Anxiety and Stress Forum - Anyone Have These Symptoms? Is this an anxiety attack?

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Q: Anyone Have These Symptoms? Is this an anxiety attack?

asked by: brookster29 on September 10th, 2007

New User

I'm a 20 year old college junior and that comes with a lot of stress. I do have anxiety issues and am on 0.5mg of Ativan for my anxiety, but was directed to only take it before bed if I'm feeling particularly wound-up.

Well about once or twice a week, if something stresses me out, it can be as little as feeling like I have nothing to wear I just shut down and my whole body tenses up, I feel panicky, like just ripping my hair out and its hard to breath. I feel like all my clothes are too tight and everything is compressing in on me. I feel really icky if that makes any sense and often times end up just taking a shower which helps...however, it takes quite a while to calm down from one of these episodes.

Is this an anxiety attack? Has anyone had this problem? I'm going to meet with my doctor and see if there is a differen't course of action he wants to take so hopefully it doesn't get that far anymore.

Any comments would be appreciated!

Replies(7)

ldarcy1234

replied on September 10th, 2007

New User

This absolutely sounds like anxiety. You are doing the right thing by seeing your doctor, however most MD's aren't experts on anxiety so don't be surprised if he doesn't have all the answers you need. If possible, ask him to refer you to a counsellor who specializes in anxiety if possible. Also, spend some time researching relaxation and mediation techniques on the internet, you can also try the book "Hope and Help for Your Nerves" by Claire Weeks - it's old but very helpful, and available at most libraries. Above all, try to remember it's your overworked nervous system causing these feelings, you will not die or go crazy, even if it feels that way. Good luck!!

ldarcy1234

CarolDiane

replied on September 23rd, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

Getting Worse?

Sounds to me you are back treading water here. Might be time to talk to your Doc about med's. Just don't let it take hold of you before you seek some help. It could be as simple as a change in when you take it. But, I would definatly talk to my doc about it.

MsSky

aquasea

replied on September 23rd, 2007

New User

It sounds like a panic attack to me. You should go talk to your doctor about it, because if these episods are occuring as often as twice a week, it may be a panic/anxiety disorder.

brookster29

replied on September 24th, 2007

New User

Thank you all for your input, it makes me feel better to hear back on this.

CarolDiane

replied on September 25th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

Also sounds like your doc order that to help you sleep. As I said in my above post, take to your doc about it. Might just have to alter or add a dose durning the day for you. See what doc says.

MsSy

keys101

replied on September 26th, 2007

Experienced User

I have a friend who gets anxiety attacks pretty bad and that sounds like exactly what happens to him.

kmabethy2005

replied on September 28th, 2007

Experienced User

i used to have anxiety much worse than i do now, it used to get to the point where i would have literal panic attacks, and would have to be rushed to the emergency room because i would lose all control of my right side, it would be very numb and prickly. then the doc put me on busbar, i believe, very light dosage, but wow! the results were great Smile

it was fast acting, and i could actually get through my day without feeling overwhelmed about everything. now, i get it usually when i wake up once in a while, probably because i feel like i'm being rushed around when there is no hurry

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