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1828162 tn?1317748092

Axiety, OCD, Dizziness...Hormone Imbalance?

I was just diagnosed as having Panic Disorder and OCD. Since my son was born June of 2008, My anxiety levels have shot through the roof, I have anxiety attacks every day, I'm OCD with germs, cleaning, things being straight and in order, etc. I am a hypochondriac like I never imagined I could be. Literally. I have self diagnosed myself having brain tumors, thyroid problems, anemia (Just found out yesterday, I am NOT anemic..), ear problems, MS, you name it, I have thought at one point or another that I have had it.
My symptoms would include: Dizziness, lightheadedness (Both of which usually subside as the day goes on), extreme weight loss (I am 5"4, should weigh 133, instead I weigh 91 pounds.... Basically, I am 42 pounds underweight and trust me, I do not have an eating disorder), Rashes or bumps occuring out of nowhere, all over my legs and arms, and a couple on my belly, Vision problems, Light sensitivity, Constant never ending anxiety.
Another thing, I started my menstrual cycle on September 19th, and it is still going. I went to the ER, where they did nothing, and then I went to my gyno and she prescribed me some birth control to even out my  hormone levels. I took the dang pill, after having a HUGE anxiety attack about it because I am deathly afraid of any medication. The fear mostly stems from my fear of getting sick or feeling sick(er). That was nearly two hours ago, and no side effects yet... But I also don't quite feel "normal" yet which I am LONGING to feel.
My issues have changed me completely. I am anti-social now, I can't concentrate, even to read, I cant go to the store, I am fatigued just constantly.
Look, I realize my self diagnoses are irrational. I get that. But when you feel this way, this anxious, dizzy, lightheaded, stressed to the max, skinny, weak, tired way EVERY day for 3 years, you start wondering.... "So, when should I expect to keel over and die from this?"
Every test I've ever had done has come up just fine, despite my protests. I was once diagnosed with Labrynthitis, in February of 2010. Luckily my stress and anxiety weren't life altering then, otherwise I don't know how I would have gotten through it. I am only 22. What's the deal?
I have officially decided on two things... #1, I have hormone imbalances which CAN cause dizziness and fatigue and anxiety, or #2, I have an overactive thyroid, which causes vision problems, dizziness, weight loss, etc.
Thoughts anybody? Or should I just give up hope now? All of these "symptoms", whether all in my head or not, are literally making my health crumble. I mean, 42 pounds underweight? I HATE looking at myself in the mirror because I see what everyone else sees which is a way-too-skinny girl that looks gross. I am eating 2 slices of toast with nutella on them three times a day which is 720 calories, plus drinking a Boost drink with each of those sittings, which is an extra 720 calories, on top of whatever else I eat throughout the day so I'm hoping to fatten up QUICK. :( Anybody else feeling this way with the dizzy, lightheaded, crappy, tired, etc feelings?
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1699033 tn?1514113133
From your post you are definitely suffering from OCD.  The irrational thoughts along with the compulsion you feel to clean put you right smack in the middle of it.  The birth control may help with your menstrual cycle but it isn't going to do much for your OCD.  

Here are a few things that you can do.  First, try the breathing techniques that mjohnston talked about.  It does help a lot to calm down from a panic attack or even to stop one once you feel it coming on.  Secondly you could try to write down your irrational thoughts in a journal and then next to them replace them with a positive thought.  As for the cleaning, you need to stop yourself.  So if you notice something is not straight, walk away.  I know it will be hard.  But walk away and try to distract yourself either with breathing, meditation, or something like that.  A psychologist is really the person to teach you cognitive behavioral therapy to deal with the OCD.  

Lastly, I know you don't like to take meds, but there are quite a few of them out that that work very well for OCD and anxiety.  Most of them are labeled as anti-depressants but they do work for OCD and anxiety.  And really, after what you have just written, you probably are depressed anyway.  The best person to see for medications is a psychiatrist, not your GP.  While GPs know quite a bit, I think in your case you should see a psychiatrist for medication if you decide to try that.  

I too suffer from OCD that leads to anxiety that then leads to depression when left unchecked such as in your situation.  I learned CBT and I take medication and I have my life back.  So I guess the question you have to ask yourself is are you going to sit in your house feeling like your life is "crumbling around you" and give up or are you going to fight for your wellbeing and that of the people around you?  It is hard for people who do not have OCD to really understand why we do the things we do.  So you need to take the next step now that you have a diagnosis.  

Best of luck and post again if you need anything.  
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Avatar universal
Are you taking any medication besides the birth control.  It might be something to talk over with your doctor.  Nobody should have to suffer with these feelings.  Please find the help you need to get you back on the right track.  You owe it to yourself and your son.
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Avatar universal
Im sorry your having a ruff time, but I feel your pain! YOu sound alot like me! I have self diganosd myself with everything! I did got to the dr's tho to make sure it was nothing serious! I've had anxiety for along time but got worse after my daughter was born in 2009. I tend not to eat when at all when I have my anxiety attacks, I have just experienced a new symptom and i try and tell myself its okay, haha, it's not so easy.. I wish all this would just go away and I can be normal!! Try and excerise and drink plenty of water,and be around people who can relate to you! The reason your probably getting dizzy and lightheaded is because your not eating good, and not drinking enough water.. Try and take deep breathes when you feel like your having an attack, inhale threw your nose and out threw your mouth for 5 minutes! this is what my dr has told me,a nd for me it tends to work! Hope you feel better
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