How to deal with anxiety?

[Tom12345Tom12345]

Hi. For about 4 years I have been having weird little episodes of basically what I sum up as anxiety. I'm sure if you got me tested i would hVe some form of OCD or something similar. But I don't believe in labeling everything and eventually I get over these little parinoid skits that last from a few weeks to a few years. It's been anything from worried about cars passing by to dark magic parinoia ( ridiclas I know). Most recently Ive been worried about HIV. I had protected sex with a sex worker and the condom did not fail. In other forums I've been told I have no risk what so ever and I know this ( kinda) but I still worry. Something in the back of my mind is preventing me from living my life. It's not guilt. I don't know what to call it. Anyways in one months time ( sex happen two months ago) I will get a blood test that according to the medical forums will be conclusive. I can not tell you how much they have stressed that I do not need a test and I did not have a risk for HIV but till then can you give me some tips on how to quell this horrible dark vale from me.

[Tom12345Tom12345]

On a side note I have a very high iq of like
141, I've heard other people
With
Higher iq's
Can
Get some
Compulsive things like aspergers, do you think that could have anything to
Do with it?

[Tom12345Tom12345]

It's been really good talking to people
About this. Seeing the window
From
Both sides.

[Tom12345Tom12345]

I sometimes find reading a very fast pace book not only helps but puts things into perspective. You stop worrying for a while
Then when your done reading you reliZe your concerns are inflated
And your not thinking rationally. Try reading a
Good book like the hunger games or
Catch me If you
Can. The thing is if I drink at all, all my worrys are dormant, I relIze I'm being parinoid. And I'm
A smoker and while smoking I don't really worry about stupid things. I reliZe I shouldn't turn to
These things and I don't it's more if
You have a fun hobby you like
It will take things off your
Mind.

[ValerieMercury]

Sorry My "M" button is sticking for some reason

[ValerieMercury]

I feel the sae way. Soetimes a xanex helps but, they can be addicting. I have a lot of anxiety but mostly a fear of death. I try to find little things to keep me busy. Mental pain is unimaginably painful. I don't know what to do sometimes to except keep busy.

[nursegirl6572]

Hon, I've already given you advice on how to deal with it, and that involves professional help.  My advice to you is to print out a copy of this thread, and let your parents read it.  They may not have a clue to the severity of your issues and symptoms.  Of course they would want you to get help.  You really need to have an honest conversation with them and ask for help with this.  You've struggled with this for years, so you can obviously see it is not something that just goes away on its own.  You need how to retrain your brain, learn new ways to think and healthy ways to cope with anxiety that doesn't involve compulsions such as constant hand washing.

Give it a try, I think you are underestimating your parents here.  If you are over 18, you don't need your parents permission to seek professional help.  It's always better to be honest with your loved ones, but if you have to, seek help on your own.

[Tom12345Tom12345]

I watched the movie aviator with Leonardo dicaprio and in that movie the main character did certain strange OCD things, most of which I have done and currently do. Like hand washing constantly, fear of filth and germs,  getting overwhelmed under pressure, and in a description of the movie it described him as OCD and I relized I hVe done most of these and likely hVe it.  You see, my parents are supportive if I have medical concerns But heck if I talk to a conseller about a minor issue they call me a drama queen. I have never really told anyone about my OCD tendancys. I'll go thru all of them. It's quite a list, a few years ago I had an irrational fear of
Dark magic. Now I'm an athiest so that's changed. After that I had a horrible need to constantly wash my hands. I mean any surface
Questionable like saliva or blood could of touched I had to wash. And when you consider how many possible surfaces that could've touched i washing constantly. When i was young I had a bad experience with antifreeZe. I consumed a bit of it and had to get my stomach pumped. So later on for about a year i was in fear a car would pass by and squirt me with its windshield washer fluid. It was irrational and I cant tell you how stupid it seems now but at the time it was a daily night mare. Now I have HIV fear. Ive never shared needles and I've only had protected sex. Is there any advice you can give me on how to help me help myself

[nursegirl6572]

If you have paranoid "skits" that are lasting a few years, then you have a problem that needs addressed.  No one likes "labels", but no one likes to suffer needlessly either, not when there is so much help out there.

You are exhibiting a lot of signs of OCD-like behavior, but you need to be seen by a psychiatrist for a thorough evaluation so you can receive an accurate diagnosis, and then discuss treatment.

There is just no reason to continue on like this, when you can free yourself of a lot of these worries with treatment.

[Tom12345Tom12345]

This anxiety is killing me