I Have Severe Anxiety. AMA.

As someone who suffers from severe anxiety, I've found that talking to others about their experiences with it has helped me put it into perspective. I'm actually amazed at how common it is.

I've been to see several doctors and psychiatrists regarding it and have tried several forms of medication. Nothing has the same positive effect as a good conversation with someone who can relate.

I'm pretty open about it and am happy to answer any questions regarding my, or your experiences.

 

Out of interest, can you be referred for CBT therapy for Severe Anxiety? I understand CBT can help rationalise specific issues, but can it also work for Anxiety in a general sense?

You mentioned medication but not talking therapies/CBT etc.

 

When has your anxiety been the worst in a situation? I used to have seriously fucked up anxiety when I couldn't even speak to my teachers and ask for help, I can't speak to the cash registers at the shop, if some random tried to talk to me while I'm walking or at school I'd end up freaking out saying one short word and walking away.

Thing is, I don't care what people think of me, I just get super nervous/anxious and I just can't do it. It's getting a little bit better everyday as I age and learn to express myself more like you said, talking to people has really helped me more than anything.

 

The psychologist I saw taught me a few CBT techniques, such as breathing and muscle relaxing. However, these haven't helped as much as I had hoped.

The worst of my symptoms is nausea, so when I'm in a situation where it kicks in, taking a deep breath isn't really a great idea, it feels like I'm preparing to vomit.

I'm sure it's different for everyone, but after a few sessions we concluded that for me to get through an episode, I had to subconsciously not think about it, which is as close to impossible as you can get.

Essentially, I panic about panicking. So, I have to somehow keep my mind off it without consiously doing so.

I can relate pretty closely to this. My anxiety was the worst in a job interview I went to. I honestly felt like I was going to die, which is hard for others to grasp. Since then, I've always worried that it's going to hit me like that again, hence the panic about panicking.

Although I've officially been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), I have most trouble in social situations. Parties, clubs and meetings? No thank you, I avoid them like the plague. I don't have a normal job, I work from home. I've made a few connections in the workforce and they are helping me get back into it, but it's a slow process.

Speaking of cash registers, I'm usually okay in those situations, however, last week I did my weekly shop and had a pretty heavy episode at the register. I controlled it long enough to pay, grab my shit and haul ass.

 

Precisely this. I've had social anxiety and really bad paranoia for a number of years. My paranoia can get to the point where I think someone's following me and I'm going to be murdered, and I just can't take it and need to go home. Luckily, my anxiety is at the point where if a bad situation presents itself I have a couple of beta blockers (I'm on antidepressants anyways), steady myself and I'm good - but I still get that shower of dread and panic on occasion.

Best of luck with getting back in to the workplace buddy.

 

Have you always had anxiety or did you develop it after a traumatizing event? idk how this shit works but im kinda curious

 

Nobody is born with anxiety per say, i.e. there is no gene. But you could say people can suffer symptoms of or have the attitude of being socially anxious from a young age. It's more to do with your environment than your genes. It can be built up over time if your brain "learns" to be socially anxious or it can develop after, as you say, something traumatic. Personally mine's correlated to PTSD.

 

Although I don't suffer from paranoia, I can understand what it must feel like. I take a precautionary beta blocker before I go to certain things that I know I may have an episode, like getting a haircut or going to the bank. I have a prescription to 30mg of Cymbalta, which I take daily. Honestly, it's made my outlook on the whole situation more positive, but it hasn't helped with the actual anxiety at all. I provides the 'can do' attitude, I guess I have to do the rest the hard way.

I also have a back up prescription to *****, which hits me pretty hard so I don't take it. It'd be useful for things like, going on a plane etc.

I haven't always had it. It's been around for about 3 - 4 years, but only really became an issue in the last 18 months. I went through a pretty rough break up, which also negatively impacted my work situation, causing that to break down too. It was pretty downhill from there, but is starting to pick back up, thank god.

 

I wish there was something I could suggest to completely conquer your anxiety.

I, myself, have anxiety. Severe at times, moderate at others. Regardless of the severity of the disorder, it's not fun nor exciting per episode.

I'm not entirely sure what sets me off, it happens spontaneously, usually during the early morning or mid-day and more frequently the when I get less sleep.

There are two times when I'm entirely anxiety free, for the most part.
1. When I work
2. When I hunt
During both activities I usually never experience anxiety. It's quite odd, I'm a firefighter for the city so you would imagine my job would set my anxiety off but it doesn't. I can't remember a time when I've experienced anxiety at work. In fires, small spaces, high altitudes, never. You would think being in a confined space would set anxiety off, never.

Second, when I hunt. Usually when I'm outdoors, regardless of the situation, I never have anxiety. It doesn't occur during this time for another odd reason.

I've spoken to a friend, who is now a psychologist. He claims the adrenaline from my job conquers anxiety and makes it near impossible to hade an episode. Along with hunting, my mind is completely somewhere else which takes my concern off other issues. He has recommended me, in the past, to completely concentrate on the task ahead of me. Meaning, if I'm driving, think about driving and only about driving. Not about where I'm going, the possibility of accidents while driving or any drivers on the road. This has severely moderated the amount of anxiety I experience.

Although it is hard to use your brain in such example, it is possible. It does take time and won't happen over night. If you can accomplish this it will demolish the majority of your anxiety.

Think only about the task you're completing, nothing more.

 

My first job interview was awful, we had to do it with around 20 other people in the room and when it was my time to stand up and do my little presentation I froze and stuttered so much, I just feel awful I need to get over it.
I understand exactly what you mean when you say you feel like you're going to die, it's the worst feeling especially when it happens randomly and you can't control it. I'm fine over the internet/skype with talking to people but as soon as it's face to face I just can't.

I'm very anti-social and tend to avoid events even if it's just going out for the day with people I feel comfortable with, I panic and think things are going to go wrong. I was a very out going child and developed this 2-3 years ago which has stopped me from reaching a lot of my full potential especially in school - I used to get picked for a lot of events but now I can't do it because of my anxiety.

 

I have the type of anxiety that makes me feel that the world is looking at me and judging me for everything I do. It only hits me when I am outside of my house for some reason. I feel so uncomfortable in my own skin sometimes; it is unreal. Its not because I am fat, but I feel like everyone is staring at me for some reason when I know they are not.

 

Ive suffered it for quite a few years now. I never had problem with speech growing up, had good friends and I was always participative in school. Then everything came tumbling down at once, fucking everything up. Before I migrated to the philippines, my parents split up, that same year most of my friends switched schools by then, a group of bullies came in and my best friend started bullying me too. It was a horrible year, and my dad couldnt, or should I say didnt, take care of us.

It got way worse when I moved to the philippines with my mum. Being a foreigner on foreign land, eyes are always on you. And they really made it feel like everyone was looking at you. How they mocked my english, there's nothing wrong with my english it's just in the Philippines people arent as good and make fun of you. At this point I didnt participate in class, I never asked questions or had any will to answer. Fear of people looking at me, and if I get the answer wrong. Now at one point, when I got there, girls were all over me. Guys didnt like that and changed it, they'd tease and mock me, anything to belittle me. So at this point it felt like everyone had it out for me, kept an eye on me. My self esteem was down the toilet.

Talking to someone 1 on 1, no problem. But when there's people around, it's like my mind goes elsewhere and I cant think of the next word in the sentence which causes me to stutter. In uni, it was more of those higher classed unis where everyone had blazers to look more professional and stuff. Was more computer based, and presentations were a normal thing. The feeling I get when I stand up either by myself or with a group to go over my powerpoint presentation, just a terrible experience. Especially since people can ask you questions at any given point. I remember when one of my professors noticed it, when someone kept asking questions. I was the last presentation, and to comfort me he told me I did good, but I know I did terrible. And at uni I didnt participate either. Long story short, I stopped uni half way done, issues with my dad. But right now Im eager to go back to perform better, but after reading this thread I remember why I didnt perform anywhere close to my expectations.

I havent seen my highschool friends in several years, they want to hang out and tell me. But I just never go through with it. I havent really had a friend I could trust since I was in uni. I dont like hanging out with a group of friends, I feel like the odd one out. In fact I asked a friend if he wanted to hang out some time, he replied saying we should get together with the other guys from highschool. Yeah, thats the last conversation we had on facebook, no follow ups. Everything in life took its toll on me. Theres more but thats the gist of it.

Although I havent tried hard enough (at least I think I didnt), does anyone think it is possible to overcome anxiety with your own will? I keep thinking I can and it would be easy till Im put on the spot, rarely do I manage to go through with it but I suppose that's something. I have more problems than just anxiety which makes it hard enough to live a life.

A job interview would be easy for me, I mean its usually a 1 on 1 thing. Till I read 20 other people... Yeah, no.

 

Getting some awesome replies, I was sure how open people would be regarding it, so thanks guys!

@Boxur:
I can see how being a firefighter would mask the anxiety. Being in a high intensity situation sounds like it would be the last thing you'd want, but it actually makes sense.

@Chloe:
If I knew that the job I was interested in had an interview process with 20 odd people, I wouldn't apply. Which is pretty stupid when you think about it. It may be an awesome opportunity, but IMO, it's not worth putting my self/my body through that. The interview I was referring to before started as a 1 on 1 and I was okay, but then a second guy came in to join the interview and it set me off.

@Zig:
I can go days without having an episode if I just stay at home, or at my parents house. Obviously, it's no way to go through life, but it's comforting to know that there is a safe place to go if you need one.

@Apith:
That's pretty intense. I went through a phase of wanting to move away to a different country, just so I could 'start again'. However, I don't think this is something that can be left behind.

I'm exactly the same, I talk to myself during the day and when I go to bed "This is bullshit, just get over it.". I sound pretty convincing to myself, until I'm actually put in a situation again and then I'm pretty quick to switch back to "Nope, fuck this, I'm outta here.". I think it's something that can be controlled eventually, but I can see it taking me years to get back to 'normal'. I just don't want to miss out on too many important experiences between now and then.

 

I have had pretty bad anxiety. In order for me to make good friends I feel like I have to earn their respect. Almost all of my friends I meet at the gym where I have no problem expressing what I feel is my real self, so I guess I am a lot more approachable. Trying to fit into a large group that are already friends making me the odd one out is really hard for me. As time goes on you realize that this disorder or w/e you call it is holding you back from enjoying things in your life, so as time goes on and you feel your youth slipping a way it can get really depressing. I have no problem faking situations, I just wish I felt more comfortable doing them naturally. I can't ever enjoy myself in public unless drunk.

Like Apith I don't really have a problem at all with talking to people 1 on 1, but if there is more than 1 person I struggle (if strangers). It has pretty much controlled my life. I think one of the reasons I took computer science in university is to avoid stuff like class presentations, because honestly, I would just skip it.

I also have a mild version of tourette and OCD where my head twitches sometimes, so I guess that doesn't help, I don't want people to notice me doing that.

 

Moving can be no different, it may be another thing that you think you cant do till you are there, but dont let that stop you. I mean another example was 2 years ago my dad made me manage his business back in bahrain. I thought of it as a new way to start, thinking I can do this and it will be easy. I was there for a year, and I never made any sort of announcement where I spoke to the staff as a whole. It was always 1 on 1 conversations with them, and I just did what the previous manager did with announcements, just print it and stick it up. Other times Id just tell them to tell the others what I told them.

Thats exactly me, I dont want to miss out on important experiences, Im growing older and Im losing my youth. Another example was last night, I was trying to get a cab in front of a hotel. It was pouring as well. Eventually a few empty cabs pass by, and I always let the people, regardless that I have been waiting for 20+ minutes, go first. Even if they have just arrived and looked for one. Its one of those moments, where even im in the right, Im afraid what people would think or say to/about me if I just went ahead. Eventually got one when there was no one else. And when he asked where I was headed, it was raining and he was about 4 meters away, I shouted the name, and then I realized how softly I said it, i just ran close to him and said it and got in.

So yeah, another thing I experience is shouting way more quieter than I should. I mean im like about to shout loud enough to get their attention or whatever, then bam I just dont do it loud enough. But this happens when theres people around me, if its at home and at my family, I have no problems shouting if they cant hear me.

Just like kmjt, when I did boxing for a few months, people approached me and I started approaching them. Thats the only time Ive been able to make friends here since I came back to the philippines from bahrain. Its mostly because they dont have other people around them, and they could all be like me.

Another was when I came here, the place I usually bought my clothes, in a mall, from had 2 girls. They were cute and Id say at least one, if not both, were into me. The gym I did my boxing in wasnt far from there. The mall has a few entrances, that was the closest. I had to pass them by every time. And they would always stop me when they see me and talk, tell me to stay and talk. And id always make an excuse where Im about to get something to eat or do something. It is only because there's 2 of them at the same time that I didnt feel comfortable. A month later, after christmas, I just stopped going through that entrance and I didnt really use my phone so I just left it. I havent used my phone since january. Few months later with the family, we pass by there thinking they would grill me, and luckily the shop had moved lol. Was on another floor, the relief. It actually started with just one, on my first visit I saw one and she asked a few questions. When I came back the next time, her friend who also works there was there, and downhill from there.

When arguing with my dad, he loves to argue and would never admit he is wrong. In fact I dont even call it arguing, I shut up, say nothing, agree and listen. He is the only one I have problems talking to, because the way I grew up, i never could talk to him about anything, I feared him too much and he was too strict with me since I was his only son. But if I write an email to him, Id crush him in an argument, where I did but it did it didnt matter when he was in a different country. Or after I leave his condo after his argument/discussion, Id think about it and Id wonder why I didnt think of it or say anything.

Ive lived like this for over 7 years, its pathetic, but only now am I making a change. I can say that I have improved, nothing significant, but I do manage to build up the courage to talk if absolutely necessary.

If you ever want to talk, whether it be over skype or to call me on skype, Id be completely open to it. Another thing Ive failed to do is really talk to anyone online (skype call), except my uncle who is trying to help me sort my life. Would be a stepping stone for me too. Anyone that reads this and wants to as well, feel free to pm me.

 

The only time i get like super insane anxiety is when i have to do public speaking in school, and my teacher has decided every week the entire class has to do a 30-1 minute long speech ON THE SPOT, you walk on front of the class and he gives you a random topic and you have to speak on it, honestly i don';t even want to go to school because of it :/

 

I have a small form of anxiety. It relates to my sleeping and my dreams. I used to have night terrors and bad dreams to the point where I used to throw up out of how anxious I was after I woke up and I would stay like that for a long period of time. Also if I get nervous about something I begin to feel nauseous. Unlike what some of you guys have described I have no trouble with presentations. I could stand in front of my class of 500 and present if I had to but when I worry about other things I begin to feel sick.

 

From imgur :



In the side of your neck, where the common carotid arteries split into the internal carotid and the external carotid artery, lie baroreceptors called "The Carotid Sinus". The purpose of the Carotid Sinus is to regulate blood pressure by sending impulses to the brain stem.....if the blood pressure is too low, it signals the brain to tell the heart to speed up by triggering the "fight or flight response" and vice versa by triggering the "rest and digest response"

You can use that to your advantage by pressing down on the carotid sinus at the side of your neck and tricking it into thinking that the blood pressure is too damn high.

This method is used in clinical practices and is referred to as the Vagal Maneuver.

Let's say you are on a date/interview and want to be subtle by not rubbing your neck though. Another method to increase pressure in the carotid sinus, and trigger the same response, is the Valsalva Manuever. Basically you, take a deep breath and try to exhale forcefully against a closed windpipe....yes, the same thing one does while on the toilet.

Don't be greedy for extra calmness and do them for too long though, or else you will pass out. Wrestlers call it the "Sleeper Hold" for a reason.

 

This doesn't work at all.. If anything the closed windpipe makes me feel worse as I'm already short of breath when my anxiety plays up..

 

I've recently in the past year gotten anxiety to the point I just wan't to be done with life. I finally went to the doctor and I got perscribed this shit called zoloft. Honestly I feel worse than before, so I know your pain man!