Awful anxiety day to day?!
Question: Awful anxiety day to day!?
I have generalized anxiety disorder and I worry about my physical health pretty much 24/7!. I don't work right now and need to go back to work soon, but I'm terrified that I won't be able to keep it together and end up embarrassing myself!. I have Xanax I take as needed which usually helps, but it seems like the tightness in my chest and arm never goes away which leads me to believe I'm having a heart attack every day or about to!. I logically try to tell myself that if I was having heart attacks as much as I think I am I would have been dead a long time ago, but every time an attack hits, I'm always thinking what if it's the real thing this time!. I also get a fleeting pain in the bottom of my rib cage that scares me really bad!. BTW my dr saw my ekg from 6months ago and said I was fine, and also checked my pulse and blood pressure and said it was "perfect"!. I just don't know why I can't accept that I'm healthy!. Any advice would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!!Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
I feel you!. I have been dealing with anxiety and panic disorder since I was 11 years old!. I was just in the ER on Monday because of a panic attack and I was also prescribed Xanax!. I have not taken it yet, as I am scared to (anxiety, go figure!), but I am going to tonight and I took it at the hospital (they MADE me!) and I was very calm!. The doctor and nurse also told me about seeking therapy, she said it helps a lot with panic disorder!. At the hospital I tested positive for blood clots, but when I had the scan everything came back fine and my doctor's exact words were" all of your tests came back looking great!" and two days later I am still worrying that I hava a clot, or I'm going to get one!. I have also had a serious problem with thinking that it was my heart, and that I am ALWAYS having a heart attack! It's unreal because I have NEVER had one, and I got an ECG and the doctor said my heart was FINE!. I went to a heart SPECIALIST at 11 years old and I was FINE then, too! But I know how you feel when you get panic attacks, I also feel the same way and I always think I am going to die!. I worry about my health 24/7 and I am so tired of thinking negative, but its like I can't even help it! I have had MANY panic attacks at work and its no fun and they ARE embarrassing! But what people like us have to do is just keep on going, take medicine, and try to seek therapy!. I know I should have done this myself a long time ago, but I never did, until now!. I made my first appointment with a therapist and I am hoping that this is the key to ease my anxiety!. Good luck to you, and just know that there are people who DO know how it is and what your going through!. If you want to e-mail me to talk more, please do!Www@Answer-Health@Com
i was a trock bottom with my anxiety till recently!. i knew in order to get better i has to fight and keep fighting!. im now at my highest point in years and am not all the way where i want to be but pretty damn close to 100%!. coping skills and meds will do it but most impoortant ly is the people around you and there supportWww@Answer-Health@Com
Whatever you do, DON'T consult Dr!. Laura!. The lady with the chemical imbalance was right on with her answer!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Anxiety/panic is a symptom of a problem!. It could be something as simple yet serious as anemia (racing heart, dizziness, blurry vision, weakness are symptoms) or as common as hypoglycemia (symptoms are anxiety, panic, shaking, fear/phobias, nervousness, irrational behavior, emotional instability)!.
It's too simple to believe but it's true: you are what you eat!. If yous skip meals, diet, don't eat enough, eat a high carb, high sugar diet, drink a lot of soda or drinks with artificial sweeteners, and don't eat enough protein, you're going to be mentally out of balance!. Add hormonal changes and possibly years of not eating right and your brain is a mess!.
The brain chemicals are made from amino acids, which come from protein!. Most people, especially women, eat the typical "pasta/salad/sugar" diet!. How about you!?Www@Answer-Health@Com
It's too simple to believe but it's true: you are what you eat!. If yous skip meals, diet, don't eat enough, eat a high carb, high sugar diet, drink a lot of soda or drinks with artificial sweeteners, and don't eat enough protein, you're going to be mentally out of balance!. Add hormonal changes and possibly years of not eating right and your brain is a mess!.
The brain chemicals are made from amino acids, which come from protein!. Most people, especially women, eat the typical "pasta/salad/sugar" diet!. How about you!?Www@Answer-Health@Com
I completely know how you feel!. I just recently was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder/panic attacks!. This was after 11 years of visits to my regular doctor to find out what was going on!. Everything was normal, just like you said!. Finally, 6 weeks ago, I had my first visit with a psychiatrist who prescribed a medication for the anxiety and within 3 weeks I made a complete turn-a-round!. I rarely have the anxiety but have a prescription for Xanax that I only have to take occasionally!. I truly recommend that you see a psychiatrist-it doesn't mean that you're crazy!. Just know that it is not normal to feel the way you do!. If you are truly concerned about your general health, you need to do this!. Stress will kill you and make you miss out on a lot of good things!! Good Luck!! By the way, mine was a chemical imbalance--I needed the med to correct it!.!.!.!.!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I know exactly how you feel!. I have suffered for 10 years, and went on and off different meds (Zoloft helped, as did Lexapro), but the only real thing that helped me stop them was Cognitive Behavioral Therapy!. If you do one thing, please search for a CBT therapist!. The theory is that our thoughts and behaviors cause our moods and feelings, and changing the former can change the latter!.
http://www!.nacbt!.org/
http://nacbt!.org/searchfortherapists!.asp
Tranqulilizers are so harmful and addictive to the body!. Usually doctors aren't too concerned about the addiction potential!. Please see this website:
http://www!.benzo!.org!.uk/manual/
http://www!.benzo!.org!.uk/
Also, some books that worked for me are:
-The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Bourne
-Mind Over Mood by Greenberger and Padesky
-Panic Attacks Workbook by Carbonell
This website is good: http://www!.anxietycoach!.com/
There are many great natural sedatives out there, but the true answer is that it depends on the individual!. Some people respond better to an herb/medicine than others!. It's trial and error, really!. What's good for one may not work for you!.
That said, the particularly strong ones are: Kava Kava and Valerian Root, either together or separate (together will be more sedating), 5-HTP or Tryptophan (do not use if you are taking any anti-depressants), Passion Flower, Biofeedback, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a tea or tablet with Valerian, Kava, Hops, Passion Flower, and/or chamomile, L-Theanine, and Taurine (both are amino acids and work VERY well for anxiety)!.
Not as strong, but worth mentioning: Carbohydrates are sedating, warm baths (sleep is associated with a drop in body temp, so getting out of the bath will make you more sleepy), Calms Forte, warm milk!.
One word of caution: Natural meds are still drugs, in that they may have side effects and may interact with meds you are or will be taking!. Please ask your doctor before taking any, or in the very least, look up for interactions online!.
http://www!.naturaldatabase!.com/(S(imkem4!.!.!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
http://www!.nacbt!.org/
http://nacbt!.org/searchfortherapists!.asp
Tranqulilizers are so harmful and addictive to the body!. Usually doctors aren't too concerned about the addiction potential!. Please see this website:
http://www!.benzo!.org!.uk/manual/
http://www!.benzo!.org!.uk/
Also, some books that worked for me are:
-The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Bourne
-Mind Over Mood by Greenberger and Padesky
-Panic Attacks Workbook by Carbonell
This website is good: http://www!.anxietycoach!.com/
There are many great natural sedatives out there, but the true answer is that it depends on the individual!. Some people respond better to an herb/medicine than others!. It's trial and error, really!. What's good for one may not work for you!.
That said, the particularly strong ones are: Kava Kava and Valerian Root, either together or separate (together will be more sedating), 5-HTP or Tryptophan (do not use if you are taking any anti-depressants), Passion Flower, Biofeedback, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a tea or tablet with Valerian, Kava, Hops, Passion Flower, and/or chamomile, L-Theanine, and Taurine (both are amino acids and work VERY well for anxiety)!.
Not as strong, but worth mentioning: Carbohydrates are sedating, warm baths (sleep is associated with a drop in body temp, so getting out of the bath will make you more sleepy), Calms Forte, warm milk!.
One word of caution: Natural meds are still drugs, in that they may have side effects and may interact with meds you are or will be taking!. Please ask your doctor before taking any, or in the very least, look up for interactions online!.
http://www!.naturaldatabase!.com/(S(imkem4!.!.!.Www@Answer-Health@Com