Hello everyone, this is my first time to these boards. I'm happy I found them. Anyway, I know there is something wrong but I'm not sure if it would be considered anxiety or perhaps some other condition. Anyway I first started having these problems when I was in high school, probably about 16 (I'm 22 now.) I would notice that a lot of times when I got to school I would suddenly feel very tense, start to sweat like crazy, feel my muscles go weak and basically feel completely freaked out. It generally happened when I'm in class sitting down. I still have it happen from time to time when I'm in college. It feels horrible but it usually passes after a few minutes.

Another thing is that often whenever I talk to someone I don't know very well I get extremely nervous (for no reason really) and have a very difficult time talking. I often stumble over words or say words backwards like instead of saying "I'm doing good" I might say "good I'm doing." I know this has to do with the extreme nervousness because when with family and friends I have no problem talking. The thing is that there really is no reason for me to get all freaked out, often times I'm just talking to people my age at work about casual stuff like video games, school, etc.

The third problem is that sometimes I'll just get a very paranoid feeling for no reason. I wouldn't exactly call it panic, it's less intense. But I get this idea stuck in my head that there is something I should be worrying about. Sometimes when I get like this I find myself feeling sort of spaced out- as if I'm not all there. It sometimes happens when I'm driving and I really need to try hard stay focused. It sort of feels like everything around me is unreal.

Thanks for reading all this. Does someone know what these problems would be called? I have never been to a doctor about them before and I'm still not sure if I would want to go, but I'm just curious what is wrong. Thanks

It sounds like you have whats called social axciety. when you get around new people. my hubby has this and there is meds for this. just remember that no one is any better than you are. also that panic feeling. I know way to much about that. I have panic attacts. thats what you are having. you can be in the middle of something and suddenly feel like you are freaking out. I take paxil for mine and it really helps. when this feeling starts to over come you you need to take deep breaths in through your nose and excel out through your mouth. this allows extra oxegyn to flow to the brain. and it also slow the heart rate. you can get through this. hope this helps.

I totlly know where you are comming from. I am 22 years old and i went through and i am still going through the same crap you are facing. This is totally an anxiety and panic attack problem. I cant really diagnose it like saying its agoraphobia or social anxiety or whatever but it is definatley some type of anxiety disorder. Mine started in the 7th grade and was on and off until i hit the age of 16. Then it really hit me, i couldnt even go to school anymore. i was getting panic attacks everyclass period along with have IBS which made me unable to do anything. I mannaged to get it under control with a physciatrist and psychologist. However recently i just graduated from college started a new job and am recently engaged. I thoght i had all this panic crap under control well i guessed wrong. Now i cant even ride in a car with anyone else without having my heart race so fast that my chest burns, my head feels like its in a cloud and i constantly worry like im going to pass out. The only thing that worksfor me at this point is i take klonopin for the panic attacks. i am also seeing a psychologist that is trying to get me through these naturally. sorry this was so long but your story really hit me hard since we are the same age and we both struggled through school. Hang in there, you are definatly not alone, its definatley anxiety and if you have any questions i would love to try to help you because i have tried everything out there for panic and anxiety disorders and i would love to help

btkirb2--

I had the same problem for most of my adult life. I couldn't even work, I was so uncomfortable around other people. I even turned to drinking in my 20's in order to just be around people, and be able to talk to people other than my family. I think it all stemmed from childhood abuse, (emotional) always being told I was worthless and stupid, alcoholic parents, etc., so I had absolutely no self esteem. Finally in my early 40's, I'd had enough. Anxiety, depression, panic, I was getting it all, and got to the point I couldn't even drive over a bridge, and would do 55 in the slow lane only, sometimes pulling over on the side of the freeway over fear of losing control! So I went to an excellent shrink, and started Zoloft. In 4 weeks I felt so much different, like a new person. As time went along, I even improved more. I got my first real job, working with developmentally disabled adults. On the job, I interacted with not only clients, but their parents, caseworkers, therapists, etc. I became one of the favorites of everyone over there. After work I started roller blading around town, meeting people as I cruised around. I really started living, for the first time in my life. Did so well on my job, made tons of friends, had self esteem, and became more assertive. The down part was the Zoloft killed my sex drive 100%. After 5 years, I got off of it. I did fine for years, until I started having health problems, and lost 3 family members due to a hereditary disease that we never heard of before my mom died of it. Now I'm going through horrible anxiety again, but this time over health concerns, and fear that i will get this disease too. I'm on Klonopin now, and of course it's helping so much. This latest anxiety has caused me to have severe muscle spasms, that was affecting my ability to breath, to an extreme. That's why my doc put me on Klonopin. It took away the spasms and I'm breathing normally once again. The social anxiety never came back, thank God. I guess soon I'm going to see a counselor and try to learn to relax and get over these fears that take hold of me, and cause so much distress and grief. I thank God for these drugs, and the Dr's who have helped me.
Just to let you know, I used to stutter and stammer and my knees would shake, facial muscles would quiver, and all kinds of other horrible stuff, just trying to have a little conversation with a person over the weather. You will overcome this, I know you will.
God bless you...
Deda

Sounds like a combination of panic disorder and social anxiety. Talk to your doctor about maybe being put on an SSRI. :angel:
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