overwhelming anxiety

[mimsicle]

Im 19, and have suffered from anxiety since my sophomore yr of hs. I have no idea what brought it on, I have a great life, it just seemed to come out of nowhere. I went to counseling for awhile and learned relaxation techniques..which seemed to really help for awhile. Now, my focus, or what Im anxious about has changed, and Im not sure how to deal with it.

I have extreme "doctor phobia" and freak out for 3 weeks before I know I have an appointment..Ive always been pretty healthy, lately, ive been having irregular periods, abdominal pain, backaches, I cant sleep and I am CONSTANTLY worrying throughout the day about my symptoms. I have ulcers and have been taking meds for them.

My question is, can anxiety cause, heartburn, ulcers, abdominal and back pain?? I also havent been eating regulaly bc I feel nauseated, or am too worried, and food just does not agree with me. Also, Im supposed to go for an ultrasound this week due to my abdominal pain. Im freaking out that they are gonna find something horrible..so ive been putting it off, even though i know i shouldnt.

Any suggestions??  Thanks

[greenlydia]

First off, anxiety doesn't just come out of "nowhere." There had to be SOMETHING that caused you to feel that very first anxiety "attack." Since you say this happened during your sophomore year in HS, I would cast my mind back to that time and REALLY think about all the things that happened during that time. You may find your answer in there. You said you went to therapy for awhile and learned some breathing techniques.....which is all well and good, but what did you learn about your anxiety? Doesn't sound like much. But then you go on to say that your "focus," or what your anxious about now, has changed. This indicates to me you have SOME idea of what your focus was to begin with. So, did you get any clues while you were in therapy or not?

Many folks also have a fear of going to the doctor. You're certainly not alone in this phobia and I don't think any of us really actually likes it. There IS always that fear in eveyone's mind that they are going to find something wrong. But that is EXACTLY why we go to them. I had the same fear for YEARS until one of my therapist finally got it thru my thick skull that it is SO much better to go and find out if there IS something to worry about, than to stay home and freak out about what COULD be wrong. If you had breast cancer and kept putting off your mammo, and they found cancer but it had spread and they told you "if you had come in 6 months ago we could have done something," do you see my point? Yeah, you got the bad scary news, but on the other hand, the good news was they had caught it in time and you were gonna be fine. So, staying home and avoiding what COULD (but more than likely won't) be bad news is upping your chances that it WILL (possibly, but again, unlikely) BE bad news, especially at your age! There are a million and one things that we don't want to do, but as you step into adulthood my friend, you're going to find you just have to do them whether you like it or not! In short, it's time to grow up! You don't still wait for your mommy to take you to the dentist, do you? I hate the dentist. But I go. I hate waiting for tests, but there is nothing you can do about it.

I'm going to shorten this missive. You've got many symptoms of anxiety and many of something like GERD and you've already been diagnosed with ulcers........by one of those horrid DOCTORS I presume. You've got a lot going on for someone your age and you need, quite simply, to go to your doctor and tell her/him about each and every one of these concerns and have them checked out. And while you're there, dicuss getting back into some really good therapy to learn about your anxiety. Oh, and tell this therapist that you already know how to breath, what you need are some answers regarding your anxiety! Your young with your whole life ahead of you, don't waste it, like so many of us did, by worrying about everything and missing out on so much.
Truly, the bottom line, if they DO find something, then you'll deal with it. Don't build bridges!
Keep us informed about what the docs find out, OK?
You'll be just fine!
Peace
Greenlydia  
    

[nana902]

I feel so bad for you.  You are too young to be going through all these anxieties!!  Go have the tests...I bet everything will be fine.  I have found that anxiety can do everything and anything, and I agree with Greenlydia...your to young for all this stuff.  Don't waste your time and energy worrying about things that probably are not there.  Listen to us....we know...we have been there!!!!!  See a good doctor and therapist and I predict a long and healthy life, physically and mentally.  You go girl.......Nana

[OxyAddictLA]

Im 19 and I'm going through extreme anxiety too..I don't have much experience with anti' anxiety meds..i myself prefer not to go down that route..I do know that the more you try and conqour the triggers once you figure out what they are..the stronger you get..eventually they get much easier and often disappear..i made it through it all once before. Im dealing with other issues that have brought about panic attacks..but I have learned alot from before..so im having an easier time coping. Examine yourself and your behavior and try to find what causes the triggers..take deep breathes and tell yourself theres no real reason to get worked up about it..alot of time the triggers are thigns we cant control...talk yourself down and find activites or relaxtion methods that help. This has really helped me deal with my anxiety the past few years.. I was anxiety free for a year or so until i've been dealing with a bit lately ;but its much easier. Next time I feel im going to get anxiety again over a situation it will be even easier..if not happen at all! You can get through it ! Life never throws us a an obstacle we can't handle. Good luck to you..People are here for support if you need it..and you could try and see a therapist if you find that helps.Be Strong.
                -Irie