HOLY ****!!! A little overwhelmed here

Hello everyone.
Since December, (and even before), I have been experiencing severe anxiety. After a multitude of medical tests to rule everything out my Dr. broke the news. Chills, hot flashes, intense shakes, dizziness, nausea, mood swings, being rediculously emotional, random recurrent twitches, chest pain, resting heart beat of 110, and feeling surreal are some of the things that I have experienced. My Dr. offerred me medication but I have quite a drug issue. By this I mean that I won't take anything but ibuprofen and antibiotics without having to fight myself to take it. I also have a fear of psychiatrists. Really I think that it is my lack of control that is freaking me out with the drugs, I'm terrified of side effects, getting addicted, and it just "clouding my mind". I don't even drink, smoke, or drink coffee even because I am afraid of the drugs. I'm also starting to think that I am depressed but am afraid to tell anyone incase they push the drugs. What scares me the most is that when I am feeling down, I get so lethargic, emotional, feel constantly guilty and feel like there is no point to life, or to anything for that matter. It disturbed me that I was thinking about life that way. Again, I am afraid to tell anyone in case they think that I am suicidal or something, and lock me up and ruin my life. I am in second year university right now and am fighting to keep a scholarship, which I am failing at, and this has pushed me into panic. Over the last month of classes I have had gastrointestinal issues every single morning, as well as the occasional nauseous morning. I am trying to do breathing exercises, meditation, eyc. they work for the moment but as soon as I stop and go back to working and studying it starts again. I saw a school clinical psychologist a few weeks back and he instructed me to get counselling but guess when that starts...after exams. Any advise to get through this is well appreciated... ****...my chest hurts again

[kristine9190]

Well you clearly have anxiety from the sounds of it, with good reason, being in school and not doing as well as you had strived for is very stressful. But, I think it is important for those of us with anxiety to utilize the help that is out there for us, and it doesn't have to be forever. There are reasons why they prescribe those of us under stress a med to help get is through, there is a reason why Psychiatrist's are out there, they are here to help us. Anxiety is a very real thing and so is depression, and without the proper treatment, your symptoms will continue with the potential to get worse. My suggestion to you, is really rethink the psychiatrist and meds, there is nothing to be ashamed of or afraid of. With the right Dr. you will be closely monitored. If you are truly against meds in conjunction with therapy, than at least do the therapy and learn some coping skills.

You will feel better, but it is going to take A LOT of work, and you need to be open to some of the suggestions that your Dr's make.

This is just my opinion, there are a ton of really smart individuals on this forum.

Take Care
Kristine

[samantha764]

I totally sympathise with you, anxiety can really take over your life.  I have found the best way, (as long as you have had your symptoms checked out by medical proffessional) is distracting myself.  I have loads of anxiety symptoms,

Feeling of being strangled round the neck and suffocatin, lump in throat
Shortness of breath
Feeling like i can't breath, really concentrating on breathing in and out thinking it will stop
Feeling faint, off balance and dizzy etc etc etc etc
I have found that distraction is the best thing and not to sit and think about your symptoms, it is quite liberating when you notice that it has gone away!!!! Take care and all the best to you. Sam

[ryno23]

I have always struggled with managing my class schedule/ hw because of anxiety and the stress it gives me.  I have found that the best thing to do is cut down on the amount of classes you take and/or work.  I had 18 credit hours my freshmen year first semester.  the stress nearly killed me.  the next semester I took 12 hours and actually enjoyed the classes becuase i wasnt so stressed.  With anxiety, it is sometimes more beneficial to set your sights lower and achieve your lowered goals.  This will give you more confidence and help your mental health.  * Remember D's get degrees!!  :)

[Paxiled]

You don't necessarily need medication.  You definitely need therapy.  Will your parents pay for some?  Not talking about it is the worst thing.  And if you do need medication, well, ibuprofen is liver toxic and antibiotics are some of the most over prescribed and misused drugs out there, so if you're not afraid of those, don't be afraid of others you might need.  But first find out if you really need them, and that's by seeing a therapist.