PLEASE HELP ME

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2005
PLEASE HELP ME
9
Wed, 07-06-2005 - 2:12am
hello my name is Ana. PLEASE HELP ME
a little over a year ago i was always worried about have hiv and so i went ad got tested. after the 2 weeks was over i went to get the results they were negative. but i was still worried i had it and he doctor told me it was me causeing my symptoms. and he said i had a anxiety disorder or something along those lines and he referred me to a therapist i never went cause by then i moved down to cali. and i still and always am worried about if i have hiv and cancers and brain tumors. i fear death and when i think about bad things like that it makes me nervous and i start to then feel symptoms of different things.like im going camping this weekend and i just saw on the news a older man and woman was shot and they both died at a camping sight its not the same place im going to but it worries me i start thinking about things like what if i get shot or what if someone try to hurt us, i dont want to die.and i always lock all my doors,make sure all my windows are covered and locked too cause i fear someone is going to come in and rap me or kill me. well my ?'s is how could my doctor tell me i had something to do with anxiety if he didnt ever do a test or anyhting to me.. can a doctor just tell by your reactions.please help me and let me know if theres anyone who suffers this and what u did to help it out....
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Wed, 07-06-2005 - 8:12am

Hi, Ana! Welcome to our caring community. You are not alone. It is very difficult to accept the diagnosis of anxiety. There are NO tests for it. The doctor has tests to determine what you DON'T have. Surely he gave you a physical in addition to the HIV test. If he didn't & this is still worrying you, go to your dr. & tell him your symptoms. If that's hard to do, then give him a copy of your post. Truly, your story is so much like all of ours on this board.


Research indicates that anxiety is mostly a chemical imbalance with emotional components or triggers. Certain events or stresses set off the vicious cycle. Meds & therapy combined net the best chance @ recovery. Have you tried either of these methods? If not, you should consider it. In time you could find yourself alot more comfortable. I know I did. Constant worry about things like safety & illness were ever present in my mind. I worried that something bad would happen to my kids when they left for school. If I had a head cold or a bad headache, I was sure it was a brain tumor. Through treatment, I am better. I use meditation, breathing & relaxation exercises to help with my anxiety & panic attacks.


Please post often. Consider joining us in chats. Our members are very generous with sharing their thoughts & what coping skills they have learned. We want the very best for you. Life can be good even with anxiety. Good luck & GBU! (((hugs))) jan



 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 01-17-2001
Wed, 07-06-2005 - 3:49pm

Hi Ana,


What Jan said is 100% true.


Their is no test for anxiety.. (we all wish there were) it's a matter of ruling out other medical conditions. In your case it seems as though you have done that.


Anxiety plays tricks with our minds and can make us think awful thoughts. I have thought on several occasions that I have had some awful disease and was going to die.


Through thearpy and this board I have learned to

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Wed, 07-06-2005 - 4:01pm
Ana Your doctor can tell without a test that you have anxiety.
I would go back and see him and telll him all you have said here.
We all have fears which cause us to have anxiety but ours is out
of the noraml range and we often fear things to a greater degree
The anxiety causes us to have a variety of symptoms worrying,
avoiding doing things we think are scary, rapid heart beats, feeling
like we are going to die or are ill are some of the symptoms!
Your doc will help you through this! Give him a call- let us know
how you are doing and if you have any more questions just post and
someone will help you out! Take care, Judy
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-12-2003
Wed, 07-06-2005 - 4:33pm

Ana, i had anxiety for years (since i was a child) that sounds very similar to what you're describing! I always told my parents that I had a brain tumor, or some other sort of cancer...as I got older I was constantly worried about getting a stroke or a heart attack (even though im only 25). Even though you may not get panic attacks, you could stil be experiencing an anxiety disorder. it sounds like the doctors have ran all the medical tests and didn't find anything wrong. Is it possible for you to find a therapist where you live now? it may really help to discuss your anxiety with a professional. otherwise, you should definitely keep posting on this board. this is a really helpful and understanding community of individuals who have gone through anxiety and have much valuable advise to offer.

Mia

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
Wed, 07-06-2005 - 5:21pm

Hi there!

This is my first time on this board and I thought I'd add my 2 cents...I have lived my life in a very similar manner until about a year ago. Even as a child I was afraid of things that in hindsight I can see were unreasonable fears, but as a child they were very real to me. My whole life has been shaped by my fears and now that I have children, I started having a lot of anxiety about them. A year ago I hit what, for me, was rock bottom. I started having panic attacks in public places and finally wouldn't leave the house. I tried medication but the side effects weren't for me. My doctor recommended accupuncture and this great book, "From Panic to Power" by Lucinda Bassett. I've also seen a hypnotherapist for my anxiety and I would say any of the above are great approaches to anxiety.

For me I think recognizing that I have this tendency has helped me a bunch! I know a lot of my fears are within the realm of reality, but many of them are highly unlikely. My fears aren't gone, but I recognize when I'm obsessing over unreasonable fears and I'll stop myself either by distracting myself, deep breathing or else just talking myself through it.

Living with that kind of fear day in and day out can really take its toll on you. Its good to reach out and to know there are others out there living with the same thing. Good luck!

Julie

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-01-2005
Wed, 07-06-2005 - 11:38pm

Ana,

I am new here also. In fact if you read my original post you will see I am going through a very similar situation. Anxiety I have learned is very, very common. And believe me I tried ignoring it and it does not go away. I feel like I have a disease and I am scared to death about dying. But you know what I am actually slowly getting better. It won't happen overnight but it will happen. I highly encourage you to talk about it. Talking to people like us who are going through it and have been where you are is so helpful. I would recomend going to the therapist. You will fell better. There is so much you can do to calm yourself. Yoga, breathing, meditation. And those are just some I have tried. There are a lot great suggestions on this board. Please do yourself a favor and go see someone and I promise you will feel better. If I have learned nothing else from this expierence it is the fact that there are a TON of options and things to try. And I went to a psychiatrist for the first time today. And you know what she said to me. Panic and anxiety disorders are the easiest disorder to treat. So you see it is not an uphill battle. It just takes time and paitence. If you need anything or just someone to talk to please use this forum. It has helped me a lot.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Thu, 07-07-2005 - 12:11am
Hi, Julie! Nice to have you here. Thx for adding your wise words to our discussion. You seem to have experience & insight to share & we appreciate it. Don't be a stranger. Post anytime & join us in chat. Good luck & GBU! (((hugs))) jan



 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 07-07-2005 - 12:30am
Welcome Julie!!

Blessings, Suz   Posts in this Community   

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-21-2004
Thu, 07-07-2005 - 2:09am
Hi Ana, I just wanted to welcome you to our community. There are a great group of ppl here, and I know you will feel at home. I too check my doors and windows lots everynite,(major OCD, with that)and I also know about the poor folks you are talking about that were murdered last week. That was about an hour from me-outside the small community of Oakridge,Oregon. Yes, it was a very horrific thing, from what I understand it was on a isolated remote road&camp. I think if you go to a regular campground, they are pretty secure around here on the west coast,lots of state police frequently go through the campgrounds several times a day, and with the campgrounds full this time of year, I am pretty sure you will be safe. It is sad there are bad ppl in the world, it sounds like the situation you mentioned was just a weird freak situation.I hope you will go camping and enjoy yourself, it is so beautiful right now.
Also, please know that alot of ppl feel what you are feeling. You are not alone. Please feel free to post anytime, and also let me know how your camping trip goes! Are you going to the coast,mountains,desert??? Wishing you a fun and safe trip. Enjoy all the beauty out there for me! :0D hugs,shasta