What do I do?? need help from christian experience

[cardfan1]

1. I'm 26 and I'm not really sure what i'm going through, and I could really use some help. I've got a lot of things in my life right now, so some anxiety is probably inevitable, but this is different. I can't seem to shake this awful feeling inside. I have trouble concentrating, I feel like something awful is happening or going to happen, sometimes I break down crying for no reason, and it's really starting to affect me at work and in my daily life. Even when I think i'm doing better, I'm just waiting for the feeling to come back. I've never felt like this before. A couple months ago it started and lasted for about 2 weeks. (There were a few different things that could have triggered it) Then I felt better for a couple weeks (I don't know what i did), and now i've felt awful again for over 2 weeks straight. I don't know if i'm having panic attacks? anxiety disorder? or what. I know none of you can accurately diagnose me based on this paragraph, but PLEASE help if you can. If anyone can relate, please share your experience.

2. Along with that, can anyone point me in the right direction to find help. I have spoken with my pastor, parents, and fiance, and they all agree I may need to get help or counseling or something. But I don't know where to go from here. Do i see a doctor, psychologist, counselor? I don't really want to go to some secular psychiatrist, I really need some Christian help.

Any help would greatly be appreciated!! thanks.

 

[Mrs. Luther073082]

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mental-health/MH00074

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mental-health/MH00008

 

[junezephyr]

cardfan1, I'd recommend that you see both a nutritionist and a Christian counselor. I've had some terrible anxiety and depression in the last few years, and little did I know for quite awhile that they where largely physiologically based (nutritional imbalances and adrenal imbalances due to stress). If you're stressed, this can be a huge trigger for anxiety. The mind and body becomes exhausted after awhile- even simply from negative thoughts.

http://christiantherapist.com/ - This is a directory of Christian counselors. I haven't had experience with one, but this may be a good place to start if you don't have any idea yet.

You're not alone- I struggle with these things too, and the best thing I've found is to lean on the Lord. Remember that no matter what you go through, He upholds you. You always have a place of rest in Him.

 

[Amhacajo]

My prayers are with you. The feelings you are getting are probably quite horrible and I pray that you can get some relief for it.

When I first realised the depth of my anxities I actually went and saw a doctor and got a referal for a psychologist but I had thought about it very carefully before I did. If you have a good relationship with your doctor then he is a good sounding board to point you in the right direction of help. I was not keen on going onto any type of medication and went and saw my doctor with this in mind. You seem very clear that you would like some Christian counselling so ask your pastors if they know of anybody who can help.

I pray you can make a clear decision on what you would like to do

 

[gracechick]

If you feel comfortable I would ask those I trust for referrels. Perhaps your pastor could even give you a name or try to help you search.
Someone may know of a christian MD which can usually tell you about medications that are currently out there. & finding the rite person can set you in the rite direction to finding about any type of Christian mental health professional that you feel comfortable with.

Also do a search here, bcause many have had experience with rx's at one time or another.

There are Christian books if you want to look there, sites like Focus on the Family have lists of Christian counselors.

& as was mentioned diet can be a huge factor, bcause all our chemistry is different. Some of the best things to do are to eat as organic as possible, drink lots of water, cut back on white sugar & artificial sweetners. Exercise is also highly recommended.

 

[gracealone]

HI Cardfan,
Feelings of dread are common in anxiety disorders. Do you feel as if you are going crazy or like you might die? Does your heart race, do you sweat, tremble, have trouble breathing? Any of these can be signs of a panic attack. Also, there is a thing called generalised anxiety disorder which manifests itself by causing a person to feel overwhelming anxiety about the everyday things of life.
Best idea, yes, see a doctor, and be wholly honest about your feelings, thoughts and physical symptoms.
I know Christians are afraid of psychologist's but there are some very good ones out there with lots of expertise in treating these disorders and they are best equipped to diagnose your problem in the same way a Cardiologist is the best Doc. to diagnose a heart condition, even if they aren't a Christian. Remember your brain is also made of flesh and blood and subject to illness just like any other organ in your body. A true anxiety disorder is not a spiritual problem.
When I saw a psychologist about my anxiety disorders, I used it as an opportunity to share my faith with her as well as getting her expert advice on how best to treat my disorder. She helped me a lot.
Hang in there and go see a professional if at all possible.
Blessings,
Mitzi

 

[SPRINGSHADE]

Hello-

You are right. It is hard to answer you, because of how vague your posting is. However, I can TOTALLY relate to what you HAVE said. I am 32 (almost 33 YIKES!!) and I had a tramatic event happen when I was 18. This in turn started me on the road to anxiety, panic attacks, and that horrible feeling you speak of.

I think I would not have suffered so much if I would have gotten a good psychotherapist immediately. I really believe, retrospectively, that my problem stemmed from multiple causes. I think perhaps due to imbalanced eatting, that I did not have all my chemicals functioning correctly. I have had to do a lot of work on boundaries (I'm still working on this). As I learn, this frees me to live a less stressful life. I also have learned a lot about who I REALLY am, as oppossed to what I thought I was or thought I should be.

It was also about learning coping skills for some very basic, everyday, situations. The psychotherapy helped with that. Anxiety always goes hand in hand with depression, so that is probably that dreaded feeling you feel. I'm not sure if you feel comfortable going into more detail, but perhaps I can give you some more perspective on your situation. I have done a lot of reading on this complex issue. I had it so bad, what is called social phobia, that I couldn't even enter a restaurant to feed myself. I would just circle the parking lot. I lost weight, due to the extreme amount of fear.

If you choose to share more, perhaps I can help you better.
God bless you and keep surrendering your "issues," to God. Learning to let go, accepting that you are both sinner and saint, and striving for excellence rather than perfection are all beliefs you MUST incorporate into your life to battle this complex issue.

God Bless,
Springshade

 

[jream]

I went to a christian therapist and we talked about the simple sillyness of anxiety and panic attacks and that counseling was worth more than gold even though it seemed like I wasn't progressing.

A good suggestion is cut out on the starbucks caffeine drinks if you drink them and drink more water and eat more fruit I am not sure if this is a panic attack or not, It sounds more like a brokeness or something to me.

 

[Bennuboy]

I know what your going threw, i went threw the same thing for along time. I didnt get off my parents couch for anything at all for about 6 months, i tried telling the doctor i wasnt depressed and that i felt "broken" like something just wasnt right, not sad just not there either if that makes sense but was still misdiagnosed as depression, then anxiety, no matter what i did it didnt seem to help so i started doing drugs....horrible idea because it triggered underlying schizo tendencies which im getting help for and its slowly going away. Alot of it was nutrition based, i started taking a multi vitamin and stop drinking 2 dozen coca colas a day and that worked better than all the drugs they put me on for the schizo/depression part but i still have that broken feeling, the only thing that really helps me is forcing myself to spend time with friends and family, being hyper social so to speak (i also have agoraphobic tendencies), and just trying to ignore it. I hope one day i will find a doctor or a pastor that knows whats wrong but i havent yet, its a horrible feeling or lack of feeling and i hope you find help for it but if you do, please drop me a PM and let me know what it is.

 

[cardfan1]

thanks all for your responses. I have been seeing a great Christian counselor and am now on meds. It hasn't been easy, and even though i'm still down a lot, at least i'm not on as much of a roller coaster as what i was. I just hope and pray that I will fully get better someday soon.

 

[ShannonJ]

Maybe it is an assumption based on the things that you wrote in your paragraph but it sounds like you are going through some of the same things I am going through. Sometimes it is hard to put into words just how we feel and even harder to get someone else to understand. I have been seeing a Christian Psychologist and he seems to have some insight into what I am going through, but there are times when I don't think anyone understands. But that is just it, no matter how alone you feel there truely are so many people that are feeling the way that you do, and most of all you are God's child and he knows you better then you know yourself, He created you! One of my favorite verses is Isiah 41:10 Fear not for I AM with you, be not dismayed for I AM your God, I will strengthen you, yes I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand! I know that it is hard to not focus on the way that you feel because at times it is more then obvious, especially when you can't concentrate! Try to find a Christian counselor it is helpful, and stay in the word as much as you can because the word is God's promise and truth! If you need anyone to talk to you are welcome to E-mail me, I don't know how much help I would be but sometimes it is nice to talk to someone who is going through something similar. I'll pray for you!