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Suffering from anxiety and afraid I might go crazy (nervous breakdown or shizophrenia) Anyone else?

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Posted 10/24/2014 1:20 PM (GMT 0)
I think my anxiety would be cured if I would not worry that I can go crazy or have a nervous breakdown. Is this a normal reaction to anxiety?

Does anxiety lead to a nervous breakdown? I know anxiety sufferers fear they might go crazy. But are they afraid of nervous breakdowns?

Post Edited (bekay) : 10/24/2014 7:36:09 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/24/2014 1:39 PM (GMT 0)
yes - that is a big part of it. I have health anxiety so I fear death but I also fear going crazy from my anxiety. especially now that I have children. I don't want them to see me like this. and its making my anxiety even worse.
Posted 10/24/2014 1:47 PM (GMT 0)
But does anxiety lead to breakdowns or craziness? Or are they two separate things?
Posted 10/24/2014 2:44 PM (GMT 0)
Bekay-

From what my therapists have told me in the past, anxiety will not cause you to go crazy or have a nervous breakdown, it's just a very common fear that we anxious folks have. If you're concerned, talk to a therapist.

Hugs
Posted 10/24/2014 2:50 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks park12. Would you know what causes a nervous breakdown?
Posted 10/24/2014 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
This is just my opinion but I don't really know that a nervous breakdown really exists. To me what I've gone through with anxiety the past couple of months would be the closest thing to a nervous breakdown that you could get. Now if you are talking about psychosis or a break from reality I would count that as something totally different.

All of this was a huge part of my fear with the anxiety. Once I realized that this wasn't going to happen I got a whole lot better very quickly. I still have major issues but getting rid of the fear of going crazy lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. If possible read what Dr. Claire Weekes says about anxiety and I think you will get that weight lifted off of you too.

And for what it's worth I've heard this before and my therapist just said it to me the other day....If you fear you are going crazy then don't worry you aren't. Apparently if you are truly losing it you wouldn't know it.
Posted 10/24/2014 3:30 PM (GMT 0)
Bekay, when I first went to the doctor for my anxiety (which I did not know it was at the time) I was convinced I was going crazy. That's a common symptom of anxiety. You are not going crazy. Anxiety can change the way you perceive your surroundings because everything becomes heightened during the "fight or flight" response. During the appointment I was originally diagnosed and my doctor asked "do you feel like you're going crazy" and I almoat burst into tears. I was SO relieved that I was not.

People who suffer from more extreme mental conditions such as schizophrenia don't realize or believe they are sick. The fact that you're aware of your mental state is a good indication that you're just feeling anxious.
Posted 10/24/2014 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
You are not going crazy, nor will you go crazy. I think I can speak for most of us here, we've ALL had the same thought/fear at some point in our struggles.

When I first experienced anxiety & depression over 20 yrs ago in my early 20's (before the Internet was available), I went to the library & checked out many books on mental illness. I thought for sure I had schizophrenia. I knew my symptoms didn't match the diagnosis of it but I had a few (anxiety, irrational thoughts!), so I returned the books immediately and sought help. I was put on Prozac and give xanax to take as needed. The Prozac lifted me right out of my depression and I only took a few xanax. Oh, I remember calling my mom bc I knew she took Prozac. I never knew why, she said bc she had rage & crying fits during menopause. I remember bawling saying "you mean you didn't take it bc you went crazy??!" ☺️ Now, I knew she wasn't crazy but I felt so scared & isolated and thought for sure I'd lost it.

Like the others have mentioned, it's true- you can't go crazy or into psychosis or schizophrenia from anxiety. It's a fact that anxiety makes you think that but it absolutely will not happen.

Have you ever had anxiety or depression before? How old are you and do you take any medication?

Have you had blood work to check your thyroid and vitamin levels? A thyroid that is out of whack can cause anxiety and depression symptoms, so can vitamin D, B & iron deficiencies & I'm sure others.

We are here to support you. We understand and will help you during this struggle.

Sending love-
Lisa
Posted 10/24/2014 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
lesweet1971 I did have blood work done. Thyroid and everything else was normal. Only vitamin D was low. about a week ago I started taking Vitamin D and I think I am feeling somewhat better. I am also trying gluten free diet since I've heard that for some gluten could trigger anxiety.

But I still need loads of reassurance that I will NOT have a nervous breakdown from anxiety.

Sometimes seemingly normal people suffer from a nervous breakdown and that's why it freaks me out.

Thanks everyone I appreciate your replies!
Posted 10/24/2014 5:30 PM (GMT 0)
Please, anyone else?
Posted 10/24/2014 7:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Bekay and welcome.

There is no medical definition of a nervous breakdown....so you can let that burden go for now.;)

What happens to some people, is that they may find that they need to be treated by professionals, in a controlled environment (i.e., hospital) for an accute anxiety episode.

This is pretty rare...and I can assure you that most people with anxiety can manage their issues with the help for their doctor/therapist...and the use of medication and/or therapy.

Now to address your other concern about 'going crazy'...

Anxiety can not become another mental health disorder....just as a house cat can not become a lion!

Anxiety can only become worse anxiety if not treated. It will NOT develop into schizophrenia...ever.

The bottom line?

Seek to treat your anxiety and you are going to be absolutely fine!! :)

If you would like to try some self-help coping skills for reducing your fears...let me know and I will post some that I think could be of help to you.

Scaredy Cat
Posted 10/24/2014 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
I have had anxiety on and off since I was 17....and I"m 67 now. At first I was SURE I was going crazy, would have a nervous breakdown or become schizophrenic. In those days people still didn't talk about mental illness that much and usually tried to ide it. It never happened however and it never will. I agree that just having high anxiety is about the closest you can come to describing a nervous breakdown. And here I am, all these years later, still suffering at times from anxiety but able to handle it better now that I know what it is and what it ISN"T. You too will have periods of feeling fine, possibly for years at a time, and then you might get hit again. But you are NOT crazy and you never will be. Trust that from someone who's been there and is still here.
Posted 10/24/2014 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Scaredy Cat

Thanks for welcoming me.

I would love for you to please post self help coping skills. Thanks so much!
Posted 10/24/2014 8:18 PM (GMT 0)
Bekay,

Here is the link to our complete Resources:

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=104206

Lots of great stuff in there!

*********************************************************

These are helpful for working through problematic thoughts and fears:

Anxiety self-help overview:

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/anxiety_self_help.htm

http://www.counselling.cam.ac.uk/selfhelp/leaflets/anxiety

Self Help site with Anxiety Indications, Self-Help and Worksheets

http://www.moodjuice.scot.nhs.uk/anxiety.asp

Therapy Work Sheets:

http://www.get.gg/freedownloads2.htm

These are great stress reducing exercises to lower your overall anxiety and worries:

 

http://www.healthyplace.com/

http://www.stress-relief-exercises.com/

I hope you find them helpful.  Keep posting with us for support!

S.C.

Posted 10/25/2014 1:17 AM (GMT 0)
Scaredy Cat is so smart! Your anxiety cannot turn into a new illness!

And really, what is a nervous breakdown anyway? One might say that those of us who suffer from panic attacks are in the midst of a nervous breakdown right now. Who knows?

I do know though that as stated above, my therapist has told me that if you stop and wonder if you're having a nervous breakdown, you aren't, because people who are truly losing it or going crazy, don't really realize it. It's usually a friend or family member who sees what's happening.

Hang around this board. It's a blessing, but it sucks, because what you discover is that there are so many people out there suffering and living the way you are. You feel relief and then maybe you feel a little sad, because you grow to love these people and you wish they weren't suffering the way you are. Lord knows we wouldn't wish this on our worst enemies.
Posted 10/26/2014 3:28 AM (GMT 0)
andwes thanks so much for your encouragement!

And thanks to everyone else. This board is a relief. Finally I get to chat with people who understand what I'm going through!
Posted 10/26/2014 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
scaredy cat thanks for the links!
Posted 10/26/2014 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
I would love to hear more!
Posted 10/27/2014 1:36 AM (GMT 0)
Bekay,

Do mean more responses? Keep posting and you will always hear great advice and encouragements from our members!

If you mean more suggestions/links...just let me know and I'll provide some.:)

S.C.
Posted 10/27/2014 1:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hi bekay,
Its true when some will tell you: we ALL go through those fears.... I wish there were a way you could visit with a therapist... if not on an ongoing basis, at least for a short time... Tell your dr about this and have him or her help you to get in touch with one. Be insistent about it... I think it would make a huge difference and MORE of a difference than what any of us could tell you... Will you consider this??
I wish you the best and send you loving, healing thoughts.
Posted 10/27/2014 8:46 AM (GMT 0)
I went through this terribly last year. I'm positive if there's a such thing as a nervous breakdown, my undiagnosed anxiety had me there. I was in constant panic, and didn't know it. I had the physical tingling, heart palps, upset stomach, thirst, and just complete loss of self in some instances. I had to take a job position change to relieve some stress. With medication and some other changes I came through. I'm in a wave of pretty bad anxiety now but I've just stated medication again and with prayer and simple awareness, it's nowhere near as severe as last year. I was tempted to quit my job and stay home, and probably would have if I wasn't a single parent! I also thought I was going crazy and was assured I wasn't! Hope this helps in some way. You aren't alone (and neither am I)
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