the official anxiety thread

[rudeguy]

I have noticed a lot of threads regarding anxiety lately and I though maybe I could help. I know there are a few other out there more educated, maybe you guys could pitch in too.

Anxiety disorder is getting to be more common. Our lives are all getting busier and more stressful, and we are not taking care of ourselves physically or mentally. Most anxiety problems can be cured by simply taking care of yourself and/or learning how to deal with anxiety issues when they come up.

Medication is sometimes the answer though. My doctor has put me on a daily medication to help with my anxiety. Other find that they only need medication once in a while.

If you are having anxiety issues, please talk to your doctor. There is no need to be ashamed or feel like you are wasting their time. There is also a great book out there called "The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook."

Please only post serious questions or serious replies in this thread. I think a lot of members and lurkers can be helped here.

 

[Malak]

I lasted only 4 days at boot camp because of my anxiety. If you know you have anxiety, the military might not be a good career choice. I couldn't eat or sleep at all, was put in the hospital for 4 more days after that.

Oddly enough, I'm not nearly as anxious anymore. I don't take any medication, didn't like any of the stuff they gave me. I simply coach myself mentally.

 

[skim milk]

i think i have a mild form of anxiety in social settings or something

 

[alm4rr]

skip the meds and get educated
a lil introspection and personal challenge goes a long way

:thumbsup: malak

 

[Cerb]

Mantra is the ticket.

 

[Gooose]

i use to be on Zoloft, as it did help my depression and anxiety - it really brought on the pounds, i gained so much weight so fast, that i got stretch marks on my sides and front of my stomach.

After i just stopped taking Zoloft, i stopped having so much anxiety and depression, and started to loose the weight - but its so hard

 

[anxi80]

alright, i finally get my own official thread! oh man, there are so many people i want to thank... im sorry, i promised myself i wouldnt cry.


sorry, you asked for a serious thread, but i just couldnt resist. :beer:

edit: fine. i apologize for bumping a thread that was about to fade into obscurity. seriously, if it was near the top, i would've stayed quiet. its seems a little bump though has made this thread an active discussion again. but ill respect the seriousness of this thread and give it to you.

 

[JohnCU]

yeah, i'm on paxil. it helps a lot. plus i take an Inderal before a stressful social event.

 

[rudeguy]

Originally posted by: anxi80
alright, i finally get my own official thread! oh man, there are so many people i want to thank... im sorry, i promised myself i wouldnt cry.


sorry, you asked for a serious thread, but i just couldnt resist. :beer:

please find somewhere else to nef. Or just go away, it doesnt matter either way to me.

 

[Analog]

Originally posted by: GoodDad
I have noticed a lot of threads regarding anxiety lately and I though maybe I could help. I know there are a few other out there more educated, maybe you guys could pitch in too.

Anxiety disorder is getting to be more common. Our lives are all getting busier and more stressful, and we are not taking care of ourselves physically or mentally. Most anxiety problems can be cured by simply taking care of yourself and/or learning how to deal with anxiety issues when they come up.

Medication is sometimes the answer though. My doctor has put me on a daily medication to help with my anxiety. Other find that they only need medication once in a while.

If you are having anxiety issues, please talk to your doctor. There is no need to be ashamed or feel like you are wasting their time. There is also a great book out there called "The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook."

Please only post serious questions or serious replies in this thread. I think a lot of members and lurkers can be helped here.

The difficulty with anxiety, is that it may come on for no apparent reason. And when you are experiencing it, you have no idea it is anxiety - you may think that you're freaking out, having a heart attack etc.

The bottom line is - that you'll never think your way out of it. You must seek professional help, whether its a counselor or your family doctor. That's where most people fail.

Medications help you let go of the grip of anxiety, and may help other mitigating effects, such as depression. But the best route is to seek professional help. Don't think that you can just fix it on your own.

 

[jfall]

Question: How strong are pills such as Paxil/Zoloft? Do they make you tired/drousy? Are you able to consume any amount of alochol on them?

I believe I have a nerve/anxiety disorder. About 2 months ago I was watching TV and my heart started beating very fast, I couldn't breath right and ended up walking around in circles for a few hours to see if I could shake it. I kept thinking there was something wrong with me, my bad thoughts started to make things worse.. I felt pains throughout my body and some tingling in my arms/legs. I took a blood sugar and pressure test which came out normal. It's been about two months and I still feel it with me, sometimes I hardly notice it at all, and other times it's strong (although not as strong as the first night it happened). Sometimes my face will get hot, and I notice my arms/legs get numb/tingly easier than before. For weeks after it happened I couldn't do any of the things I was doing at the time it happened, I even stopped sleeping in my bed in fear that it would happen again.

Honestly, i'm scared to go to a doctor because I'm only 22 years old and really don't want to go on medication. I don't want to become dependant on drugs to lead a normal life, and certinally not if it's going to affect my social life (such as not being able to drink).

 

[Colt45]

I find liquor fixes up any anxiety 😉

 

[rudeguy]

Originally posted by: jfall
Question: How strong are pills such as Paxil/Zoloft? Do they make you tired/drousy? Are you able to consume any amount of alochol on them?

I believe I have a nerve/anxiety disorder. About 2 months ago I was watching TV and my heart started beating very fast, I couldn't breath right and ended up walking around in circles for a few hours to see if I could shake it. I kept thinking there was something wrong with me, my bad thoughts started to make things worse.. I felt pains throughout my body and some tingling in my arms/legs. I took a blood sugar and pressure test which came out normal. It's been about two months and I still feel it with me, sometimes I hardly notice it at all, and other times it's strong (although not as strong as the first night it happened). Sometimes my face will get hot, and I notice my arms/legs get numb/tingly easier than before.

Honestly, i'm scared to go to a doctor because I'm only 22 years old and really don't want to go on medication. I don't want to become dependant on drugs to lead a normal life, and certinally not if it's going to affect my social life (such as not being able to drink).

go see your doc man! Basically you are overreacting to normal things that happen in your own body. If you are afraid to fix whats wrong with you because you wont be able to drink, then you might have other problems...

 

[rudeguy]

Originally posted by: Colt45
I find liquor fixes up any anxiety 😉

you raised your post count by one, now please go away

 

[jfall]

Originally posted by: GoodDad

Originally posted by: jfall
Question: How strong are pills such as Paxil/Zoloft? Do they make you tired/drousy? Are you able to consume any amount of alochol on them?

I believe I have a nerve/anxiety disorder. About 2 months ago I was watching TV and my heart started beating very fast, I couldn't breath right and ended up walking around in circles for a few hours to see if I could shake it. I kept thinking there was something wrong with me, my bad thoughts started to make things worse.. I felt pains throughout my body and some tingling in my arms/legs. I took a blood sugar and pressure test which came out normal. It's been about two months and I still feel it with me, sometimes I hardly notice it at all, and other times it's strong (although not as strong as the first night it happened). Sometimes my face will get hot, and I notice my arms/legs get numb/tingly easier than before.

Honestly, i'm scared to go to a doctor because I'm only 22 years old and really don't want to go on medication. I don't want to become dependant on drugs to lead a normal life, and certinally not if it's going to affect my social life (such as not being able to drink).

go see your doc man! Basically you are overreacting to normal things that happen in your own body. If you are afraid to fix whats wrong with you because you wont be able to drink, then you might have other problems...

I know it sounds crazy. I just feel like I wouldn't be "normal" if I was put on medication. Do things like this get worse if not treated? My plan is to go to my doctor and get fully checked out.. if there isn't anything physically causing my symptoms than I want to try and fight it mentally (by working out/taking up new hobbies etc).. if all fails than try medication. The key point is that I want to use medication as a last resort

 

[Colt45]

Originally posted by: GoodDad

Originally posted by: Colt45
I find liquor fixes up any anxiety 😉

you raised your post count by one, now please go away

i was being serious, more or less.

anyways. what do you want to hear? yes, drugs help.

A lot of the time I feel drugs are over prescribed for things like this though, as having some anxiety is normal...

 

[rudeguy]

Originally posted by: jfall

Originally posted by: GoodDad

Originally posted by: jfall
Question: How strong are pills such as Paxil/Zoloft? Do they make you tired/drousy? Are you able to consume any amount of alochol on them?

I believe I have a nerve/anxiety disorder. About 2 months ago I was watching TV and my heart started beating very fast, I couldn't breath right and ended up walking around in circles for a few hours to see if I could shake it. I kept thinking there was something wrong with me, my bad thoughts started to make things worse.. I felt pains throughout my body and some tingling in my arms/legs. I took a blood sugar and pressure test which came out normal. It's been about two months and I still feel it with me, sometimes I hardly notice it at all, and other times it's strong (although not as strong as the first night it happened). Sometimes my face will get hot, and I notice my arms/legs get numb/tingly easier than before.

Honestly, i'm scared to go to a doctor because I'm only 22 years old and really don't want to go on medication. I don't want to become dependant on drugs to lead a normal life, and certinally not if it's going to affect my social life (such as not being able to drink).

go see your doc man! Basically you are overreacting to normal things that happen in your own body. If you are afraid to fix whats wrong with you because you wont be able to drink, then you might have other problems...

I know it sounds crazy. I just feel like I wouldn't be "normal" if I was put on medication. Do things like this get worse if not treated? My plan is to go to my doctor and get fully checked out.. if there isn't anything physically causing my symptoms than I want to try and fight it mentally (by working out/taking up new hobbies etc).. if all fails than try medication. The key point is that I want to use medication as a last resort

you might want to check out that book I mentioned in my first post.

 

Question: my sister has panic disorder; she's been taking Zoloft for six years now. She still gets panic attacks daily. It's a very irritating thing for me, since she refuses to see her doctor to talk about alternative therapies, and refuses to go to the Anxiety Clinic that the UMich hospitals have (it's practically next door to us). I live with her, and it's really getting to be a frustrating experience for both of us.

It's to the point where hypochondria is taking over. She refuses to eat seafood, drive on the highway, eat mangoes, and a host of other things because she fears it'll give her a panic attack. But, amazingly enough, she's never gotten a panic attack at her high-stakes, high-stress job, which only frustrates me more because it's clearly a controllable phenomenon.

How can I talk to her about this without causing a fight? She's about to move in with her boyfriend, so she'll be out of my hair, but I fear that living with her will drive her boyfriend nuts and he'll leave her, which is not good, because he's a great guy.

So basically, for those with panic disorder, what is the best way to get someone to actually seek help instead of placating the disease by being extremely defensive about it?

 

[jfall]

Originally posted by: Colt45

Originally posted by: GoodDad

Originally posted by: Colt45
I find liquor fixes up any anxiety 😉

you raised your post count by one, now please go away

i was being serious, more or less.

anyways. what do you want to hear? yes, drugs help.

A lot of the time I feel drugs are over prescribed for things like this though, as having some anxiety is normal...

That's what I am afraid of, I don't want to be precribed medication if it's possible to deal with these problems another way

 

[rudeguy]

Originally posted by: Colt45

Originally posted by: GoodDad

Originally posted by: Colt45
I find liquor fixes up any anxiety 😉

you raised your post count by one, now please go away

i was being serious, more or less.

anyways. what do you want to hear? yes, drugs help.

A lot of the time I feel drugs are over prescribed for things like this though, as having some anxiety is normal...

anxiety is an everyday part of life. Anxiety disorders aren't. People with anxiety disorders have problems dealing with the normal everyday anxiety. It is nothing to joke about, its a very serious issue.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: fritolays
i think i have a mild form of anxiety in social settings or something

That's very normal, most people do too. They just are good at hiding it or have come up with good coping mechanisms.

"Social Anxiety Disorder" didn't really exist until the pharm companies had a drug to sell, at which point "news" articles promoting SAD suddenly started appearing in most every magazine, newspaper and TV news show.

There are a small minority of people who really do need medication to be able to give presentations or cope in other social settings, but most people can get by without drugs if they accept that anxiety is natural, normal, even healthy and is not some kind of failing.

 

[Colt45]

Originally posted by: GoodDad

Originally posted by: Colt45

Originally posted by: GoodDad

Originally posted by: Colt45
I find liquor fixes up any anxiety 😉

you raised your post count by one, now please go away

i was being serious, more or less.

anyways. what do you want to hear? yes, drugs help.

A lot of the time I feel drugs are over prescribed for things like this though, as having some anxiety is normal...

anxiety is an everyday part of life. Anxiety disorders aren't. People with anxiety disorders have problems dealing with the normal everyday anxiety. It is nothing to joke about, its a very serious issue.

Yes - but who draws the line between 'normal' and 'disorder' -?
this is the problem with a lot of mental 'disorders', there is sort of a fuzzy line.

 

[rudeguy]

Originally posted by: Colt45

Originally posted by: GoodDad

Originally posted by: Colt45

Originally posted by: GoodDad

Originally posted by: Colt45
I find liquor fixes up any anxiety 😉

you raised your post count by one, now please go away

i was being serious, more or less.

anyways. what do you want to hear? yes, drugs help.

A lot of the time I feel drugs are over prescribed for things like this though, as having some anxiety is normal...

anxiety is an everyday part of life. Anxiety disorders aren't. People with anxiety disorders have problems dealing with the normal everyday anxiety. It is nothing to joke about, its a very serious issue.

Yes - but who draws the line between 'normal' and 'disorder' -?
this is the problem with a lot of mental 'disorders', there is sort of a fuzzy line.

The line is when it interferes with your everyday life. In my case the line was when I ended up in the ER 3 times in a month because I thought I was dying. Serious enough to you now?

 

[DrumminBoy]

I just got diagnosed with GAD a few weeks ago, and I've been doing relaxation techniques with my psych to help me cope until I can get on medicine. He doesnt want me on a stimulant because I'm already wired as it is, and I'm hoping it will help. I also have ADHD problems that will be addressed once my anxiety is in control. I don't have any clue why I have anxiety, but for the past 6-8 months I've been a wreck; I get very nervous for mundane things, have trouble making the simplest decisions, constantly have too be doing something with my hands (had this for years, may be adhd) and my mind is constantly racing. I'm somewhat nervous about the medication...I took strattera (for adhd) 2 years ago and it basically made me comatose. I guess I just dont want to lose my personality

 

[Malak]

Originally posted by: GoodDad

Originally posted by: Colt45

Originally posted by: GoodDad

Originally posted by: Colt45
A lot of the time I feel drugs are over prescribed for things like this though, as having some anxiety is normal...

anxiety is an everyday part of life. Anxiety disorders aren't. People with anxiety disorders have problems dealing with the normal everyday anxiety. It is nothing to joke about, its a very serious issue.

Yes - but who draws the line between 'normal' and 'disorder' -?
this is the problem with a lot of mental 'disorders', there is sort of a fuzzy line.

The line is when it interferes with your everyday life. In my case the line was when I ended up in the ER 3 times in a month because I thought I was dying. Serious enough to you now?

When I was in the psych ward, they had pamphlets that talked about ways to function without medication. Personally, I think medication is often over prescribed as well. Although the drugs they gave me helped with anxiety, they were not healthy. It was a synthetic affect on the mind, you are not in control of yourself at all. These drugs do not fix your problem, they simply help when necessary(i.e. you can't do it for yourself).

It is better if you find some activity or ritual or what have you to control yourself.