Anxiety, please help.?

Question

I'm having terrible anxiety, I have had it for years. I always have spirts of depression, but this year its getting worse. I just moved out of state, got a new apartment with my husband, and my anxiety is worse than ever. I stress and worry so much that my house is dirty, and I constantly want to clean, but no matter how much I clean I feel like its still dirty all around me and its stressing me out to no end! I'm so fearful to take showers, when no one is home, I cant take a shower unless my husband is home, and IN THE BATHROOM with me. I have terrible social anxiety to. It's ruining my life. I cant work, because I'm so scared, and nervous to the point where I have panic attacks, and it feels like I cant breathe, and I start balling my eyes out. I work from home now, which is great..but I feel like in 5 years, my life is going to be over because of this. Does anyone have anxiety like this? I want to go to the doctor for meds, but then I think its all just in my head, and I can fix it, and when I get to the doctors I FREAK out because I'm so nervous and then I have a panic attack and leave. I have anxiety about going to the doctor to talk to him ABOUT anxiety. If anyone can offer advice, I would really appreciate it. Thanks so much.

Answer 1

You have panic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder (which is also a form of anxiety).  You may even be developing agoraphobia.

Go see a doctor as soon as possible.  Get your husband to go with you, even if he has to take time off work to do it.  You need the support, you need him to make sure you get in to see the doctor, and the doc needs to hear what your husband has to say about your anxiety.

Get medication, and get counselling.  Counselling is very important for dealing with anxiety, and helping you to cope with the feelings.  The doc can prescribe a medication to take daily, and something to take before you go to counselling which will help you to stay calm enough to do it.

You can get help for this, and the sooner you get it the more effective it will be..  Good luck, sweetie.  You'll be okay.

Answer 2

i really think this is a much more common problem then you realize. Meaning, you really aren't alone in this.

http://www.adaa.org/GettingHelp/SupportG...

Answer 3

I really wish I knew hun, my anxiety is getting worse too..

I recently tried hypnotherapy which unfortunately didn't work for me, but it could work for you. basically they put positive suggestions in your head.

Good luck.. xx

Answer 4

go to the doctor please :] take your husband with you so he can tell your doctor about it, there is a lot of meds out there for anxiety, depression, etc. if you use it long enough it may go away :] get well soon!  

Answer 5

That sounds a little bit like me, but not the work part...

What bothers me sometimes is little creaks and stuff that I hear. I ALWAYS have a panic attack and wake up my dad (who is "muscular" enough to "save me from whatever's there". please don't make fun...) to ask him to help me find out what it is. That's one thing you can do--investigate what's going on in your life. If you're afraid to take showers, try to find out WHY. Are you afraid of...the water? Someone breaking in? Something/someone? Try to find a way to control these fears, even though that may be hard sometimes. For example:

If you're afraid of the dark, carry around a mini-flashlight (hook it onto your pants or something). At night, look around in the dark room that you're most afraid of (with someone, if you need to) and try to make yourself comfortable somehow. If you can, put something in there that you love so that you'll go there more often and get rid of your fear, such as a radio or TV.

What I do is tell myself that there's NOTHING WRONG with (whatever I'm nervous/scared about). It may seem like it doesn't work but for me somehow it just does. Mental illnesses aren't easy to cure, so with a bit of practice you'll get better and better. Good luck!!!! :]

P.S. Try to think of the doctor as your friend. It's against the law for a doctor to make fun of you for a medical/mental reason, so be assured that he can't do anything to you. Take someone with you, like your husband, if you need to/are afraid to talk.

Answer 6

I have had depression and anxiety after I had my daughter.  I didn't have it to the extent that you have it, But what I can tell you is that medication can really help.  It is ok to talk to the Dr about it.  I know it's hard, I had the same fears of talking to the Dr, but if you don't then you can't get help.  Medication will help to re train your brain.  I have never taken anti anxiety, but I took anti depressants and the way they work is it trains your brain to release more serotonin so you will not have to take the medication forever.  It will help you!

Answer 7

Hi, It really sounds like this anxiety has really taken over your life.  It sounds like you do need some outside help to overcome your anxiety.  You may not have to go out at first though.  Depending on where you live, Mental Health Services will generally do home visits, so they may initially come to you.  I would suggest that you ring your local Mental Health service as they specialise in these difficulties.  A GP can prescribe medication, but it sounds like you may need something more. M.H. Services can not only prescribe appropriate medication, but can work on the anxiety and panic attacks.  

If you cant find your local Mental Health in your area, Google Mental Health Services and put your state in and you should find it.

You are not alone, there are many women in the community that experience similar issues.  You may even have a support group in your area that you can be linked in which can not only provide you with support, but also make you feel like your not alone.

Good luck and remember to be kind to yourself.

Answer 8

It is probably hereditary even if other family members are trying to cope without medicine. My 2 nieces have it and I believe they are on Paxil. This is not something that will "go away" on its own. It is a real medical condition and you are not weak for turning toward medication. All of our brains are different as far as the amount of chemicals and the chemical balance we inherently are given (or some have changed through drug/alcohol use) I know you are not in this group but just explaining. You need to see your Primary Physician who may recommend a Specialist. This isn't something to be ashamed of. It isn't your fault. Would you feel ashamed if you broke your leg? Good Luck.

Answer 9

Yes, I understand I had different reasons for anxiety. I had a son die & I would panic when my other son would travel & I can't even remember all the things I did. I did a workbook to help & I have changed my diet. I wanted to work at home & I took all I learned & started coaching people. You will get better, know that. You just have to get to the root of your problems. If you are interested in coaching e-mail & ask me how you can get started. I would call you on the phone & find out what is at the root of it all. Most counselors are going to tell you that you have OCD which doesn't help you heal it. You can get on pills which will just make you depend on pills instead of learning what you need to know to get better. I would give you different things to do each week so you can get instant releif but then know how to avoid it from a happening anymore....Meanwhile, you might want to get a blood sugar meter & check this. If your blood sugar is like a roller coaster you will feel like you are riding one. I can help you set up a food schedule which might sound horrible but if I can do it & enjoy it anyone can. I did not want to change. I just had a half of an apple,peeled & dipped in peanut butter & it is so easy for me but this will keep me from feeling like I am going to crash. Just e-mail me there is so much you can do right away to feel better.

Answer 10

Hi, I am the author of http://panicattackresearch.blogspot.com

Do not worry, I am not spamming my site - my site don't sell products or anything. My site is solely dedicated to panic-attacks or people whom have anxiety. I give tips on how to sleep even if you have anxiety.

Please do visit and post any questions there or here so that I can help you further.

I have been a sufferer for 12-years and am doing well. My blog is dedicated to help. I will be updating my blog every 5-7 days on new ways to cope anxiety. I have just made few good entries on coping - I hope it will help you.

I started out taking prozac 20mg daily.. then it dropped to 10mg and now I am just taking 5mg and still doing very well. I might be considering taking medication off my life.

And most importantly, I am here to help you because I know how it feels to have anxiety or panic attacks.

Check out the introduction entry for the symptoms to confirm.

There are also free tips and free items on relaxation and such for you to download!

All the best,

Seng