Is this from my anxiety??? - Anxiety Message Board

rOxY85philly · 11-08-2008, 10:57 AM

Hi everyone,
I've been reading these boards and so many people seem to be very helpful with problems so I hope you can all help me (hopefully).
Well I know I have anxiety and I've been trying to say its ok it will pass <BECAUSE> I really dont want to go on meds. Addiction runs in my family very very badly so I dont want to put myself in that situation.
I've been having extreme drymouth for about a week now which makes having a conversation with anyone very difficult, and its driving me nuts <BECAUSE> I am ok one minute (without dry mouth or anything) and then someone starts up a conversation or I get a phone call, and my mouth dry's up and I cant talk properly and its embarrising which causes my heart to race and I feel outside myself. I know this is not a horrible thing but it is making me depressed

I can barely talk on the phone to my sister without like clenching down. So if someone can tell me if my symptoms are from anxiety and if anyone has ever dealt with this I would be very grateful!!!
Thank You SOOOO MUCH, sorry so long

TheBLN · 11-08-2008, 05:13 PM

Hello rOxY85philly,

The dry mouth your describe is almost certainly a psychosomatic manifestation of your anxiety; something causes you to feel anxious which causes your mouth to dry which in turn produces anxiety etc - the classic downward spiral. The only advice I could give you would be to carry water with you during the day.

With regards to your concerns about medication I can relate to that on a very personal level. For months I refused the option of medication advised by my therapist, however upon giving in and accepting the offer as a last resort I found it helped me somewhat and my fears of addiction were soon resolved. That said, it is important that yourself, and everybody else here, realises that the question of whether medication is appropriate is an individual choice. If you have a rational reason to believe that medication may cause more problems than it remedies than of course it would be wise to find an alternative therapy.

Medication should, at least in my personal opinion, always be a last resort after all other psychological methods have proven ineffective.

Try and keep positive and (with the risk of sounding condescending) remember that your situation could be a lot worse.

- Benjamin

PS: Just as a side-thought, did you experience any 'dry mouth' symptoms whilst reading this reply?