I am a 20 year-old female, just completing my second year of college. For the last 8 months or so, I have been feeling....not myself. I don't really enjoy anything that I used to do for fun, I love my boyfriend of 4.5 years very much, but I am not as excited to see him as I once was, and he's still the same person... I forget to eat very often, but my weight doesn't change (I am a healthy weight for my height by the way). I have a hard time concentrating on my studies (it's exam week, but I have felt like this since before xmas), and I constantly worry about things I can't control, like what kind of job I'll get this summer, or if my boyfriend will leave me, or will I have enough money in the future....or will my future kids be healthy? Do my parents mean it when they say they are proud of me? etc... I just can't stop...I was pretty bad with OCD when I was younger (about 13 to 18), but it's not as bad now. I'm wondering that when I move back home from school next week if I should go see my doctor? I've never posted on here before so I hope this isn't too vague. thanks for any help

v.c.schmidt

im in the same boat as you and i know how you feel. i havent posted anything in this forum yet. I am 19 turning 20 in 2 months. I am in my sophmore year of college, and i'm also female at a healthy weight. its 3:20am and im working on a research report and presentation due tomorrow. I tried to start this report early but my stomach has been upset all day from the stress. Then on top of the report and presentation I'm stressed about school in the fall, if i can add into already full classes for summer session, and about my parents scared of how close my boyfriend and I are becoming, and my grades in other classes. I've taken so many Attention Deficit Disorder amphetamine pills and antacids today.

When I have the time i meditate or excercise but in the past month, I havent had time to do either to relieve stress. Sometimes I dont have time to eat for the day. I usually have one cigarette a week to calm my nerves, but yesterday I told my boyfriend i'll stop smoking, so right now nothing is taking the anxiety away. I've been to the bathroom at least 15 times today to purge.

I dunno if i need medication also...or a cigarette for the week. im open to suggestions.

xOticsin, if you don't mind me asking...are you a science student? I am, and I have to do a lot of research papers too. I hope your presentation went well! Well you mentioned that you have been feeling physically ill, I have been today too, purging and the like. I was halfway through my Molecular Biology exam when my head started to pound....I think I still passed, but not with flying colours. I have more exams tomorrow. I can't really give you any advice because, as you said, "I'm in the same boat as you". Hope you're feeling a little better tonight. Take care.

v.c.schmidt

Lol how did you know im a science major? wow we have alot in common. how is molecular biology? it sounds hard. i havent taken that. what i hate is all the stress and mental taxation to just do ok in classes. it feels unfair to deal with a demanding school load then only end up doin allright. there are some people in some of my classes that only take just that one class so they can devote alot of time into it and not stress out. Right now the best i can do is daydream of when this semester is going to end. ^_^

lol x0ticsin, I hear you. Yes molecular biology is hard, but it's very interesting. Lots of DNA testing, gel electrophoresis, base-pairing, etc. The tests are impossible to get better than a B on, but the good marks from your labs will save your average. Pharmacology/Toxicology is another story. There are no labs for it, so your average is strictly based on your tests....and the tests in this course are harder. Again, very interesting, but very, very stressful. argh.

Well I hope you're feeling better this week. Tomorrow is my last exam, then I'm packing everything up to go home. Best of luck with the rest of your semester.

v.c.schmidt

P.S. Do you think anyone will actually give us some advice on ANXIETY? Doesn't look like anyone wants to reply...

I'll bite. I'd been having genralized anxiety / depression issues. Nothing real severe -- not REAL down or anything, just not happy anymore. So finally I made the move to the doctor, and he prescribes prozac. First few days I think it had a positive placebo effect. Then yesterday the side-effects set in. Real Bad. Waves of severe anxiety every 15 minutes to half hour. Couln't sleep at all last night. On top of that it's having like a speed effect making me "hyper-aware" of everything. I'm told it will be better after a week or so, but its a heavy price. It sucks very very bad.

I guess my point is, going the medical route has it's price. Make sure it's worth it to you.

AAH

AnnArbourHawk, that seems to be what I'm hearing for many different message boards...they work, but they have really bad side effects or they dont work right away...I have also heard that when you get off them you get really bad withdrawals, almost like you masked your anxiety for a while with pills, and now that they arent there, it all comes flooding back to you, BIG anxiety attack...doesn't make me feel to safe. I'll think about it. Thanks for your input.

v.c.schmidt

hi... im not here to help either of you really (sorry) but more to relate. i was also wondering if i should go talk to someone/take something for anxiety. my boyfriend tells me i have it but i dont really see it as a huge deal and i also dont feel like medication will help. and the whole seeing a therapist thing... talking to people is kind of my issue. plus... i worry about what my parents will think... they'll see it as a waste of money. but i've also been having physical problems. every time i eat (esp this week) i feel like throwing up and weird and just horrible. it could be due to stress too... i dont know. or alcohol and coffee. personally i'm blaming alcohol. so i'm not drinking until i can start eating right again. and also i'm gonna wait til im out of school for the summer and see if things get better (no more discusting dining hall food, etc.) i'm hoping that's all there is to it.

but i'm also wondering if there's more to it because... i am not very excitable and dont outwardly show much emotion. i think this has to due with total lack of confidence. but i feel i should WANT to see my friends. that i should WANT to hang out with my boyfriend... the fact that i dont care... is kind of scaring me. i've already pushed so many people away...