Can we share our disorders?

Hey all,

I was just wondering if we could take a moment and share what we have been diagnosed with. We all know that we have anxiety and panic, because that's the forum were on. I just know reading some of the older veterans advice, and what they struggle with makes me worry a little less. Some of you I see on your signature that have heart issues, and cancer. I know reading some of your early posts it gives me hope of getting through really hard times. Some of you are dealing with things, that you will never get rid of. Most of us will eventually get our anxiety under control, at least even for a brief period. If you don't mind telling us some of your issues, I think it might help some of us newer members understand what it means to have courage to keep pushing through. I don't want to bring up anything that is rough or hard on anyone either. Just some curiousity on my own part too, to see how everyone copes and what helps you get through??? Thank you in advance.

Thank you for sharing, lesweet..
I first got anxiety when I had trouble with my shoulder, because it took the doctors over 9 months to figure it out. I had tore muscles in my shoulder, and when it got bad, I thought I was having a heart attack because I felt the pain across my chest. So finally got my shoulder fixed in 2005, and then didn't have to many issues. It had stayed away for a while, but it came back a few years later. Why, I don't remember honestly. The anxiety went away again, and then came back around a year and half ago. That's because I had stomach issues, and it took the dr over a year to figure that out. For me, I think it seems nothing is ever the way clear symptoms should be..The doctors always end up saying, you confused me, I didn't think you had that. It's ridiculous. Going through stomach pain that was unbearable, and not being able to keep food in my stomach was getting to me. Way to much to handle. So for me, what I know I do have, is Ulcerative Colitis, Costochondritis, some arthritis, some nerve damage. Now my sugar is a little high, and my vitamin D low. I don't know if they will end up finding out something else or not, because nothing ever goes that easy for me. I am starting to do much better here recently, thank God.

I have been battling depression since I was a little girl. Like around five or so. Years later I started having dreams and nightmares and it was investigated and I learned I was molested for years. I also grew up without a real father which had an impact on me.

I did ok growing up and into my twenties but when I hit 30 my body began to act funny. One night around 2007 I was at home with the kids and got really sick, Dizzy, felt like i was going to die or faint, numb all over, and just not good. So my child called 911 and I was rushed to the ER.

I was told it was anxiety and not a heart attack or stroke. I had no idea what it was, I just knew it scared me and I didn't want it anymore. After that they came from frequent and I kept going out to the ER. My dr. placed me on prozac and it worked. I never had issues with it and was doing great. Then I decided to stop taking it and for a year or so I was ok.

But since 2009 when I lost my grandma then two weeks later I lost my mom and a year later lost my real father and then my uncle, All my panic attacks came back in full force. I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and post traumatic stress. I still have a lot of anger and stress about my dad and being molested. I am praying that now I can finally lay that all to rest and be over it.

Since August 2012 I have been dealing with severe anxiety which has been dx

Somatization disorder

Somatization disorder is a long-term (chronic) condition in which a person has physical symptoms that involve more than one part of the body, but no physical cause can be found.

The pain and other symptoms people with this disorder feel are real, and are not created or faked on purpose (malingering).

Causes
The disorder usually begins before age 30 and occurs more often in women than in men. The disorder is more common in people with irritable bowel syndrome and chronic pain.

In the past, this disorder was thought to be related to emotional stress. The pain was dismissed as being "all in their head."

However, patients who have a somatization disorder seem to experience pain or other symptoms in a way that increases the level of pain. Pain and worry create a cycle that is hard to break.

People who have a history of physical or sexual abuse are more likely to have this disorder. However, not every person with a somatization disorder has a history of abuse.

As researchers study the connections between the brain and body, there is more evidence that emotional well-being affects the way in which people perceive pain and other symptoms.

Symptoms
People with this disorder have many physical complaints that last for years. Most often, the complaints involve chronic pain and problems with the digestive system, nervous system, and reproductive system.

The symptoms often interfere with work and relationships, and lead to many visits to different health care providers.

Stress often worsens the symptoms.

Some of the many symptoms that can occur with somatization disorder include:

Abdominal pain
Amnesia
Back pain
Bloating
Chest pain
Diarrhea
Difficulty swallowing
Dizziness
Headaches
Impotence
Joint pain
Nausea and sometimes vomiting
Pain during intercourse
Pain during urination
Painful menstruation
Pain in the legs or arms
Palpitations
Paralysis or muscle weakness
Sexual activity
Shortness of breath
Vision changes
Exams and Tests
A thorough physical examination and diagnostic tests are performed to identify physical causes. The types of tests that are done depend on what symptoms you have.

A psychological evaluation is performed to identify related disorders.

If, after you have a thorough evaluation, no physical cause is found to explain the symptoms, somatization disorder may be diagnosed.

Treatment
The goal of treatment is to help you learn to control your symptoms.

Having a supportive relationship with a health care provider is the most important part of treatment.

You should have only one primary care provider, to avoid having too many tests and procedures.
Schedule regular appointments to review your symptoms and how you are coping. The health care provider should explain any test results.
Finding a mental health provider who has experience treating somatization disorders with talk therapy (psychotherapy) can be helpful. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a kind of talk therapy, can help you deal with your pain. During therapy, you will learn:

To recognize what seems to make the pain worse
To develop methods of coping with the symptoms
To keep yourself more active, even if you still have pain
If you have depression or an anxiety disorder, it may respond to antidepressant medications.

You should not be told that your symptoms are imaginary. Many health care providers now recognize that real physical symptoms can result from psychological stress.

Possible Complications
You can become dependent on pain relievers or sedatives.

When to Contact a Medical Professional
Having a good relationship with your primary health care provider is helpful. Call for an appointment if you notice a major change in your symptoms.

Prevention
Counseling or other psychological interventions may help people who are prone to somatization learn other ways of dealing with stresses. This may help reduce the intensity of the symptoms.

Alternative Names
Briquet syndrome



Update Date: 9/9/2012
Updated by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director and Director of Didactic Curriculum, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington. Timothy Rogge, MD, Medical Director, Family Medical Psychiatry Center, Kirkland,WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc.

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i have bipolar disorder and have had both manic and depressed episodes. right now i'm dealing with a lingering depression that started in 2011 when i was laid off from my job. employed now, but still go through a lot of anxiety and depression almost every day.

my list of medications is below. my psych doc is very bright and works with me to find the right mix.

Thank you everyone for telling your stories, and identifying the symptoms that go along with them. I for one just learned something from SOIA..I did read about the somatization disorder before. This time though, I realized I had almost all of the symptoms. I still think how crazy it is we can have so many physical symptoms, but the dr's can't find anything wrong. I really think this will help us understand why we go through what we do.