[jacq10]

I'm not really sure if this is even the right spot to post this .... but i think what i've been feeling lately is anxiety, and i was hoping that maybe i could get some input as to if you guys think it is or not.See i've never really been good with the whole "label" thing, so when someone says "anxiety" to me ... i'm not completely sure what it means, or if i've been truly experiencing it.

Okay so, lately i've been really depressed (and have been for over a couple years) and just stressed over midterms, friends, family, etc .. and i've made some pretty major decisions in the past month or so, and when i go to this certain spot on campus, or when i'm around a big group of people, or even when i'm just stressing over something, i sometimes get pains in my chest, or in my stomach ... and my heart rate speeds up and its almost like i'm breathing harder to calm myself down. I dont have any health problems ... and these things have just been happening more recently. Is this some form of anxiety? My T mentioned that she felt i had some anxiety ... but i just started seeing her, and so i didn't want to ask more about it ... i will though. But yeah, I'm so confused ... and maybe this is a really dumb question ... but i need to find out, so if anyone has any imput whatsoever that would be really helpful.

Thanks so much

[Bethsway]

sounds like you are having panic attacks...yes it can be from anxiety...ask your therapist for sure though...

[faeryduster]

It sounds to me like a textbook type of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) The pains in the chest, tightness, hard to breathe, pulse going through the roof & they sometimes just come out of nowhere. Sounds like you could use a good, patient T & perhaps a mild anti-anxiety drug to keep you on an even keel. Talking out anxieties are very important otherwise, the stress level builds to a point where it does cause health problems. (hypertension, blurred vision, insomnia etc) FYI.....good luck