I worry about lots of different things. For starters, I think I'm about to lose my job. I was just called into my boss's office at work yesterday. He complained that I always had this serious look on my face and I should change my attitude because it doesn't help create a friendly environment for customers. I didn't know where he got that idea; I'm not happy, but I don't actually feel upset about anything either. But then I realized that it's the way my brow ridge is shaped. I've always looked like an angry person, ever since junior high as far as I can remember, but I never had that feeling of being angry constantly. There's nothing I can do to help it. I've had people commenting that I looked like a serial killer when they first saw me.

Secondly, my full-time college schedule is proving to be too much for me. My classes are equally demanding as all my assignments are relatively heavy. I can get my work done, but I'm not putting in as much time and effort as I should because there's so much and I have little time to rest. I'll be lucky if I can make it through semester's end with a C average. I don't know what I was thinking when I registered.

Worst of all, I feel as if I have nobody to turn to for support. I have friends and family, but it's enough.

I don't know if this is related, but I've been having difficulty sleeping, I have night sweats, headaches, and occassional chestpains. My metabolism has horrendously slowed the last four years and I'm now forty pounds overweight.

With your busy schedule and things piling up on you, it sounds like you got alot of stress which can cause anxiety. See about dropping a few classes and getting extra rest. If that doesnt work go to te doctors and tell him/her how you are feeling and get put on some meds, because you could be depressed too.... Goodluck

Who wouldn't have anxiety with all the stressors you describe. It would not hurt if you could dial back your class load in the shortrun and learn some coping skills to keep from letting things get you down. I would urge you to give CBT a try, there are cheap support groups and since CBT depends on you doing the exercises it can be done through books if you are self motivated for free at your local library. I joined a CBT group and learned most of my anxieties were caused by my inaccurate thoughts and once I learned to counter those thoughts in a TEA form I went from being a worrier to a warrior. Nothing phases me now. It is self-help so you have to work on your TEA forms for a few minutes (more is better) everyday but if you do it will help you get rid of most of your anxiety that is getting in the way of your living your life. Read the CBT book by Sam Obitz and start doing the TEA forms and I think you will feel a lot better and it is lasting relief if you keep at them because you will retrain your brain to keep anxiety away. Good luck!

well i aint sure really what to say,i have had all these pains and that when i feel stress and anxious and also when i dont,but for your boss to call you in his office due to you looking miserable,may i ask you if this is the same boss who employed you to start with?i think as long as you do your work and not cheeky or disrespectful towards the customers,i think it may be an excuse to sack you cause you dont fit in,cause if you get your jobs based on your looks i think everyone would be in and out of jobs,
i would really speak to your boss and tell him your problems and ask him as anyone complained,well goodluck and hope you get all your issues sorted.

I hope you are feeling better Bowman:)

I have the same problem with my " angry eyebrows ". Every one assumes I am angry, this is not good, but it often comes in handy.
Anxiety is a horrible thing, I wish it on no one. I tried to explain it to my family, and
I wish I had'nt.
I can tell you the best thing I did for myself was find a good psyc dr. I wish you all the luck with overcoming your issues, and your eyebrows. LOL

Bowman - some people are born with features that make them look unhappy - it's just the way their faces are shaped. You can't help it. What sort of person would say you look like a serial killer? That's horrible.

It sounds like you're a bit overwhelmed with everything. If you're 40 pounds overweight and having all those symptoms I suggest you see a doctor in the first instance to give you a work up and consider cutting sugar out of your diet, or switching to a low GI diet. It might sound like hoopla to you but I have done this and I feel so much better, my mood is more stable, my mind is clearer, and I don't feel nearly as anxious and far less paranoid. It's hard to do if you're feeling a bit miserable because we all like to comfort eat but doing this might help you lose some weight too. You should also get some bloods done to check your thyroid/iron and while you're at the doctor's getting that done get a referral to a psych to help you with your anxiety. I don't believe that anxiety is just mind - it's mind and body. I can do all the CBT stuff (and it is good advice - I'm doing it now with my psych) but if I'm not eating properly then it doesn't work. I feel too miserable and foggy headed to do it properly.

Cut out sodas, white bread, candy and stimulants - these give me mood swings and send my anxiety into overdrive. Have breakfast every day - like scrambled egg or porridge, something with protein, not just high sugar cereals. All this helps, in my opinion.

Great advice Trix :)