Hello everyone,

I have been experiencing anxiety my whole life particularly social anxiety. When my anxiety starts, it's like I go into a child like state. My communication is very poor, respond in 2 or 3 word answers. My speech doesn't make sense, my thoughts are limited.

Physically, I feel my vocal cords tighten, my voice trembles and I can only speak in a very low volume. I have to force myself to get out a few words. Sometimes, I cannot speak at all.

This has had a negative impact on my development. I am 27 and gave experienced limitations in all aspects of my life. Socially, career wise, I shut down being in new environments and new people.

I have felt the ostracizing effects of my anxiety and have had difficulties creating and establishing new relationship bonds. I've allowed myself to experience a lot of social isolation.

Recently, my anxiety has had negative impacts on my new job, which is extremely communication oriented. I've had difficulties creating a bond with my patients, effectively communicating with families and co workers, and navigating the new environment with comfort and confidence.

I would like to overcome this fear, my greatest desire is just to be functional. However, at my age, I have not been able to do this on my own.

I am reaching out to find out what medical interventions have been helpful for anxiety. Particularly, what medications have others tried and what has worked. Thanks in advance

Ok so back story back in june my husband and I had sex without protection, we already have a daughter but i was not ready for another baby so i took a plan b, my period was late by 3 months with my having to take medicine to induce one, every pregnancy test in june, july and august were negative with a blood test in July negative too, but since june I’ve been sooo scared I’m experiencing a cryptic pregnancy, fast forward to this month my husband and I started trying for a second baby and I found out I’m pregnant on friday, I’m super happy don’t get me wrong but since yesterday I’ve been soo scared that when i go in for an ultrasound they gonna find a 6 month baby inside of me, mind you i have a natural period on october 15 and I ovulate on nov 11 (I confirm with bbt) and that would make me around 6 weeks or 7 since my last period, but Imm sooo scared i can’t think, idk why, i know it sounds sooo stupid and crazy i know believe me!!

Does anyone else feel so misunderstood or unheard whrn it comes to your health? For example I'm experiencing mild vertigo right now, but it's constant. I'm debating going to the hospital (I spoke to my family doctor and he didn't care) but I'm worried no one will care at the hospital. That unless my insides are on my outsides, no one will care about how this is effecting me. I feel....I don't want to say unsafe in our medical facilities but it's like ...why even go if the people who are suppose to help don't help?.....

Idk if there are any doctors here or who would know. I was going to try Magnesium Glycinate to see if it helps me sleep & decrease my anxiety. 200mg. I also take a sleep aid, Diphrenhydramine 50mg. Could I take both at the same time tonight?

Hi everyone!

Thanks for taking part in the poll! [I deleted the same poll from yesterday, because I forgot one option.]

ASMR is a tingling sensation that some people experience on their skin, often triggered by soft sounds or gentle movements, which can promote relaxation and calmness.

Tinnitus is the perception of noise or ringing in the ears when no external sound is present, which can be loud or croon.

Visual snow is a neurological condition characterized by the persistent perception of tiny flickering dots across the visual field, resembling the static of a television screen.

Paresthesia refers to abnormal sensations in the skin, such as tingling, prickling, or numbness, often resulting from nerve damage or compression.

Question for the comments: Have you ever considered that these neurological symptoms may be connected to your anxiety?

View Poll

I’m currently in school, and i went to the mental hospital for about 22 days. (admitted 25th of october) but i haven’t gone to school for about 9 days because my parents told me not to and that i need rest. I’m really scared because i don’t know how my school will react. i’m currently moving and i know it must’ve affected my grades. i’m anxious about what’s to come, what should i do?

I was about to turn 13 when the pandemic started, and we were on lockdown. I remember the excitement of learning from home for a few days, but as soon as the new school year started, I became depressed. I still cared about my grades and managed to keep my As, but I had little to no motivation to do anything. I would waste my days playing games, and although I did have friends, they were not the nicest.

After we returned to "normal," I struggled with anxiety. I was overwhelmed by my large school of 2,000 students, and every social interaction left me feeling drained yet apprehensive. My relationship with my grades worsened as well; my self-confidence was never tied to my grades before, but now, anything less than perfect would cause a flood of tears. This feeling was not as frequent for a couple of years, but as a junior in high school, I find my daily life reflecting my past more frequently. My grades are the most important this year, and I am trying my hardest to keep them "good," but my anxiety is just roaring loudly every time I try to think during exams, especially for humanities classes.

I am also about to turn 18, and I feel as though I still cannot communicate/relate with people or be as "normal" as them. There are people who live each day without a worry about the previous one or the next, but I seem stuck in this limbo state. Physically, I am in the present, but my mind is split between my past mistakes and my future worries. I still wonder if my current situation is a result of the pandemic or just a natural process of growing up and going through puberty.

I have tried many ways to calm my anxiety, and they have worked as temporary solutions, but it always comes back: sometimes stronger than before. Every time I reached out for a therapist, I felt like a fraud because my anxious thoughts would disappear as soon as I got good marks. I know people who struggle with more things than I do, and it makes me feel stupider when they can function better than I can despite such challenges.

I suppose I am looking for advice. I am tried of feeling this way, and I do not want my life defined by numbers on a piece of paper. I always thought it would get better if I just tried my best each time, but my best is no longer enough nor do I have the strength to constantly give my all. Thankfully, I am slowly getting over my social fears, but academically, I am struggling.

Please, give me some useful advices which helps you to handle with anxiety.

I tried meditation, autogenic training, writing diary, writing my thoughts and worries. I am not sure I did them correctly, but they didn’t help me.

I am going to therapy, I have already 4 sessions, but they I don’t feel it helps me as well.

About symptoms:

Trembling of all body, flushing of the face, rapid heartbeat, confusion of thoughts, chaos in the head.

I have had excellent memory later, but now I confuse events, facts, some terminology in my memory.

Idk, but I believe I have brain fog, cause of anxiety

When I feel fear, I will feel anxiety then. Also when I worry about something I feel anxiety then. Fear, worry becomes anxiety.

In case where I should feel angry or rage I feel anxiety.

My desires: Somehow I can live with anxiety, but I very want to recover my memory, clear mind and concentration.

I recently moved to a remote part of the country for a job.

The place I am in sucks big time. There's no public transport. It's -30 degrees centigrade. I don't drive. There's no easy way to get groceries. It's like being stuck on an icy planet.

I am used to being in a city. With transport everywhere. Baristas and customer service people everywhere. Pedestrians walking around, bright lights, etc.

So as you can imagine, I am having a hard time adapting. But something strange I've noticed is that whenever I have to go to work, I get horribly anxious. My co-worker picks me up in his car, so transport isn't really an issue. But there's something about leaving the house and going to work that makes me extremely uncomfortable.

It's like the house is a safe zone and work is a cold uncomfortable place. This anxiety that I feel reminds me of the classic anxiety that children feel whenever they throw a tantrum and start crying right before they are taken to school. I used to feel that all the time as a kid but grew it out of it eventually (even though it came back at times).

So I've concluded that this is similar to that. It's a type of seperation anxiety. Seperation from a safe, warm place.

My question is, how do you cope with this as an adult? So far I have been watching familiar TV shows like Seinfeld (which I've always loved ever since I was a child). But the funny thing is, I think that is making things EVEN WORSE. When I watch Seinfeld, I feel like I am getting attached to the characters in the show, and then the house becomes even more of a safe zone because it feels like all the human beings in that show are there..........which means its now even harder to leave.

Has anyone else experienced this? It sucks because what can I even now do for entertainment if I cannot watch TV shows?

Hello people of r/AnxietyHelp . I’ve been struggling with health anxiety for 3 years now and I have barely gotten better. This all started during high school. I got sick for 2 weeks straight and suddenly one night, I start feeling nauseous . My face gets warm and I rush to the bathroom because it feels like I’m going to vomit. I end up not vomiting. Here’s the thing about me, I HATE vomit. Anything relating to it- I just can’t do it. Ever since that night- I had started to get more and more of those episodes. Miss diagnosed multiple times. And it ended up just being anxiety. Flash forward 3 years. I’m still struggling with it. I avoid certain food combos that I think would make my stomach upset, I avoid going outside of the house because I’m afraid of vomiting in public. I don’t eat with my family because I’m scared of getting sick mid dinner. It’s pretty well known that anxiety can make you nauseous, and when I feel nauseous? I just can’t do anything. I’ve cancelled hundreds of plans just because my anxiety about going out and maybe throwing up is causing me to get nauseous. I had to be pulled from public school and forced online. My fear and anxiety of throwing up is controlling my life and I want to do something about it. I’ve tried meds, meditation, mindfulness, all that jazz and I have yet to find a method that works for me. Any tips?

(I haven’t thrown up in 9 years.)

Please what do I do I’m 15 been very mentally ill since 10 I have extreme severe anxiety I’m on Zoloft 200mg it doesn’t work but I’m forced to take it what do I do please help me

Hi I just need advice. For the past week i’ve had this tightness and kind of sudden pain in my chest/heart region on my body. I always freak myself out with me being sick when i’m not bc im so scared im gna die at the age of 21, but this pain hasn’t gone away. I thought it only happened when i was breathing but i feel it at random moments just suddenly and it keeps happening. Now tonight, my arm started to cause me some pain and as im typing this my wrist is starting to hurt as well.

I think I may have a real anxiety issue and I need to see a therapist or something. I am struggling a lot to feel like i’m not dying but what if there is something wrong? Any advice would be nice.

Anxiety just became a way of my life need help

I'm anxious about everything. Especially related to work.

Right now I'm in process of switching jobs got a contract position from company d and I'm going work with my to be employer S. But my current contract job with company is with my current employe A. I've been asking company I to move my contract to employer S and they've asked employer A to act as a middle man. To which employer A agreed.

Now my contract with employer D might start next year for which they've asked for BGC. and from the form it appears that they will have to contact employer A to complete BGC. now my anxiety kicked in with rage if thoughts saying what happens if the request goes to you. Shall I tell him I'm looking for a new job or will it jeopardize everything. My employer S Is saying that since this bgc is initiated from us they won't know that it is for new employer and I don't know if he will sign on it.

In the mean time I may have a confusion on what to put as my end date for employer A. I put it as present assuming I'm filling it today and though it's a weekend and I thought that I'm still employed with employer A. and when I'm reading online I keep seeing that bgc can get rejected if you put your dates wrong.

It's all messed up I know there's something that's fundamentally wrong with me. How can I lead a normal life like all of you. My pregnant wife is staring at me looking so afraid of where I'm heading to. I need help. And my wife is against me taking medications thinking that it will mess up my health. Please advise.

Well I guess thats not totally true. I (20 f) have 1 friend and 3 acquaintances. Im a junior in college and I have horrible social anxiety and I have some suspicion that I might be neurodiverse. I transferred to my current university last year and I made no friends, and to this day I only have 3 people who I know on campus and Ive never hung out with any of them outside of the context of class. Im getting to a point in life where Im just convinced that I will have no friends. Im in therapy, and Ive had the same therapist for a few years now, but Ive made no progress on this. I just dont know what to do. I feel like a lost cause. I dont like texting cause Im nervous that I dont sound like Im supposed to when Im texting people my age. I havent initiated plans with a new person..ever? I dont think. I dont like partying. I dont smoke weed. I drink on occasion but Im not old enough to go to bars. Ive thought about joining a club but I feel like joining a club is just a cop out for actually being able to make friends. I used to think that there was something wrong with me and that I was just not likeable or something but Ive kind if gotten over that. But not Im at the point where Im like how the fuck do I actually do any of this shit? Like Im so lonely. Ive spent 3 years of college in my room. I have 3 semesters left before I graduate and even thought Ive started becoming more friendly with my acquaintances, I literally cant fathom asking them to hang out outside of class, let alone coming to my apartment. Has anyone else gone through something similar? If so how did you deal with the feelings? Im just sick of being lonely and having no one.

My lower right wisdom teeth is coming out and the pain is getting progressively worse, on the first day i felt some discomfort on the gum but that was about it, today my jaw hurts and my face is red and swollen.

I have read mixed stuff about this issue as some people say it is normal and that it shall pass, meanwhile others basically say that i have to go to the dentist asap if i don’t wanna die.

I have health anxiety and this is really freaking me out, i’m willing to go to a dentist and having this taken care of if needed obviously but i can’t go right now and i just want to know if i should go to the ER until i can go to the dentist or will i be ok until then?

Basically the title. I have been prescribed Propranolol 20mg for daily usage. Worried that it may cause dependancy and might become difficult to get off it.

Also, any effects on sex life? I am male.

Every head pain and feeling “wonky” or “out of it” is a brain tumor

Every chest pain is a heart condition or a PE

Etc.

I hate it here ugh

Sorry just a quick rant

I am suffering from severe anxiety and it is harming me pls help🙏🙏

I know this is a common fear of everyone. But for those of us who already have anxiety, it’s much much worse. Just terrible dread. My anxiety can start days or weeks before the actual presentation. In college I had panic attacks just thinking about a presentation that was months away. I have a big presentation on Monday, and can’t stop thinking about it. I typically take benzos before presentations (double my usual dose). I also used to need to drink alcohol. But that hurts cognition so not good during a presentation. Anyone have tips or what you’ve done to get through it?

I used to have them every single night, 1:30 AM on the dot for at least two years. I just made a video talking about my experience and how I improved. No quick fix, just my experience you can see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJJ2sGtsE3A

Please let me know what you think if you watch it!

I went through a tough period where I felt like a loser. I realized I struggled to create connections with people, especially compared to my friends. It hit me hard because I could no longer rely on the natural opportunities that high school and college provided—being around, meeting, and connecting with people in everyday settings.

One thing that made a big difference was adopting an abundance mindset. I reminded myself that there are millions of people in the world, and not everyone is going to like you—and that’s okay. Letting go of the need for external validation and caring less about what random people think of me was a game-changer. It wasn’t easy, but this shift in mindset was crucial for building confidence.

Yesterday I had a sore throat and headache, was about to fall asleep on the couch when I got up took my nightly shower and got in bed. My cats started fighting (NOT normal for them) which caused me to get super stressed as to what could have caused them to suddenly be fighting so aggressively. I had to seperate them and all i could hear was my poor cat screaming at the door not understanding why he couldn’t come in. I almost never stay up past 2, so when i saw the time was 4 in the morning I started to freak out. I tried to calm myself, but my eyes refused to get tired no matter how long I held them shut. I would fall asleep for maybe 10 minutes and would wake up wide awake again.

I’m now trying to eat (1:40 pm) but having trouble as i have such a big pit of anxiety in my chest and my sore throat and stuffy nose are making me lose my appetite.

I’m scared I won’t be able to get healthy amounts of sleep, i’m also having fomo as it’s my partner and I’s weekend. i feel i can’t get off my phone as I’m just anxiously reading things to try and calm myself. I want to take a nap to feel better, but i’m scared i’ll sleep the day away, but i’m also scared I won’t sleep tonight and then i’ll have had no sleep for 48 hours.

Please help. i feel so so so sick as is and the anxiety is making my chest burn. I have no idea how to calm down. Am i safe to just go about my day as normal? Play games and relax and not worry about sleep? If I can’t sleep should I go to ER for health issues? I just don’t know what to do

i feel so scared and at a loss. I hate this so much

I haven't had bad anxiety for like 2-3 days now, and it's been good, today i went out with my crush to the city centre, we admired the big ass Christmas tree that they put up, we bought shit from there, we held hands, everything was good, but now that i am about to sleep, the feeling of choking and of "about to throw up" is back again. I really thought my anxiety was kinda cured, or atleast on the right path to be cured, like last night i even had a dream i got meds for anxiety, and it felt wonderful, but i guess i was wrong. Idek what to do anymore.

The last time I worked was February then I had to quit because I couldn’t get anything done with my anxiety and ocd constantly sending me into hour long panic attacks. I feel like I’m finally able to get back to work (and I need money so I don’t really have a choice) and I’m so scared of screwing up this interview because of my anxiety. I already took as much Ativan as was recommended by my doctor but idk how to calm down enough to actually form a thought

I’ve had pretty bad anxiety for most of my life, and it leads to intense bouts of burnout. This really isn’t fun when I’m also trying to navigate college, and being an independent adult for the first time.

My dad says I just “need a day off” when I’m feeling overwhelmed about all the things on my to-do list that I struggle to handle emotionally. Unfortunately, these “days off” just lead to more anxiety. I’ll have more on my plate in a shorter amount of time, and taking breaks contributes MORE to my anxiety and burnout.

Last week, I was so wound up about studying. I hadn’t slept in days to get a project done, that I’d been burnt out on for WEEKS, and I was generally SO strung out. He told me going out to the mall which is my favorite place in the whole world- would make me feel better, I refused to leave the house, but he made me do it anyways since he was so eager to help. I knew exactly how I’d respond to the situation when he proposed the idea. But he made me go anyways. It didn’t help at all. I couldn’t stop thinking about all the things I had to do. Papers to write, notes unwritten, concepts not understood- I felt guilty and ashamed for going to the movies, shopping, and eating junk food the whole day instead of studying or chores. At my favorite place in the whole world, watching a movie about my favorite play in the whole world. My body was shaking and my mind was racing the entire time. I was super disappointed in myself-

I woke up the next morning feeling panicked, I was paralyzed by fear in my own bed in the gorgeous sunshine of my window. I woke up, and it felt like my body was already shutting down. Worst of all- I had so much more to do in a shorter amount of time!! And just like that, I “needed another day off” again. But I really felt like I HAD to get things done to really stop worrying about it. Not watch a movie, or do something I enjoy. Just write the damn paper. Study the lecture notes.

Do you folks also have a similar relationship with anxiety, doing tasks and burnout? You tell yourself you “just need a break” when you’re overwhelmed, and during the “break” it’s impossible to enjoy yourself, so you wake up more overwhelmed than when you started? What works for you guys? Anything helps!!!

I’ve driven for over 10 years and was never afraid of it; any car big or small I was able to drive it anywhere. In February I had a moment of stress while driving that made me feel like I was going to faint (I didn’t) and since then I haven’t been able to drive the same again. I’ve tried some therapy and temporarily it helped but to this day I get so anxious when getting on a highway. I also push myself to “practice” just to help get it out of my system. I’d love to know if anyone else has experienced something similar and what you tried doing to help yourself. I’m also not on any meds for this as I think it’s all in my head and just need to change the way I think about it. Thanks in advance

Hello everyone, I am still looking for people who would like to take part in my study https://www.soscisurvey.de/unilu435957/

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I know this sub is for anxiety specifically. My question is anxiety focused but I'll include adhd and depression here in case anyone has any insight.

I know I should do what my doctor recommends but where I am from doctors have a habit of being trigger happy. And tbh I have some reservations about being on medications for mental health even though I have been on mirtazapine for over 7 years. Given all this, I would just like to hear what you folks with experience with this stuff have to say about any of this.

My psychiatrist diagnosed that due to constant instability and trauma during my formative years, my sympathetic nervous system has gone into an almost constant state of fight or flight. This is where my anxiety comes from. And I agree with her. I have had anxiety for most of my life but it has increased quite a bit during the last few years which is why I am considering medication. However I have reservations due to possible side effects (both long and short term) and also chances of dependancy.

For context, I am 24M. 90kgs. 6ft. I also have ibs. And I have been prescribed 20mg daily in the morning.

I'll ask the question that is giving me the most anxiety first. Can anyone shed some light on using propranalol long term and then coming off it successfully with your doctors help? Did it fix (or help) your anxiety after coming off or did it go back to the way it was before propranalol or get worse?

Other than this, Some of the things I'd like to know from you folks are:

1. For the kind of anxiety I have (by that I mean the source of it being a constantly over stimulated fight or flight response) is the Propranalol the right medicine?
2. As I have read elsewhere on this sub - could it possibly suppress my fight or flight response too much to the point that it does not get activated when it needs to?
3. What is the likelihood of long term dependancy? Has anyone been on propranalol for a long period of time and then been able to wane off it successfully with the help of your doctor? If so then did you anxiety symptoms come back after you went off it or did you feel like it rewire your brain to a certain extent?

Is there any possibility that long term use of the drug diminishes the brains capability to perform the same functions without its help?

4. I have read online that propranalol can possibly increase the risk of ADHD. Since I already have it and it is quite the bane of my existence, I am worried about this.

5. What if any long or short term side effects has anyone here experienced related to basic things like sleep, weight gain/loss, sex drive and digestive issues. Beta blockers generally cause constipation, don't they?

6. Can someone suggest some natural/otc alternatives in case I dont want to go the hardcore medication way? I mean supplements and the such.

7. Can I take Propanalol on an as needed basis? Like just take it on the days I know I have anxiety inducing things on my page or do I need to take it regularly for it to work? To be clear I dont think my anxiety is limited to public speaking or social anxiety. It is more generalized.

8. Due to my ADHD I have the tendency to actually be calm in disruptive situations and work better than others. Can propranalol hamper this? Because this is something that comes in very handy in the line or work that I am in.

9. Also interested in hearing anything else anyone might have to say and any personal experiences with this.I know this sub is for anxiety specifically. My question is anxiety focused but I'll include adhd and depression here in case anyone has any insight.

I know I should do what my doctor recommends but where I am from doctors have a habit of being trigger happy. And tbh I have some reservations about being on medications for mental health even though I have been on mirtazapine for over 7 years. Given all this, I would just like to hear what you folks with experience with this stuff have to say about any of this.

My psychiatrist diagnosed that due to constant instability and trauma during my formative years, my sympathetic nervous system has gone into an almost constant state of fight or flight. This is where my anxiety comes from. And I agree with her. I have had anxiety for most of my life but it has increased quite a bit during the last few years which is why I am considering medication. However I have reservations due to possible side effects (both long and short term) and also chances of dependancy.

For context, I am 24M. 90kgs. 6ft. I also have ibs. And I have been prescribed 20mg daily in the morning.

I'll ask the question that is giving me the most anxiety first. Can anyone shed some light on using propranalol long term and then coming off it successfully with your doctors help? Did it fix (or help) your anxiety after coming off or did it go back to the way it was before propranalol or get worse?

Other than this, Some of the things I'd like to know from you folks are:

1. For the kind of anxiety I have (by that I mean the source of it being a constantly over stimulated fight or flight response) is the Propranalol the right medicine?
2. As I have read elsewhere on this sub - could it possibly suppress my fight or flight response too much to the point that it does not get activated when it needs to?
3. What is the likelihood of long term dependancy? Has anyone been on propranalol for a long period of time and then been able to wane off it successfully with the help of your doctor? If so then did you anxiety symptoms come back after you went off it or did you feel like it rewire your brain to a certain extent?

Is there any possibility that long term use of the drug diminishes the brains capability to perform the same functions without its help?

4. I have read online that propranalol can possibly increase the risk of ADHD. Since I already have it and it is quite the bane of my existence, I am worried about this.

5. What if any long or short term side effects has anyone here experienced related to basic things like sleep, weight gain/loss, sex drive and digestive issues. Beta blockers generally cause constipation, don't they?

6. Can someone suggest some natural/otc alternatives in case I dont want to go the hardcore medication way? I mean supplements and the such.

7. Can I take Propanalol on an as needed basis? Like just take it on the days I know I have anxiety inducing things on my page or do I need to take it regularly for it to work? To be clear I dont think my anxiety is limited to public speaking or social anxiety. It is more generalized.

8. Due to my ADHD I have the tendency to actually be calm in disruptive situations and work better than others. Can propranalol hamper this? Because this is something that comes in very handy in the line or work that I am in.

9. Also interested in hearing anything else anyone might have to say and any personal experiences with this.

I don't have any meds prescribed and I don't think I can get a prescription anytime soon but lately I've been having alot of panic attacks and I don't know how to stop it on my own