Thinking about going to a doctor over my anxiety....Nervous though.

[WorriedOne84]

I've had issues with anxiety for awhile, never been to a doctor about it, but lately it's been out of control.  I'm embarassed to go  to a doctor and talk about this.  What will he ask?  What will he say?  Honesly, I think I need medication but I don't want him to think I'm crazy.

About a month after having surgery, for the first time, to removed my gallbladder I've been having a ton of anxiety.  I'm still having stomach issues and have convinced myself that something is seriously wrong.

Does this sound like anxiety?...I'm having trouble sleeping through the night.  A couple times, about an hour after going to sleep, I've woke up almost in a panic.  One time it was because I thought the house was on fire which in actuality was the light in the hallway.  Another time it was because I thought I forgot to do something at work 2 days earlier.  I hadn't even been thinking anything about work.  The worst thing is I'm having an extremely difficult time concentrating.  When people are talking to me I'm not paying attention because I'm focusing on my health issues.  Also I'm very irritable, moody, and worried about my health 24/7.

[beermonster]

For about a year now I have been suffering symptoms which for the first few months I would have sworn were physical and lurched from one pill to the next, one treatment to the next, then tried changing docs, and so on, only getting worse. I haven't put any label on it, but the nearest would be anxiety. Of course, when you suffer from anxiety, it's made worse by you worrying about your symptoms, so the circle is never ending and vicious.
Through a chain of events (I call it fate, you may call it something else) I came across someone who tried telling me that my symptoms were more likely emotionally / mentally based producing the physical symptoms.I then ended up on the doorstep of a chap I fondly call the Chinese Medicine Man.(He's a Taoist - David)) looking purely for some hypnotherapy to help control  the pain. Although i explained my symptoms, he wouldn't give me hypnotherapy cos he said I would reject it until I accepted that my illness wasn't physically based. (That's a precis of the conversations - he later told me that he knew as soon as i walked in it wasn't physically based).  Through him with counselling he's been getting me to convince myself that my problem is within myself, emotionally based. We're now at the stage of applying some nlp. Anyhow, as fate dictates I accidentally came across this web site http://www.anxietynomore.co.uk/ last week which rang bells, so bought the book. I smiled as I read it cos a lot of the symptoms are exactly mine and the solutions are a parallel to those discussed with David. (I'm not flogging the book - it's a v good site for anxiety sufferers - take a look at his blog).
So, to sum up, anxiety, or whatever label you like to give it is sourced from within, so the cure is from within. Pills or pot can help take the edge off it, but they can't cure you. It's down to you!
I have found, as an added bonus with David that Qi Gong and trying meditation helps a lot. Also, although i know my physical symptoms are triggered mentally, i have been learning to help alleviate them with trigger point therapy on my back, neck and head muscles. Put trigger point therapy into Amazon and a few books will come up. Attacking things from both ends:-)
Best of luck.

[samc0430]

I have suffered from Anxiety from a health condition also.  I have Heart Disease and was diagnosed in July 2008 and I recently received 4 stents.  I have been seeing both a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist weekly since my diagnosis.  I understand your concern but don’t be embarrassed or nervous about seeing a doctor for Anxiety.  I wouldn’t recommend going to a regular doctor for this as you wouldn’t see an ear doctor for a foot problem.  Make an appointment with a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist and I am sure you will be amazed how easy it will be to tell them of your feelings and how you may get some life changing advice or meds if needed.  If you are afraid of the meds thing then try a Psychologist first, they can’t prescribe meds.  Also, if you need Meds for your Anxiety you are not "CRAZY" millions of people are on Meds and many people you would never expect to be on them are.