Anxiety???

Question

my b/f has anxiety, i try to deal with the days were he just doesnt feel like going anywhere or doing anything...the days he doesn't "feel good" and is grumpy i try not to argue with him..but i really want to know what its like for people with it. Please describe how some of you feel, so maybe i can understand better what he is going through on these days???

Answer 1

I know it must be hard for you as my husband has a hard time dealing with me sometimes. It's one of those things that's hard to understand even when you have the disorder yourself. I have had anxiety attacks and such since I was a very young girl. I'm going to try to explain this the best way I know how from personal experiences.

Basically, at least from my experience, my anxiety comes from thoughts and fears. I can be in a car and all the sudden I will have this overwelming fear that I am going to get in a car wreck, that a drunk driver could be out and hit me, that I could run over somebody if they run out in the street or something like that... something a normal person might not worry about or if they did, it would just be a passing thought. But for me, it stays on my mind and brings on this great fear that weighs on my mind.

I have irrational fears, like when I go in a gas station, I fear that somebody might come in and rob the store and shoot us all, or if I am out by myself, that somebody might kidnap and/or rape me. When I was little, I used to have to pack a suitcase every night and put it by the door in case the house burned down. I have to check the stove several times because I'm afraid that I've left it on. It causes my mind to go so fast around these thoughts I can't think of anything else. My stomach hurts, my blood pressure rises, and I often can't breath and start crying, especially when I have bad ones.

I have a fear of being around a lot of people as well, because I don't like being around a lot of people when this occurs and also because I fear people judge me. This is actually really hard for me to write out, but I feel like people need to be educated to understand what really goes on in the mind of somebody who has anxiety.

I have to have constant reassurance... if my husband gets quiet or gives me a certain look I'll wonder if he's mad at me. I don't go out with my friends much anymore cause I just don't like being out of the house.

Anxiety also has many physically effects on you. Like I said, I get where I can't breath, I cry, my blood pressure rises... but aside from that I stay tired all the time. I never really want to do anything because I'm tired and because I don't want to be out with people.

I don't really know if this helped you at all, because I don't know how your b/f's anxiety is like, but this is how I feel. I would suggest you talk to him and ask him how he feels. I'm sure he would be willing to share these feelings with you so that you can understand what life is like for him.

Answer 2

To me, Anxiety is like not wanting to go out - because you are afraid of what the outside world thinks of you.
Withdrawing and avoiding socializing - because you feel like your not a part of anything or afraid that you cant "fit-in" right.
Getting angry, being too sensitive to criticism are signs of anxiety.
A need to feel like self-medicating with alcohol or drugs, downers in particular are signs of anxiety.
Depression can also go hand and hand with anxiety - I have both, and I'm still trying to get better.
There are some anti-depressants for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) that could help - along with openly talking about the problems with you or a therapist.
Some anxiety w/out the depression could be treated with benzodiazepines such as Ativan or Klonopin - However, long term use can lead to some addiction.

Answer 3

This doesn't sound like anxiety- it sounds like depression. Either way, It doesn't go away, and you can't help- unless you get him to someone like a doctor or a counselor. Check your local public health department or church if he can't afford a doctor. Don't wait for him to make the appt- Tell him you've made it, then TAKE him- he may not be able to motivate himself to go. Depression feels different for everyone, but it's kind of like walking around with weights on your arms and legs all the time- doing anything is a huge task. Anxiety is like an unexpected rush of fear and adrenaline- only there's nothing happening that should make you feel that way. At it's least it's a constant feeling that something bad is going to happen and at it's worst it's sheer panic and terror- over something you can't see or control. Most important to remember is that you didn't start it and you can't make it go away- or even get better. Really. You can't. Only HE can do that. All you can do is support him in his efforts. I know you want to help and make it all better for him, but his best hope is someone who deals with this professionally. Good luck to you both.

Answer 4

I have Generalized Anxiety disorder myself. And it sucks! For no reason I will have physical symptoms of anxiety. It's not easy. The funny thing is, I'm a psychology student, so you think I would know how to calm down hehe.

There are two main ways to treat anxiety. There is behavioural cognitive therapy. Which basically means you train yourself to think happy thoughts when you feel anxious.

Then there are meds. Many people with an anxiety disorder also have depression. So anti-depressants help. Others, like me, who don't have depression can be prescribed tranquilizors.

I hope I helped.

Answer 5

Well, don't really know the difference, but Dr. has told me I have "Panic Disorder". It got to the point that I could not even drive over 35 miles per hour - I would break out in a sweat just knowing I had to get into a car and go somewhere, and always felt like I was going to pass out behind the wheel. Dr. put me on Paxil - sweetie, now I pass truckers up. Please make sure he sees a Dr. about this - life is too short to be miserable all the time.

Answer 6

Things/places/people make you nervous. Your mind and heart race. You feel uneasy, uncomfortable. Its just a pain in the butt to go anywhere out of your comfort zone.

It sounds like he may need meds if he isnt on any, OR get something that does more for him.

Youll suffer right along with him, if he doesnt do anything about it.........anyone with depression, anxiety, anger, whatever mental thing it may be....their partner will go thru it as well.

Talking from experience

Answer 7

Picture the worse fear you ever had and magnify it 100x, and it happening for no reason. At my worse state if actually feels like my nerve ends have been burnt, like a circuit that has been overloaded. Any stressor, even good things like my kids, is too much. Just like a good touch to someone who has a bad burn, it hurts. Offer to go with him to get help, treatment can help with the symptoms and speed recovery time. At the same time, do not let him use this as an excuse to be a jerk. Make him responsible for his actions.

Answer 8

It's like a feeling of dread. If it's generalized anxiety, it is not directed toward fear of a specific thing, it's just an overall feeling of intense worry or uncomfortable feeling. Sometimes, you don't know why, but you just want to stay in your bed and bury your head in your pillows and wait until you feel better.

Answer 9

If he truly has anxiety, it will help him to exercise (walk, lift weights, run)

Sounds more like he is depressed if he just does not want to do anythign. He may want to talk to a doctor to figure this out.

Or he may just be grumpy--in that case, dump him.
Good luck

Answer 10

I have GAD and it really is bad for me in social situations, I feel like everyone is looking and talking about me. In times of stress I have the panic attacks and cant stop crying. I totally freak out. It really sucks.