[CosmicRose]

I'm not even sure why I have issues with anxiety but I'm guessing it's related to confidence or self esteem. I'm not even sure why I would have problems with self esteem anyway, none of it makes sense to me. All I know is that I'm very ashamed of my anxiety. I feel like a freak, or like I'm weak. Like I'm somehow so abnormal from other people. I wish they would come out with a pill that magically took away anxiety. So far, from my experience, none of the medications have worked on me. I've tried xanex, I've tried beta blockers, I've tried paxil and Prozac, and one that started with an L that knocked me out for over 12 hours, and others that I can't remember the name of. None of those worked, they either just made me tired or made my emotions go up and down, but never did anything for my actual anxiety.

Anxiety is genetic, my dad calls it his family curse. Apparently my grandpa had it and battled with it his entire life, my dad battled it, and a couple of male cousins deal with it as well. Why would I have anxiety though? There's literally no reason that I can pinpoint. I should have all the confidence in the world, but I fear other people's opinions or reactions or criticism at me to a whole other level, and it really holds me back, it's more than being shy, it's a crippling anxiety. The other day I actually stuttered talking to another female while I was making an appointment, and I don't even normally stutter at all. What the heck?

I just wish there was a pill to calm my flight or fight adrenaline response down the frig.

[gayleggg]

I'm with you. A magic pill would be great. I take klonopin but it only works on the anxeity a little bit, it could do better.

[berthegel]

I have anxiety , I find that eating bananas helps calm my stomach , and the potassium in them is supposed to be good for mood

[made08]

Yeah, same here. I wish they were a magic pill that could make us all feel safe

[muncie]

Originally Posted by CosmicRose

I'm not even sure why I have issues with anxiety but I'm guessing it's related to confidence or self esteem. I'm not even sure why I would have problems with self esteem anyway, none of it makes sense to me. All I know is that I'm very ashamed of my anxiety. I feel like a freak, or like I'm weak. I should have all the confidence in the world, but I fear other people's opinions or reactions or criticism at me to a whole other level, and it really holds me back, it's more than being shy, it's a crippling anxiety.

We must have been cut from the same mold Cosmic, and I wish I had good advice to give you, but sadly I don't. I've felt this way most of my life and I'm a senior lady now. It definitely has something to do with confidence, not feeling good enough and fearful people will notice I'm nervous (especially in a new situation). I even put off looking for work for a long time because of this. But once I got the job, I was okay. Maybe it has something to do with first impressions, meeting new people. I've gotten much better over the years, gained confidence just by living Life. It still rears its head now and then, especially when I have to have medical tests (embarrassed if I look nervous). I was thinking the other day, I should just say I have an anxiety disorder if they ask (it's on my dr.'s records anyway). Tranquilizers do help about 50%, but after a while these thoughts become hard wired and hard to reverse. I still don't feel good enough. Although I married and worked for many years and enjoy a comfortable retirement, we never had a family. That makes me feel different and not as good. Like you, ran in my family. Dad suffered from depression and low self esteem and mom anxiety. So I just wanted you to know you're not alone, and as you age I'm sure this will get better for you. Life is full of many difficulties, there are other things that will require your full attention and take your mind off yourself and how you are perceived. I did read your post on Dr. Harry Barry and thought it quite good. I wish you the best Cosmic Rose, us sensitive ones have to support each other, it's hard to understand unless you've been there and we sure have. p.s. I just read made08's comment, and her statement about being safe hit a nerve. When those feelings surface there is a feeling of not being safe, of just wanting to escape.

[BLUEDOVE]

I had it nearly my whole life,and I too was ashamed
and thought I was weak. But regardless of how it
came about,it is a recognized ILLNESS (which I did
not know at time),so please stop putting dear self
down. Here are steps I took: 1.Studied and lifted my
self-esteem 2.Studied and made myself able to be
self-assertive 3.Studied and learned to be self-compassionate 4.And through these,came to
have self-respect. As you can see,the answers are
NOT outside the self,but INSIDE the self.
Only by having these 'tools' so to speak will you be
ABLE to face and do what you are afraid to do now.
The way out is THROUGH,not around or avoided.
If need more info message me.
Deepest Respect,
BLUEDOVE

[where.ever.you.are.]

Originally Posted by CosmicRose

I'm not even sure why I have issues with anxiety but I'm guessing it's related to confidence or self esteem. I'm not even sure why I would have problems with self esteem anyway, none of it makes sense to me. All I know is that I'm very ashamed of my anxiety. I feel like a freak, or like I'm weak. Like I'm somehow so abnormal from other people. I wish they would come out with a pill that magically took away anxiety. So far, from my experience, none of the medications have worked on me. I've tried xanex, I've tried beta blockers, I've tried paxil and Prozac, and one that started with an L that knocked me out for over 12 hours, and others that I can't remember the name of. None of those worked, they either just made me tired or made my emotions go up and down, but never did anything for my actual anxiety.

Anxiety is genetic, my dad calls it his family curse. Apparently my grandpa had it and battled with it his entire life, my dad battled it, and a couple of male cousins deal with it as well. Why would I have anxiety though? There's literally no reason that I can pinpoint. I should have all the confidence in the world, but I fear other people's opinions or reactions or criticism at me to a whole other level, and it really holds me back, it's more than being shy, it's a crippling anxiety. The other day I actually stuttered talking to another female while I was making an appointment, and I don't even normally stutter at all. What the heck?

I just wish there was a pill to calm my flight or fight adrenaline response down the frig.

Im the same way. A combination of therapy and medication will help. You need to talk to a psychiatrist so he/she can get to the root of the problem.

[electricbipolargirl]

Originally Posted by CosmicRose

I'm not even sure why I have issues with anxiety but I'm guessing it's related to confidence or self esteem. I'm not even sure why I would have problems with self esteem anyway, none of it makes sense to me. All I know is that I'm very ashamed of my anxiety. I feel like a freak, or like I'm weak. Like I'm somehow so abnormal from other people. I wish they would come out with a pill that magically took away anxiety. So far, from my experience, none of the medications have worked on me. I've tried xanex, I've tried beta blockers, I've tried paxil and Prozac, and one that started with an L that knocked me out for over 12 hours, and others that I can't remember the name of. None of those worked, they either just made me tired or made my emotions go up and down, but never did anything for my actual anxiety.

Anxiety is genetic, my dad calls it his family curse. Apparently my grandpa had it and battled with it his entire life, my dad battled it, and a couple of male cousins deal with it as well. Why would I have anxiety though? There's literally no reason that I can pinpoint. I should have all the confidence in the world, but I fear other people's opinions or reactions or criticism at me to a whole other level, and it really holds me back, it's more than being shy, it's a crippling anxiety. The other day I actually stuttered talking to another female while I was making an appointment, and I don't even normally stutter at all. What the heck?

I just wish there was a pill to calm my flight or fight adrenaline response down the frig.

If they had a magic pill to take anxiety away completely, I would spend my last dime on it.