Anxiety
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DistrictCyclone
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Awesome, I am sure he will thank YOU for having the courage to come forward and be open about it. I don't suffer from anxiety, but have several people close to me who do and know firsthand how difficult it is to come out and let others know of your condition. I think Royce is so right on when he talks about how beneficial it would be to get rid of the stigmas surround this and other mental illnesses.
I'd seek help I still have these symptons but at least they are less frequent now. I'm not sure what I will do when I actually have a heart attack as it feels like I'm having one almost every day. The only way I can sleep because my mind races all night is with the help of medication.
Maybe after the game? I'd rather not have him thinking about anxiety before he takes the floor.
:smile:
I've struggled with it since my last year at Iowa State. At first I thought it was just due to the major life change of moving on to the 'real' world. Actually, it probably was a trigger, but not the only one. Speaking with a professional helped, but I still take medication everyday, and don't really see a day where that is not part of my daily routine anymore.
I still struggle at times, but not nearly as bad as when I hit bottom. Panic attacks are terrible. It is hard for me to write this, but there were many times that death felt like a better option than what I was going through. It is not that way now, but there was a time, and that's why anxiety, and talking about it, is so important.
Some of the things I went through have already been mentioned:
- rapid heart beat
- dry heaves, to the point I would just hang out in the bathroom for hours feeling like I was going to be sick
- very difficult time sleeping, and when I did sleep I had intense nightmares
The worst symptom I had though was a feeling of depersonalization. I felt like I could 'see' myself...very hard to explain, but terrifying for me. It is a really strange feeling of claustrophobia, where I could 'see' the panic attack coming, I could 'see' there were ways out of it, like I could avoid it, but I couldn't do anything to make myself do anything different than succumb to what was coming. The definiton of 'helpless', I suppose.
I still have difficulty going places by myself, because I fear what would happen if I broke down, even though it hasn't happened in 7 years. Thankfully, I have an amazing wife and a strong support group of family and friends.
I don't know what would have come of me had I gone undiagnosed. I applaud the OP for seeking help, because that's the first step.
I still struggle at times, but not nearly as bad as when I hit bottom. Panic attacks are terrible. It is hard for me to write this, but there were many times that death felt like a better option than what I was going through. It is not that way now, but there was a time, and that's why anxiety, and talking about it, is so important.
Some of the things I went through have already been mentioned:
- rapid heart beat
- dry heaves, to the point I would just hang out in the bathroom for hours feeling like I was going to be sick
- very difficult time sleeping, and when I did sleep I had intense nightmares
The worst symptom I had though was a feeling of depersonalization. I felt like I could 'see' myself...very hard to explain, but terrifying for me. It is a really strange feeling of claustrophobia, where I could 'see' the panic attack coming, I could 'see' there were ways out of it, like I could avoid it, but I couldn't do anything to make myself do anything different than succumb to what was coming. The definiton of 'helpless', I suppose.
I still have difficulty going places by myself, because I fear what would happen if I broke down, even though it hasn't happened in 7 years. Thankfully, I have an amazing wife and a strong support group of family and friends.
I don't know what would have come of me had I gone undiagnosed. I applaud the OP for seeking help, because that's the first step.
I'm a clinician, and when I take family histories, there is mental illness of some sort in just about every family. It is SO common, but people are ashamed of talking about it. It's sad - if you break your arm, you go to a doctor, but if you are depressed you are perceived as weak. They are both legitimate medical concerns and should be perceived as such.
NIMH · Statistics · Generalized Anxiety Disorder Among Adults
Here are stats from the CDC about generalized anxiety disorder in adults. If you explore the website, there are prevalence statistics for most mental health conditions. It's a real eye-opener.
Also, THANK YOU for everyone being open and honest about their anxiety and other mental health issues. It's refreshing to see people talk about it openly.
NIMH · Statistics · Generalized Anxiety Disorder Among Adults
Here are stats from the CDC about generalized anxiety disorder in adults. If you explore the website, there are prevalence statistics for most mental health conditions. It's a real eye-opener.
Also, THANK YOU for everyone being open and honest about their anxiety and other mental health issues. It's refreshing to see people talk about it openly.
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About 10 years ago I went through a really dark year of intense anxiety issues. It was job related. I got on meds, and combined with counseling, fought my way out of it. And yah, I left that job! The constricted chest, rapid heart beat, and general fight-or-flight reactions. With the nearly unspeakable stomach issues that came with it, I developed an eating disorder. I realize now that yes, I had an upset stomach/ulcer situation, but I think that not eating also became the one thing in my life that I could control. If I ate the equivalent of 3 fried eggs a week, that was pretty big. Eventually went below 100 pounds (I'm a 5'2 female) and then my heart starting skipping beats because my potassium was so out of whack. Thoughts of wanting to end it all were inevidible. The dog-eat-dog cycle of anxiety causing medical issues, and then medical issues causing more anxiety, was a living hell.
I found getting medical help to be extremely difficult. I was brushed off - told to snap out of it. Have a glass of wine and relax! I did not click with my first therapist. With the help of a supporting husband a good friends, I made it out.
Today I'm doing well, no meds, but about once year or two I go see my old therapist. It's good to check in with him and talk about how I continue to handle it. I think it's like being an alcoholic - you're never cured, but it's always there and you learn to deal with the demon. And, I've never been one to buy crap advertised on radio/tv, but I did buy the Midwest Center For Anxiety tapes. I had a long daily commute and it gave me a way to learn to deal with my issues instead of spending that commute working up more anxiety.
Don't give up - search until you find what works for you.
I found getting medical help to be extremely difficult. I was brushed off - told to snap out of it. Have a glass of wine and relax! I did not click with my first therapist. With the help of a supporting husband a good friends, I made it out.
Today I'm doing well, no meds, but about once year or two I go see my old therapist. It's good to check in with him and talk about how I continue to handle it. I think it's like being an alcoholic - you're never cured, but it's always there and you learn to deal with the demon. And, I've never been one to buy crap advertised on radio/tv, but I did buy the Midwest Center For Anxiety tapes. I had a long daily commute and it gave me a way to learn to deal with my issues instead of spending that commute working up more anxiety.
Don't give up - search until you find what works for you.
Since this feels like a "coming out party" of sorts, I guess I share my issues, too.
I have suffered from depression and anxiety for years. It runs in the family; some medicate with alcohol or other illicit drugs (which I've been known to do, in the past), others sought help.
Thankfully, having medically-inclined parents (a doctor and a nurse), my folks were really up on the idea that mental issues can are much more than mental. They can be an actual brain imbalance of certain chemicals, or resistance to chemicals (such as serotonin, etc.). Or that your body simply doesn't produce enough of whatever hormones it needs.
I've been medicated, off and on. I was coerced by a past roommate of mine to "just get over it, it's fine", and for a while things were great. But, the issues are constant. Feelings of inadequacy, general nervousness in social situations, public speaking, et cetera. Much more so than general "jitters". Panic attacks, sweats, insomnia, and so on.
A lot of people think it's a made up problem that can be dealt with internally. I disagree. I'm hopeful that as research comes out on anxiety and depression that it's much more a "real" issue. Internally, I ask myself, "Were people in the 50's told to get over polio?" or "Are people with cancer over-medicating themselves with chemotherapy, radiation, or otherwise?" I am increasingly convinced that mental health problems are just as much a medical problem as other, more "conventional" diseases.
Frankly, for me, it's invigorating to see someone like Royce White come out and say, "Yeah, I have this problem. It's a big deal, but lots of people are dealing with it."
I still keep this "issue" from most of my friends, simply from the standpoint of trying to avoid stigmas and what not.
All I have to say is this: There is no shame in talking to a therapist. Sometimes, just talking to someone can help. There is no shame in taking a medication to help you deal with it. In my opinion, it's no different from taking meds to deal with high blood pressure.
Edit: I also want to point out to anyone here that if you're a student and having issues, even if it's just feeling down after a break-up or whatever, student counseling services on campus is extremely helpful. Do not sell yourself short if you think it might help, and it's free!
I have suffered from depression and anxiety for years. It runs in the family; some medicate with alcohol or other illicit drugs (which I've been known to do, in the past), others sought help.
Thankfully, having medically-inclined parents (a doctor and a nurse), my folks were really up on the idea that mental issues can are much more than mental. They can be an actual brain imbalance of certain chemicals, or resistance to chemicals (such as serotonin, etc.). Or that your body simply doesn't produce enough of whatever hormones it needs.
I've been medicated, off and on. I was coerced by a past roommate of mine to "just get over it, it's fine", and for a while things were great. But, the issues are constant. Feelings of inadequacy, general nervousness in social situations, public speaking, et cetera. Much more so than general "jitters". Panic attacks, sweats, insomnia, and so on.
A lot of people think it's a made up problem that can be dealt with internally. I disagree. I'm hopeful that as research comes out on anxiety and depression that it's much more a "real" issue. Internally, I ask myself, "Were people in the 50's told to get over polio?" or "Are people with cancer over-medicating themselves with chemotherapy, radiation, or otherwise?" I am increasingly convinced that mental health problems are just as much a medical problem as other, more "conventional" diseases.
Frankly, for me, it's invigorating to see someone like Royce White come out and say, "Yeah, I have this problem. It's a big deal, but lots of people are dealing with it."
I still keep this "issue" from most of my friends, simply from the standpoint of trying to avoid stigmas and what not.
All I have to say is this: There is no shame in talking to a therapist. Sometimes, just talking to someone can help. There is no shame in taking a medication to help you deal with it. In my opinion, it's no different from taking meds to deal with high blood pressure.
Edit: I also want to point out to anyone here that if you're a student and having issues, even if it's just feeling down after a break-up or whatever, student counseling services on campus is extremely helpful. Do not sell yourself short if you think it might help, and it's free!
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Going into my freshman year of college, I had put on a little extra weight. A few things happened, I developed some pretty severe anxiety, and lost about 40 pounds in 3 months. There were times when I could literally not remember the last time I had eaten. That isn't the healthy part.
I remember how shocked (and scared) my family was when I first went home to visit, that much lighter.
I've gone through a similar stage once since then, it's not a lot of fun.
I remember how shocked (and scared) my family was when I first went home to visit, that much lighter.
I've gone through a similar stage once since then, it's not a lot of fun.
D
DistrictCyclone
Guest
I did not get to speak to royce but i felt something different watching him tonight. He would constantly pound on his head which i thought was odd.
I have social anxiety. I hate being in crowds.... I don't go to my seat in Hilton until the music stops and the game starts. Class is tough sometimes.
The way I like to describe it to people is. "you know when you were in high school and the cops came to a party? the feeling you get right when they first show up like Oh ****?... anxiety is living with that feeling all the time.
The way I like to describe it to people is. "you know when you were in high school and the cops came to a party? the feeling you get right when they first show up like Oh ****?... anxiety is living with that feeling all the time.
Just some ideas that helped me through it (I experienced this for around three to four years to varying degrees, though I realize now that I have a touch of social anxiety dating back to my childhood).
1. Your body is it's own pharmacy. Most drugs are imitations of chemicals that your body produces naturally when it's operating in a healthy way. Learn what releases those chemicals for you (not an indictment of seeking help in the form of a prescription at all, but I have a natural dislike of prescriptions, so I stayed away). Physical activity is one of the best things here. It burns up the bad chemicals from stress, and releases good ones. I went three years straight where I would "work out" every single day. I'd walk, play basketball, lift weights, etc..
2. Learn meditation. I never got very good at it, but the power to redirect your mind, or just tell it to shut the hell up is wonderful when you have anxiety. Don't worry if, like me, you're not great at it. Even the small successes help.
3. Spirituality if you are so inclined. There is a lot of comfort to be found there. I greatly benefited by figuring out what I could and could not control, and the problems that were beyond my ability to control, I gave to God.
4. If you are suffering from insomnia, like I was, one of the best tricks I found was to turn the clock away from me so I could not see it. Even if you don't get a full night's sleep, there is a psychological advantage to not knowing how little. You come to realize that you can function with less sleep than you'd like as well. Second best tip if you are having trouble shutting your mind off- don't shut off your eyes when you close them. Sounds weird, but your mind turns them off naturally when they don't need to see, but I found that looking at the back of my eyelids on a conscious level helped keep my mind away from nervous thoughts.
5. Continue to challenge yourself. There is a lot of power in continuing to do things in spite of your anxiety. Even the smaller challenges are worthwhile, and you can look back and build upon your successes. The first year I had trouble was my best year professionally (before or since), and in the overall period, I was promoted twice. As you look back on your successes, you realize that the process of fighting through it made you a stronger person, and better equipped to deal with stress in the future.
A bit windy, but I hope that helps someone in a way. I'm sure I have other tips if anyone is curious. I'm just so impressed with the personal strength and leadership that Royce is taking on this issue.
1. Your body is it's own pharmacy. Most drugs are imitations of chemicals that your body produces naturally when it's operating in a healthy way. Learn what releases those chemicals for you (not an indictment of seeking help in the form of a prescription at all, but I have a natural dislike of prescriptions, so I stayed away). Physical activity is one of the best things here. It burns up the bad chemicals from stress, and releases good ones. I went three years straight where I would "work out" every single day. I'd walk, play basketball, lift weights, etc..
2. Learn meditation. I never got very good at it, but the power to redirect your mind, or just tell it to shut the hell up is wonderful when you have anxiety. Don't worry if, like me, you're not great at it. Even the small successes help.
3. Spirituality if you are so inclined. There is a lot of comfort to be found there. I greatly benefited by figuring out what I could and could not control, and the problems that were beyond my ability to control, I gave to God.
4. If you are suffering from insomnia, like I was, one of the best tricks I found was to turn the clock away from me so I could not see it. Even if you don't get a full night's sleep, there is a psychological advantage to not knowing how little. You come to realize that you can function with less sleep than you'd like as well. Second best tip if you are having trouble shutting your mind off- don't shut off your eyes when you close them. Sounds weird, but your mind turns them off naturally when they don't need to see, but I found that looking at the back of my eyelids on a conscious level helped keep my mind away from nervous thoughts.
5. Continue to challenge yourself. There is a lot of power in continuing to do things in spite of your anxiety. Even the smaller challenges are worthwhile, and you can look back and build upon your successes. The first year I had trouble was my best year professionally (before or since), and in the overall period, I was promoted twice. As you look back on your successes, you realize that the process of fighting through it made you a stronger person, and better equipped to deal with stress in the future.
A bit windy, but I hope that helps someone in a way. I'm sure I have other tips if anyone is curious. I'm just so impressed with the personal strength and leadership that Royce is taking on this issue.
I am almost exactly like that by nature. People have remarked at how unnaturally calm I remain in stressful situations, both before my anxiety and after. Admittedly, it was an outward appearance at times. Being virtually unflappable does not make you immune to something like this, which was one of my largest challenges when it came about, because it seemed so contrary to my nature.