[k.crist90]

I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression back when I was in seventh grade by a Psychiatrist. I felt I was doing better until after I graduated high school then I got dramatically worse and was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder with and without Agoraphobia, Social Anxiety, and Depression. That was basically the diagnoses that were in place for like 5 years now. Anyways lately, I think there could be more going on, but I am unsure.

The past few months (on top of the anxiety, panic and mild depression), I also have a 'touch' of Obsession thoughts according to my doctor. I was put on a handful of medications; pretty well trial and error, but finally found a stable regiment. It works somewhat, but not totally. My psychiatrist (after seeing him after for 5 years); declared I was disabled because my psychiatrist disorders are severe. Anyways, these past few months I have been having more trouble with wanting to lock my car doors immediately upon getting in. At night, if I get out of the car I leave the lights on until I am out and right before I shut the door I turn the lights off and shut the door and lock it and run into my house (I live with my parents). Anyways, I have to lock the doors in our house as well; as I feel like someone will come in. I seem to deal with that thought a lot which makes me want to lock doors. I sometimes hear things like I think someone is talking to me but I didn't hear it and I say "what?"--only for no one to answer and no one was even talking to me to begin with. Then when it comes to visual hallucinations; it comes and goes but when it does 'come'; I see random things like I think I'll see someone out of the corner of my eye but its actually nothing. I have went downstairs to our basement to wash clothes and when I was walking down the steps I thought I seen a pair of legs and as I came to the bottom of the steps it was someone hanging by the rafters; but the image disappears quick. There are other things too; like standing outside and I think I see someone I know standing there but its no one at all.

My question is; is this just anxiety or panic disorder? I have had anxiety pretty bad to the point I have vomited because of the severity. Same goes for panic disorder, but I never experienced the excessive worry of someone trying to get me, locking doors, and seeing and hearing things randomly until the past few months.

Any input on this would be greatly appreciated!

[CANDC]

Welcome to Psych Central k.crist90. Sorry you are struggling with anxiety. It is very common in this high stress world in which we live. I would be surprised if your psychiatrist did not present you with medicines to reduce your anxiety. If not, seeking another psychiatric evaluation and meds from another psych doc is advisable IMO.

If you can only make life style changes, one thing I try is a breathing exercise to focus on breath instead of fighting with the thoughts.

Breathing exercise with natural breathing do not force.
If you are feeling very anxious or angry or just want to calm down, you can try a breathing exercise that takes the attention away from the trigger of anxiety to a simple tool of counting breaths.

Find a comfortable position seated or laying down. Begin to relax your breathing. Silently count 1 on the inhale, and two on the exhale. Then silently count 3 on the inhale and 4 on the exhale. Continue up to 10 or until you lose the count then return to one. No judgement. I sometimes end up at 18 then smile and return to 1. The idea is to focus on the breath and the counting and not get sucked into the anxiety or anger trigger. Also works to quiet the mind.

I have to watch what I eat because foods I eat can stabilize my moods or exaggerate them. A high protein low carb diet with snacks or meals every 3-4 hours will over time reduce my swings. I also avoid alcohol and recreational drugs because those can really increase depression.

Other lifestyle changes that help me are doing yoga, exercises, mindfulness, calm music, and being active on Psych Central.

Glad you are joining us here. There are lots of compassionate people here that can make the load lighter by sharing and caring. Feel free to participate actively at Psych Central.
http://forums.psychcentral.com

Please feel free to private message me or any of the Community Liaisons by left clicking on the name in blue to the left of their post) for questions or just to share.

[avlady]

do you do drugs and drink alcohol? hopefully not but if so i would stop if i were you. its sad you have this happening to you, i've been there too, until i was put on clonazapine. it helped greatly. i am ok right now, just having some sleep issues myself, but i have sleep apnea too. i hope you can get a handle on this, maybe get a new doc or t if you need to too. good luck

[pegasus]

Hello K.crist90,

The obsession with locking the doors is about safety and OCD is often part of anxiety, in that the OCD actions are trying to make the anxiety feel safer. Those OCD actions will settle down once the anxiety is managed. It is likely that your seeing things is also part of anxiety as we are hyper vigilant when we are in this state, like a frightened rabbit looking for a fox! If you start losing touch with reality though and have hallucinations (seeing/hearing/sensory) then you need to be telling your mental health team. Distress can lead to psychosis so please keep in contact with your mental health team for support.