Feeling extremely anxious

LegacyUser

I'm not looking for medical advice here, but rather advice for me when I see my doctor next week.
The past 18months I've noticed a huge change in myself; I become incredibly anxious in certain situations and it causes me to feel ill, tremble, my heart races and pretty much every time, cry almost uncontrollably. The crying used to be the worst, well it still is, and happens almost immediately when I feel anxious. I was bridesmaid at a friends wedding in August, she has anxiety herself and takes meds; I was actually jealous as I very nearly passed out going up the aisle, and heard people commenting I was shaking. Thing is, I used to be able to do this stuff fine, maybe with a little bit of nerves but nothing like what I experienced that day.

I recently found out I have a few relatives ill back in Ireland, and usually I'm calm and rational (my colleagues describe me as having a calming presence!) but underneath my heart is beating ninety, my throat feels clogged and I cry even if I don't feel like crying? As I say it's gotten worse over the 18months and actually gets embarrassing. There's a difference from being a sensitive person and this.

I cannot put a finger on a trigger from about 18/24months ago at all. I did attend short term counselling a few years back for family stuff and stress, and felt low after Xmas last year but didn't meet a threshold for counselling. What I want, and this sounds like I'm blocking out a problem, but hear me out. I'm home over Xmas and due to a number of things it's going to be difficult (My grandmother is gravely ill, the family fight, I have another wedding). Ideally I'd like something to settle me, save me causing a scene crying uncontrollably etc. if I ask my Doctor tho I'm sure he going to suggest CBT again; I've already cut out coffee, tea, alcohol and working on identify triggers which is hard.

Am I wasting my time telling him that I would like to try anti anxiety meds? I know they take time to settle into someone's system which would be okay for Xmas. I wouldn't turn down counselling again, but I'm not sure what approach to take. I feel by actually making an apt today I've taken a step.

Big Bag of Chips

Posters, please be aware that the poster is not asking for medical advice. She has an appointment with her GP and will discuss anything medical with him. She is looking for personal advice on how she might best proceed.

Big Bag of Chips



OP, of course you can ask your GP for meds. He is there to help you. You should write out something similar to what you posted here and bring it with you. (Print out your post if you want) You need to tell him all the things you have written here. You need to tell him how crippled you feel. Tell him what you have already tried and how you felt it worked/didn't work for you.

The best think you can bring in with you is a list. He won't mind! Often in the pressure of a doctors surgery we can forget the most basic thing that we went in for. I sometimes bring in little bullet points of questions I want to ask, or something I want to clarify. I thought I'd appear ott - my GP told me he encourages people to do it!!

You are the one living this life. So you have a right to try whatever you think might work for you. Don't be afraid/ashamed to ask for help.. that's what you're paying your GP for.

LegacyUser

Thank you very much.
After I posted I went thru the times I felt this way (I remember as they were significant) and it surprised me the amount I guess.
I thought a lot about it and even noticed my heart rate was going 90 (literally!) while I was sitting watching a movie. I'm capable of rationalising things in my mind; like at the wedding, I'm surrounded my friends, I look fine, it's my best friends day, we have rehearsed, I've done this before etc, but I cannot control the physical reactions. I breathe slowly, count, concentrate etc to no avail. Another eg was two weeks ago, my computer in work got a virus; I was rationally able to explain and manage it with the IT guy on the phone but I could barely speak when I did, lost my breath, and cried cried cried, it was terribly unprofessional and mortifying.

I'll make a list OP, i hope the GP understands

sand678

best of luck op, i suffer anxiety, mine is caused by total life stress, way to much going on, im a single mom working full time, trying to work, clean house , pay bills, ect ect, never understood why i felt this way till i had counselling and antidepessants, feel ok now, do see your doc, and take all the help u can, its soo soo common now and they see it all the time, best of luck x