I have become more and more anxious over the p-ast few years (now age 22)...I have panic attacks every once in a while, but fear them often..I am anxious the most in social situations, but also when I'm alone...I am very successful, but always feel like I will fail and worry about everything...I also have trouble concentraing on one thing at a time. As soon as I sit down to do homewrok I think about dirty dished, sending out a birthday card, or buying more peaches..anything..and I can't get the homework dont until I do everything else...What can help me? I am trying to vut down on the doffee, but i drink so much because i am always running around trying to get everything done..i can't sit still...My social anxiety really intereres with my life...What are some things I can do to calm myself down? Oh, and all calming supllements make me worse.
2006-09-19 14:32:16 · 14 answers · asked by Alaine 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
I'm sorry that you have these anxiety and panic attacks... I used to have these at your age... I am 25 now and my life is a little less stressful than when I was in school. Seems like you drink a lot of coffee, and that could be the main cause for your "attacks". Try cutting down or quit, and take a deep breath and take your steps one at a time~
Hope all works out for you~
2006-09-19 14:36:19 · answer #1 · answered by jyc4282 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know what it's like to not be able to keep a focus on what you're supposed to be doing. In your case it homework. It's very hard to shut other thoughts out when you're doing something you'd rather not do at that time. Being a worrier is hard. Sometimes I'm like that too. Is there a place in your home where you don't have to see the dirty dishes? That may solve that problem for a while. Make a list of things like getting birthday cards, etc. That may help you NOT to think about it.
You say you are successful, so you recognize that. That's good. Don't be afraid of failure. It happens to all of us sometimes. So if you "fall down" , just pick yourself back up.
I know what anxiety is. I have it. I have panic/anxiety disorder. Most of the time I'm fine, but I'm on meds. You really need to cut way down on caffeine. Drink a lot of water instead.
You can't get everything done. Do what you can. Prioritize if you have to.
There's an old Elton John song that helped me through one of the most difficult times in my life years ago. It's called: I'M STILL STANDIN'. When I'm feeling very low, I think of that song and it helps me.
I'm hoping I gave you some useful information.
2006-09-19 21:45:09 · answer #2 · answered by Juanitamarie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to will yourself to change,you are stronger than you know and you can get over this. in social settings, please know that everyone has the same problem, we all get nervous it is a human condition. take a look around the room and see if you can see others checking themselves in the mirror or fixing their clothing and or hair, switching feet while standing. Maybe someone is fidgeting a bit much, and someone else may be too loud. You are not alone.
As for your other problem you are not the one to hold together the whole world. If the dishes sit dirty for an hour or a day the world will still turn.The same with all of your other worries, take some time to breathe and when you do empty your mind. Give it 5 minuets, when you get back to your task (again, notice the world still turning) you will be more focused and can concentrate better.
These changes won't happen overnight, but with practice you will beat it.
2006-09-19 21:45:38 · answer #3 · answered by need2knw 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely cut down on the caffeine. What I've been told is to set aside some time for me. Even if it's only 15min, and make it a ritual. Have a cup of tea, do some deep breathing exercises, turn off the day no matter what. Make it what you find most relaxing. The idea is so your body will know that you have a specific down time period each day. Try to lengthen it to 30 min after a while. You have to realize that it's something you and everyone NEEDS, your NOT a slacker. Your body needs a period to recover from the stress of today's world. If you relax and recharge, you can get more done. If you don't you'll just feel worse and get less accomplished. It does work, try it for a week you wil see. Take care of yourself. Charley
2006-09-19 21:51:08 · answer #4 · answered by charley128 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it really sounds like you have taken on more than you can handle. And you probably expect too much of yourself. you are running around trying to get things done that are not necessarily urgent. Though buying peaches and birthday cards are important, they are not urgent. You need to prioritize what's urgent, what needs to be done soon and what needs to be done sometime. I keep myself from going crazy by having a running "to do" list. I put stars next to the things that need immediate attention. i also find that writing something down on a list calms me down because i know i can put it out of my mind for now and concentrate on something else because i know it's on a list and i won't forget it. If something pops into my mind while I'm working on something that needs my full attention, I stop briefly and put the item on my list. Then I can forget about it temporarily and get back to what I'm donig.
You also might want to talk to your physician Tell him or her what you told us. Doctors can prescribe medications for a variety of things without you having to go to a psychiatrist. From the symptoms you describe you might have a bit of ADD, and you might have a bit of OCD, which is my problem. OCD is not just excessive handwashing. It is a variety of things. Perfectionist tendencies can be a symptom of OCD. For instance, if you can't concentrate on your studies because the floor needs sweeping - you may have OCD. The drugs prescribed for these problems are not 'calming' drugs. They work on your seratonin level and you feel "normal'.
Good luck and please give yourself a break.
2006-09-19 21:52:05 · answer #5 · answered by PDY 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have the exact same problem. I worry so much about being sick and having something that I probably don't have that it isn't even funny. The psychiatrist I am seeing diagnosed me as having generalized anxiety disorder and then told me to go to the clinic to talk to someone in prompt care. I did and they prescribed me Zoloft. I still worry a lot but not as severe as before. Just concentrate on something positive like watching TV, talking to a friend, working, concentrating on a hobby, and try to think positive thoughts about things that are going well in your life. Believe me it'll work!!
2006-09-19 21:47:52 · answer #6 · answered by highland771008 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Believe it or not, when I recite or read Quran wiht full understanding all panic and anxiety attacks disapper in short time. This is the best solution for me as it does not involve medications and has no cost. I have memorized parts of Quran and read it in my heart when I am under stress and panic attacks. They simply vanish in few minutes. You may try.
2006-09-19 21:41:49 · answer #7 · answered by pathowiz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best thing that you could do would be to see a counselor, to not drink coffee, to see a doctor, and to train yourself into thinking that not everything has to get done right away, because it doesn't.
I realllly hope this helps you!!!!!!! :)
2006-09-19 21:40:08 · answer #8 · answered by musicgirl152 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your anxiety is inteferring with your daily performance, you really should see your doctor about this. The drug, Paxil, has been approved as a treatment for social anxiety disorder, as well as for general anxiety and depression.
2006-09-19 21:37:07 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like you could have adult ADHD. You need to go see a doctor and tell him what kind of problems that you are haveing and tell him about the anxity but also tell him about the not being able to keep your mind on one task. he will know what to do
2006-09-19 21:41:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋