Anxiety- All the time

LegacyUser

Hello, sorry if this is in the wrong place. I'm new to boards. I have been having problems with anxiety for most of my life now, although I am only 18 (nearly 19). I can hold it together most of the time and appear completely normal but sometimes I feel like everything is too much for me. When I was younger I was the same and I thought it would be something I would grow out of. I put myself in situations that would help me to overcome it, socialised etc.. but my anxiety has only gotten worse. I have only went out once in the entire school year, partly because of anxiety but also because I'm generally a very introverted person. I guess now I feel like I am missing out on certain things.

My anxiety is not just in social situations but is also when I am on my own. I can never sleep and get 4 hours maximum a night. Sometimes I just cannot get to sleep and other times I get paranoid that someone is trying to break into our house. Even around people I have known for years I am prone to getting extremely anxious, although I don't appear so and look quite relaxed most of the time.

I'm coming to the conclusion that my anxiety is not something I will grow out of but more some genetic trait I am afflicted with, possibly some sort of chemical imbalance. I have friends, I am not a loner, I am confident in my appearance and ability yet I am anxious and depressed all of the time.

It frustrates me looking back over the last 4 or 5 years and how I never really enjoyed anything to do with school or outside of school. It always puzzled me how my classmates looked forward to discos and other events. There was always a few who were the same as me but gradually they left me behind. Now, everyone my age seems to enjoy going out and forming relationships and friendships when I am unable to. I feel annoyed that I have missed these opportunities, and what is worse is that I know I will miss more opportunities in the future because of this.

I've been thinking about going to the doctor to try and get a prescription for xanax or prozac or something but there is no way I could keep it from my parents as the nearest doctor from us is a good bit away, and telling them this is not an option. Also, I would not feel comfortable talking to a doctor.

I don't know really why I am writing this I suppose it's just been something I've been thinking about lately, I don't know if anyone has experience with this or anything but I'd appreciate any advice at all.

Taltos

OP - welcome to PI.
Please note as per our charter our members here cannot give you any medical advice, nor should it be sought. This means we cannot give diagnoses or discuss medications, similarly self-diagnosis is frowned upon.

Really all we can suggest is that you do reach out to your GP or another doctor if you are uncomfortable with the one so close to your home. In the meantime also have a look at some of the links in our charter, there are a number of organisations here who can help you if you reach out to them. A sample of some of these (but there are more) is:

http://www.aware.ie/

http://www.childline.ie/

http://www.teenline.ie/

Well done for taking a step towards getting help, even though this is a faceless forum it takes guts to post here.
Thanks
Taltos

P. Breathnach

Unregistered wrote: »

...
I've been thinking about going to the doctor to try and get a prescription for xanax or prozac or something...

If you go to a doctor (which I think you should do) you should ask him or her to recommend a therapy: you are not qualified to say whether a chemical therapy is the best thing for you.

but there is no way I could keep it from my parents as the nearest doctor from us is a good bit away, and telling them this is not an option.

In a normal family relationship, there should be no huge difficulty in telling your parents that you think you have a problem with anxiety. It might be a small problem. Why is telling them not an option? Surely they want the best for you.

Also, I would not feel comfortable talking to a doctor.

That's like me with the dentist! I don't say that to belittle your concerns, but to assure you that many people have similar difficulties to yours. You have taken a step in coming here to discuss your concerns. Now take the next step, and arrange to see a doctor.

danslevent

I feel for you OP, I suffer from anxiety too. Mine is not as chronic as yours, and only flares up sometimes, but I can relate. When I go through stages of it I literally have to pee all the time, at least once an hour and wake up throughout the night.

I went to my doctor and I have medication for when it flares up, I don't take it all the time because most of that stuff is HIGHLY addictive. I was put on sleeping/anxiety non addictive medication before which I found great (ask your Doctor about it, can't really give medical advice here )

Anyway, last I went to the doctor she recommended me these books: Claire Weekes "Self help for your nerves". Susan Jeffers "Feel the fear and do it anyway" and maybe also google cognitive behaviour therapy.

You don't deserve this OP, now is the time to seek help. Could you get a taxi to the doctor? You really have to start minding your mental health. If you don't help yourself now it'll become harder as you grow older.

banquo

Anxiety is a non-stop, action-packed pile of crap.

I suffered from it very badly for about a year. The best thing I can tell you is that it will go away. Relaxants like valium and Xanax can get you through a tough moment but you don't want to be taking that stuff regularly.

There are some great books out there - Dasnlevent mentioned two great ones about, but the single best thing I ever read about it was this cracked.com article. (No, really.)

The trick to defeating anxiety is to let it happen. When you feel the fear, just go with the flow. Really hard at first, but very quickly it will get smaller and smaller until it's almost nothing.

You'll be ok!

Merkin

Unregistered wrote: »

I've been thinking about going to the doctor to try and get a prescription for xanax or prozac or something but there is no way I could keep it from my parents as the nearest doctor from us is a good bit away, and telling them this is not an option. Also, I would not feel comfortable talking to a doctor.

You absolutely need to go to a doctor. While it may not seem like an attractive option, a good GP will listen to you and is qualified to advise on the best course of therapeutics for you and your specific problem. Don't underestimate a damaged mind. The brain is the most important organ in the body. If you broke your leg would you avoid going to the doctor? Of course not. Likewise if you have a chemical imbalance it needs to be mended.

Take your parents out of the equation here. I sense that you live rurally. If so, have you got €40 to hand? If so then phone a reputable GP in a neighbouring town and make an appointment with them. Write down everything you need to say with regards to your symptoms/anxiety before you go so you won't forget anything. Your parents do not need to know.

Please get some help. It doesn't have to be this hard and the right treatment could potentially turn your life around and allow you to live the life you so crave and deserve.

Would you do that?