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constantly anxious + negative thoughts

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Posted 7/29/2019 4:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hello,

I have been dealing with anxiety for a long time. Sometimes, I have it under control but sometimes it strikes back in a different (new) way. I asked my family doctor to refer me to a therapist but the waiting line to get one is very long. Now, I am facing extreme fear in a daily bases. Whenever something happens to me, I tend to imagine the worst case scenarios and stress over it. Examples:
When water goes up me nose = brain eating amoeba
When I take my vitamin pills = chocking
When I smell candles or cleaning products = lung wont be able to breathe
When I eat something and get upset stomach after = food poisoning
I am even concerned about STDs while I am not sexually active!!!

Today I was showering and while I was washing my face I sniffed some water and now I am freaking out that symptoms of that nasty brain bug to show up!


Have anyone dealt with this issue before ? Any tips that I can listen to to minimize my extremely negative thoughts ?
Posted 7/29/2019 11:34 AM (GMT 0)
I could have written your post with a few changes. I have suffered from anxiety on and off for many years and it takes different forms but because I have always been a terrible hypochondriac, little things make me think I have some terminal illness. I also get scared when I’m eating something and panic that maybe it’s food poisoning because it tastes a little strange or are used a new cleaning product and believe it’s going to give me brain cancer. Being relatively intelligent, I recognize that these thoughts are ridiculous but it doesn’t seem to matter. Lately I’ve been feeling shaky all over so I am convinced that I have some type of blood disorder. Over the last few weeks I was having shortness of breath with mild exercise and was convinced I had lung cancer. It seems to always be something. When one symptom subsides it’s just replaced with another I have taken anti-anxiety meds in the past and hoping I can get more when I see my doctor next week but she is always adverse to giving out benzo’s. She prefers to put me on an antidepressant but I don’t really think those work for me. I just wish I could get rid of all these scary here. As I’m sure you do too. It seems you’re suffering from a similar anxiety symptoms as I am but yours I’m not as focused on disease as mine are. It doesn’t really matter what we suffer from, it’s equally as disturbing and can really interrupt your normal life. I hope you get some help from your therapist but in the meantime I wanted you to realize that you’re not alone… Those of us with anxiety suffer from a host of symptoms. Good luck to you and getting some relief.
Posted 7/29/2019 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
Worst case scenarios... I do that too. I will just be sitting there and a thought will come into my mind. It will be the worst thing that could possibly happen. I don't know if it is anxiety or depression but it really stinks. I do breathing exercises and stuff to try to get the thoughts to go away. They do, but it still bothers me.

I hope you both feel better. The breathing exercises do help. I know it is difficult. But keep hanging in there...

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 7/29/2019 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
Flowerme, is the waiting list in your area long to see a psychiatrist, or is the waiting list long to see a therapist? Or is the line long for both?

Also, is your family doctor familiar with psychiatric medications? If he or she is, then maybe he/she can prescribe you medication to calm you down while you wait to see a therapist.
Posted 7/30/2019 12:20 AM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone.
I am really happy and thankful for all your replies. I woke up this morning and decided to focus on the day rather than my panic yesterday. I was able to distract myself with some activities and yeah here I am writing to you. Not gonna lie I still feel ( or perhaps imagine) symptoms of the brain eating bug because of the water I sniffed accidentally in the shower. But I am trying my best to keep busy with something that I like (probably reading a book) before It is bed time. Last night's sleep was not a good quality sleep since I went to bed freaking out. But for me, I feel like herbal teas (chamomile particularly) are quite relaxing as well as breathing exercises (they only help my during a panic attack). Sorry if I am scaring you or causing you any distress.


Somebody said...
She prefers to put me on an antidepressant but I don’t really think those work for me.

I am not surprised actually since antidepressants are stimulants which can make your anxiety worse. As far as I know since I am a health student but anyways the doctor should know better than me of course. It's actually a good thing that you are aware of your problem, that's the first step of the solution.

Somebody said...
I do breathing exercises and stuff to try to get the thoughts to go away. They do, but it still bothers me.

I am the same! I try to make myself think more rationally to get out of situations like this but as soon as there is a new trigger, there i s a new struggle.


Somebody said...
Flowerme, is the waiting list in your area long to see a psychiatrist, or is the waiting list long to see a therapist? Or is the line long for both?

Also, is your family doctor familiar with psychiatric medications? If he or she is, then maybe he/she can prescribe you medication to calm you down while you wait to see a therapist.

It is a psychotherapist. I could honestly use the consultation services that are open for walk ins but I really think I need a professional help not only consultations. I never thought of asking her if she could prescribe me those meds. I guess I can try asking her in my next visit.
Posted 7/30/2019 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hello and welcome!

I am sorry to hear that your anxiety has ramped up recently...but happy to hear that your use of coping skills today has helped you to feel better and distracted from your worries! Well done and keep up the good work!

I do hope that you will stay on the wait list for your therapy. It is worth the wait, and you never know when an time slot will open up for you. Hang in there...

...and for now keep up with your coping skills, and seek to learn some new ones! In our Resources at the top of the main forum page here, you'll find great material and links specifically for challenges with Health Anxiety, which I think could help you a lot.

Keep posting with us as well. We care, understand and support is key!

Scaredy Cat
Posted 7/31/2019 2:44 AM (GMT 0)
Update, I was not thinking of the symptoms today as much as I did yesterday but the thoughts are still there, and my sleep was not good last night either.

Actually there is something that I forgot to mention. I notice that my anxiety and panic attacks got worse after I had a course of accutane for my acne. To be honest my acne was not that bad (no scars or deep damage to skin) but It was not manageable either and it caused me to have a low self-esteem (I tried other oral and topical medication for it but they did not work). So I just chose to try the accutane even tho I was aware that this med can ruin your mental health. True it was doing great for my skin but I could not even take the medication for longer than 6 months as the doc recommended due to the side effects. It's been months since I get off that medication but my anxiety and paranoid thinking is still there!

Somebody said...
...and for now keep up with your coping skills, and seek to learn some new ones! In our Resources at the top of the main forum page here, you'll find great material and links specifically for challenges with Health Anxiety, which I think could help you a lot.

Thank you for reminding me of the anxiety sources. I need to check them out, and I will try to find other coping strategies that I can use until I get the therapy.
Posted 8/1/2019 2:48 AM (GMT 0)
FM,

Interesting about the Acutane. It is good that you made that connection...and yes, certain Rx's including steroids and antibiotics are known to bring on/worsen anxiety.

Unfortunately, even after the trigger has passed, the anxiety can stubbornly hang on, so it is great that you are doing all that you are to manage it.

Keep up the great work and keep us posted as to your progress!

S.C.
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