these symptoms.

To everyone who posted and maybe others who haven't yet (except Desperate_Fan03, since (s)he posted): How were you all able to come to realize your anxiety was getting to the point where it had to be officially diagnosed?

Also, what forms of therapy are there? Are there private or group exercises? Is it just a sit-down and talk about your feelings session? I am just full of questions. Sorry about that, guys.

[dawsongirl]

I have GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder). I'm sure I've talked about this before on here, but I'll do it again.

I went off to a college 2 hours away from home. I'm an only child and very attached to my family, so even though it was my decision, I ended up really regretting it. For the first week I was there, I hardly ate I was so depressed and scared. My parents even came up and saw a councelor with me (which was actually no help at all). And then I had a roommate who turned out to be from Hell. It was a tough year and I think deep down, it affected me worse than I imagined.

I transfered and was happier until one day I got the flu or something while I was in class, and after a trip to the ER, after that, I became really scared to go back to class for fear I'd get sick again. That was Nov. 1999 and I didn't do anything about it until April 2002. It got worse and worse and worse. It came to, literally, I would stand outside the room where I was to have another class, and I would freeze. I'd tell myself to go in, but then fear would overtake me and I couldn't move. I was afraid of getting trapped in there and not being able to get out. I'd wait (purposely) until the class started and it was too late to go in, and then I'd leave. I skipped SO MUCH class that way. I couldn't just go home because then I'd have to make an excuse to tell my dad why I wasn't at class, so I'd hang out in the library, hiding.

Finally iy got to the point where I was failing and lying and having a breakdown about everyday. I'd cry for no reason. My mom took me to the doctor, he put me on Paxil, and I've been better ever since. My first whole semester after I went on Paxil, I hardly ever skipped class. I still occasionally get panic attacks, but they're rare. I can actually go to work not feeling perfect and I stay all day without worrying. It saved my sanity.

Granted I still get depressed, but a lot of that I bring on myself because I just do not understand humans and men.

[dawsongirl]

Originally Posted by swedeace

-OVER-analyzing

-having NO problem getting up in front of huge groups of people but have SO much trouble approaching small groups or even individual people

Also, what forms of therapy are there? Are there private or group exercises? Is it just a sit-down and talk about your feelings session? I am just full of questions. Sorry about that, guys.

Questions are good. Helps you realize you're not alone in feeling the way you do.

I over analyzed EVERYTHING! I'd always see 19474532784 ways a situation would come out and most of them were bad, so I'd avoid it altogether.

lol...I'm the opposite. I used to be able to act in plays and give speeches, but now that terrifies me. But now I can pick up a phone and call someone which I could NEVER do before.

I'm not in therapy, but I think you could have group or individual. Which ever you'd be more comfy with.

[dawsongirl]

Originally Posted by AllIWantIsYourClutch

Yeah I actually really realized I had a problem like this last night...I was at a friend's house and I started feeling really uncomfortable and I had to leave and I got in my car and had like a breakdown...It was weird. I think I need some kind of medication or something...

If it goes on (or has been going on for, I think they say 6 months), see your doctor about it. They may prescribe something or refer you to a therapist. You shouldn't have to go though feeling like that. It's awful.

The key is (and this is for everybody), you have to be honest with them. You can't go in there and say "I'm fine" or make up stories. Even if it's embarrassing, they have to know exactly how you feel or you'll never get better.

[vienna waits]

Does not being able to breathe when you have to talk in front of the class mean anything? I also freak out when we do things in class where we go around the room and everyone says something. When I make phone calls I sometimes lose my breath too. I'll be fine and then I think about it and start to freak out. I'm also EXTREMELY jumpy. Like I could be sitting in my room and if I hear a door open loudly I'll jump. I can be caught off guard so easily so that the simplest shoulder tap could scare the crap out of me.

[dawsongirl]

Originally Posted by Idol Fanatic

Does not being able to breathe when you have to talk in front of the class mean anything? I also freak out when we do things in class where we go around the room and everyone says something. When I make phone calls I sometimes lose my breath too. I'll be fine and then I think about it and start to freak out. I'm also EXTREMELY jumpy. Like I could be sitting in my room and if I hear a door open loudly I'll jump. I can be caught off guard so easily so that the simplest shoulder tap could scare the crap out of me.

Sounds like an anxiety attack, especially if it happens every time you do those things. I know how that is making phone calls. I hate the phone.

[Living In a '70's Dream]

I have social anxiety; and last night I went to this bar, and it was a HORRIBLE experience for me. I felt totally uncomfortable. And I am sure that all the regular patrons thought of I as being a stuck up bitch, but I could not relax!
I tried to be friendly, but men just looked at me like I was this alien or weirdo, when I am not..I just have a hell of a time trying to interact with other people...It became unbearable when after being at this place for an hour I had to leave because all of a sudden I had this terrible anxiety attack and I almost passed out while I was walking to my car...This sucks for I am an attractive and intelligent person who wants to be normal and meet new people, but it is very very difficult