General Anxiety Disorder I think

[becomingthechange]

I am seventeen and have been dealing with what I think is general anxiety disorder for at least a year now but lately it has become much worse.  I have read symptoms online and mine seem to match.  I was wondering if physical sickness can be a symptom of GAD as well.  Before certain events I can become very anxious or nervous and the other day I vomited twice and was unable to eat anything before a certain situation.
I’ll give some background to help clarify what is happening.  For the last few years, I have spent a lot of time alone and this was not because no one wanted to spend time with me, it was because I didn’t want to spend time with them.  Certain social situations can make me very nervous, my mouth becomes very dry, I start sweating, sand start to feel sick sometimes.  Lately I have been trying to spend more time with people because I really do enjoy spending times with my friends.  There are certain people that I can plan to do something with and have no anxiety or worries about it.  I have a boyfriend who I really enjoy spending time with, when we are together I am comfortable but before hanging out with him I can become very very anxious to the point of me becoming sick.  This happened before the first time we hung out but I assumed that was just because I hadn’t really hung out with people in a long time.  After that, I didn’t have any problems with anxiety, I felt great, but a couple days ago I started dreading spending time with him even though I knew I would enjoy it.  That morning I woke up too early and I felt sick and I became sick.  This doesn’t make sense to me because I was fine for so long and nothing has changed.
This doesn’t only happen with him.  In general I worry way too much even though I know that my worries and a fear of being with people is not valid.  But when I am freaking out, I know that it isn’t necessary but I can’t stop myself.  It is very frustrating because I feel like I can’t control how I feel.  I also tend to overanalyze things that have already happened even though there is nothing I can do to change them.  Any suggestions?
Oh yeah, I know I should probably get help of some sort from a professional but that scares me more than anything because then I would have to tell my parents.  My mom tends to blow things out of proportion and I am not comfortable with telling her I have a problem.
I don’t know what to do because I really hate feeling like this.

[becomingthechange]

Thanks for the replies, it's nice to know I'm not the only one.  I guess I'm just really frustrated because I thought I was doing better but now it's back worse than before.  I know I need help, it's just hard, but thank you.

[Jikan]

Namaste,

Anxiety can manifest itself in physical symptoms and it sounds like you may be suffering from some form of anxiety, whether it be generalized anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder.

I have the same problem with people, isolating myself so I don't have to go through those negative feelings that accompany interaction with others.

You said that you would hate to see a professional, but, from what you say, that appears to be the only option if you want to get proper treatment, whether it be medication or counseling or both.

Good Luck!!

Michael

[jdtm]

Sounds as if you may be correct - GAD.  My sister and mother both suffer from GAD.  My sister got help - is on medication (Celexa) and is doing fine; my mother refuses to admit there is a problem and is a mess.  In my mother's case, as the years progressed, so did the severity of her anxiety.  By the way, anxiety is highly treatable and a very common disorder.  Your family doctor should be able to help you - just print out a copy of your posting and take it with you if you are uneasy about talking about your symptoms (it's probably time for a check-up anyway).  By the way, I expect your mother also suffers from GAD - she just has not yet admitted it (anxiety disorders tend to be genetic).  There is no reason to let GAD ruin your life - please see your family doctor as soon as possible.