I don't know where this came from!

[mhoelzer2988]

About 2 1/2 months ago I started having really bad anxiety about my health. I think it started with me getting dehydrated. I woke up in the middle of the night and my heart was beating hard. I got scared which then caused it to beat faster and harder. After this happening for a couple of days and realizing I wasn't using the restroom like I normally did every single morning when I first woke up, I asked my dad about it and being a paramedic told me it sounded like I was dehydrated. I had been being very active, more active than normal, and not drinking enough. So after drinking a lot of water, I didn't have the problem again but my heart would just beat fast, not hard because I was worried about it doing it again. So after about a month of that going on, I went to doctor to get checked out to make sure everything was fine and give me peace of mind. After being told I was fine, just had a viral infection, it only gave me peace of mind for that day and I still worried something was wrong. She also told me my ears had a ton of wax buildup and didn't see how I could hear out of them. I didn't even notice. I guess I had got used it. There's no telling how long I couldn't hear well. So after leaving doctor I probably only had peace of mind for that day then I still worried something was wrong after that. It wasn't long after, it became obvious my ears were stopped up and it was causing me to be slightly light headed and just very aggravating so I went to doctor told me my ear canals were just about closed up and sent me home to take some ear wax softener for a few days then told me to come back to have them irrigated which I did & now that I can hear, everything seems SO loud. Even my voice sounds different! lol! But now I'm scared something is still wrong. I'm worried I'm going to get dizzy now or light headed and by worrying I notice it gets worse. I've had anxiety since I was a small child. I used to think I couldn't breathe and my parents brought me to the doctor knowing nothing was wrong and sure enough they were right. I've always been healthy, not that that matters but I don't have a legitimate reason to worry. I used to also worry about my husband cheating on me all the time because my ex did several times but my husband never gave me a reason to think so but I can't tell you how many times I accused him of it. I'm so exhausted lately and I think my anxiety is definitely a contributing factor. I don't go to bed till midnight and wake up around 7 or 8. I have 2 boys. One is 4 the other is 17 months and he still wakes up in the middle of the night so I get broken sleep. It seems the more tired I am the more light headed I get. I'm just always so worried something major is wrong with me. I wish this would go away. I can't even enjoy life anymore & I feel like I'm missing out on my kids life and enjoying spending time with my husband. I have prayed about it but haven't been reading my Bible like I was before the anxiety. I don't know what else to do.

 

[Julian of York]

Dear MHOELZER2988,
The term "Anxiety" is defined as the unreasonable fear of things, the expectation that something bad is going to happen, and the fear that you have a "condition".
Everything that you have described above has happened to me or is currently happening to me:the dizziness,the ear problems,the sense of impending doom,etc.
May I give you a couple of things that help me?
1) I get up in the morning 45 minutes before time to get ready for work and pray for fifteen minutes (in private,on my knees) and read my Bible EVERY DAY for thirty minutes.I am reading through the Bible again. Does it stop anxiety? No. But I talk to God about my anxieties every morning, and when I have to call on Him for help, I do not want any unconfessed sin or apathy on my part to hold back His help.
2)Realize that the Bible says that we must,through much tribulation (anxiety,trouble) enter into the Kingdom of God.In other words, understand that because a person is a Christian they should EXPECT TROUBLE. Even if you donn't have any,God wants you to grow up,so He will likely send you some. Stand by!
3)"Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial that is to try you,as though some strange thing happened unto you." All Christians experience WARFARE against the Enemy. Most,if not all the Giants of the Faith have had anxiety,melancholy and trouble.
4)GOOGLE up "Ray Comfort on Anxiety" and see what this Man of God has to say on the subject.
WARNING! WARNING! Do not expect trouble to cease! But do expect help from above!

Julian of York
"And the work of righteousness shall be PEACE: and the effect of righteousness, QUIETNESS AND ASSURANCE forever." Isaiah 32:17
I think you should memorize and CLAIM that verse,don't you????

 

[mhoelzer2988]

thanks Julian of York. You're the only one so far that's responded. I was beginning to think people thought I was crazy because no one said anything. I know I need to read my Bible but I can't even concentrate because I'm filled with so much anxiety! I've never had it this bad in my life! Usually it lasted maybe a month at the most and it didn't effect me constantly and it wasn't this intense. I only feared ONE thing. Now I fear 20 thousand things! I just want it to stop! I want my life back! I hate that you say that the anxiety will never go away because that gives me NO hope! What's the point in trying?!? It's gone away before, maybe not permanently but for a very long time before it returned again... I know God can cure me of this if I do my part and pray and read my Bible. I have faith that this problem can go away at least for a while.

 

[NoelAsa]

Since your anxiety has been an on going issue for years you might look into taking medication to control it. If you have not told your doctor about your anxiety issues then you should. If he knows about them then he can prescribe medication for you. A lot of times when people see their doctor they don't talk about their anxiety symptoms so the doctor does not address it.

 

[Julian of York]

MHOELZER2988,
It would be unkind to say that anyone has "no hope", and if I gave that impression, it was my error. However, Job, the man in the Bible that suffered more than anyone except Jesus, said this "Though He slay me,yet will I trust in Him."Job 13:15 I believe our proper attitude is that God already knows what and when things will happen to us, that He is interested in our good and our growth into the image of Christ. His Word and ,if I may say it, His MIghty Power, are dedicated to YOU and your wellbeing.
If God makes promises to you, He will also teach you to believe them...even though through trials.
Example: God has promised that all things will work together for good to those that love God,to those that are called according to His purpose. Now,when things go wrong, your natural reaction is that God has lied,things are NOT working out for your good! Don't forget, we don't really know nor can we say what is REALLY good for us. The end product, being conformed to Christ's Image, requires some work on us which we may not understand, some cutting and splicing that may hurt, but His promise is still true.
This is what I have found in my life as a Christian. And,man,have I been growing! It ain't easy,comfortable, or without pain, but I am getting to the place where i can see that the trouble has been worth it all.(But, Lord, please be gentle with your servants, and help us grow willingly,and not have to be hammered into shape.)
Now,this does NOT cure anxiety: but it does show you WHY things happen to you, as well as God's Eternal Promise for your good.

Well, God bless!
Julian of York
"But He knoweth the way I take; when He hath tried me , I shall come forth as gold." Job 27:6
I suggest you read the first few chapters of Job,and the last two chapters, and ask God to open your eyes to His Ways.

 

[mhoelzer2988]

NoelAsa, I don't believe in taking meds for that sort of thing because meds can't make Satan go away and he's the root of all of this! Only God can make him go away and therefore I have to put my trust in Him and Him only! However, that's easier said than done!

 

[NoelAsa]

I respect your belief. There are many Christians who are doctors and many Christians who take medication for depression and anxiety. I feel that is God working to help people who need it. I see that you go to the doctor for physical ailments so it was just a suggestion on my part. Praying that you will get the relief that you need.

 

[Cupitor]

Hi there, I am someone who has also lived through several periods of anxiety, sometimes very intense, and many years of depression. I have also had some health anxieties, just like you. I am in fact going through one such period right now.

But there is something I would like to comment. In your post you said:

I've always been healthy, not that that matters but I don't have a legitimate reason to worry.

I don't think this is true. Anxiety is a potentially serious medical condition. I think it is important for those of us suffering from anxiety to realize that it is not our fault, it is not "nothing" and it is not something you can snap out of just like that. Anxiety, just like depression, affects the structure of your brain.

I recommend you seek medical help for anxiety if you haven't already done so. There is no point waiting and waiting... Take it from someone who knows. I had anxiety and depression for about 20 years before I started to seek for help. I am waiting to get to the USA to start treatment but in the meantime I have been taking St. John's Wort, which is an over-the-counter herbal remedy. I was quite suspicious of it at first but started taking it as my husband suggested I should try. I thought I have nothing to lose, and to my surprise it helped a lot. It may not work for everyone but there are many drugs and treatment options out there. You can find the one that works for you.

Something you can do right away is to try to find something to relieve your anxiety even temporarily. They can be different things at different times, anything that takes your mind of your worries and gives you some pleasure or release from stress. They can even be things that people don't normally associate with relieving anxiety - the main thing is that it works for you. For example, I sometimes draw flowers or color pictures when I get really bad anxiety. I have no idea why it helps but it does, so I do it. I also try to make sure I have at least an hour a day to relax. You can, for example, meditate or pray and do yoga or some other relaxing exercise.

Lastly, it is important to hold on to hope. I strongly believe that one can get better, and one can overcome anxiety and/or depression. It takes a long time and it is not easy but I strongly believe it can be done. I am still struggling with anxiety, but I feel like I have overcome depression. I don't feel depressed the way I used to for so long.

I have already written in a couple of other posts about a book I read, but I will mention it again. It is a book by Norman Doidge on the plasticity of the brain. If you are interested in science, it is a very good book and it gave me so much hope on that I can "retrain" my brain.

 

[devnty06]

hi mhoelzer2988,
good you have hope and belief in god... but at the same think you will feel better and there are many chances of getting cured from it when you approach your General Physician and speak about it..