Looking for suggestions...

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-10-2004
Looking for suggestions...
5
Sun, 06-05-2005 - 6:18pm

Hi, everyone. This is my first time posting on this board, but I’ve been a part of iVillage for a while.

I believe that I’m suffering from some sort of anxiety disorder, but I don’t know what. I spent a good part of the day agitated as if waiting for something to happen. What that something is, I don’t know. I also feel the urge to, and actually do cry quite often – with little or no provocation. I find that when I’m busy, I’m able to tune out those feelings for a while, but as soon as the busyness goes away, the feelings come rushing back.

I have a lot going on in my life right now. My department is shutting down in a few months and I had to take a promotion in a dead-end job or have no job at all. I am separated and am seeing someone wonderful. I worry all the time if he’s going to leave me for someone else, even though logically I know he’s not even looking! I don’t have trouble falling asleep, but I don’t sleep for very long and have very vivid, surreal dreams. I haven’t eaten much in the past 2 weeks and have as a result lost 10 pounds. That’s not so bad I suppose, since I wanted to lose a little weight anyway, but I don’t think that’s the best way to go about it. I’m not starving myself exactly – I just don’t feel hungry. I am taking vitamins and am drinking lots of liquids.

I know all of this isn’t normal, but I don’t know where to begin on trying to get help. I don’t have anyone that I know that can relate to these feelings. I think I should, and want to, seek medical help but I don’t know what kind of doctor or therapist or what have you to contact.

Does anyone have any suggestions on where to begin?

Soledad

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Sun, 06-05-2005 - 7:32pm
Hi Soledad and Welcome!! You have a couple big issues right now.
A job change and not a good one plus your seperation. Your mind is
what I call racing trying to find something to fix on. This is
a form of anxiety the crying is as well. I suggest you talk to
your gp doc or a doctor you are comfortable with. You are not
sleeping well or want to eat- also signs of depression!
Keeping busy distracts you from your worries! What is worrying you
the most? How long have you been seperated?
I am sorry that you feel so bad and hope that soon you call your
doctor and get some relief! Being a victim of panic disorder I can
relate to your feelings of unrest! Try and do things you enjoy
and one other thing that helps is writing! Write down what you are
thinking and feeling it helps to get these thoughts out!!
Call your doc! Take care, Judy
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Sun, 06-05-2005 - 7:42pm

It's great to have you here, Soledad. You are not alone. Plenty in our community have experienced symptoms much like yours. Stress can be a big trigger of anxiety. It is always the best thing to get checked by your medical dr. There are conditions such as thyroid, mitral valve prolapse, low blood sugar, etc. that can cause the symptoms you feel. Getting a check up will relieve your mind that there is a serious illness @ work.


From there you can decide what your course of action will be. Meds & therapy combined net the most success, but you need a professional to advise you. Whether you choose a psychiatrist or your regular medical dr. to follow will be up to you. Many on the board have differing opinions on that. As for alternatives, they are out there. Meditation, yoga, hypnotherapy, accupuncture, massage, herbs, just too many to mention have been used & with success. We will support you in whatever decision you make. Take a look @ back posts & the *what's new on health* folder below. Others will be along to share their ideas. We have many generous & caring folks who are willing to share what has worked for them.


Please feel free to join in the discussions & post any questions or concerns. Consider joining our chats on Tues. & Thurs. evenings from 9 till 11pm Eastern. The cl's will save you a seat! Don't be a stranger. Bookmark us to your favorites & consider our board your new home:) We want you to feel better & learn how to cope with anxiety. A full life is possible. Good luck & GBU! (((hugs))) jan



 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sun, 06-05-2005 - 11:23pm

Welcome Soledad!

Blessings, Suz   Posts in this Community   

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-08-2004
Mon, 06-06-2005 - 12:34am

Im sorry you are going through such a rough time! Actually, I have had some of the exact same symptoms. Iget to sleep easily, but wake up to very very real dreams, and then stay up a couple hours, and sleep again---verry frusterating. I haven't had an appetite at all either, and for all the meds I am on, thats not good either. It sounds to me like you have some anxiety and depression (crying and all), but stick in there! You can attack this problem early without long term drugs by simply getting sleeping pills. I use ambien, and it does wonders. Once you are on a good sleeping cycle, life will seem a lot better. Some of your anxiety sounds circumstantial (job) so I would see how that rides out, but seeing a doctor about a short term anxiety medication like xanax or klonopin can help get you through a crappy time. I dont know anything, im not a doctor, Im just throwing out suggestion. Best of luck!

--Katie

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-18-2005
Mon, 06-06-2005 - 4:11pm
Hello Soledad, I read your post and thought you were talking about me. This is exactly how I feel, have had this for about a year. A year ago I had a panic attack, and since then have been experiencing these same symptoms. There is a lot going on in my life too, with my children. I am constantly waiting for something else to happen, and live with that feeling every day. I too have lost about 17 pounds, which is good, but it's not a fun way to lose. My Dr. told me it's anxiety disorder, and I am taking Xanax. That has helped a lot. Just know you are not alone in this. There are many of us out there. Jan
Jan