I don't know what to do about my anxiety?

Question

I am 19 years old and in college. I started spring semester after taking the first semester off after graduating high school because my anxiety was so bad. I currently take paxil, but have been on about 4 others. they don't really help me much. I got a 3.93 gpa last semester but I am worried about the fall semester coming up. I am really smart and have everything but I feel like a failure and stay home most of the time if I'm not working. I feel better if I know I am making money. I am worried about what I will do for a career because I get anxious and feel sick every time I even think about it. I don't even know what I can do to help myself. I go to a shrink for counseling but it doesn't really help. I feel good sometimes but not much. It is making me really depressed and I am so sick of it. I feel almost like I don't want it to go away though because it always comes back worse after I ignore it for awhile. Any suggestions on what I can do to help myself?

Answer 1

I am going to a therapist to learn techniques to relieve my anxiety
I exercise
do yoga
meditate ( when I can relax enough to do it)
I don't drink any caffeine
I am taking BuSpar 2 x a day



good Luck

Answer 2

I know right where you are coming from. I am the same way. I am in college and there are days where I think I'm losing it. My nerves lead my life for me these days. I have been on all kinds of meds and nothing has helped. I take a multi vitamin and it helps more than those stupid prescription meds did. What I do when I feel one of my panic attacks coming on is go in a room by myself and take a few deep breaths and have some time for myself. I also run to help my stress level. I know how you feel and I wish I could help you more. I wish you the very best dealing with this, as I know how hard it is!

Answer 3

I never realized I had anxiety. I've been coping all my life on my own. Left as the woman of the house at the tender age of ten I was to to care for my younger sister and do meals and laundry. I graduated from high school and have several degrees from a couple of colleges and universities. I graduated college with honors, but nothing is ever good enough for me. I have a high need to achieve. I have high standards for myself and others. I'm a fine person with a great personality and intellect intact. As the years progressed I slowly began to fall apart, it began in the Spring of 2004 and I am now 32. I'm emotionally wrecked from my last job, adusting to the illness of General Anxiety Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. I was diagnosed last December because I was so frustrated with myself and all the pain I was experiencing. Hang in there. Be persistent. Hold onto your dreams, don't ever let go of that. Try not to take things personally. Be mindful of what you cannot control. Find things your truly passionate about. If you really want to do yourself some good find time to take "mini-breaks" or relaxation time each day. This will allow one to feel more in control, resulting in stressing less. The body and mind need to slow down . . . expereince things and live life. Make sure to have some social contact, it makes one feel more like everyone else, rather than contiuning to be an understudy to suffering. Hope some of this helps.
I'm not an expert, but I've been very frustrated with my medical providers ( doctor and nurse practiconer) and counselor. All I've wanted since Jan, was how to deal with stress, anxiety, issues, and problems. I want to be healthy, but I don't want to go into detail of everything like everyone else does (professional people). It took five months of pure determination and consistency, now I'm getting what I want. It isn't easy and not ever in my mind did I ever want to deal with anything like this. I'm hoping to becoming a stronger person and use this experience as a time of growth and reflection. One never really expects what is to happen. I've learned so far, to appreciate the twists and turns in life. You'll be fine. Positive self-talk. Be kind to yourself.

Answer 4

Find something you enjoy doing in your spare time that relaxes you or makes you laugh. Laughter fixes alot. And be greatfull for what you have. Don't worry if you're not perfect at school. You'll still create a good life for yourself. Life is a journey, not a destination.

Answer 5

Sounds to me like somebody else has set the bar pretty high for you. Are you worried you won't be successful? Welcome to the club. Be happy that at least it's important to you to be successful. Some people don't even care.

Is there something that you want to do as a career? Then pursue it. Only you can make you happy. If you decide to abandon your dreams to please somebody else, you will regret it in the end.

Answer 6

Read as much as you can by Gary Null, Ph D scientist and expert on the body. He understands anxiety very well and offers alternatives to prescription drugs, things which actually work better, despite what MDs say, in my opinion

Answer 7

I have bad anxiety, so for a girl I do a lot of yoga, I also have a planner and do daily anxiety/stress reliving activities. Make time for fun and if it gets serious, see a therapist or someone to help you.

Answer 8

Paxil has bad side effects that to me seemed to make the anxiety worse. I would take Wellbutrin XL, it has little to no side effects and tends to work quickly. Hope this helps

Answer 9

there are many anti-anxiety meds out there. One that is non-addicting is Buspar...you could try that. Also, valium, xanax, klonopin,etc...those are addicting. Ask your doctor about it...sounds like you are going through a tough time...don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about it. Good luck!