HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Is it possible that I have an Anxiety Disorder?

Support Forums
>
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 12/29/2009 5:21 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, I'm a new user, and I was just wondering if I might have an anxiety disorder? confused

I was taking a quiz yesterday because I noticed a change in behavior over the past 6 months that was rather drastic. The quizzes that I found were on sites dealing with mental disorders and such, and I took a lot of their quizzes (or tests, rather). They all came up pretty much in the clear, except from one of their tests for GAD. I thought that maybe it was just them, but I took some other tests on other sites and they all pretty much told me the same thing: that I have moderate to severe anxiety symptoms, and that it is very likely that I will develop GAD or some other disorder sometime soon. I've been doing some research, and apparently the disorder might have started brewing in 2006, and recent events over the past 6 months probably triggered it and sped up its development. I have the following symptoms:

Muscle tension, aches, and soreness
Trouble falling asleep and staying asleep
Nausea
Jumpiness and unsteadiness
Edginess and restlessness
Tiring easily
Irritability
Feelings of dread
Inability to relax
Fear of being rejected
“What if” fears about situations far in the future
Perfectionism, excessive self-criticism, and fear of making mistakes
Irrational fear(s)
Mood swings
Sweating
Being aware that they are stressing/panicking over trivial things, but unable to control it

I guess the reason I'm asking if this sounds like GAD or some other anxiety disorder is because it's not yet severe enough to interfere with my life, and it usually doesn't happen until I'm in an uncomfortable social situation, or I'm trying to sleep at night (or more accurately, in the morning). That's when the symptoms are triggered. In fact, last night, I had what I think was a panic attack. I just lied down in my bed, trying to sleep, and then I started crying for a reason that I'm not too sure of, and I started feeling nauseated. I tried taking deep breaths, but that didn't help much, so I figured it was something I ate. I went to the bathroom to see if I was going to throw up, but I didn't. And then when I got back into bed, I felt like I couldn't breathe even though I was still breathing. I'm not sure if this is "just a phase", or if it'll stop when things get better (I'm currently in a very stressful situation), but I do know that I haven't really gone to a therapist because I'm afraid of them, lol.

So, I apologize if this is a bit long-winded, and thank you for your answers in advance. :-)

Post Edited (LiteralRuse) : 12/28/2009 10:24:26 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/29/2009 1:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,
currently in the middle of an anxiety episode so I can relate to what you are experiencing. It is worse in the morning for me than in the late day or evening. My doctor put me on adivan which is an anti-anxiety med. It helps, but I still have work that I have to do to get through things. Mostly relaxation stuff and some other things to help like exposure. I have a fear of going out side alot of the time. The breathing thing sometimes is a problem so thats where the relaxation comes into play. I hope that you can find some releif for your self as I know how diffecult this can be, and no it's not in your head. Take care and be kind to your self.....
Posted 12/29/2009 3:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hello and welcome to HealingWell and the A & P forum.

It's normal to feel anxious from time to time, especially if your life is stressful. However, if you have ongoing anxiety that interferes with day-to-day activities and relationships and makes it hard to enjoy life, you may have generalized anxiety disorder.

While some anxiety is normal, see your doctor if:

You feel like you're worrying too much, and it's interfering with your work, relationships or other parts of your life
You feel depressed, have trouble with drinking or drugs, or you have other mental health concerns along with anxiety

Again a warm welcome to HW and we are glad to have you on board.

Kitt
Posted 12/29/2009 10:28 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the warm welcome and advice, guys.

I have ongoing and persistent anxiety (or what I call, "worrying and stressing") but I don't think it's severe enough to majorly impact my life, and I do have mild/moderate depression. I'm currently trying to self-treat any GAD symptoms with something relaxing or pleasant. It's nice to know that if I ever start feeling anxious and "alone" again, I can just come on here and talk/vent. :)

Sending hugs towards everyone's way,
~Ruse :-)
Posted 12/30/2009 6:50 PM (GMT 0)

Yes anxiety disorder can cause many symptons,,, also hyper thryroid can do the same thing and mimic anxiety disorders.

*In the future please post a link not the entire article as it uses too much precious bandwidth, thanks for your understanding*

10. No posts of lengthy articles.  Sharing information is allowed, but the forums are not to be used to publish articles. It is an improper use of critical forum resources. 

Post Edited By Moderator (Nanners) : 12/30/2009 1:16:50 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/31/2009 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
Yes please do let us know how you are doing..glad you found us here it is a great place with very helpful/knowledgeable ppl ...lyn
Posted 1/1/2010 6:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hello,

The way usually deal with anxiety is to acknowledge whats going on ( the tingly arms and racing heart ) and tell myself that its just my anxiety and if i ignore it it will pass, that usually helps. OR sometimes I lay there and do math problems or color or play some sort of game until i am completely relaxed and im calm again. Oh and camamille ( or however you spell it) completely helps calm you down as well i drink 2 cups usally before i go to bed it helps tire me out so i can fall asleep =) hope any of that can help

*Please remove the links in your signature*  They break forum rule#4.

Post Edited By Moderator (Nanners) : 1/1/2010 10:06:08 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/1/2010 7:56 PM (GMT 0)
Well to be honest it does sound like you're having some anxiety, but it's very difficult for any of us to know if it's actual anxiety disorder. If it's not affecting your life and you think you can function without medication and all that, just always tell yourself that the anxiety will pass and don't make a big deal out of it. The mind is a funny thing. If you give it permission to "get" anxiety disorder, I bet it will do just that.

And over time it may, anyway. If it does see your doctor earlier rather than later, because GAD tends to be progressive if left untreated.

You also mentioned that you have depression. It's my understanding that anxiety and depression are very closely related, and often people will experience both although one condition will usually dominate the other.

I'd seek a doctor's advice if you can. Make sure to tell them everything, including the part about your not sure whether it's affecting your day-to-day life. This will determine how he treats you. For example if he determines that depression is the dominant disorder he may just change your antidepressant regime. If he believes that the anxiety is affecting you more than even you think it is, he will probably drill you with questions about it. Anyway, just remember: full disclosure. You don't want to be on pills you don't need and if you do need pills you want them to be the right ones, etc.

It never hurts to go to a therapist. Honestly they were useless to me but others have found them very helpful. In any event I doubt they'd do any harm so it's worth a shot.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply