[pngindreamr]

Hello everyone, I am SJ, I am a sophmore in college and have a wonderful family, friends and boyfriend, overall great life. Although ever since I was a child, I have had excessive worry and anxiousness. I haven't never been formally diagnosed with anything, although a guidance counselor screened me in elementary school and said I had anxiety issues. I am too worried/embarrassed to talk to my doctor about how I feel. I am more comfortable sticking with my physical health issues, like my severe allergies. I do yoga to help control my worry/anxiousness but I am trying to reach out and talk with others who are having the same problems. I worry about daily things, no matter how small they will be on my mind. My most common anxious thoughts/fears are that I have/might get some serious health problem, that something will happened to a loved one, and being embarrassed about something I did wrong, or made a mistake on, or that I am being judged/or talked about. Today, I had one of those feelings like everything I'm doing doesn't matter because I could not exist tomorrow, and then I worry about what I'm worrying about because thats not something normal to worry about it, and its this vicious cycle that never ends! And when I am nervous I constantly rub my eyebrow, and have to mess with something like a necklace. But the eyebrow rubbing has become constant to the point where I am creating red marks and losing hair, it worries me that I cannot stop this, and that it does calm me down when I do it. Does anyone have any of the same feelings or could provide insight?

[onmyway]

Hello, and welcome. I am by no means an expert, so you may take this with a grain of salt, but to me what you describe sounds kinda like generalized anxiety disorder and perhaps social anxiety as well.. but again, i only say this because i HAVE been dx'd with both of those and you sound a lot like me lol

You mention you do yoga, are there other things you do to help with your anxiety? I can mention some coping and preventative ideas that i've been given, but before i do that i should ask what else you've tried so that i'm not boring you with repetitive nonsense. Please do not be scared to talk to your doctor, they truly have seen and heard it all, and mood or anxiety disorders are surprisingly common. I promise you, that unless your dr is a complete idiot, they will not be judging you or thinking less of you while you describe how you're feeling, in fact likely the opposite and most drs, (yes, you hear the horror stories of insensitive jerks) but MOST doctors would respond to you with kindness and compassion. You deserve to feel okay. You deserve to feel normal. And i would strongly suggest you talk to your dr.. maybe bring your boyfriend or a trusted friend with you for support?

[Seshat]

Hi, SJ. Welcome! I'm a sophomore in college too. Just like onmyway said, I'm not an expert either, but I have very similar problems. Therefore, I'm here if you need someone to talk about it. Yoga has helped me a lot as well. If you really like it, I suggest you keep up with it. I'm glad to hear you have supportive loved-ones near you.

[sundog]

Hi SJ. Welcome! I can relate to so much of what you say here. I have a lot of the same anxieties you mention, and several more besides. And, like you, my anxieties go way back to my early childhood.

I guess one of the first things I want to say is that there is no need to feel embarrassed about mentioning your anxiety issues to your doctor. Anxiety is incredibly common and your doctor will be well-used to hearing his patients broach this subject. There is help available for Anxiety Disorders and certain types of therapy have proven to be very successful for many people. If left untreated, Anxiety Disorders can get very severe so I would really recommend you consider some professional help. Your doc could refer you to a therapist, for example. Again, please don't let embarrassment prevent you from getting the support you need. It's great you're reaching out here and I really hope you're able to reach out in real life too

Wishing you all the very best (((((SJ))))) Let us know how you're doing!

[Cyran0]

I don't have the social anxiety piece you describe but all the other parts, yup, you may as well be talking about me. And yes, my anxiety goes back to childhood too (I actually developed an ulcer in the 3rd grade).

The health concerns I really get, as well as the worrying about worrying part.

I get a lot out of talking with people here, it really does help and since we're all in the same miserable boat, nobody is in a position to judge.

Cyran0

[pngindreamr]

Thank you all so much for being so nice and welcoming. I felt better as soon I read y'alls responses. It is nice to know others are going through the same things. I will continue to post here to discuss feelings. To onmyway, I have tried meditation, and writing a journal of all my thoughts. That is about as far as I have gone is coping techniques. I am very open to suggestions. I am planning on meeting with my doctor soon, I know what you are saying that it is nothing to be embarrassed out, but for some reason I am just anxious about it.You know how random the worry can be, even if you know its not logical to be worried about it . Also, I always wondered whether I might have social anxiety problems too, many of you mentioned it. I have always been nervous with social situations and avoid many unfamilar ones, and feel more comfortable listening to people than talking at a fear of saying something dumb/or embarrassing. Only if I do not know the people well, I talk a lot to my friends/family. I always worry people think negatively of me and are talking about me. So I am figuring it out, and hopefully I will be able to go through with the doctor's visit. Thank you all again and I will keep you all posted on my progress.

[sundog]

Originally Posted by sjcart86

You know how random the worry can be, even if you know its not logical to be worried about it .

That is so true! I guess that's why they are called "irrational fears". Because these sorts of fears don't tend to respond to logic or reasoning. It's really frustrating!! I think all we can do in that situation is just try and do what we need to do, even if it's scary (I know that's way easier said than done though!!)

Wishing you all the very best (((((((((((((SJ))))))))))))))))

[lachrymose]

welcome...I'm new too, and so much of your post sounds like it could be me! it's good to find folks who understand, huh?

[pngindreamr]

Okay update to everyone I made a doctors appt for next month, and said it was for anxiety so I could not avoid dicussing it. Thanks for the encouragement.

And Exactly sun dog, thank you!

Welcome lachrymose, it is very nice to hear of people who understand and are going through the same thing, makes you feel less alone in your situation. we are here to help and support each other, while finding help ourselves.

[sundog]

That's great!! ((((SJ)))) Well done!!!!

[Cyran0]

sj, awesome! So glad to hear you're going to get help. It takes a lot of guts to do that so congratulations.

Cyran0