hey everyone

[Getmethefuckout]

hey everyone i'm new here obviously and id just like to introduce my current situation to you so you can all provide me with some feedback and information which would be appreciated.

I'm a 17 year old male and i go to school. Around 3 or 4 years ago i begun to get exceedingly nervous for stupid reasons. I feel nervous about 90 percent of the time i'm awake, i sweat alot, i sometimes feel like their is a ball of tension in my stomach that is tightening when im in stressful situations. I avoid social situations, i have never had a job, its very hard for me to get out of bed for school because im dreading the day so badly and sometimes I don't even get out of bed. two days ago i stopped smoking weed which was a fairly regular ritual for me but i drink as much as i can to calm my tense nerves. At this point in my post i hope im not bombarding you with too much information sorry lol but cut the new guy some slack ay?

I have never been officially diagnosed with anxiety, thats why i've come to this forum for help. im going to my GP tommorow with my girlfriend to discuss what i'm feeling to see whats going on, is it more than likely, taken my current situation, that i have some kind of anxiety disorder? HAAALP! haha

[Getmethefuckout]

C'mon guys i need a reply, i need some information. im desperate here. surely after 23 views on my thread someone has got something useful to say?

[EricH]

Going to your doctor(General Practioner in your case) is a very good first step. And you are apperently concerned enough to seek relief.
Excellent!!!

[Robbed]

Going to your doctor(General Practioner in your case) is a very good first step.

Just be careful here. There is a 99.999% chance that if you see a doctor, they are going to prescribe SSRIs first and ask questions later. They will also probably make medication out to be THE cure for you, and virtually side effect free. And chaces are this is not going to be the case. I just don't think medication is a good first step for these sorts of problems. Because of the fact that there is a pretty high chance that medications will cause problems, I think that they should be used only when other methods have been exhausted. Ask the doctor instead about what possible nonpharmaceutical options you have.

[EricH]

Consulting a doctor, in my opinion, is very much needed.
I've had to go through 5 doctors before I felt comfortable with their advice.
Though anxiety disorders may not include severe depressive mental states, requiring the SSRI's noted, it can be an important thing to look at.

In my case I do not suffer from severe depression, but I do suffer from events of severe anxiety. So, SSRI's are not an answer for me, but could be for someone else.

Evauluation is key, and will lead to proper treatment.

[hellodolly]

I entered therapy to help with my anxiety. I went to see a psychiatrist who recommended therapy first and if that wasn't helping, then he would explore medication. I actually really appreciated that. he did mention that it takes therapy twice as long to work as medication so that helped knowing that.

Well, my anxiety is reduced significantly. my therapist has taught me relaxation breathing and techniques to help when I start to get anxious. I talk myself out of it. Sometimes I am worse than other days but such is life.

Going to your DR is a great first step and better you address this now at 17 then at 32 which is what I did. I started taking meds when i was 22 and it didn't work. In fact it made me feel like serious crap. Meds are not for everyone however, sometimes if you get the right dose and one for you, it can help. Explore all of your options. It's very clear that you are self medicating with the alcohol and marijuana. Going to your DR is a healthy and brave way to get help. Bravo to you.

Sorry this is so long but I know what it feels like. Good luck :)

[EricH]

I think this is important, at least for me...

The previous poster mentioned problems in breathing.

Well, that's exactly what it usually the first bastard symptom in a cascading panic for myself.

I'm currently exploring if proper breathing can help me.

[Getmethefuckout]

Hey guys thanks for the feedback. i went to the doctor and he reffered me to a psych doctor which i went to today and i was diagnosed with severe anxiety and mild depression. But they want me to go to another psychologist for some reason to have 6 sessions with them. but i really need help now. is there anyway i can get medication for my anxiety?