health and school anxiety

[youngguy800]

Hey i am a 20 year old male and have had anxiety problems for awhile. i took zoloft then switched to paxil then weaned myself of about a year ago. Im thinking about getting back on something again bc im am constantly stressed out/unhappy. I am a pre-med student and this semester is killing my soul. Also, I ALWAYS feel like something is wrong with me medically and feel like i need to see a doctor for one thing and then another etc. Like at the moment i havent been eating because it i feel like something is stuck at the bottom of my throat and it hurts badly to swallow food... I cant recall a time when i was just not worried about something/feeling like i should be doing work... Just wondering if anyone had any suggestions about anything and about getting back on some meds that can calm me down or make me happier. thanks!

[jlroesner]

Hi youngguy,
As a pre-med student, I'm sure you under a lot of pressure and stress.  Maybe you could go to the school clinic and speak to a doctor there?  I know a lot of colleges offer support in the way of free counseling and support groups, maybe one of those?  I agree with Rich that taking time to just stop and do some relaxation is quite important.  Believe me, I know how hard it is (being a full-time nursing student and a full-time to 5), but you just have to force yourself to spend 30 minutes a day (at least) on relaxation or down time.  Not worrying about what you should be doing, not being upset about something that has happened in the past.  Personally, I have really been helped and grounded by mindfulness meditation.  If you do a YouTube search for Jon Kabat-Zin (he's my favorite) or mindfulness mediation you'll find some awesome videos!  Good luck to you.  Jen

[Rich99]

First you sound like you are suffering mental stress from the heavy load of pre-med studies.    You seem to fear failure so you cannot spend an idle moment ever cause that failure might become reality.   That stress is then turning into those physical symptoms you describe.   Those symptoms are then making you more anxious and so it becomes a vicious cycle.    You say you always feel you should be working.     Maybe you should learn to take time out from your hectic schedule and include some relaxing recreational activities.    I know,  easier said then done but you have picked up some bad mental habits through the years.   It will take a long time to now undo those habits and change your thinking.