What anxiety symptoms do you feel? Do they scare you?
953719
Once I get a thought in my head I cannot get rid of it.  I will beat myself to death with it.
29286
It does sound like an anxiety disorder, particulary panic disorder. Not knowing more about you, though, it makes it difficult to give a specific answer. \n\nThere is effective treatment for this disorder, so you should talk with your physician and/or a psychologist or psychiatrist. You can feel a lot better after treatment. Read about it:\n\nhttp://www.nimh.nih.gov/HealthInformation/panicmenu.cfm\n\nhttp://www.webmd.com/content/article/60/67106?z=2951_00000_0000_rl_01
780886
Talk to your doctor. It sounds like anxiety
803069
You should definitely see your GP to rule out anything sinister. But try not to worry - that sounds like a classic anxiety symptom to me.\n\nI get that sometimes, and it's extremely unpleasant and really feels like you're about to choke. You won't though, promise.
552946
Anxiety requires no trigger and can last as long or as short as it wants to, it's a crazy thing but it sounds like what it is. I have them, too. Also have your obgyn check your hormone levels, just to make sure.
470706
A panic attack is a period of intense fear or discomfort, typically with an abrupt onset and usually lasting no more than thirty minutes. Symptoms include trembling, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sweating, nausea, dizziness, hyperventilation, paresthesias (tingling sensations), and sensations of choking or smothering. The disorder is strikingly different from other types of anxiety disorders in that panic attacks are very sudden, appear to be unprovoked, and are often disabling. An episode is often categorized as a vicious cycle where the mental symptoms increase the physical symptoms, and vice-versa.\n\nThe various symptoms of a panic attack can be understood as follows. First comes the sudden onset of fear with little or no provoking stimulus. This then leads to a release of adrenaline (epinephrine) which cause the so-called fight-or-flight response where the person's body prepares for major physical activity. This leads to an increased heart rate (tachycardia), rapid breathing (hyperventilation), and sweating (which increases grip and aids heat loss). Because strenuous activity rarely ensues, the hyperventilation leads to carbon dioxide levels lowering in the lungs and then the blood. This leads to shifts in blood pH which can in turn lead to many other symptoms, such as tingling or numbness, dizziness, and lightheadedness. (It is also possible for the person experiencing such an attack to feel as though they are unable to catch their breath, and they begin to take deeper breaths. This also acts to decrease carbon dioxide levels in the blood.)
943597
Probably some anxiety and maybe some obsessive complusive disorder (OCD). Here's some info on anxiety disorders and OCD. \n\nAnxiety disorders are the most prevalent group of psychiatric disorders in the United States. Approximately 27 million Americans--nearly 15 percent of the population--will suffer from an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives.\n\nAnxiety disorders are most often characterized as having an element of fearfulness involved. According to Dr. Steve Dager, University of Washington associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Harborview Medical Center, these disorders come about as a kind of impairment or over-reactivity of the normal "flight or fight" response.\n\nAlthough these disorders are amenable to treatment, the majority of sufferers don't receive appropriate care. Most often, people with anxiety disorders will seek relief from the physical symptoms, such as rapid heart rate, respiratory distress or nausea, and may not be aware or may not want to admit that there are emotional causes for the symptoms.\n\n"People worry about being labeled 'crackpots' if they admit to overwhelming anxiety or fear," says Dager. "But there is evidence that these symptoms are the result of healthy coping mechanisms gone awry. And worrying about them tends to exaggerate their effects."\n\nThere are several different types of anxiety disorders. The most common are:\n\nGeneralized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), exaggerated tension without apparent cause, can be debilitating but doesn't usually cause people to avoid certain situations. People with GAD often seem unable to relax or fall asleep and may experience lightheadedness, shortness of breath, nausea, trembling, muscle tension, headaches, irritability, or sweating. \n\nPanic Disorder (PD) causes people to feel terror suddenly and unpredictably. PD can become disabling when people avoid situations they fear may bring on an attack. Panic attack symptoms include rapid pulse, chest pains, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, numbness, trembling, and a fear of going crazy or dying. Depression or alcoholism often accompanies PD. Panic disorder is probably the best studied and understood of the anxiety disorders. \n\nAgoraphobia, the most disabling anxiety disorder, is diagnosed when panic attacks cause people to increasingly refrain from normal activities. As such people avoid situations where they fear an attack may occur -- in crowds and stores and on bridges and public transportation -- they become so restricted, they may not leave their homes. \n\nSocial Phobia (SP), an intense fear of humiliation in social settings, may cause sufferers to avoid parties, public speaking, eating out, or even signing a check in public. Unlike shyness, those with SP can feel at ease around others, yet particular situations, like walking down an aisle, cause intense anxiety. SP disrupts relationships and careers as sufferers avoid certain situations. \n\nObsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterized by rituals, such as washing hands or checking things repeatedly (compulsions), or persistent, unwelcome thoughts, such as fears of committing violent acts, of performing sexual acts repugnant to the person, or of thoughts contrary to the person's religious beliefs (obsessions). Compulsive activities consume an hour or more each day and interfere with daily life. \n\nPost-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can result after a terrifying event, causing sufferers frightening thoughts and memories. Anniversaries of the incident can be difficult and ordinary events can trigger flashbacks or intrusive images. Sufferers may become easily irritated or have violent outbursts. Depression, substance abuse, or anxiety may accompany PTSD. \nIf\n you feel that your life is being ruled by anxiety and fear, and that your symptoms are having an impact on your relationships and daily life, you can find help. There's no need to live in fear
761889
Hi There\n\nThis explains it well.\n\nAnxiety\n\nSymptoms\nAnxiety is an emotion that may feature excessive worry, sleep disturbances, shakiness, ritualistic behavior, fear of being alone or in public places, impatience, easy distraction, and great apprehension concerning the welfare of loved ones. Associated physical symptoms include racing pulse, heart palpitations, shortness or rapidity of breath, sweating, dry mouth, numbness and tingling of the hands and feet or cold/clammy hands, lightheadedness or dizziness, fatigue, trembling, indigestion, and diarrhea. \n\nCause\nAnxiety disorders occur in people of all ages, but appear to be more common among women. The occurrence of an anxiety or panic attack is often unpredictable, but it may be associated with certain situations such as driving a car. The exact cause is complex, involving constitutional factors, emotional stress, biochemical imbalances, and environmental triggers. In women, hormone imbalances can cause anxiety. Therefore, hormone assessment is essential. Amino and fatty acid imbalances can also play an important role in triggering anxiety attacks. \n\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nNatural Cures\n\nDiet: Assess your diet to reduce excessive consumption of stressor foods such as refined sugars, honey, maple syrup, or cow`s milk products. Consume vegetable soups, broths, and a wide variety of green and yellow vegetables. Add more complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, beans, seeds, and nuts. \n\nFlower Essences: Flower essences can prove very helpful in managing and helping to eliminate anxiety. Use Aspen for apprehension, foreboding, and fear of unknown origin while Mimulus is for fear of known things, shyness, and timidity. Red chestnut is used for excessive anxiety and over caring for others. Rescue Remedy® (combination formula) is for general stress from anxiety, and Rock Rose is helpful for coping with terror and panic from known fear. \n\nHerbs: Panax ginseng has a tonic effect on the adrenal glands, improving blood flow to the brain and reducing the stress associated with mental/emotional issues. Valerian root, an herbal tranquilizer and muscle relaxant, is another good agent for calming the nervous system. It helps balance mood swings and is not habit forming. Valerian-hops combination formulas are good daytime sedatives because they don`t interfere with reflex actions. Passionflower is another mild sedative that helps reduce anxiety, high blood pressure, nervous tension, and muscle tension, and encourages deep, restful sleep. St. John's wort, a highly popular remedy for depression, has proven effective for anxiety and mood swings as well. \n\nHomeopathy: Aconite, Actaea rac., Drosera, Calc carb., and Sulfur are all useful homeopathic remedies for dealing with anxiety. \n\nHypnotherapy: Self-hypnosis helps to impart to the mind imagery designed to bring about deep levels of relaxation. \n\nMeditation: Develops the mind`s ability to stop anxiety at its source. \n\nNutritional Supplementation: The following supplements have all been shown to help reduce feelings of anxiety by calming the nervous system: calcium, magnesium, vitamin B complex, 5-HTP, pantothenic acid, and adrenal and kidney glandulars. GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), an amino acid, can also affect mood by increasing levels of the brain neurotransmitter serotonin (a mood regulator). \n\nAlternative Professional Care \nIf your symptoms persist despite the above measures, seek the help of a qualified health professional. The following professional care therapies have all been shown to be useful for treating and relieving the symptoms of anxiety: Acupressure, Biofeedback Training, Bodywork (especially Massage Therapy), Environmental Medicine, Guided Imagery, Hypnotherapy, Magnetic Field Therapy, Naturopathic Medicine, Orthomolecular Medicine (for a self-care approach, we recommend the book The Mood Cure by Julia Ross), Qigong, Traditio
506429
Anxiety and Depression are the most common psychiatric disorders.\nYour symptoms are suggestive of Panic Attacks, discrete periods of fear or\ndiscomfort with characteristic symptoms that develope abruptly and reach a\npeak within 10 minutes.\nThe characteristic symptoms of Panic Attack are pounding heart rate,\nsweating, trembling, sensation of shortness of breath, chest pain,\nnausea, dizziness, fear of losing control and fear of dying.\nDepression may be secondary to the attacks or may worsen the attacks,\nThe symptoms of depression maybe depressed mood, disturbance of sleep or appetite, decreased interest, feelings of worthlesssness or hopelessnes.\nAn MRI would not aid in the diagnosis of depression or anxiety.\nI recommend an evaluation by a psychiatrist.\nhttp://www.aafp.org/afp/20050215/733.html\n\nDevelopment of Panic Disorder\n\nHow do panic symptoms develop? A phobia of internal sensations is thought to drive the patient's avoidance behavior. In addition to neurochemical and genetic models for the disorder, some researchers have proposed a cognitive model, in which patients learn to misinterpret thoughts and emotions as physical symptoms. For example, a woman who is afraid of being left alone when her husband leaves for work may experience that fear physiologically (e.g., shortness of breath, sweating), which in turn makes her feel more anxious ("What is wrong with me?"), deepening the spiral and leading to more symptoms. Another theory is that patients escalate otherwise benign body sensations into panic attacks (the behavioral model). For example, a man whose heart rate accelerates when he becomes angry may escalate that sensation and the resulting anxiety into the chest pain of a "heart attack." Both examples demonstrate the patient's phobia of internal sensations.\n\nTreatment\n\nPatients with panic disorder have several treatment options. Determining which treatment is best for a given patient is done through a shared decision-making process between the patient and physician. A suggested approach to treatment is outlined in Figure 1.\n\nFigure 1\nhttp://www.aafp.org/afp/20050215/733.html\nTreating Patients with Panic Disorder\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n \n  \n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nFigure 1. Algorithm for the treatment of panic disorder. (DSM-IV = Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed.; CBT = cognitive behavior therapy.)\n \n\nantidepressants\n\nAntidepressant medications have been shown to reduce panic severity, eliminate attacks, and improve overall quality-of-life measures in patients with panic disorder.3 Two recent meta-analyses9,10 found that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are equally effective in reducing panic severity and the number of attacks. In these studies, 61 percent of patients were panic-free after six to 12 weeks of treatment, compared with 41 percent of control patients. These studies differ on whether SSRIs are better tolerated than TCAs. An earlier meta-analysis11 found SSRIs to be superior to TCAs. However, the benefits of SSRIs may have been overstated in the latter study because of its failure to account for publication bias (i.e., the greater likelihood that small studies finding no difference between treatments will not be published). \n\nTable 212 lists dosing and cost information for the antidepressants that have been proved in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to be effective in the treatment of panic disorder. The choice of antidepressant should be based on side effect profiles and patient preferences. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors also are effective in the treatment of panic disorder, but their use is limited by safety concerns.\n\ncognitive behavior therapy\n\nCognitive behavior therapy includes applied relaxation, exposure in vivo, exposure through imager
683088
Out of curiousity, what kind of anxiety to do experience in these situations? The scenarios you mentioned all seem like ones in which help or escape is difficult: are you worried about being 'escape-less', or are you worried that you will have a panic attack or health problems in such situations and are limited in getting help or looking foolish?\n\nIf it is the former, it sounds like a form of classic phobia, perhaps a combo of claustrophobia or agoraphobia...\n\nAlternatively, if you are worried about panic symptoms, you may have panic disorder, with agoraphobia...\n\nIf your anxiety as associted with a stimulus (i.e. when driving a car, on an escalator', it is unlikely to be a generalised anxiety disorder, as this implies that anxiety develops without a known source.\n\n\nHere are the diagnostic criteria for phobias and panic disorders\n\nSpecific Phobias:\n\n.......Marked and persistent fear that is excessive or unreasonable, cued by the presence or anticipation of a specific object or situation\n\n.......Exposure to the phobic stimulus almost invariably provokes an immediate anxiety response, which may take the form of a situationally bound or situationally predisposed Panic Attack\n\n.......The person recognizes that the fear is excessive or unreasonable\n\n........The phobic situation(s) is avoided or else is endured with intense anxiety or distress\n\n.......The avoidance, anxious anticipation, or distress in the feared situation(s) interferes significantly with the person’s normal routine, occupational (or academic) functioning, or social activities or relationships, or there is marked distress about having the phobia\n\n\nPanic disorder with agoraphobia\n\no         Anxiety about being in places or situations from which escape might be difficult (or embarrassing) or in which help may not be available in the event of having an unexpected or situationally predisposed Panic Attack or panic-like symptoms.  Agoraphobic fears typically involved characteristic clusters of situations that include being outside the home alone; being in a crowd or standing in a line; being on a bridge; and traveling in a bus, train or automobile.\n          Note: consider the diagnosis of Specific Phobia if   the avoidance is limited to one or only a few specific situations, or Social Phobia if the avoidance is limited to social situations.\n\noThe situations are avoided (e.g., travel is restricted) or else are endured with marked distress or anxiety about having a Panic Attack or panic-like symptoms, or require the presence of a companion. \n\n\nPanic attack is:\n\noA discrete period of intense fear or discomfort, in which four (or more) of the following symptoms developed abruptly and reached a peak within 10 minutes:\n\nPalpitations, pounding heart, accelerated heart rate\nSweating\nTrembling or shaking\nSensations of shortness of breath or smothering\nFeeling of choking\nChest pain or discomfort\nNausea or abdominal distress\nDizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, faint\nDerealisations (unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself)\nFear or losing control or going crazy\nFear of dying\nparesthesias (numbing or tingling sensations)\nchills or hot flushes\n\nDistinguishing between panic and anxiety: panic attack symptoms develop abruptly and reach peak intensity within 10 minutes, rarely last more than an hour. Periods of anxiety, by contrast, are not as abrupt, intense, and are more long-lasting. \n\n\n\nHope that helps!
353850
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!
212645
The worst symptom would likely be feeling suicidal. Other than that you have someone like me who has turned reclusive, has anxiety/panic problems, fear people and places, avoided family and friends, feel like crying yet can't or cry all the time and can't stop, feeling hopeless, useless, worthless, total despair, trust no one...Yup that's where I am now. And I'm battling it alone.
686049
You may have a more serious anxiety problem. Speak to your doctor about it.
965193
Panic Disorders are repeated episodes of intense fear that strike often and without warning. Physical symptoms include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, abdominal distress, feelings of unreality, and fear of dying. \nGeneralized Anxiety Disorders are constant, exaggerated worrisome thoughts and tension about everyday routine life events and activities, lasting at least six months. Almost always anticipating the worst even though there is little reason to expect it; accompanied by physical symptoms, such as fatigue, trembling, muscle tension, headache, or nausea. \n\nYes you can have symptoms even when you aren't aware of feeling stressed.  For more info go to the National Institute for Mental Health website at nimhinfo@nih.gov.  And see your doctor.  There are simple treatments  to take and lifestyle changes you can make to prevent them from recurring.
37668
I  have a child who has anxiety; has had symptoms for as long as I can remember.  I take more time with her, continually reasure her, I have her stop what she's doing for a minute and have her do breathing exercises, focus on calming down,etc...  I suffer from attacks, and finally got meds to help, but with a child, I'm very hesitant to resort to drug therapy if it can be avoided.
683866
That normal.\nBut if you think you ahve an anxiety disorder, check it out with a doctor. I can totally relate. There are many types, and treatments can help you over come unnatural anxiety in your life.\nCheck out the links below.\nBut dot try and diagnose yourself, go see a doctor.\nI did find a self test you can do. You could print it off and bring it to a doctor.
574800
you know a lot of people answering your question probably don't really know what they are talking about, although some seem to be more informative. My answer to you is that it is hard to determine whether or not you have it just by your question. You definately show signs of it, the agression and mood swings and the fear of abandoment. However only a therapist can know for sure. I strongly encourage you to seek help and get answers to your questions by a professional. I hope that you get this taken care of and wish you all the luck in the world.