Is this an anxiety disorder or something else- please, please help?
Question:
I also worry constantly, about EVERYTHING, for no reason at all- weather, cats, family, friends, school, my health, war, possibilites of disaster, etc. I'm paranoid about having people mad at me or hurting their feelings, and if I think thats the case I get depressed. My constant worrying truly interferes with my life and makes it hard for me to be happy, or even content. My family brushes it off as a quirk, but I think its a disorder. Is it, and is it treatable? I'm unhappy and I hate worrying, but I can't make myself stop. Please give me some serious and helpful advice!
Answer:
You sound like you have Generalized Anxiety Disorder, as well as Social Phobia. These are treated with a combination of medication and counseling. You are in a scary place right now, but you can get out of it with the right treatment. If you need help finding a good therapist, email me. I will be happy to help you find one. The sooner you get started, the faster you will be on the road to a less stressful life. :)
In the meantime, you might want to try Progressive Muscle Relaxation or some breathing exercises. A simple breathing exercise used for relaxation is to get comfortable in a chair or on a couch. Place your hands in your lap or to your sides and close your eyes. First, become aware of your breathing. Just notice it and think about it, not changing anything. Do this for a few breaths and then take a deep breath in for 4 seconds. Hold the breath for 4 seconds. Release for 4 seconds. Hold for 4 seconds. Repeat this pattern until you notice less tension.
Progressive muscle relaxation is helpful, as well. Be prepared... if you lie down to do this, you may fall asleep. That can be a good thing... unless you are at work. ;) Lie down and get comfortable. Place your hands at your sides and close your eyes. First, think about your toes. Make them tense and hold the tension for a few seconds. When you release it, consciously release any tension that you feel in your toes. They should be completely relaxed. Next, move on to your feet. Do the same thing with your feet and when you release the tension, focus on relaxing your feet. Repeat this with every body part, all the way up through your head. You should end with your scalp. Focus on it and imagine any tension just drifting away.
I have more exercises to help, if you need them.
i am the same way and am on social secuity because of it and some other problems i would see a psyc you may have social anxiety there are meds that can help
You sound paranoid depressive with a side salad of agoraphobia.
All of which is quite treatable. See a doctor. I've had my fair share of nutty episodes and the isolation is one of the worst parts. Get help! Now! Stop reading this and go and bloody make an appointment! Oh so you think the place will be closed at whatever time it is there hmm? Well phone first thing in the morning damn you! Hugs.being nuts sucks.
For now heres the outline of some basic relaxation techiniques. Read it over afew times before you try it and do it as often as you want but prefarably at least once a day.
1) Lie down on your back with legs and arms uncrossed.
2) Take a few slow deep breaths in and out.continue to do so throughout.
3) Starting from your feet relax all the muscles in turn all the way up your body...actively relase control and let them flop...knees...thighs...waist etcetc..neck...jaw.
4) Close your eyes and continue the slow breathing.
5) Imagine yourself in your favourite place...be it real or imaginary or a time/place when you were happy and calm.
6) Take time to fill in the details in your mind.look around you...smell the smells and lsitne to whats going on. Mine is a beach with salty air, sand in my toes, gulls overhead waves gently breaking.
7) Start walking around the place. With practice this will become second nature and you will be able to get to this place very quickly wherever you are and draw on it for instant calm.
Works for me. Good luck!
Yes, you are suffering from an anxiety disorder and the longer you leave it the worse it will become.
Go see a doctor, or get one to come out to you, dont leave it, there are stratehies you can learn to help you cope as well as a range of meds that can help..i try not to takle them personally as i feel it only covers up the problem and doesnt resolve it.
It sounds like an anxiety disorder that's progressing to full-blown agoraphobia. You need to get treatment now, while you can still leave the house. Make an appointment with a psychiatrist; you can become much better pretty quickly with the right meds. If you happen to live near Little Rock, Arkansas, e-mail me and I can give you a referral to a good shrink (mine).
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