HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

I'm new and fighting to beat this!

Support Forums
>
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 3/11/2015 3:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone, I am new to this forum. I was part of another one, but everyone was so focused on making everyone worry and not trying to help and support. I have been reading posts on here, and it looks like a very supportive and helpful group.

A little about me - I am a 23 year old mother and wife. My daughter is 3.5 and I feel I am worrying her precious life away :( I have always been a very anxious person, and I am a severe hypochondriac. I have recently been having multiple manic attacks a day. I can never relax and over the past few years I have convinced myself I have had every form of cancer ever. Most recently (right now) I am terrified I have a brain tumor.. It started when I got a headache that lasted for a week on and off (gone now) and now my body from my head to my arms feel restless and tingly. I know this is anxiety symptoms rationally, but my brain is telling me other wise. I can not just be happy, I WANT to play with my daughter, I WANT to be a good wife. I don't feel like I am "here" most of the time. I have had bad health anxiety episodes in the past and they last for a while. But I have never had a bad thought until the other day, I was just crying and wanting to scream and I thought "If I just died, it would be a relief". It scared me, I would NEVER hurt myself, but to have that thought was enough to send me to the doctor. I got put on 25 mg of Zoloft, I was on Celexa a year or so ago and it made me feel like a zombie, so I stopped it. I tried natural things like Magnesium, B-12, and L-Theanine. They did work for a little while, but it's so expensive!

I have an appointment for CBT next Thursday and I am so ready to learn how to handle this. I know stress triggers it, and I just can't cope. I am quitting my job of 2.5 years and going to a better job (sad and happy at the same time), and we are moving the same weekend my last day is at my old job. To say I am a stressed is an understatement. I just want to be happy and a good mother and wife :(
Posted 3/11/2015 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Hanban and welcome! I know I speak for all when I say we're glad you're here with us and hope you find the support you're looking for. For what it's worth, I can totally relate to how you're feeling. I'm 51 and was also in my early 20s when I started having anxiety and have always been a hypochondriac myself. I was also a young mother and wife and wanted nothing more than to be the best I could for my husband and daughter. You have already made some great progress by recognizing your need to see your doctor and beginning medication and CBT while you learn coping techniques that work for you. Keep doing what you're doing and always feel free to come here and ask questions, get support, or whatever you need. It's a great forum and everybody is always supportive and understanding as we're all doing this together. Also, there is a "Resource" tab on the home page of this site that has some great information about coping skills. You may want to check that out. Let us know how you're doing : )
Posted 3/11/2015 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the reply! I will check that out! I want to be better and calm.. I know it is possible. I have been there multiple times, I just seem to relapse :(
Posted 3/11/2015 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi HB and welcome!

I am sorry to hear of your current struggles with anxiety, symptoms and health worries. We relate here, and care about what you are going through!

It is understandable that you are feeling the pressure with the current changes and stressors happening...

...even postive situations that involve new circumstances, such as moving and job changes can bring about heightened anxiety!

I am so happy to hear that you are pro-actively seeking help from your doctor...and starting therapy!!

You are laying a solid foundation of recovery. Patience with yourself and the process...as it does take time...will be needed.:)

Give your med some time to build up, level off, and come to theraputic levels.

The therapy will also need some time and effort...but so worth it in the long term, big picture of your healing!


For now, here are some helpful links to check out and get started on. Self-help, along with your therapy and medication makes a good treatment plan...bound to yield results for you!

Health Anxiety - A Self Help Guide:

 

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hypochondria/pages/introduction.aspx

Helping health Anxiety

 

http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/infopax.cfm?Info_id=53

Health Anxiety- The Super Scanner

http://www.get.gg/docs/SuperScanner.pdf



Keep talking with us as well. Support is key, and we are here to encourage and listen anytime.:)

Scaredy Cat

Posted 3/11/2015 5:58 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome Hanban09, You have alot going on at this time and I'm not surprised you're stressed, I would be too. Great job on seeing your doctor and starting an AD and getting into therapy for CBT those are great steps. Have a look at the resources that SC gave you, there is some good stuff there. Again, Welcome to the Healing well anxiety and panic forum!!!
Posted 3/11/2015 8:07 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all so much for the support! I am very excited to start on this journey. The patience part is what gets me, I am always looking for a quick way. I know there isn't though, and it's so frustrating to know that your symptoms are from anxiety and that you have anxiety but can't do anything to fix it yourself!
Posted 3/12/2015 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
I feel like I could have written your post word for word! Welcome. I hope that therapy and medication help you find the peace you deserve.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply