Newcomer to formum: Need answers to my anxiety

 

    Hi, I am new at this site.  My life has been a journey of finding out new things about myself constantly.  I found out that I had diabetes about four yrs. ago.  I am in my fifties but still real active in life.  I also teach sixth grade,  which entails a lot of stress that must be kept in check.  I also found out about the same time that I have ADHD.   I always knew I was different and one of my son's was ADHD.  I cried after the four hr. test was given to me, maybe because now I knew that there was a reason why I acted in a lot of ways that I did.   I have gone to drs. about my fingernails and how I bite them to a quick.  A lot of times when I really concentrate on my nails and baby them and file them I notice that I can get them to growing.  The problem is to continue babying them daily.   I have a problem with anxiety but I'm not sure if it's something that I deal with on a daily basis.   It's almost like I have a split personality.  Sometimes I can be loud, laughing and in the middle of things.  Other times, I'm completely the opposite;  I just want to be by myself.  I'll use the last couple of days as an example:  I just got back from Corpus with my best friend and I'm now back here at my house.  I have made a committment to go to the gym daily, but it's so hard to get out of the house.  Yesterday,  I packed my  bag, put it by the door and finally in the afternoon just made up my mind and walked out the door.  I made it to the gym.  When I get on the treadmill I feel fine.  I work hard, but when I finish I start thinking about the need to get home.  It's a strong drive in me.  So I usually get my bag after getting off of the treadmill and get on home.  It's not my husband because he supports me going to the gym and staying as long as I want.  We don't have any children at home to cook for.  My husband is not demanding by needing me here to have meals fixed.   I fantasize about going into the pool and then the hot tub and taking a book with me and sitting in a chair after getting out of the pool to just relax.   I don't get into the pool very often, but when I do I try to hurry so I can get back home.   There are many examples in my daily life that I have issues like this come up.   I did finally go to the dr. and told him that I have problems with anxiety on a daily basis.  He prescribed colonzopan to take every morning.  I was so hopeful that finally for the first time in my life I would have finger nails.  After school starts, the students finally will ask me what happened to a nail that they saw missing (I try to hide my nails from them)  I usually think of a lie like I smashed my finger in the door.    I feel like I'm at least on the right track.  I've only been on the med. for a month, but so far I don't notice a difference in my nails or feellings.   Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.    Thank you,  Buttercup

Hi Buttercup and welcome!

I am really glad that you have joined us! There are many people here with anxiety issues in a big range, with various symptoms, as well as those who also have other things going on (such as ADHD, ect.) with their mental/physical health. We also have a great Diabetes forum here if you are interested...so you are covered here at HW.:)

Great job on seeking out the answers that you needed for yourself. You have done a lot of work in getting your diagnoses, and then looking to treat your issues! Like you said, that is a lot of change and effort recently, and you should feel good about getting it done.:)

The medication that are taking does not need to really build up in the system like many anti-anxiety meds, so you really should have seen some quick results with it. Have you talked again with your doctor since starting it? If not, I would make an appointment and find out if he/she wants to continue with the current courst, or make a change.

While you are there, I would stongly recommend also asking for a therapy referral. Many of us here have been helped tremendously by it! A combination of medication and therapy is what many people find to be the right combination for recovery. Therapy is a great long term help for OCD, generalized anxiety, panic disorder, ect....look into it if possible.:)

Keep posting with us as well. It is great to talk with others who understand what you are going through. We are here to listen and support anytime!

Talk to you soon,

Scaredy Cat