Is there anyone out there that can help me? I'm not sure if this is what i am suffering from, but i think i have an anxiety disorder. i have irrational fears about dying, and many events provoke thoughts on this. Many times if i am alone i feel worse. I feel like im going to die and often picture myself as not living for events such as my birthday or graduation. Its terrible, and im scared, please help
Follow Ups:
Re: Anxiety problem
Posted by Peter Wray on December 20, 1998 at 20:15:46:
In Reply to: Anxiety problem posted by Jennifer on December 20, 1998 at 19:19:23:
What you are experiencing is very real and I feel for you. There are many names that mainstream psychiatrists and physicians will attach to your experience. What I feel is most important is that you know that there are ways to control these thoughts and feels.
Yes - you may need some kind of medication to get you "over the hump" and on the road to recovery. What I would strongly caution you about is the use of some of the newer SSRI's (selective seritonin re-uptake inhibitors) (Prozac, Effexor, Paxil etc.). These are very powerful medications with many side-effects. I base my words of caution on my wife's experience with Paxil. If you e-mail me directly, I would be happy to tell you more. Paxil is often given fro obsessive compulsive disorder (one of the labels that you may find attached to you).
You'll find many nutritional recommendations and suggestions for skilled relaxation from participants on this bulletin board. These will all help you in the long run.
Please feel free to write directly to me if you like.
pwray@magma.ca
Re: Anxiety problem
Posted by Jennifer on December 20, 1998 at 23:53:32:
In Reply to: Anxiety problem posted by Jennifer on December 20, 1998 at 19:19:23:
Dear Jennifer,
Peter's got great insights for you. I've been there too--at least my own version. From my childhood and teens I remember the constant fear of dying, the bargaining with God to let me live just a while longer, and the firm conviction that I had cancer and was going to die within a matter of weeks. I didn't tell anyone, and suffered in silence. I was continually anxious, hypervigilant, and had panic attacks. I'm pretty sure I would have fit the OCD label. What I didn't realize until years of not having died later was that I've got a profoundly severe allergic reaction to trace refined carbohydrates and even regular whole foods carbs from fruits, vegies, and grains. This quite literally manifested as brain allergy (as explained to me by Dr. Stoll) and created the panoply of nightmarish symptoms I endured on and off for so long (I'm 43 now.) I recommend that you read William Philpott MD's excellent book "Brain Allergies". Anyway, I changed my diet acccording to Dr. Stoll's and Bob McFerran's recommendations, started meditating for 20 minutes twice a day, and began to get regular exercise. I'm no longer living in hell, and have a full, happy life, with normal ups and downs. Likewise, feel free to contact me anytime. You've found the right place on this BB. You don't have to suffer like this. My heart goes out to you.
Kyra
Follow Ups:
Re: Anxiety problem
Posted by Kyra on December 20, 1998 at 23:56:22:
In Reply to: Re: Anxiety problem posted by Jennifer on December 20, 1998 at 23:53:32:
Dear Jennifer,
Somehow I misposted on the thread, os my email address didn't show up. You can reach me at ckitts@calpoly.edu
Kyra