Hi. I am 23 years old and have been suffering from anxiety since I was 18 years old. It has been on and off the past 5 years but it has always been there and has come back stronger than ever. I am so scared all the time and wanted to seek some advice. When I was 18 I got on a bus to London from newcastle and I began having pins and needles in my hands and I couldent breathe or sit still. I felt this overwhelming feeling of fear and impending doom. I got off the bus at scotch corner and was stranded on my own. After that I didn't leave the house for 3 months. I thought I had a serious physical illness and was told by my doctor it was anxiety and I should try pushing myself back into reality, so I did. It got better. Now recently I have slipped back into this. I have gone back to my parents I cry all the time when I'm with them when I'm on m own I'm walking on egg shells too scared to freak out. I'm scared to be on my own. My chest is tight all the time,I have a lump in my throat,I feel nervous or on edge, my breathing is sometimes like I'm hyperventilating and I phase out when people talk to me. Everything to me feels horrible and like impending doom. I look to my parents and boyfriend for constant reassurance that I'm okay and not in danger. I feel embarrassed every time I ask. I have recently started taking valerian and convinced myself I was having an allergic reaction. It's like I obsess on things and like I'm a hypochondriac. It's so frustrating cause some moments, not days recently, it fades and I feel my old self again, happy. I'm sorry if I've gone on but never done this before and wanted to be as specific as I could. Anyone please who may have the same things could you give me any advice on how I can control my mind and get over these feelings. Thank you and God bless you all.
Hello Charlie
If you hypoventilate breath in and out in a paper bag, this will help you rebreath the gases expelled and that will help stop that complaint. You can try using your hand and covering up both nose and mouth then breath. Give it a try.
You are not alone if you are feel the clammy hand of doom, many here will feel the same and you need to understand there is no reason to fell that way.
I phase out when talking to people, in my case it is caused by my Chronic Short term memory disorder, I seem to disapear into the clouds as my brain gets clogged with to much information and I can just sit or stand around and it does my Wifes head in when it happens. Now I can use parts of my mid term memory and I use little ditties that help me remember. People do feel I am stand offish it is not that it is just me and my memory.
Try and look for little tricks that will help your mood when you are low, we all feel low at times and if you can make your problems a game, that will help you to be more positive about your fears When it comes to people around you make a little story up about them and imagine they have now trousers on or something, you will feel more in control
Hi Borderriever.
Thank you soo much. I will try that trick it sounds good actually. Whenever I'm distracted it totally goes away but I need to work on my constant obsessing over things. Everything I gwt I feel is life threatening and it becomes so exhausting and I've noticed it always seems to be my throat it attacks.
I'm sorry to hear how your suffering I do phase in and out but only when I'm obsessing over my feelings. Thanks again for the advice. All the best wishes to you and your family.
Thanks Charlie
BOB