I think I have an anxiety disorder.  I had the stomach flu for more than a month.  Doctors ran every test conceivable, didn't find anything, and now suggest it went away but my constant worrying about it coming back is psychosomatically making it come back.  \n\nSo to look into this anxiety disorder theory, do I see a therapist, a psychologist or what?  And how do I start looking for one(doctors didn't have anyone to recommend)?  Phone book?
125557
I am almost done with my Masters degree in Counseling, so I am definitely an advocate for counselors.  They can treat the same issues that psychologists treat.  Psychologists see "patients" who are "sick."  Counselors see "clients" who are "stuck."  Be careful about going straight to a psychiatrist; they are prone to prescribe meds right off the bat.  I say try counseling before moving on to medication.\n\n\nCounselor and Therapist are sometimes interchangeable terms.  In Ohio, there are social workers, professional counselors, marriage and family therapists.  The difference is in licensure.  Any licensed mental health professional (with a Masters degree, at least) can help you with your anxiety.  Psychologists generally have PhDs, which in my experience, doesn't necessarily make them more effective.
53054
Its really hard to say not knowing where you live .... i would look up on the internet for your area and see if there is anything offered. Just a suggestion too... for 12 years i was told i had depression and anxiety, come to find out after i freaked and drove my car to portland lost it and me and dont remember it, i was told i have bipolar , you may want to have that checked, but a regular doctor cant tell you this.... I hope you find help i know how frustrating it is.
100314
It depends on your level of anxiety. If it is minor, exercise, mediate, see a therapist. If you have horrible panic attacks (like I did) you need to take some medication to get your mind straight so you can work on the issues that are causing your anxiety with a therapist.\nGood luck sweetie!
72191
You have a fairly common anxiety disorder that is beginning to generalize to other aspects of your life. The optimal treatment for panic disorder and specific phobias is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). You need to find a psychologist who specializes in CBT. The outcome of this therapy has been demonstrated to be superior to all other treatments, including medication. NIMH even list CBT as the primary treatment option for your problems over medication. When you look for a psychologist you want to find one who graduated from an APA accredited program. If you can see one with a Ph.D. or Psy.D. even better. You should expect therapy will last 5 to 20 sessions depending on the severity of your problems. I've treated this problem many times with patients and they typically find complete remission of their symptoms by session 10 and then I help them learn relaxation exercises for 2 to 3 sessions. You'll learn that anxiety typically is an adaptive emotion that helps people respond appropriately to stressors; however, in the case of panic and phobias, something has gone wrong and you have to re-learn how to react to anxiety symptoms in an adaptive, non-distressing manner. After therapy 80 to 90% of people's anxiety problems don't return--ever!! Or if they do they have the skills to easily control them. CBT is a highly effect therapy.
98555
you should talk to your regular physician, so that they know what is going on as well; they can (if you sign release forms) provide information to your therapist that can help in diagnosis and treatment.  You can go to either a psychiatrist or psychologist (if you need to see someone else for diagnosis, treatment, etc. they will refer you).\nas for testing, there are many tests that are used to determine whether or not you have OCD, and to what extent you have it.  behavioral inventories are done, there are several versions of this, in which you simply answer questions such as "Do you find yourself checking things, such as door locks, frequently?" and "Have you ever thought about harming others?"  (these tests are used to diagnose many disorders, such as depression and ADD, so some questions may not apply to you, but will be helpful for your therapist to know).  an initial diagnosis can be made without these tests, especially if it is very obvious that you have OCD, but further testing is helpful to give a more complete diagnosis.  be sure to be truthful in all your answers, and ask questions about what the questions on the tests mean if you're not sure, as this is important in scoring them.\nGood luck on receiving help.
549803
You need a second or even a third opinon. No one here can really answer this question for you. You need real answers to a serious problem. Be insistent until you have a clear diagnosis. If you think something is wrong, you need to be taken seriously, or have it explained to you in such a way that you completely understand what the doctor is saying. You should never be left with this type of anxiety. Clear this up by calling a different doctor today.
504016
I don't know what to tell you. You really worried me a lot. But if you are concerned talk to your doctor don't be scared of asking them questions, that's why they are there to help people that are needing answers. you can also visit the web med.\nI think that's all I can say, but I pray with my heart. god bless.
345642
Regarding Kent: Maybe it's not the question asker's fault? Maybe he doesn't have a list of conditions. Maybe he just has crap friends. \n\nFeel free to see a shrink, but it might not be necessary. Try not hanging out with them, and finding new people to talk to. If you still find you can't trust *anyone* then see a professional. But, if it's just those few people, get away from them.\n\nPeople are too quick to label themselves with mental health issues.
192247
symptoms point to either Generalized Anxiety Disorder or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.  Probably the first one.  Yeah, probably GAD and you should see someone soon before you get an ulcer.  See, when your anxious, your sympathetic nervous system kicks into gear increasing your heart rate, breathing, sweating, etc.  as well as slowing down digestion in the stomach.  When the parasympathetic takes over after the anxiety is gone, your stomach starts to secrete HCL Acid.  When you go back and forth, it's like driving a car when you're 15 - you hit the gas too hard, then hit the breaks, hit the gas too hard, hit the breaks.  Over time, this can eat holes in your stomach lining.  You should see a doctor soon.  Make an appointment with a Psychologist.  He can then refer you to the appropriate doctor to make a diagnosis and get you on some anti-anxiety meds.
526215
Your problem does indeed sound like a Personality Disorder, but there are one or two symptoms that don't exactly fit, either.  What I would do is see a General Practitioner and ask for an anti-anxiety or anti-depressant.  These Doctors are not worried about your mental health (well, they are but only how it effects your physical well-being).  Perhaps they can recommend a psychologist to talk to while taking the meds they prescribe or else another psychologist, but ask for the meds until then!
376177
I can understand where you are coming from. I've had a similar experience. It seems that you are under a lot of stress. That maybe why your anxiety level is so high. Drinking doesn't solve anything it only delays the ultimate result. You still have the problem. It would be nice if you could find a therapist or someone close to talk things out with. Since you are on meds home remedies, such as milk and sugar may not be a good idea. Because they could have a negative affect on your meds.  I am sorry to hear that you lost your man. That can be painful. It could have lead to some of the problems you are having. I would suggest you find someone to talk this all through with. Call your doc and tell him or her the symptoms. Especially the dizzy part and the pain. If your doc does not understand find one that does. You don't have to accept bad behavior from your doctor, office visits are not free. Keep writing here we won't give up on you.
8108
i personally have panic disorder. i've been told...get help from a mental health professional first and possibly medication. i've tried the medication, but i'm not one for pills. and honestly, talking to someone...doesn't make it go away! i've had to teach myself relaxation techniques. first and foremost, i repeat to myself over and over, "i'm okay, i'm fine, i'm not hurt, and this too shall pass". but it has affected me in everyday life, even when i'm not having an attack. truly it is all about your mind set. changing your way of thinking, and that can be the hardest part. i haven't found a concrete solution, i just take it day by day.
563128
Ally, Have been to a doctor?  After reading through your profile, it's obvious that there are some serious issues going on.  Getting on Yahoo Answers maybe one form of release as far as getting in put and being able to express yourself and I think it's great that you can come on here and just let loose with questions and answers but you really need to get to a doctor if you haven't already.  If you have a chemical imbalance then you can get medication and have the opportunity to live and be and feel free from all these emotional problems.
658934
I dont think you can stress yourself into the stomach flu because that a virus or something, but I do think its possible to stress yourself sick as in you dont feel good, really bad headache, maybe even vomiting.
2227
Anxiety and stress can cause physical symtoms. If you are ill and do have a disease- look at the word dis ease it can manifest itself as physical. I am not saying your crazy. I am saying that if you are under a lot of stress you can make yourself very sick and then it gets worse like a vicious circle cuz your more stressed. If you feel that isn't it you will just have to find a better doctor. Go to webmd. maybe it's something that is misdiagnosed alot. Like fibromylasia or something. Go to google and type in the symtom that is most worrysome for you. Keep at finding what is wrong. Demand more testing.
152728
No you're not alone.  I also suffer from anxiety and have the same worries.  I also suffer from depression, and my anxiety can be quite severe.  At one point about 2 years ago, when I was changing medication, as the one I was on wasn't working, this caused my brain to really flip out and I started suffering anxiety in relation to events that happened 10 years or more ago, and worrying that I'd done something bad, sick, perverted or whatever and that it was going to rebound on me (even though there was no proof, and no one else thought that what'd I'd done was anything like what I'd feared).  My thought patterns became so bad that I thought I was really bad and deserved to die and that if everyone else knew what I'd done, they would think I deserved to die too.  I ended up in the psych ward of the local hospital for about 12 days.\n\nMy reaction was probably quite severe though, and at least partly caused by the medication change, and my circumstances at the time.\n\nOne thing that helped me was Cognitive Behavioural Therapy which helps you change the way you think about things, and ask yourself questions when these thoughts occur, like what's the worst that can happen if what I'm thinking is true, and then is that worst thing really actually likely to happen etc.  You should ask your psychiatrist about this if you are not already doing it!\n\nI should also add that at my worst, 2 years ago, I was diagnosed with not just depression and anxiety, but panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and social phobia.  I'm not saying I'm 100% now, but I'm definitely better, and I can live relatively normally!
259355
Those are good questions but you need good sleep, diet, exercise and really follow through with a doctor's recomendations.  Trying to line up your questions before you see your doctor sound like anxiety and you should jot down some questions and submit them to your doctor.  Just make an honest try at your doctor's suggestions and that will be your best bet.  Get some rest and try to avoid the anxiety of these conditions.  Things will unfold at their proper time but listen to your doctor not some internet crap.  Follow your doctor's advice to a tee.