I'm going to the doctor tomorrow.

[Tara_Oz]

Since Christmas Eve last wednesday, I've been feeling very anxious and basically sick to my stomach. I've been going to sleep at I suppose normal times, and I've been waking up exhausted and lethargic. I've also been depressed on and off for about two to three weeks or so, and I think it's making things worse. I feel like I don't want to do anything because I'm so tired, I've lost my appetite but I'm also still hungry at the same time. I've also been paranoid that I'm going to start hearing voices. I think I have a fear of becoming mentally unstable. But I know I'm sane, and yet I'm convinced that something is wrong. I've been researching all types of different disorders and I feel like I have everything: Stress, Anxiety, Depression. I've felt less paranoid these past few days, so I feel more sane. By the way I'm 18 and on Winter break from college. I've had panic attacks before, but nothing this bad. My dad and uncle both have anxiety, but no one else in the family have ever had any other mental illnesses. Is there a connection between severe anxiety and paranoia? I just feel so off, like I can't concentrate. Hopefully my doctor can refer me to a therapist. But until tomorrow any information would be greatly appreciated.

[RubyWitch]

So, if I'm reading this correctly, for about 3, maybe 4 weeks, you've been having feelings of anxiety and depression which have included feeling lethargic, loss of appetite, paranoia and did I read this right.............a fear that you'll begin to hear voices?! Good Lord young lady! What kinds of web sites have you been "researching?"

My first bit of advice is to STOP looking up "symptom" websites this instant! I am very, very serious about that advice. You said it yourself.........you now feel like you have "everything!" Did you not have time to get to the brain tumor and cancer sections yet? You might as well toss those into your stew of maladies! If you keep reading those "Dear Disease" places, you'll end up with both of those as well.

You say you've had panic attacks before. So...........did you see your doctor about them? What did he say? Did he put you on any meds? Recommend any therapy? Did you just have one or two and then they went away? You also state this runs in your family, with your father and uncle. What is going on with them now? Have you discussed this with them?

Is there a connection between anxiety and paranoia? How's this for an answer..........I dunno, maybe, possibly, could be, sort of, sometimes, maybe not, probably not..........

The above is an excellent reason why you need to see a medical specialist and tell him/her everything you've just written to us.

Do you think it's possible that the Christmas season just got a bit overwhelming, that no doubt the stress of pre-holiday exams at college made you just a wee anxious, that being back in the bossom of your family, while probably no doubt a wonderful time you were really looking forward to, just maybe that got to be a tad......smothering? There are endless possibilities about what brought this on in such a short time period. And none of them have to do with insanity or hearing voices!

Lay it all out to your doc tomorrow and don't hesitate to bring up therapy. Most colleges have therapy available to students, something to think about.

I do not for one minute think you are going insane! Did you know that the truly insane NEVER think they are? Don't EVER ask if they might be?
I think you are having some mild anxiety about something that you're just not dealing with or got overwhelmed with everything you had to get done in a relatively short time span. And then you had to go and spend time on the "I'm Going Insane" website and here are all the 5 million symptoms to prove it!

I AM poking you with a little stick here, but I DO know and I DO understand that you are scared. I just don't think you have anything to be scared of. You're 18. It's a massively huge transitional age. You're off/away at college. You're growing up and you're growing away from your home, your family and the naive young high school woman..........for some of us who happen to carry the "A" chromozome (anxiety) then this might be an excellent time for you to really explore yourself, to not let this disorder get the better of you. (IF you even have it!) Meet it head on.

Please let us know what the doctor had to say, OK? I am very interested! I know you're going to be just fine.
Peace
Greenlydia