Anxiety

Slice1
Slice1 Posts: 193 Member
in Chit-Chat
This isn't really chit-chat, fun or games, but there wasn't anywhere else I found it appropriate, since it's basically off-topic.

Wondering if anyone here suffers from anxiety and anxiety symptoms.

All my life I've been the type that worries about everything. I am also paranoid constantly that something bad is going to happen. Not in the way that I'm a total basket-case or jumpy or nervous. I'm totally laid-back and relaxed, but in my mind I'm always going over scenarios of what could happen and how to react or safe myself, etc.

In some ways it's a good thing, because when I'm driving I'm always watching for someone who will pull out in front of me, someone to slam on the brakes, pedestrians, etc.

In other ways it's sucks huge because if I get an idea in my head (like there's going to be a fire while sleeping) I will not be able to sleep. I lie there planning how to get to my son and get out of the house.

Anyway, I've always been like this. But I've always felt like I have it under control. And I've always just described myself as being a cautious person. I've never had any ill effects from it, except for lack of sleep or biting my nails.

For the past month I've been having health issues. Specifically, my chest and throat feel tight. Like I'm short of breath or like someone is squeezing my throat or standing on my chest. One doctor said it's allergies triggering my asthma. Then a lung specialist said it's neither allergies nor asthma and that I'm having anxiety attacks. I didn't believe him. Because I've always been the type to be nervous or anxious but I have it under control and it doesn't cause health issues.

But I've been doing a lot of research and find that my symptoms are the same across the board of those who suffer from anxiety.

It's starting to make sense. Especially with a lot of changes in my life lately that have me out of my comfort zone and trying to adapt to these changes.

So I'm wondering if anyone on here suffers from anxiety and these or similar symptoms that can give me some more information and tips on how to deal and cope with anxiety. I prefer to not take meds if I don't have to.

Thanks! (sorry for the long read)

Replies

  • DarkNebula84
    DarkNebula84 Posts: 445 Member
    I am bipolar, I have OCD, ADD and also suffer from severe anxiety. I have a hard time sleeping if I get caught up in thoughts like oh my gosh what if something happens.....then I have to think of what I will do to keep everyone in my house safe. What you described is what I feel. Just the other day my kids went with their dad to his work and they had a lemonade stand. It is by a river and the whole time they were gone I kept thinking what if my little 5 year old runs down to the river before anyone notices him gone and he falls in! I started freaking out and my chest hurt, my throat felt like it was closing up and I was having a full on anxiety attack. Last summer I had to go to the hospital for one, I thought I was having a heart attack for real. If you ever want to talk just let me know. I see a counselor and am going tomorrow for medication because I need something to help right now for my other problems.
  • helenoftroy1
    helenoftroy1 Posts: 638 Member
    I'm bumping this cos I'm interested in the response.

    I have felt anxious about stuff and bite my nails, and fret and worry over little things but though I just had an overactive imagination.

    So very interested in responses
  • fraser112
    fraser112 Posts: 405
    Yeah i had this for most of my life, ocd thinking i was gona die in my sleep pretty horrific :laugh: well i got ride of all of it completly


    First for me it was all caused by the voices in my head, hating my job and being unhappy with my gf at the time.

    So learn to meditate, This is very important to relax and explore your feelings. You might find yourself randomly crying your eyes out for the first time in your life but you need to deal with all the inward anger and such.

    Next remove all the things you can, If someone can help support you change careers, ditch people you dont like or cause problems.

    last you need to spend some time thinking about death, Once i had spent sometime on death i got a real perspective on just how little all these problems matter.

    All of your problems come from your mind picturing things that may happen or has happend but, The only time that really exists is right now. Memories only exist in your head, worrrying only exists in your head.

    Im not saying go for the hippy bs or any of that but the general way people live today is terrible.
  • Slice1
    Slice1 Posts: 193 Member
    Forgot to hit quote: This reply is to DarkNebula84

    I am very much the same when my son is not with me. If he goes to my parents' house for example, I'm constantly going over scenarios in my mind like if my Dad takes my son on his motorcycle, or my son on his 4 wheeler, or them cutting down trees in the bush, or having a bonfire, etc.

    But the thing is, these symptoms I'm having don't seem to be occuring while I'm worrying...they are just random.

    Some people have told me it's because I hold in my fears and how I'm feeling so the symptoms just random pop up when I've held in too much.
  • DarkNebula84
    DarkNebula84 Posts: 445 Member
    I get them at random times as well. They wake me up in the middle of the night sometimes. I am always freaking out about something but my mind goes in a million directions that I never really know what I am thinking about sometimes lol then it just happens.
    If that makes any sense :)
  • SpydrMnky27
    SpydrMnky27 Posts: 381 Member
    I have irrational thoughts that have brought on serious panic. I am awful when I'm a passenger in a car except for when my
    mom is driving. I mean I'm ridiculous and I know it but I can't help it. Also, I also think of worst case scenarios when it comes to the safety of my kids. Ive always been a bit of a worrier but it's so my worse now that I have children.

    On my phone..excuse typos
  • Slice1
    Slice1 Posts: 193 Member
    I get them at random times as well. They wake me up in the middle of the night sometimes. I am always freaking out about something but my mind goes in a million directions that I never really know what I am thinking about sometimes lol then it just happens.
    If that makes any sense :)

    It totally makes sense. I know what you mean. I'm not always at the point where my mind is going in different directions, but it has happened when there's a lot going on and I'm trying to focus on one thing or answer a question or make a decisions. I feel like I am going to explode.
  • Slice1
    Slice1 Posts: 193 Member
    I have irrational thoughts that have brought on serious panic. I am awful when I'm a passenger in a car except for when my
    mom is driving. I mean I'm ridiculous and I know it but I can't help it. Also, I also think of worst case scenarios when it comes to the safety of my kids. Ive always been a bit of a worrier but it's so my worse now that I have children.

    On my phone..excuse typos

    I'm exactly the same...way worse since being a mom. I also know I'm being ridiculous and can't help it. My boyfriend says I'm holding my son back because of my fears. Like, wanting him to just go for a walk with me instead of riding his bike because walking is safer.
    I don't stop him from going on his bike, I just give the suggestion (he's 11) And when he says "No mom, I'm going to take my bike" then I'm in panic mode until he comes back in the house.

    It's awful!
  • va_va_voom
    va_va_voom Posts: 467 Member
    I deal with anxiety, but I have never had a full blown panic attack. I have found that there are a few things that really help me. If I start feeling super anxious, I do deep breathing exercises. I noticed on your profile that you used to smoke, so try using the same inhale/exhale that you would when you smoked. I used to smoke and hated the smell and taste, so I couldn't figure out why I kept doing it - until it hit me one day that it was the rhythm of the breathing that was calming to me. I stopped smoking and started doing the deep breathing instead. Works great to help calm me down.

    If I start obsessing on something (which I often do), it usually helps me to talk it out with a friend or journal about it.

    I understand the feeling of not being in control of protecting your son, as well. I worry pretty much non-stop when my boys go to their dad's house. I am a Christian, so I try to stop myself when I start to worry excessively and pray for God's protection. It's comforting to me.

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