Could I have anxiety? What is wrong with me??? help!!?
This all started when i was a junior in high school. I started having racing heart beat, feeling of numbness and tingling in my arms, asthma attacks with no trigger, and feeling like i was going to pass out. I started to dread going to school. I had diarrhea almost every morning, my stomach was always upset. I stopped talking to my friends, I began to hate leaving my house. I have gone to the emergency room multiple times for chest and heart pains always to find out that nothing is wrong. I am now a sophomore in college and I no longer can drive my car. I feel like i have no control when i’m driving. I freak out. I have a hard time going in stores by myself. My job that i have had is making me nervous, its hard for me to go to class. I have feelings like i’m going to die on a monthly basis. My newest symptons are extreme shyness around everyone, even people i know and hot flashes/blushing for no reason. The hot flashes are so bad that i get dizzy and feel faint. My grandmother suffers from panic attack disorder and agoraphobia. Could I have inherited what she has? I have been assuming for the past 4 years that i have some kind of disease that no one can figure out.. now i’m starting to think it could be anxiety? Anyone have any input? what can i do about these feelings? 
Anxiety conditions are known to produce chest pains psychosomatically, and your symptoms indicate panic based agoraphobia, probably with some degree of social anxiety.
The first thing I advise you to do is to learn an effective anti panic breathing technique.
Advice from a published psychiatrist on controlled breathing: (1.) Get a clock, or watch with a second timer. (2.) Practise for 5 minutes, 4 times daily, until proficient. (3.) Take a small breath in, and hold it, for 6 seconds. (4.) Think to yourself: "RELAX", just before breathing out. (5.) Try to feel a sense of releasing tension, as you breathe out. (6.) Breathe in for 3 seconds, then out, for 3 seconds. Try to make your breathing very smooth, and light, as you breathe in through your nose, and out through your mouth, or nose. (7.) For the next minute, continue to breathe in, and out, every 3 seconds. (8.) Go back to step 3, at the end of the minute, and proceed through to step 7, doing this for 5 minutes. Use this at the very first sign of a panic attack starting, or any time you feel anxious, or tense.
Similar, but simpler advice, from a clinical psychologist is to breathe in to the count of 3: (one thousand one; one thousand two; one thousand three) each takes around a second to say to yourself, in your mind, and out to the count of 3.
Note: the controlled breathing only helps with the symptoms, as do medications/herbal remedies. Address the underlying cause, which requires some form of therapy; see http://your-mental-health.weebly.com/ re panic, anxiety, & pages E, H, & I.
Page V addresses phobia, with a quick self test. Once you are proficient with the breathing technique, you could try venturing outside a little, slowly building up confidence.
Some suitable books are: The Agoraphobia Workbook: A Comprehensive Program to End Your Fear of Symptom Attacks by C. Alec Pollard and Elke Zuercher-White, & Agoraphobia: Simple, Effective Treatment by Claire Weekes, & Freedom From Agoraphobia by Mark Eisenstadt, from your bookstore, or perhaps better delivered by Amazon.com for agoraphobics.
Comments
Comment from Majik8ball
Time January 13, 2010 at 4:38 pm
Yes you have just described a classic case of Panic Disorder, as well as social anxiety and agoraphobia. The good news is these diseases are easily treatable. Schedule an appoint with a Psychiatrist and a CB Therapist as soon as possible. The most common and effective treatment of this condition is a combination of medication and cognitive behavioral therapy. You may also want to ask about Dialectical Behavioral Therapy or (DBT). Good luck.
References :
Comment from Jordan
Time January 13, 2010 at 5:14 pm
These are definitely symptoms of severe anxiety. Social phobias, agoraphobia, possibly more. I would seek help from a psychologist. Your family doctor can probably recommend someone local.
These feelings you’re having are very treatable. They simply stem from chemical imbalances in the brain. It’s very common too, so don’t feel alone.
References :
I have a few close friends who have dealt with exactly the same issues, and have improved greatly with a little therapy and medication.
Comment from Hanzo 13
Time January 13, 2010 at 5:21 pm
From what i can tell it does seem that you are having a form of panic attack. I think that there is also a good chance that you also have agoraphobia. Agoraphobia appears once you have an attack and are unable to escape the situation. It is sounding like you may have the same condition as your grandmother. I’am not qualified though to diagnose you and to really get an accurate diagnosis you should see your local docter. They can direct you to whatever medical or cognitive therapy best suits your case. Best of luck and hang in there.
References :
Psych text book, Psych Major
Comment from jerry
Time January 13, 2010 at 5:35 pm
Anxiety conditions are known to produce chest pains psychosomatically, and your symptoms indicate panic based agoraphobia, probably with some degree of social anxiety.
The first thing I advise you to do is to learn an effective anti panic breathing technique.
Advice from a published psychiatrist on controlled breathing: (1.) Get a clock, or watch with a second timer. (2.) Practise for 5 minutes, 4 times daily, until proficient. (3.) Take a small breath in, and hold it, for 6 seconds. (4.) Think to yourself: "RELAX", just before breathing out. (5.) Try to feel a sense of releasing tension, as you breathe out. (6.) Breathe in for 3 seconds, then out, for 3 seconds. Try to make your breathing very smooth, and light, as you breathe in through your nose, and out through your mouth, or nose. (7.) For the next minute, continue to breathe in, and out, every 3 seconds. (8.) Go back to step 3, at the end of the minute, and proceed through to step 7, doing this for 5 minutes. Use this at the very first sign of a panic attack starting, or any time you feel anxious, or tense.
Similar, but simpler advice, from a clinical psychologist is to breathe in to the count of 3: (one thousand one; one thousand two; one thousand three) each takes around a second to say to yourself, in your mind, and out to the count of 3.
Note: the controlled breathing only helps with the symptoms, as do medications/herbal remedies. Address the underlying cause, which requires some form of therapy; see http://your-mental-health.weebly.com/ re panic, anxiety, & pages E, H, & I.
Page V addresses phobia, with a quick self test. Once you are proficient with the breathing technique, you could try venturing outside a little, slowly building up confidence.
Some suitable books are: The Agoraphobia Workbook: A Comprehensive Program to End Your Fear of Symptom Attacks by C. Alec Pollard and Elke Zuercher-White, & Agoraphobia: Simple, Effective Treatment by Claire Weekes, & Freedom From Agoraphobia by Mark Eisenstadt, from your bookstore, or perhaps better delivered by Amazon.com for agoraphobics.
References :
Comment from Jenna
Time January 13, 2010 at 6:23 pm
This is a great product which helped me basically CURE myself of anxiety/panic attacks and stop them for good, check it out below:
I highly recommend it, good luck.
References :
Comment from justryn2makit
Time January 13, 2010 at 4:14 pm
I’d say this is most definitely an anxiety disorder. It would probably help to see a psychiatrist( not just a psychologist) I suggest you ask for either Librium or Restoril. I’ve taken them both and they have been of immense help for me.
References :