Is this anxiety and would speaking to a doctor help?

Hello!

Anxiety is a pretty broad, but it does sound like you could very well be experiencing some form of anxiety. Of course, these sorts of diagnoses and treatment options should come from medical professionals, however.

As an aside, it seems like many people on these forums have health anxieties of various forms. E.g. I'm always afraid/obsession/excited (in a bad way) about the idea of dying from some cardiovascular event, whether it be aneurysm, heart attack, or massive pulmonary embolism, it all runs through my head, at times to the point where it's completely debilitating from the combination of obsessive thoughts and the havoc the stress wreaks on my body. I personally feel much better out in crowded places because, if something did happen, I'd have immediate help. So, I can't entirely relate to your situation because yours sounds more like a social anxiety disorder. But, I'm not a psychiatrist, so don't accept anything I say as more than simple conjecture. If you think you've got an issue that needs to be dealt with, see a qualified professional.

Best,

trn450

TRN450, Thank you for the advice. See not really sure if it social anxiety because I don't mind going out it's when I am just sitting there waiting for a movie to start, being brought to the table or whatever. If I am just sitting there I think what if what if and get all nervous. I have IBD and had some issues before and I get really nervous as if something will happen in public. If I'm with my family I am 100% ok it's when I am with my friends I get these feelings because maybe I don't feel "safe" with them. But then sometimes with my family I do get nervous when waiting around. I don't know it's hard to explain. Thank you again!

Red_34, Thank you for responding! I think I new this answer and maybe didn't want to admit it? I was fine growing up never had any problems at all was never sick or anything. The last two years have been hell. Used to love going out with friends and now I just rather not I don't find that scene fun going out drinking or whatever. I think deep down I knew I would have to see someone but really maybe I am scared or embaressed to have to call and say I need help. Not sure why because I know I need it and I do want it. So guess I will call my PCP on Monday and try and get an appt or at least a pill to hell and then see her in 3 weeks to see if it's helping and then find someone in the area to talk to someone she recommends. Thank you Sherry really appreciate it! Hope you are well!

RedSoxGirl... love the name. I used to live in Boston and in Northampton (north of Springfield, MA). Although I'm not in New England anymore and practically the entire Sox team has turned over there's a part of me that will always be part of Red Sox nation.

I'm not familiar with the medical issues you mentioned, but I can certainly appreciate how you'd have anxiety about being "caught in public" with a bathroom issue given the IBS/IBD. Are they the same thing?

I may not have that diagnosis myself, but I still get anticipatory anxiety where just waiting for something to happen causes me anxiety. For instance, if I have an appointment in the afternoon I'll have anxiety all morning leading up to it. It only works in some situations, but when I have something anxiety provoking to do (like food shopping or making a certain phone call), instead of putting it off I try to either (1) do it right away and just be done with it, or (2) find a way around it, such as emailing instead of calling or having someone else go shopping for me. Either way I've made a decision now instead of later and can then move past the source of the anxiety. It's not an option in all situations, but it helps when I can use it.

And I agree with Kitt (gee, I say that a lot ) in that therapy could be helpful to better understand the source of your anxiety and come up with some ideas on things you could do to feel more comfortable in public (such as identifying where the bathrooms are and the quickest way to get there before sitting down to watch the movie). Also, keep in mind that therapists and doctors choose their careers for a reason. They want to help and are experienced in doing so. You won't be the first person to come to them saying "I'm anxious - please help". That's why they're there.

Stkitt, Fugs and Red_34 thank you all for your responses!

Red_34 - I hate asking for help not just for this but anything so having to ask for this probably makes it worse. Luckily my parents have been wonderful with this situation. I always put of asking for help too. In this case I knew I needed help and so badly wanted to ask my mom to look into it but just couldn't. So instead we went to the movies to go see The Town and during previews I guess she could tell I wasn't a fan of sitting there waiting for the movie to start. So she said are you ok and I said yes. So when we left the movie she said to me you need help I will look into getting some names for you. She's a nurse and was going to get some names from the Doctor she works for. The doctor she works for is part of the same company my PCP is from so it's nice. So just waiting for some names and will eventually will call but may just call my PCP on Monday and see what she can do. I would ask my GI for some names I don't see him until the 18th as with my PCP I can see her right away if I need to. Plus my PCP is a female and my GI is a Male and no offense to any males but all the male doctors I have seen just seem not to really listen about problems. The females are always so much more understanding. Sherry you are not imagining things I did post something from my blackberry and guess it isn't here now. Never posted from my phone before so I probably screwed something up or deleted it not sure.


Fugs - Thank you! I love the Red Sox but love them more when they win! I love living in New England I live about 15 minutes from the Cape and about 45 minutes from Boston. Have the best of both worlds. No, IBS and IBD are not the same thing. Honestly it's all still so new to me that I have done some research about IBD and IBS because people do think they are the same. I'll have to do more to really see how they are different. I have heard that with IBD you can be in a lot of pain as IBS you aren't. But not sure. My doctor really just said to me you are going to have Crohn's Disease for the rest of your life so do your research and try and get used to it as there isn't a cure! Said something to my PCP and she went over it all so that was helpful. Fugs the worst of shopping to be is grocery shopping I just hate going. I do the family shopping so about a week ago I tried Stop & Shops delivery service. They came to the house with everything brought it in and I just put it away. Was wonderful. Should look into that one less store or chore to have to do! I know how you feel about having to do something but not really wanting to. Sometimes it would be a lot easier if you called places and their staff was actually nice. Really never thought of it that way but you are 100% right doctors do pick what they do because they like to help. Just think too much into it because I know that everyone has their problems so just can't imagine what the doctors problems are at home and how they can help me if they have them. I know shouldn't think like that but I do!


stkitt - I wrote something earlier not sure what happened to it so not sure if you read it? Red_34 saw it so were you able to read it?