anxiety disorder?

Question

does anyone suffer from some type of anxiety disorder? how do you deal with it?

Answer 1

It took me 8 years(!) after I identified my problem to change it. And it was a hard transition. I had been dealing with it since the age of 10, I realized it was depression and anxiety at the age of 14, I realized what to finally do about it at age 21. I'm almost 25 now, and I can say I've been comfortable with my life for only about 2 years. It depends on the person, really- how bad you want to change, and how much you beleive that you have the power to. Now you have to understand that the process I went through didn't provide immediate freedom and results from my problems. It took time to accept what I had to do, and then more time to reprogram my brain into thinking this way, after living a life of anxiety and depression for so long. It is the answers that sound simple, but it is the process that you heve to be patient with. Just don't give up! I don't want anyone to take as long as I did to get over this. It is a horrible way to live. In the beginning, I started taking anti-depressants and anti- anxiety meds. But they majorly screwed with my head. One of them( I can't remember the name- I took Paxil, Xanex, Celexa, and one other I can't remember.) messed me up so much I had trouble walking in a straight line. I feared that my boss was going to give me a drug test-because I appeared drugged or drunk-one of the two. I got off the meds, and my problems were still there. That's when I realized that these problems were in ME. Medicine couldn't help me, only I could. Then I tried to turn to religion to find joy. I began to tell myself that this is just how God created me, and it was for some greater purpose.I tried to be happy with this-but it was only surface happiness. I was just accepting that depression and anxiety was just who I was, but deep down I still hated myself. It didn't feel right. Why would God make me suffer this way?It wasn't until I was 21 that I realized that I was this way because I was choosing to be.That was the hardest thing to overcome, because I didn't want to blame myself. I wanted to blame my parents, God, the kids in school, anyone. If I was to blame, then I would have to be the one to make a change, and I was scared to. But overtime I did accept it. I was to blame. No one is making me this way but myself. Yeah- I was never good enough for my parents, yeah the kids in school made fun of me- but I didn't have to let them control my life anymore. I wanted to be in control. I started moving toward the things that brought me joy. If it brought me joy- I accepted it. If it didn't, I turned away from it. Slowly I began to find who I was again. I found the things I enjoyed doing again. I learned that I can't please everyone, so I stopped trying to, and I learned to please myself again, and in the process I've made others very happy as well. The root cause of anxiety is really just nitpicking things to death, and overanalyzing things. I used to think that everytime someone was laughing, they were laughing at me. Or everytime I overheard the word "stupid" in a conversation, that they were talking about me. I walked with my head down constantly.I couldn't function in social situations, even around relatives, I would freeze up, because I felt that everyone was judging me. I stayed holed up in my room all day. You need to rid yourself of the fear of worrying what others think about you. Then you need to work on finding your true self again. First of all, rid yourself of caring what others may think about you. This doesn't matter. If you lose your friends, you will make more who are more like minded with you. If you are ridiculed, lets face it, there are always going to be people who disagree with your choices. Even if we changed ourself to please THEM, there would be others who disagree with THOSE choices. It's a never ending battle trying to get everyone to agree with the way you are, because everyone is different, and it simply is not possible. Think about what makes YOU happy, not others. It is YOUR life, and you are the one who will be dealing with all the choices you make, not them. In the end, their opinions do not matter.So get rid of the fear of being ridiculed. If you fear failure, remember that you will always be a failure if you do not even make an attempt. It is better to give something your all, and be 2nd best, than to not try at all, and be left with nothing, not even the experience. In the end it is the experiences of it that you will remember, and be proud of. Next, after you rid yourself of your fears, you need to start to remember the true you. To do this, you simply pay attention to those little tugs you feel, and go with them. You may not know where it is leading you, but to ignore them, you will be missing out on a great number of opportunities and experiences. When you feel the tug, you are either being pulled toward something that will bring you ultimate joy, or you are being pulled away from something that will not bring you joy. Listen to yourself. Your true self already knows who it is. It is always trying to get us to remember. Its the outside influences that make us forget. Ignore the outside influences, and begin to listen to yourself. You will begin to discover a whole new side of you that you never knew existed. And you will be truly happy, because you will be truly yourself. I still have my off days. I cry sometimes- I still beleive in letting out your emotions rather than bottling them in, I get angry sometimes, but I always get snapped back into reality when I remember that I am in control- me and only me. I don't have to do this. I don't have to be this way. I can be happy. I don't know if your experience is the same as mine, but from what I went through, I found that this is the only way to truly rid yourself of anxiety, and depression as well. Sorry so long, I just identify with you alot. Contact me any time if needed.Just remember that the power to do this is inside of you and you alone. Don't depend on others. They can definitely support you, but ultimately, it is up to you. And definitely don't depend on medication. It doesn't fix the problem, it only hides it. Good luck!

Answer 2

Yes! Im 14 and have had high levels of anxiety and panic attacks since about the time i turned 12. now i know i may seem young and I've only had it for 2 years, but I've been through ALOT in those two years. I have panic disorder, which is a type of anxiety disorder. It is when someone gets a panic attack, and eventually get so afraid and fearful that another panic attack will occur that you avoid things that a person thinks might make them have a panic attack, and that can lead to agoraphobia, and thats the fear or leaving your house because you believe its the only safe place, which i have recently developed, but i still go out, just not as much as i used to. so when i get anxiety and panic attacks, my symptoms included heart palpitations, trembling/shaking, chills, sweating, hot flashes, nausea, headaches, hyperventilation, and TONS more. I like to distract myself in different ways, such as folding paper, doing some simple math, playing a low key word game, doing anything associated with water, or taking a walk, sitting, or laying down. I hope i've helped(:

Answer 3

I suffer from anxiety and panic disorder. The difference is that anxiety is caused from a known source (ie: traffic, uncomfortable situations, etc). Panic disorder is when your brain produces too much of a certain chemical at an inappropriate time. I went to the doctor to get a medication to take as needed for the attacks. If you don't want to go that route, then I suggest talking to a friend, listening to music, practice breathing techniques, do something that you enjoy doing to take your mind off of it. My health care provider offers classes on how to deal with these issues. It would be worth checking out with your doctor. Good luck!!

Answer 4

I suffer from social anxiety which can cause these feelings.
http://www.socialanxietyinstitute.org/ds...

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/cognitive_b... worked best for me. I suffered from social anxiety for over 15 years. I've tried meds, individual therapy, and group therapy and studied psychology for 10 years, as a profession, but also with the hope to cure myself.

Depending on your comfort level, you could go to a psychologist that practices CBT and specializes in anxiety disorders, seek a group therapy, or create one. Usually those that do attend the group therapy are a bit more high functioning because as you know, it can be difficult to speak in a group.

Another idea is to see if there are any local research studies being conducted that you could participate in.

The program that finally worked the best for me is this one: http://www.socialanxiety.us/findinghelp.... and I was lucky enough to have a structured behavioral group to go along with it. Sometimes the people that actually attend this program come back home and form groups.

Any questions, let me know ... I can't tell you how much this has improved my life!

Answer 5

I have been a sufferer of anxiety and panic attacks. I used to be extremely paranoid during a panic attack. I researched this topic in order to deal with my anxiety problem. Therapy and prescription drugs are customary solutions for this problem.

Since therapy is expensive, I took a prescription drug. This was really good and made me feel joyful and relaxed. After sometime I felt that I was becoming dependent on the medicine so I started looking for some alternative treatment.

Hypnois is one recommendation for anxiety relief. I used a natural remedy to deal with my anxiety problem. In the beginning I was a little skeptical but I got amazing results. You might research more on this topic before you decide that what solution suits you the best.

I got some of the above information from the following source.....Good Luck!!

Answer 6

I suffer from depression and general anxiety disorder. I am on medication and that was the best thing for me. I have started forcing myself to try things that I have been scared to do. Going out to a party with people I don't know for example. I can't say that it has been a rousing success, but at least it's a start. I know that I wouldn't have been able to even start without getting on medication. Also, exercise, journaling and deep breathing are helping me work through things.

Answer 7

I do. I dont do therepy, though I probably should. But therepy is expensive. So then I obviously dont take medication. Sometimes I can deal with it by talking about whats bothering me. I lock things up inside. But if have a friend to vent to it feels better. Sometimes I think I'm under control and I'm not. I feel it when I start to spiral, its like i'm being pulled under water. Or it feels like that warm full body embarassment, like when you fall down half a flight of stairs in front of a crowd. And then I know an attack will be coming on soon. I can usually suppress it until I'm alone or at least get to a secluded place before I lose it. But I have had a full blown panic attack in public. The only advice I have is find someone you can trust who will listen openly and let it out. Dont keep it in. Its easier said than done....

Answer 8

I think I have GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder). But I'm not sure. This is like so stupid and kinda gross actually but really... It's a big problem in my life. I can't really even leave my house or anywhere without knowing where we're going and if there is a bathroom there....? I don't know why. But like I guess I'm afraid I'll have to go to the restroom and not be able to go and then go in my pants😂 lol and embarrass myself. I want to got to a dance with my friends/boyfriend in 2 days, but I have (eww I'm sorry this is gross) diarrhea... I think I have IBS.? I don't know. But it sucks. And I haven't gotten rid of this yet. But, I said that because, when I get nervous, I get diarrhea.. So it's like a chain. I'm nervous if there's going to be a bathroom, so then I get diarrhea, then I get even more nervous beause I have diarrhea and no where to put it. Ugh it sucks

Answer 9

I used to get anxiety attacks very frequently. I changed jobs. I got a job that was MUCH less stressful. I still have attacks, but not nearly as often. Try to minimize the stress in your life. Teach yourself to breath through it, and ask yourself if it's REALLY worth getting worked up over. Luckily, I don't need a prescription to help control mine.

Answer 10

Don't listen to any voices at all they are not real something in your head is making them real or sound real but they aren't so do all you can to ignore them because they are nothing. I have epilepsy and it is a weird type i get what seems like panic attacks and they always freak me out and i get flash backs to a incenst from my brother, sweetie you have to see a therapist who has gone to school for this exact thing and get the help you truly deserve remember it isn't your fault but a chemical imbalance in your brain please go right away ok...

Answer 11

I suffer from social anxiety disorder and..well...it's really hard to participate in anything social. i go to school and simple things really get me nervous. For example, whenever my professor gives us back our homework or papers i can REALLY feel it because i have to get up in front of the class to get the paper. so, even simple things like that get me nerved up. normally when i feel an attack coming i can feel myself start to sweat, and it feels like adrenaline. most of the time i will tell myself things like, "why are you getting so anxious about something as trivial as this (e.g. walking to the center of the room to get my paper). I keep track of my feelings in a journal too, and that also helps me sort everything out.