anxiety-where to go from here?

[Luvbug9956]

This may seem long-winded, but I will attempt to make it short and sweet. I am a 22-year-old female nursing student. About a year ago i came upon some ill health. Over the past year I have had several diagnoses, including mononucleosis, an atrial septal defect, and chronic sinusitis which required surgery. All in all it has been a stressful year for a previously active and healthy individual. I began with random panic attacks following a short hospitalization last September, 2002. Since, I have experienced both depression and anxiety. So my mono has obviously cleared up, my atrial septal defect is pretty much benign and does not require intervention, and my sinusitis was "fixed" with round-after-round of antibiotic and surgery. My problem is that I am still having symptoms. Heart palpitations, difficulty breathing, and facial pain are still occurring without physical cause. The worst part of it all is the anxiety...very often i get a sort-of "sense of impending doom" or just an overall VERY uneasy feeling that I cannot trace to a specific source. I also am having a difficult time finding enjoyment is things previously loved. I also feel as if I have developed some either nervous habits or signs of OCD, such as always wanting sunglasses or a hat to shield light (even inside), always wanting the lights out, and feeling very uncomfortable at work or school where this is impossible. I am terrified that I am going crazy, having difficulty concentrating, and talking very fast; which I know all compounds the anxiety. I have always been a person very resistant to change, and symptoms seem to appear more at the change of semesters or before life events. My first question is, could the bout of illness be the trigger that sent me towards needing treatment...in other words, is it possible that I have always been an anxious person, but this pushed me over the edge? My next question is, do these symptoms and situations sound like anxiety/depression? My final question is, in this situation, do I need therapy, a psychologist, or a psychiatrist with medications? I am not asking for a diagnosis, just a guide of where to start. I just need to know where to turn for the first step, as I am now very ready to receive help. My life needs to go back to normal.

[efrank]

This can shed some light:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b30iwhEw9ho

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azkLQpyiGHA&mode=related&search=

[worriedmomangie]

Hi,
My little girl is ten and in May had a sore throat.  She was put on antibiotics and appeared to get a little better.  Then she became very anxious with irrational worries.  Seemed like some OCD also.  Then came the tiredness and pale (also cold at these times).  The tiredness seems to have gotten better, but it comes and goes with the paleness and anxiety.  Her doctor thought mono, but never checked.  I know the tiredness is a classic symptom, but the OCD like symptoms?   Is it from being more tired that she feels this way?  I think I am going to insist on a mono test.  It has been going on for over 3 months and although it has gotten better, she is still not herself.  I also read about an illness called PANDAS, comes after strep sometimes.  Has anyone heard of that?  Also, any help on the possible mono would be appreciated.  

[Littlle Lee]

I was interested to know if you are feeling any better, and what you did to improve.  I was diagnosed with mono in the beginning of September.  I am feeling a little better now, but I still do not feel like myself.  The last month or so I have also been experience anxiety and depression.  I have to contribute it to the mono because that is when it started, and I know that I am very concerned that this does not seem to ever go away.  Some days are not too bad, and some days I feel horrible again.  I am 33 years old with 2 small children at home.  I can't afford to be sick.  I am thinking that my concern about still having mono after 3 months has lead to these feelings of anxiety and depression.  

[3rdMajor]

Dear Short and Sweet,
    Do you really think you had mono?  It is often given as a false diagnosis for depression in your age group.  It was given to me when I was 17, when I was very sick with clinical depression.  
    The feeling of "impending doom" may not carry a lot of significance, except to those of us who have felt it.  
    I do think you have symptoms of anxiety/depression, and your first consultation should be with a general practitioner or family physician, to rule out physical causes of depression. (thyroid etc).  From there, you can go the either or route of meds/cognitive behavioural therapy to help with the anxiety/mood.
Best of luck,

[Cathy12]

It is a common problem among medical and nursing students to become preoccupied with health and health problems. They often see multiple specialists and by the way discover medical problems like chronic sinusitis or atrial septal defect (as in your case). This all above problems you can still live normal life with no problems. It also helps to know that your other symptoms are from anxiety and not some rare disease. This is a key point here, once you fully believe that your symtoms are anxiety, the symptoms usually subside and you no longer have panic attacks or other anxiety symptoms. Medications can help briefly getting over acute anxiety episodes.

[faithinchrist]

Hi There,

Same thing happened to me.  I was a regular guy, never had clinical anxiety.

Then came mono.

The anxiety surfaced and its been horrible since - causes bouts of depression as well.

What i can say is that i have always been a worrier and that maybe the illness and lack of sleep put me over the edge.

I'm sure it'll go away but it just takes time.  The best thing to do is not to focus or dwell on it so much - just get back to your regular routine and it will eventually go away.  Of course, the help of a doctor will aid.

Take care and God Bless!

[I'mallheart]

HEY I VE GON THRU THIS ALL ALSO...THIS IS WHAT WORKED FOR ME AND I RECOMMEND IT IS THE TAPE SERIES YOU GO THRU ALONG WITH A WRKBOOK,,,IT FROM THE MIDWEST CENTER OF STRESS AND ANXIETY..THE NUMBER IS 1-800-944-9428...IT WORKS..IT COMES WITH A MONEY BACK GUARENTEE ITS NO MEDICINE BUT A TAPE SEIES TO GET YOU OUT OF THIS RUT...TRUST ME IT WORKS...IT USED BY HUNDRED'S OF THOUSANDS...OH YEAH AND REMEBER THAT JESUS LOVES YOU AND YOU ARE SPECIAL AND UNIQUE NO OTHER LIKE YOU OF ALL THE BILLIONS OF PEOPLE ON THIS PLANET...
BE BLESSED
DAVE

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

First, let me answer the most important question.  YOu do need help and the best place to start is with an experienced seasoned pyschotherapist.  It could be a psychiatrist, but if so, it should one who does not automatically prescribe medications.  
What you need is good "talk " therapy.

A combination of events probably trigger this that have to be sorted out, but certainly having health problems at your age, at the dawn of your future as an adult, can set you back and make you feel gloomy and scared rather than confident and robust. The early twenties transition is a difficult one, and illness does complicate it.  You can read more about that in my book,
transformations; growth and change in adult life.  It may be out of print, if so, you can go to www.masteringstress.com and sign up for a session, which will give you access to the book online.