Me too.

It's a good list though; I often think that anxiety symptom lists are a bit too simplistic. You read about 'dry mouth' and think - so what? Whose afraid of a dry mouth?

Periwinkle, your idea of recording the radio noises was inspired. It gives someone a chance to understand something of the position we are in, although it still doesn't actually PUT them in the situation. That would be the real deal. The repetitive thoughts we sufferers have are often personal and horribly intimate. It's on a whole different level of suffering. I have between 100-300 negative thoughts a day, either spontaneous or triggered, and they are very nasty indeed. Fortunately I've learned to let them pass me by, but it's still like being cooped up with my enemies, it's never cosy.

It is the knowledge that we are personally trapped with this illness which is the real challenge, and you have to 'walk the walk' to know what that is really like.

Here is something funny. When people are diagnosed with tinnitus (which I also have) the doctors are always very careful to remind us that tinnitus is a physical problem of the inner ear. They say 'don't worry, the noise is physical, you're not going mad'. So - 'going mad' would be the worst case scenario would it? ---- Yes. That is the level of fear that exists even in the medical profession of this possibility - which for some of us is a daily reality.

I hope I haven't upset anyone with this post, but I just want to say that it is very hard dealing with this stuff on a daily basis, and even if we maintain a positive outlook (which I do) it is important to remember that we are on 'the road less travelled' and a person who does not have these symptoms will never, ever, know what we bravely endure.

My respect to everyone here at PC and everyone who has a mental illness of any kind.

Peaceful thoughts, M