Can anyone relate? - Anxiety Message Board

cmart · 02-27-2006, 10:39 AM

I feel so badly reading most of the messages here, because I do not feel like I am going to die and I haven't struggled for years, so I feel my condition is not enough to complain about. But please...if anyone can relate please let me know.

I have had major life changes every year for the past 4 years. Job changes, house building, career choices etc. All things that require a lot of consideration. Well, now I can't make little decisions. I can actually get myself worked up into an episode about whether to get gas afterwork or before work the next morning! I always thought I was just a perfectionist and had to make the perfect decisions.

For years now I have suffered from headaches. Everytime I went to Webmd I was convinced I had a different kind of headache. I have a history of IBS like symptoms, but never thought much about it. Recently, though, I started getting short of breath. I thought I was developing asthma, but inhalers didn't work. I began to connect the dots and think that all these things are related. I even added to the list of things that I do that could be caused from an AD from reading others' posts.

Right now I am suffering from severe emotional attacks (I dont know if there even is a such thing). For no reason at all I find myself sobbing uncontrollably. There's no trigger that I can identify, yet the feeling inside is like I have just watched a loved one die. I get caught up in an emotional tornado that includes extreme sadness, fear, anger, rage. In the end I have the feeling that I am all alone in the world, despite a very loving and understanding husband and supportive friends. These episodes are happening more and more often, despite being prescribed Paxil and ativan.

What is wrong with me? Does anyone ever experience this? Please help!

layla= · 02-27-2006, 10:52 AM

SOunds much like depression which comes along quite nicely with anxiety,
When you start getting horrid thoughts deliberatly turn your attention to something else, you dont have to have these thoughts if you dont want!!!!
Have you thought about or tried any therapy,its helped me loads in the last 6 months, it doesnt matter if you have suffered 10 weeks or 10 years anxiety is horrible period, so dont feel bad coming here for support, this board is full of great people.
Good luck babe, I hope things start looking up soon

cmart · 02-27-2006, 10:56 AM

layla-

What kind of therapy has helped you? I was thinking about cognitive behavior therapy, which I believe gives you the tool to stop and redirect thinking that is causing the episode. Sometimes I think if would be nice to have psychotherapy. I would love to be able to talk through some of the things that have happened to me and that could still be happening with someone without driving them crazy (i.e. my family!).

Thanks for your input!

layla= · 02-27-2006, 02:04 PM

I have been having cbt therapy, it is great coz it does redirect the the way you think, thats why i said, if you start thinking about things you dont want to then think or do something else so you stop the thought process, the thing with cbt is you have to constantly practise the techniques over a period of time to get any benefit, the the techniques i have learnt have really really helped me in many ways.
I chose not to do psycotherapy as i didnt want the things from my past holding me back any longer, although if you still have stuff to deal with then it would be a good idea.
Hope your feeling good soon

Joanna21 · 02-27-2006, 05:49 PM

Hi! I can sort of relate to that. I sometimes feel supper stressed and start worrying about everything. I also don't seem to concentrate in small things in life. Like, I'm also a perfectionist, and I have this thing, I always have to wear the same things - always have to wear the same brand of shampoo and soap. I can't concentrate on those small things sometimes either. But I believe those will go away with time, just focus on what really is important!
Small things matter too!
Joanna