anyone ever experienced or heard about such a thing?

Question

i'm a young man with anxiety and ocd issues(on meds and had sessions with psychologist).i have quite a few ocd obbsessions and compulsions under control(anxiety too).the problem is that i find it very difficult to work or perform tasks when people are looking at me(i sort of freeze).i sometimes feel like running away(when i am walking in a quiet or not so busy area) when a person(s) glances or looks at me-i have a sort of adrenaline surge and sort of jerk(as if there is danger).i know it is irrational but has become like a reflex action(second nature)-very embarrasing in public.when people enter rooms or just pass by(rooms that i am in)i feel like taking off.i actually run (jerk) as i mentioned earlier.i have been forced to stop work because it was impossible to cope.people always judge me negatively.therapist told me it is anxiety.has anyone heard or experienced such things.would anyone mind to cast some light on it?thanking you all in advance.

Answer 1

Yes, you have a chemical imbalance and need a physician's help.

Answer 2

There are meds that help the OCD. However, I chose to enlist the help of a health food store. Most of them have a computerized system that will print out the ailment (OCD) and include the missing nutrients. In addition I took very potent multi-vitamins (ones with high B6, B2 & C) & essential fatty acids-oils. It helped to the degree of breaking the ingrained patterns. (You know what I mean.) Now I only suffer occassionally. Takes about 6-8 weeks to see results. Ends up costing about $65/mo but well worth the peace. Stress can play an enourmous role in OCD. In addition you may want to have a blood test by an endocrinologist for the anxiety - possible hormone imbalance. It may all go hand in hand. Good Luck.

BTW: Be careful if you decide to take add'l nutrients & are taking meds. You don't want interactions - do some reasearch first. I took the nutrient 5-hydroxytryptophan (helps with the seratonin).

Also: someone mentioned God. He may heal you or He may not. I am born again & cried out many times - saw answers to many prayers but not this one.

Someone else mentioned excercise which also releases seratonin. I think it's all part of the synapse & hormone release.

To Others: This is not something you can just tell yourself to relax & not think about. It is compulsive - you don't have control over it. It's much more technical than that.

Answer 3

Hi,

It may help to learn relaxation techniques like simply taking controlled deep breaths. Get regular exercise (good for body and mind). You know even with all the dangers in the world, we're still quite safe; it's amazing...have faith. How is your spiritual life?
Do you believe in a spirit, God or creator? Meditation or Prayer is like a spiritual relaxation technique. It can help you get connected again. By the way, you don't need a religon or church to have these things, unless you're into that.

I recommend learning about the enneagram type 6 and maybe type 5. I am these types, and this has helped.

http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/history.asp
http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/TypeSix.asp

I bet not ALL people judge you negatively. Sure it's true that some people are "judgemental", but others are just being curious or observing in a "perceptive" way.

Also if someone else does or says something, it doesn't make it true, it just makes them a judgemental person.

Try some things, do what works. Take baby steps. Practice helps. Even the cowardly lion made it to the emerald city. You can do it, be brave.

all the best,
Mike

Answer 4

I am not sure what an ocd is - is it obsessive compulsive disorder? You may want to check out www.hufa.org. Click on the symptoms link on the left and see if you have any other symptoms that may all be linked through a low blood sugar syndrome.

Sounds like some of the problems I have, but I always have difficulty working when someone is watching or waiting for me. I don't think that is due to any ocd, though. I think that is normal. I am a former hypoglycemic - now I am a diabetic.

Answer 5

Sometimes people can have anxiety disorders, social phobia where they feel panic in social situations or agoraphobia where they are uncomfortable outside of safe spaces such as their home. These things can come with paranoid features or be accompanied by panic disorder, which is another anxiety disorder. You might need to have a review of your medication. Since you are having difficulty with work related tasks, look into vocational rehabilitation. A Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor could be an excellent resource for you. All states have vocational rehabilitation programs. Good luck.

Answer 6

I think this answer has two parts. First, it is important that you get the medication you need, and treat your symptoms.
Secondly, it's important that you squelch the need for attention that you have. Having tics brings attention to you, and the attention feels good. It's nice to have people notice you, especially if it's something that's not your fault. I take medication for seizures. For a while, I liked the attention the seizures brought. Then, when I saw how people were treating me, I wanted to be normal again. I worked hard to control my symptoms, sometimes seizuring as soon as I was alone. I got over it, and am normal enough to function now, even though I still feel the urge to isolate. It's social death. Oh well. If I find someone I want to be with, I have no problem staying calm.

Answer 7

Though I do not have OCD I cannot tolerate anyone looking over my shoulder when I am working on the computer, or even when i am writing something down.Iused to completely freeze up and could not move my hands to write till the person woud move away. many a times I have requested the person to not look over my shoulder.

I think your therapist is correct in diagonising it as anxiety because in my case also it was theanxiety that people were reading my stuff to judge me that made me freeze up.

I still can't tolerate it but I do not freeze up now. No, I have never had any therapy. I just outgrew it.

Answer 8

Your line of thought is what makes you so concerned about what others think when they look at you and you freeze. When you are in the open your animal instincs activate making you want to seek cover and run as if danger is near. You can roll this all into SELF PRESERVATION! You don't need to stop working, and you are your own best therapy. You are more normal than you think. Try a quick glance around your environment to know who is around you and what is going on. Then focus on what you are doing. Nothing else. You will feel any changes and do not need to consciously think about them. When we dwell on ourselves we get paranoid and selfish. Start thinking of someone else, and plan something nice every day even if it is for a total stranger. You will see and feel a difference when you understand the world does not revolve just around you.

Answer 9

Fear and anxiety are normal reactions to stressful events in our lives. Panic disorder, however, is different. Panic disorder is a serious condition that strikes without reason or warning, causing sudden attacks of fear and nervousness, as well as physical symptoms such as sweating and a racing heart. During a panic attack, the fear response is out of proportion for the situation, which often is non-threatening. Over time, the person develops a constant fear of having another attack, which can affect daily functioning and general quality of life.

You are having a panic attack. I know this because I also have panic attacks.

I am posting the following websites to help you understand what is happening to you.

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/60/67106.htm
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/panic_disorder_anxiety_attack_symptom_treatment.htm

Answer 10

Billie & Buttercup (and others) Have some good ideas (on what this might be) I suggest that you speak with your doctor (or psychiatrist) to figure out if your medication (or other factors) might be the root cause of your afflictions (or the reactions) then it will become much easier for you to seperate yourself from whatever the problem might be (that brings out the response) I wish you the best of luck.. (and apologize for all these stupid parentheses) seriously.. you sound as if this might be panic related social anxiety.. I have had great results with Ativan on an as needed basis for when my bipolar disorder goes too far up on the manic side.. Ativan is a very nasty kind of use as last resort type drug. Very addictive .. lots of dangerous side effects with repeated use and very very hard to kick a habit with (worse than heroin) But on an 'as needed' basis .. perfect for me.. speak with a doctor.. they know you almost as good as you know yourself.. they usually hold the keys to your sanity in their pen :) or wear dark reflective sunglasses.. Sometimes I feel safer or less vulnerable knowing the general public can't see my eyes to make natural eye contact with. Butter's links are great.. :) she will be getting a mouseclick from me when the time comes.

Answer 11

looks like u have had a very smothering upbringing. did your mom or pop always run after u for everything u said or did? cool it guv, all life is not in your hands for which yu have to keep worying about. theres a superpower above looking on with a benign smileif he created the universe he will also take care of it. so relax. do your best but do not worry about the rest. next time u feel self conscuious or anxious, recognize the feeling and just say to yourself . he or she is also probably equally anxious and too worried about it to bother about what u are upto ok? so relax babe and be happy.