I suffer from anxiety, I can't breathe

Posted by marielv 115 days ago (Question)

I just feel at the point of helplessness. I've been suffering from anxiety for about 3 years, oh my gosh it's weird to even say how long because I didnt realize it had been that long. Lately I've been seeing a counselor for it, and I know it takes time, but I feel like it's not going away. I know as a person I have emotional problems, but I wish I could find some sort of peace with this. Maybe I just need more time. This is the first time I have ever written out about it anywhere before, online or any other forum besides seeing a therapist. I just wish that all my thoughts weren't negative, I wish I could be happy, because I do lead a happy life, but I'm consumed by worry and cant even enjoy my life and the happy events that occur. I turn to alcohol to make my breathing better and I find that crying a lot helps me breathe again. All of my thoughts are consumed by what people are thinking, all my miniscule worries. If I dont act perfect towards everyone and please everyone, then I obsess over any minor altercation. If someone responds to this in a ambiguous manner, I will analyze it for days, even though I dont even know the person who responded. I just wanna know if anyone else feels my pain, does anyone else feel this way. I feel like Im all alone and completely helpless. Does anyone have any helpful advice, however minor.

3 Answers

Answers

Written by Fpsy 115 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

Your not alone, everyone gets symptoms of anxiety, it's how much it effects your life. It seems to be having quite an impact on you. I don't suffer from anxiety, but many many people in the community do and it is treatable. The panic attacks you seem to be having are best treated with 'exposure therapy'. Often your panic feelings are about your bodily sensations and what they mean. So exposure therapy gets you used to feeling those symptoms and calming yourself with breathing exercises and self talk to calm yourself down.

I hope your therapist is experienced and qualified to treat anxiety and panic disorder. You probably know by now that you have to actually do the work if you want to recover from anxiety.

Here is a website about anxiety and panic disorder. There is information on symptoms, treatment and there are self help tips for you as well. I suggest you give it a read it's a very good site.

Hope this helps.

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/anxiety_types_symptoms_treatment.htm

Written by Clyde 114 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

Have you talked to the counselor about your anxiety? It does really affect people, and they can be treated.

I think the important thing is to explain to them that you want to treat the anxiety and come with a plan on how to do so as well--you dont have to have a HUGE plan, just have an idea on what you would like to do to help yourself.

Best,

Clyde

Written by jules 114 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

I AM SO ON THE SAME PAGE AS YOU ARE!!

First I would like to tell you that I like you also suffer from ANXIETY! I have now for 14 years. Sometimes things are all running smoothly in life then all of a sudden the bottom falls out of the sky. The worst part is my oldest child also suffers from a form of Anxiety. She is only 15 and suffers from SOCIAL ANXIETY! Bless her heart.. she is so shy but extremely intelligent and gifted. But, thank goodness she has been clinically diagnosed with this and is currently being treated as well. Treatment plan just changed as of yesterday to a different medication.

To start.. PLEASE DONT EVER FEEL LIKE YOU ARE ALONE IN THIS WORLD! Anxiety strikes so many people every minute of the day. Being female alone brings on the hormonal changes every month and to add anxiety on top of that is not a bowl of cherries. But, you know I find if you continue to talk to someone and continue treatment as directed by your doctor you will see a huge difference in less than 2 weeks. If you start to feel better once the medication has completely reached your system dont stop the medication. I DID THIS many times thinking I didnt need the medication. Until I finally realize LIFE IS TOO SHORT and we must live each day as if it were our last! :) In order to do this continue your medication and talking to someone. It will benefit you in the long run! DONT HESITATE TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR if you start to feel more anxious, depressed, just out of control, etc. This could be a SIDE EFFECT from the dose of your medication. IMPORTANT that you contact your doctor so that he or she can either change your medication or change the dose. I will tell you that from my years of experience with many different medications, I finally after 10 years found the one that works for me. I know.. 10 years. I just didnt know until later that every persons body is different in how it reacts to medication. If your body is sensitative, for example if you were to take 2 reg tylenols and it puts you to sleep ..then your are very sensitative and you need to let your doctor know this.

What does your doctor have you on? Also.. be aware of many side effects. If you find you for some unknown reason loose interest of things you like before this is a sign you need to change the medication to something else.

I hope you understand that it is important to find a someone to talk to and continue your medications.

PLEASE know that you are NOT ALONE with this at all! I know it may feel like it. But if you went into a room of 100 people 99.9% of those people have some issue at hand that they are dealing with in life. We are only human and sometimes we need a little help!

GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!!!

I hope this message reaches you!!

JULES