newbie.

[ashhleyyyyx]

well here I am :] the newest 'anxiety' basket case to the site...even though i'm unsure anxiety is my problem, i'm pretty convinced it is. i just came here looking for some support and for those of you who do have anxiety to give your input on my situation.

i've always been scared or anxious but over the past 2 years its progressively gotten worse. i believe the first time i really noticed by anxious feeling was when i was at the mall with my father and i was happened to be shopping in old navy. he told me he needed to use the bathroom, so he left the store and i was alone to pay for my items i was buying...well i had finished checking out by the time he came back and was forced to stand outside the door waiting. i remember standing there looking at all the people and thinking about how each and every one of them could kidnap me and hurt me, although i also looked for people who may possibly help me if anyone were to attack me. i eventually panicked enough to call my dad and tell him he needed to hurry up because i was about to freak out ...

another time was on my way to school [i walk] and i saw some grungy old man on a bicycle in my pathway while walking. i instantly thought he was going to abduct me and rape me or something so my heart began racing and i eventually ended up crying on my way to school..

and now at the present .. for the past 3 weeks i have been feeling SO anxious while at school. i have this phobia of using the bathroom in public places so i have a fear that i am going to have to use the bathroom while there and embarass myself. it gets so bad to the point where i make myself physically sick worrying over it, and begin trembling. it often gets to the point where i'm so scared my feet and hands go numb. once i'm at school i can often calm myself down, but the worry is still there .. after i get through 90% of my day at school i'm fine .. until i come home where i begin to feel more anxious about waking up feeling the same way in the morning. i've lost so much sleep over this and i feel like its ruining my life ..

i told my parents but neither of them understand. my dad told my mother she needed to call the doctor and make me an appointment. i guess my dads girlfriend had similar symptoms and it was a problem with her thyroid, but i really do not think thats my case. my dad said he's also scared that i'm depressed .. and sometimes i think i am =(

sorry its so long, what are your guys advice? any suggestions? could i possibly be suffering from an anxiety disorder? i guess im just tired of feeling so alone about things.

[RabidBadger]

Hi

I'm Chris and I live in England.

Unfortunately, unlike a pathological illness that can be detected by the presence of a bacterium or virus or visible symptoms, diagnosing psychological conditions is a little bit more subjective.

I guess the basic rule is, if you regularly feel fear when there is nothing "real" to be afraid of then you have an anxiety problem. If this problem then affects the way you live your life then it can probably be categorised as a disorder.

There are other psychological conditions that very often go hand-in-hand with anxiety, such as depression and obsessive/compulsive disorders.

Please bear in mind that I am not diagnosing your problem because I'm not a doctor, but from what you've written, you seem to be experiencing episodes of obsessive thinking (that you are going to be attacked, etc) that are leading to anxiety. Furthermore, you very often find that people who experience anxiety issues go on to develop some degree of depression because of the limitations it puts on your life.

I would strongly urge that you go along to see a doctor. Yes, one of the first things he checks may well be your thyroid function (this is a simple blood-test) but there are also anti-anxiety medications available and he can advise you on any counselling services that may be available in your area.

It is possible to control your anxiety by learning to address the relevant thoughts that trigger it but unfortunately, this takes a lot of getting to know yourself and practising, and it's not the sort of thing you can expect to change overnight.

Probably the best thing you can do is accept that you do have a problem with anxiety and stop feeling bad about it. There are millions of people all over the world that suffer from the same thing and it's not a siign of stupidity or weakness.

Another sad fact is that people who have never suffered from this kind of thing - no matter how hard they try - can't understand what it's like. Fortunately, there are plenty of people on this forum who will understand how you are feeling.

Best wishes

Chris