hey there

[anxiousannie]

Hello! I figured it would be appropriate to introduce myself. I'm Annie (gotta love the ironic alliteration). I'm in my twenties and have experienced general feelings of anxiety for as long as I can remember. I finally gave in and got psychiatric help for my problems in September. However, things are still not quite under control. As I have explored my symptoms more, I have realized that over the years I have self-medicate by binge eating or over-exercising (the tendencies wax and wane). I've gotten my eating on track but now find myself drawn to nicotine when I'm having really bad days. Being fat is probably better then getting lung cancer, but some of my anxiety centers around my body.

I'm also a cognitive psychologist, which makes my disorder pretty hard to deal with at times. I feel myself being pulled in two opposite directions - one by my rational brain and one by my anxious brain.

This is also the first forum that I have ever participated in, so bear with me. I look forward to getting to know everyone!