anxiety...a problem?

[Servant2Christ]

Hello all, and God bless! I'm posting this because I would like to get some opinions/advice on what I'm dealing with at the moment. Perhaps someone else knows a little about this. I'm really not sure if its something I should be worried about or not, or if the things I'm considering doing are right.

I've always had some trouble with anxiety. I've always felt a bit uneasy around others, for one thing, but lately it seems to be getting worse. I work as pharmacy technician and have been doing that a little over a year now, and with every single day, it seems things become more difficult for me. I am always terrified I will do or say something around my boss or co-workers that will make me look stupid, so I fear even taking on the simplest challenges there. Besides that, this is becoming more and more of a problem for me at church!! I can sit through an entire service in misery...wanting to stand up, wanting to ask for prayer, wanting to do this, and wanting to do that but afraid of embarassing myself in some way. I also have this fear that others will think I am too weak, and that what I'm dealing with is my fault. For this reason, I don't really talk to anyone about this. I fear if I do, they will just say to me, "Have more faith, be stronger in the Lord, if you would just pray and believe...you would not be having this problem," or something like that. I'm not sure what I would hear, but I keep quiet. I already feel guilty enough about this, and I'm not sure I could handle someone else telling me its somehow all my fault.

Anyway, about a week or so ago, something happened to me while at work. Things were pretty hectic, and I was getting pretty torn up. People were standing and watching us, waiting for their medication...and they had been standing there for what felt like FOREVER! It was like there was nothing I or anyone else could do to make things go better...was overwhelming having them staring at me, and having SO much to do. I finally got to sit down for a moment, and when I did, I began to feel as though I was short of breath. There was some pain in my chest also, and I was pretty shakey. I got up, and without telling my co-workers, left for a ten minute break. Once I sat down alone, all I could do was pray and try to keep myself from crying. It never really occured to me that I could be having a panic attack, though. I had pain in my chest and was short of breath, but I dismissed it as being from something else.

So a few nights ago, I was sitting here at my computer...thinking about what had happened at work and just everything else...and feeling pretty down and out. I began talking to someone who started telling me about anxiety disorders. The more she talked about it, the worse off I got. Then when she mentioned doctors and medication, I was more nervous than ever! I then began talking with another person about everything thats been happening to me, and by the time I had almost finished, I was a total mess again. I ended up having to lay down on my bed for a bit...was again having chest pains, breathing problems, and crying (this time). Besides that, I was so shakey, it was as if my insides were even shaking! After a bit of praying and some deep breaths, I was able to sit back up again, though I still was pretty shaken and worried.

I've heard about panic attacks, but I'm not sure if this is what I have had. I have read and have heard that they're so bad, the person actually thinks he or she is dying...and will sometimes go to the emergency room. I didn't feel this terrible...never thought I was dying or needed immediate medical attention. There was one time earlier in the year when I had an episode of something, and I'm wondering now if it was because of anxiety or some other problem. I had been surfing the net this time too, when I suddenly began to have breathing problems and chest pains, and ended up laying in the floor. This time, my husband was home, so I called for him and told him something was seriously wrong with me. I remember laying on the couch while he watched television, and telling him he might have to take me to the ER if I didn't get better SOON!

Anyway, I've been considering seeing a doctor about this. I have even become more open to taking medication if its determined that I need it. I still don't know how I feel about all this, or even if theres anything to worry about at all. In so many ways, I feel like it really is all my fault if I have an anxiety problem. SO right now, I'm just tyring to get all the input I can on this. I'm not sure what to think. Do the attacks I have spoken of sound like panic attacks? Does the amount of anxiety I have sound like a real problem? If so, does it sound like enough of a problem that I should take medication for it if recommended? I keep telling myself there is no problem...that it'll be gone in no time. I keep telling myself theres no need to worry, but then I worry it will get worse if there is a problem. I guess I'm just confused at the moment. I've been through a lot of terrible things, and have overcome them all with God's help, and hate the thoughts of going through anything similar. I've taken medication before and hated it...but that was years ago when I was much younger and hated almost everything anyway LOL.

I just don't want to make things worse than they really are. I feel like I have all these decisions to make even though I know I really don't, and its driving me nuts! To me, it feels like life or death sometimes LOL...but I know its nothing near that. Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read this. May the Lord bless you and your family richly!

In Christ Jesus,

Servant2Christ

 

[The3rdhero]

if your scared of sounding stupid it could just be extreme shyness, have you ever been shy?
if you think the problem is getting worse, i would suggest seeing the doctor, because no good can come of ignoring it. at least he could diagnose you and give you some sort of medication for it.
just a suggestion

God bless

 

[~person~]

It's just my opinion but dont ever go on medication. in alot of cases it makes things worse. With alot of them a week after you start taking them you feel really sick and then you can't stop talking them or you'll get really sick. Meditation is a real good way of controlling it.

 

[The3rdhero]

depends on the person i think, just because it affects some people, doesnt mean it will others

 

[Philled-one]

It is important if you see a doctor that you find one that will listen to you. If you are not comfortable with you doctor then you need to look for someone that you feel you can talk to.

 

[LiberatedChick]

I've always had some trouble with anxiety. I've always felt a bit uneasy around others, for one thing, but lately it seems to be getting worse. I work as pharmacy technician and have been doing that a little over a year now, and with every single day, it seems things become more difficult for me. I am always terrified I will do or say something around my boss or co-workers that will make me look stupid, so I fear even taking on the simplest challenges there. Besides that, this is becoming more and more of a problem for me at church!! I can sit through an entire service in misery...wanting to stand up, wanting to ask for prayer, wanting to do this, and wanting to do that but afraid of embarassing myself in some way. I also have this fear that others will think I am too weak, and that what I'm dealing with is my fault. For this reason, I don't really talk to anyone about this. I fear if I do, they will just say to me, "Have more faith, be stronger in the Lord, if you would just pray and believe...you would not be having this problem," or something like that. I'm not sure what I would hear, but I keep quiet. I already feel guilty enough about this, and I'm not sure I could handle someone else telling me its somehow all my fault.

I suffer from social anxiety and what you describe sounds so much like me. What you describe further on also does sound like panic attacks. I think you should see a doctor about this, especially if you feel it's getting worse. Don't worry though...whilst there is medication available for it (and in most cases it does help) there are other ways of getting better too. CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) should be available and this is probably one of the best ways I've heard of helping those with anxiety. Therapy is probably better than medication (or a combination of both) because then the causes will be dealt with instead of just stopping the symptoms. Hope this helps.

 

[hoosiermichael]

I suffer from social anxiety and what you describe sounds so much like me. What you describe further on also does sound like panic attacks. I think you should see a doctor about this, especially if you feel it's getting worse. Don't worry though...whilst there is medication available for it (and in most cases it does help) there are other ways of getting better too. CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) should be available and this is probably one of the best ways I've heard of helping those with anxiety. Therapy is probably better than medication (or a combination of both) because then the causes will be dealt with instead of just stopping the symptoms. Hope this helps.

I agree totally. I have SAD, AvPD and GAD. A plateful, eh? Prayer and behavioral therapy would seem best. I was put on Paxil, and coming off of it was torture...6 weeks of intense terror and constant nausea. I would hold off on meds, or try various ones (not together, of course) at low levels until you find one that seems to help. Most of all, you're not crazy, you're not alone, and it can be resolved over time! I'll keep you in my prayers, as I know the severities of anxiety. See a doctor and therapist, and may God bless and help you through this.

 

[rosenherman]

I agree that you need to see a physician as soon as you can. You also need to find a good, Godly therapist, keep looking until you find one you are comfortable with. A good therapist can make the difference between recovering and always being anxious.

Don't be too quick to give up on medication. I've been on anxiety medication for well over 5 years, and I'd never go off. The difference in the way I feel and the way I felt is worlds apart. When you stop feeling like a spring coiled too tight or a trap ready to snap, it's such a relief; truly it's a God send.