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Someone Put Perspective On My Anxiety, Please?

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I haven't been diagnosed, but i'm starting to make sense of what's going on in my head.

A little over a month ago, I suffered a very bad [and also shocking] allergic reaction to aspirin. I remember experiencing hyperventilation for the first time in my life and thinking that I was going to die. Not fun.

Used to being as healthy as a horse for as long as I can remember, my brain derived from these experiences the realization that my body is not invincible, and a i'm a potential walking health tragedy. Ever since then, i've been experiencing:

sharp, quick pains on the side of my head
sharp, quick chest pain [although this has only happened once or twice, and far inbetween]
low energy
bouts of frequent near-lightheadedness.


Those are always combined with me mentally telling my body to stay calm, not to panic, not to worry, and not to hyperventilate. Of course, the anxiety is nearly impossible to get rid of.


Then again, other side of my head tells me that i've self-diagnosed myself with anxiety disorder, that there really is something physically wrong with me, and that i'm making it worse by writing it off as being mental.


A vicious cycle, isn't it?


My boyfriend told me that the paranoia following my illnesses along with the instablity of the move-out process [i'm going away to college come fall for the first time, adding a numerous list of worries] could be triggering my anxiety.


What do you think? Is anxiety disorder a floodgate that once opened, stays with you forever? Or is it something that can be kept under control when you provide outlets for the stress?

Should I talk to somebody about it? Should I go get another physical? Should I take yoga?


I want to go back to normal, and enjoy life worry-free again.


Last edited by starinmyjar on October 14th, 2005 12:09 PM; edited 1 time in total
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replied July 31st, 2005
Experienced User
You Will Be Ok...
Hey,
it sounds like you do have some kind of anxiety or panic disorder. Some people do have it their whole lives some people don't. There are ways to manage it and cope with it. I would suggest going to a therapist to get to the bottom of what causes it oh and get on some medication. In the meantime I would write in a journal two to three times a day sometimes that will help you de-stress, and/or get to the bottom of what is causing the panic. When you begin to panic look back on your journal and put into perspective.
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replied July 31st, 2005
Thanks! The journal idea sounds wonderful. Writing is such a relaxor. Although, i'm not really too keen on taking meds. I've always been the type to avoid taking unnecessary drugs. So, if there's a holistic remedy, i'll jump at the chance!
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replied August 1st, 2005
Experienced User
The journal is a fabulous idea. I started my journal way back in 1997 (my second year in college) and every now and again when i'm totally stressed I read that first entry . . . And see how out of my mind I was. Kind of puts things back in perspective for me. So yeah, i'd give a thumbs up to keeping a journal. Yoga's a good idea, too. I personally do taekwondo and that helps a lot.
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replied August 1st, 2005
Hi sorry you are feeling so awful, I used to get really bad anxiety and it was awful one thing that did help was an anxiety management class I went to it made me realise that I wasnt alone and there were other people going through the same things. Maybe try and find out about things like this in your area. Keep your chin up.
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