Can I be stressed without knowing it?

[Lytyr]

Hello; I was hoping you could all help me understand a little what's going on with me.  I am 19 years old and have, for a long time, had a great deal of symptoms that can all be related to stress, and I have on several occasions been to the doctor for things which they told me were almost certainly being caused by stress.  Symptoms include:

- Constant worry (mostly about relationships or health)
- Greatly reduced concentration
- Restless sleep (I have no problem getting to sleep, but I often wake up 4-5 times in the early morning)
- Reduced appetite (I'm full after 1-2 medium-sized meals a day)
- Fatigue
- Erectile difficulties (only during penetrative sex, not during masturbation or oral sex)
- Irritability (rarely)
- Moodiness (quite often)
- Easily embarassed
- My mind usually draws a complete, utter blank when I have conversations with people

I may also have experienced a panic attack a few days ago (trouble breathing and speaking, shaking, blushing, sweating, and a feeling of panic and fear).  However, no matter how hard I think about it, there isn't all that that much that stresses me out in the first place.  I can hardly think of anything which causes me any significant amount of worry or unhappiness.  I am very successful at university (without putting much effort at all into it, frankly), I appear to be in good health (minus the stress-related issues), I don't have any serious money problems, and I have a sufficiently social large network, full of people who are generally positive and kind to me.  

The only thing that bothers me is that I am not only single, but involuntarily celibate, and have been for a very, very long time (the above mention of sex was with a single partner I was with for a three-week period, during a summer vacation).  My friends and doctors have told me, though, that being single shouldn't be enough to bring about all these symptoms of stress.  If that's not it, then I am at a loss.  My mental health is, of course, a further preoccupation for me, but I never feel things out-of-the-blue like a depressive person might, nor do I ever feel depressed or upset for more than a few hours.  Is it possible, then, that I am being stressed out by things I don't consciously percieve as being stressful?  Or might these all be symptoms of something else entirely?

[M4Y0U]

Hello there,

Subconscious mind is way more powerful than the conscious mind and affect your biology in a greater way. An example would be that a kid under the age of 6 is able to subconsciously learn 3 languages with no problem because under the age of 6 young kids and babies are always in Delta brain wave mode and being is a Delta state is referred as being unconscious. What you say to a child under the age of 6 will be implanted in his mind on a much deeper level that if he was consciously experiencing it. Only after the age of 5-6 they will start to be conscious and operate with higher brain waves such as Theta, Alpha, Beta, Gamma. In Theta, Alpha, Beta, Gamma mode it is consciousness that is operating. So while you are conscious it is more difficult to implant things in your mind therefore people after the age of 6 have more difficulty learning so easily like a under that age is doing.

I am sure all the symptoms you described are caused by stress and you might need to start a therapy with a qualified therapist to address the problems to the root and heal your subconscious mind. Your subconscious might perceive stress even if you are not consciously aware of being stressed due to a lot of factors including childhood reasons and that's why i suggest a therapy.

If you need more information on different types of therapy or knowledge therapy don't hesitate.

Best regards,
M4

[M4Y0U]

Correction

Babies under the age of 3 are in a constant Delta state then after are in Theta to the age of about 6. But it doesn't change anything ideas on my previous post, Theta is also related to unconscious state of mind. An example would be you, as an adult, you dream in the morning then you start to hear the alarm clock in you dream. Before totally wakening you are in Theta state. Real Consciousness is about to rise in Theta mode in children as they begin to ask questions and stuff which is slow transition to the Alpha brain waves. After age of 5-6 they can experience most of the other brain waves/state of mind/consciousness.

[concerned621]

I think you sound very stressed maybe a little obsessive compulsive about things. I wasn't like that until I got older so what you describe I can relate.  You are putting a lot of thought in to things that you think should be happening right at this moment. And because they are not happening right now it seems to be driving a good amount of anxiety.  I think you should start an exercise program at a gym. It's a great way to let you mind relax, help your mind and body relax and meet people.  Don't be so hard on yourself.  Often times when we do meet someone it is when we least expect it.  Right now you are so consumed with what is NOT happening it might be hard to attract that person you really want.  
If these symptoms have persisted maybe you could see your doctor.  Talk about having anxiety, constant worry, not being able to sleep.  It might be a mild depression.  Ask about a mild sleep pill.  Trazadone is very mild, and a good nights sleep might help alleviate all the other symptoms.  If you feel anxiety something like buspar might help as well taken at bedtime, it too will help you sleep and help with anxiety.  I wish you the best, try to relax and do something fun.

[fishandgrits]

Theres a disorder called Generalized anxiety disorder and you described most of the symptoms. You should look it up and ask your doctor about treatment. What you should start doing now is reprogramming yourself to think positive, it realy works if you try. Take concentrating on reading a book as an example- your reading the book word by word but its not processing in your brain like you want to. Your subconscious is working against you because the more you read the more tense you become, stop, take a deep breath, look out the window, whisper a song that you really like to yourself, and tell yourself the positive things such as "I can read this book because  i am a literate human", "i want to read this book to become more intelligent", "this book is interesting because_", and further on.
You said you have stress, but not about rational problems- first you need to do some meditation and then when your feeling clear minded, remind yourself what you are stressing about and inverse rational feelings that everything is okay.
Sorry if im totally off, i hope this helps.