I just need someone to talk to me about this who might know what this hell is I'm going through. I've always been an anxious person who overthinks EVERYTHING whether that be work, what people say, health etc but over this last few months I've found it hard to sleep and have been playing video games 7-8 hours a day to simply avoid the stress. As you might expect my degree is going down the s*****r in first year.
However this last week has been the worst week of my life. The anxiety has made it almost impossible to sleep, my head feels tense and I'm dizzy and more depersonalized than ever (another issue I deal with).
I'm constantly scared my body is just going to give out and die. Like my brain is just going to collapse under the pressure, or my heart from the constant pounding and pounding. This is where the worst of my anxieties lies-as I have no idea whats going on inside my body and my mind just will not relax.
Though it's not all negative-I've given up video games, exercising everyday, eating well and started undergoing therapy. These effects I speculate may be due to the fact I'm not using video games as a crutch to simply 'leave' the world and come back to it later. I'm being left to my own thoughts and have to learn how to relax as opposed to just playing games, drink or work until I pass out.
What are your thoughts? This is the most uncomfortable I've ever felt and it's hard to tell if I'm getting better or worse.
oh and I'm 18 for anyone wondering
James
You are going through therapy at the moment and you need to learn those coping skills that will be explained to you. If you are in first year of Uni, that in itself will be stressful in its own right and only you will eventually be able to cope with this important time. I do not know if you take any medications, generally speaking from experience I would be considering side effects and your course, they will numb you down and you will not be on your toes. They also take some time to work.
When it comes to the games and their distraction it is sad you feel the need to stop playing them as they are part of your relaxation. Try and ration their use and be strict with yourself .
You have failed to mention if you are living away from home, if this is the case you will be unsettled by the fact of the not been around regular faces and friends.
If you feel like joining some form of Uni Societies, that may help you move on and make friends, the interests will give you some sort of diversion from your studies.
BOB
I really appreciate the response. I'm not on any meds and to be honest I don't really want any because I want don't want to become reliant and I'd probably just get freaked out by the way they make me feel (as with all drugs).
I've been away from home about half a year and I've gone back to see my family 3 times but sometimes they come up to see me so it's not all bad. As for friends, I have a great friendship group at uni which I feel so fortunate to have stumbled upon.
The reason I am quitting video games is because I am 100% addicted to them and have been for YEARS. I'm starting to understand I don't actually know how to relax without them. Perhaps what I am experiencing is withdrawal symptoms which can only subside over time. I can't play video games for 'an hour'-it's either 7-8 hours (with no uni work done) or nothing at this point.
Its terrible i go threw the same thing i always think im having a heart attack pain in my arm chest discomfort its hard to deal with you have to take it one day at a time playing games sometimes works try to keep your mind busy
Withdrawal symptoms could really be your issue right now. I'm having the unfortunate timing of trying to quit drinking while also having anxiety over career change. The two don't play well together at all.