Newbie, wondering about anxiety and if I have it.

[Mashedsteak]

I'm assuming I do, but it's undiagnosed. I told my doctor about it, but he told me to see a therapist, which I cannot afford. So, I figured I'd ask here, where someone else may have the same symptoms.

Basically, I worry about everything. If I go out, I get nervous, I sweat, I feel like I'm about to panic, and I just want to go home and seclude myself into a bubble. I'm most comfortable at home, or with people that know about my "anxiety." My biggest concern, is that whenever I begin to get nervous, I start to get intense abdominal cramping, along with sweating. I usually have to make sure I use the bathroom a few times before I leave my house, even if it's going down the street to grab the paper. If I don't, I always have to find the nearest bathroom. So when I hear the dreaded "lets go out somewhere," it usually follows with me thinking about what bathrooms are on the way, and if I can go a long period of time without being near one. It's embarrassing, and has been going on for over 6 years. It keeps me from getting a job, and seeing most of my friends that live at least an hour away.

I've been contemplating medication, but I would rather use that as a last resort, fearing addiction, and/or withdrawals. I'm supposed to be getting on a plane in a month. I have a fear of heights, and coincidentally, planes. I'm not sure what exactly I should do about this, and would greatly appreciate any suggestions that could be made. Sorry for my long post, but I'm at the point where I'm so tired of not being able to have fun anymore, that I need to get something done for good.

[zer00]

:) I bet u could overcome your type of anxiety by spending some time in the "Toilets wonder-land" :D sorry, I couldn't help it.Still it's a great idea,if you think about it.Everywhere you look there are toilets, and you can't make up your mind which one of these toilets to choose. :mrgreen: Sorry, but your type of anxiety sounds like a joke , comparing to what some of us are experiencing. Bye! Best of luck!

[Mashedsteak]

:) I bet u could overcome your type of anxiety by spending some time in the "Toilets wonder-land" :D sorry, I couldn't help it.Still it's a great idea,if you think about it.Everywhere you look there are toilets, and you can't make up your mind which one of these toilets to choose. :mrgreen: Sorry, but your type of anxiety sounds like a joke , comparing to what some of us are experiencing. Bye! Best of luck!

While I'm sure my problem may seem like a joke to most, I still have to live with it. It has ruined my life, and I am trying to understand it better, so I can do my best to remedy the problem. I appreciate your quick, witty, mature, and insightful reply, but alas, it is of no help to me. I'd have liked it more if you kept your jokes to yourself, seeing as it does nothing but make me feel even worse, knowing that people look at this as some kind of silly little thing. Trust me, it's not.. I'm sure your problems are far greater than mine, and I feel for you, I truly do. But if you have zero input into my situation, please kindly keep your fingers off of the keyboard, and make fun of someone else.

Bye! Best of luck!

[zer00]

ok, my sincere apologizes ! :) Don't worry, you'll be ok..

[pronto11]

cmon now, no reason to bash anyone on here....

anyways, you say that you feel ok when your at home... alone...i dont think its a bathroom issue at all, i get the feeling that you use the bathroom as a 'getaway' of sorts...people tend to gravitate towards places that they feel the most comfortable with and in your case its a secluded bathroom...it sounds to me like a social anxiety, you get the cramping, sweating, etc..etc then tear off to the nearest bathroom to collect yourself...its actually a very common thing in the anxiety world as a bathroom (for many) is commonly used as a safety net for many anxiety sufferers...

anxiety is all in your head, if you can just put into your head that "i have no need to go to the bathroom constantly while im at home, why should it be any different in public?"....keep telling yourself this and you should be golden!....

[Pebbles0104]

It is a totally common part of anxiety to have bowel issues. Have you researched IBS(irritable bowel syndrome)? It does sound like social anxiety as you get nervous about going out. I get the same thing sometimes but I pop an Immodium (stops the runs) and am good to go. Luckly it doesn't happen as often as it used to. I do know what you mean- I have missed outings because of the fear of having to go when I'm out ( I won't use public bathrooms for #2- sorry ;) ). Anyway, look into IBS as it can be brought on by stress and anxiety. Hope this helps and good luck!'

[Mashedsteak]

Thanks for the input. I plan on talking to my doctor more about it on Friday. I've heard about the Immodium trick, and I've only been able to try it once. It seemed to work pretty well, but I didn't end up going to the bathroom for a few days, ha.

[Pebbles0104]

Yeah, that is the bad thing about Immodium. You have to drink a lot of water to make sure you don't get constipated- isn't it great!!;). Talk to your doctor on Friday. Good luck!!!:)

[forwells]

Hi Mashedsteak

Hmmm :roll:

Even though i dont agree with Zeroo on the way he spoke and put down your problems. He is not far off the mark .

You have anxiety and the only way you will face it is to face it . What is happening is your brain is making you want to go to the loo.

Why because it thinks there is danger . Anxiety or flight or fight was built into us so we could run or fight danger . It has workings and when your brain thinks it is in danger they kick in , the reason it is there is eg You are walking along in you caveman suit one day and you see a big dino ,now you can fight or you can run ,but before you chose what to do your body is already changing and working on protecting itself , many changes happen and one is the gut . There would be no point running from dino and having to take a loo brake so he can bite you on the butt would there , So your brain stops that happening .

You cannot stop this . But you can train your brain on what is a right reaction and what is wrong . You have trained yours to see it as danger . How often and long do you think about this problem , how much do you build it up . I have no doubt that this is a problem but it is not the cause , see this little problem is now feeding your anxiety and making itself to be a big problem . See you would be now thinking things such as Oh i cant go there , i cant do that , what if i need to go to the loo.

So you know what you do . Train your brain again. Everyday leave the house , go as far as you can and do it every day . Do not plan it just get up and do it. Planing breeds anxitey . Get your mates to call in and say ok lets go for a walk , dont react to it , dont think just walk . After a bit of time your brain will see there is no danger and stop sending out symptoms of flight or fight . Buy Dr Clair Weekes book and read , or google for the links to her talking .

How do i know this ?? Because i got that bad i would freak just looking at my ute but i took control and did it a bit at a time and now only have a little trouble drive for long spans .

BUt that is not the problem and you need to stop looking at it as the problem .

This is the problem . Basically, I worry about everything. If I go out, I get nervous, I sweat, I feel like I'm about to panic, and I just want to go home and seclude myself into a bubble As above this is not you , it is your sub brain tricking you into believe that it is in danger and you need to stay were it thinks you are safe .

Cheers kev :D

Oh , and yes one day you will look back on this and think it was funny. I do with some of the things i worried about

[palow]

Have you thought about trying out one of the anxiety treatment programmes available on the internet. They are not very expensive, around a hundred or less US dollars. I went through Linden and it took me a bit over 3 months to get over it, but I did get over a case of GAD that messed me up royally for 11 years.

I've since started up a website to sell Linden but I've also found others that are good. Linden uses diversion and has the best phone support. Joe Barry's Panic Away and Rich Presta uses techniques based on exposure therapy, meaning they prep you up mentally and then make you face your fears. You can click on my website below my name for a comparison.

Whatever you choose, you are not going to be able to beat this thing without a structured system that makes you deal with your anxiety every time it hits. If you can't afford a therapist, try the internet stuff. If you don't even have money for that, the least you should do is get a book and develop a programme of your own.

Besides Claire Weekes, I would also add Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Edmond Bourne or Worry Trap by Chad Lejeune.

TAKE ACTION. Don't just hang around forums asking for tips. You need a good system that puts all those tips to work at the same time. Also have patience and faith. Your anxiety disorder can be cured, I promise, but it will take some time.

Patrick

[palow]

Forgot to mention. No matter how bad things get, STAY AWAY FROM THE DRUGS!!

Patrick