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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 6/22/2008 11:37 PM (GMT 0)

I have some questions about anxiety.

The older I have gotten, I am more...high strung, I guess.  I have kind of irrational fears that aren't constant.  I was a TOTAL water bug growing up, and now it's almost impossible for me to get into a lake without a float.  I am a VERY strong swimmer.  My chest gets tight and I get all tense.  Other times I am terrified of our basement (for no verifiable reason). 

I'm not getting cold sweats or palpitations, but it's REALLY starting to get annoying.  I feel tense a large amount of the day.  I have a very short fuse sometimes as well.  I'm on 30mg of Adderall daily as well, but I've been on it for years.

This seems to be getting worse as I get older.  Again...it doesn't fit all of the characteristics of anxiety...it just makes me tense and short-fused.  I know you can't diagnose, but does this sound like anxiety?  Being on Adderall, I REALLY don't want to go into the doctor asking for anti-anxiety meds...I don't want her to think I'm a druggie.

Thank you!

Posted 6/23/2008 3:36 AM (GMT 0)

Hello Anna

Welcome to HealingWell, I am Kitt and  I am not a professional but your sx fit with anxiety.  There are so many sx that you may experience only a few and they can change or become more bothersome or less.

Signs and symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder can vary in combination or severity. Generalized anxiety disorder symptoms may include:

Restlessness

Feeling of being keyed up or on edge

Feeling a lump in your throat

Difficulty concentrating

Fatigue

Irritability

Impatience

Being easily distracted

Muscle tension

Trouble falling or staying asleep

Excessive sweating

Shortness of breath

Stomachache

Diarrhea

Headache

Heart palpitations

nausea

chest pain

This list is not all inclusive.  I would really like you to see you PCP as you sound like you are very miserable and I don't want that for you.

We are here and can help with ideas of how to deal with specific sx.  You may just need an adjustment in medicatoin.  Many of us are on medication and please do not think taking medications is something to be ashamed of.  Anxiety is a disorder and remember you may have anxiety but it does not have you.

Bless you
Kitt

Posted 6/23/2008 3:46 AM (GMT 0)

Anna,

Hi and welcome to HW, I hope you like it here and that we can help out. It does sound to me a lot like GAD, as Kitt mentioned. You don't need to have panic attacks to suffer anxiety problems. It can be really frustrating, and can take over aspects of your life. I'm not sure why it might be getting worse as you get older, that would be a question only you and your doctor could answer.

The important thing is, you don't have to let it take over. You should not be afraid of being thought of as a "druggie" if you need to take anti-anxiety meds. They may be right for you, or maybe not. But don't worry about that!! Some of us take an entire pharmacy in the morning and we are not druggies! We just need medication. I hope you can talk with your doc about this and get some answers. I wish you all the best now.

Posted 6/23/2008 5:02 PM (GMT 0)
Anna,

Welcome!

Is it possible that some of your changes in anxiety level could be due to menopause or perimenopause? We've had some other threads on here about that for us gals who are old enough to be facing that.

Try bringing up your medication questions with your doctor. Mine certainly isn't worried that I have at times take two or three different meds. I hope they wouldn't write you off as a "druggie" so quickly.

percycat
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