Is This Just Anxiety? Need Reinsurance

[Heelzs]

Over the last 2 weeks my "Anxiety" has been threw the roof :( about a week ago I felt as my normal calmer self, a little stressed with the huge workload coming from school (I am freshman in college) but last weekend following being blackout drunk I began to feel as my anxiety is beganing to relapse. I havent had these feelings in over a year and I am very scared. Mental illnesses particularly Schizophrenia terrify me ever since ive been diagnosed with anxiety I always seem to end up researching symptoms and convince myself I am going crazy and going to end up schizophrenic. Ever since last weekend I have felt a great deal of anxiety for no reason, Sunday night my sister was playing music from her phone and not knowing where the source was I assumed I was hallucinating resulting in me panicking and having a breakdown, luckily my mother was there to comfort me. Throughout the week I been feeling like im loosing my mind and its killing me, I have not been able to sleep good, I feel as if my emotions are flat and almost emotionless, I have been experiencing slight DP (depersonalization) which is really scaring me. Overall I haven't been feeling normal and its not going away and Im really freaked out. I want to be normal, Im not taking any meds just vitamin b and st. johns wort. I forgot to mention that I live in Canada and being the fall season there is not alot of sunlight which I find is making me just want to sleep. If anyone can help me out and explain to me whats going on with my brain it would be deeply appreciated and would take alot of weight of my shoulders..

[redangel58]

Also see a good endocrinoligst to have your thyroid checked.  When my anxiety is bad at night I take a warm bath with lots of epsom salts and baking soda.  Also add lavender oil to it, helps me to relax.  Then I listen to apps on my phone to help with breathing and relaxation. The quiet mind cafe has some good ones I use.

[redangel58]

Also, St Johns wort makes a lot of people, including myself, worse

[lea_cattel]

It's pretty normal for a person who is suffering from anxiety to react the way you did. It's a good thing that you're here asking questions and doing research. If you can find a way to feel reassured then your anxiety will lessen big time. So the best advice that we can probably give you is for you to have yourself checked and get diagnosed, once you've been diagnosed your clinician can start with your treatments. In the meantime don't be too hard on yourself and don't overthink things. Try to calm down and try some breathing techniques and meditate to help you focus. Try some aromatherapy to help you sleep. You need your full energy in dealing with anxiety so sleep would be vital.

[Crystal413]

Vitamin D would be the first thing to buy.

[Crystal413]

Therapy can also help a great deal. My niece sees a Therapist at college. If you don't have one there check the Internet for one close by. Just to make you aware for either now or in the future there are different kinds of Therapists. Some involve DBT or CBT. Look up there meanings online. Maybe your college has a support group for anxiety. Talk to the nurse she would be a good resource.

[Crystal413]

It sounds like the alcohol triggered the anxiety, which I have heard before.
The Saint Johns Wart that is in your system combined with that amount of alcohol could have also played a role. I would research Saint Johns Wart and learn about it even though I know you have already been taking it. People have different reactions to it even though it's over the counter. Can you even drink while taking it. A lot of these things you can't or only are allowed a small amount. I was wondering how much of it you were taking. Do you have a dr that is supervising you on it. Just because it's over the counter doesn't mean it's any less potent than a med.

I would suggest you see a pscychiatrist at this point. You should not have to suffer like this. You need some help. Even if he prescribes a anxiety med to get you thru this it doesn't mean you have to take it forever. And when you feel ready to go off of it with the help of the dr you will taper yourself off of it. Never go off a med cold turkey.

All of your fears you are experiencing sounds like severe anxiety.
I'm not a dr so I can't tell you why this has happened to you this time around. You stated you previously had these fears last year which could have been anxiety then too. It sounds likely. I strongly suggest you make an appt with a pscychiatrist or pscycologist. They can help you and give you some relief. A regular dr does not specialize in anxiety that's why I suggested the others. If your only choice is a regular dr (primary care dr) than make an appt.
Ask your school nurse if she can suggest one. Otherwise look on the Internet for one close to you.

In the meantime some things you can try are exercising, even just walking, meditating, you could order a meditation CD online as well as a beginner yoga CD if your college doesn't offer the classes. Laying in your bed and listening to soothing music and just taking nice and easy breaths. Anything you can think of or you would enjoy to keep your mind occupied. All of these things can help you to relax and not focus on the fears you are having. I would continue any of these things you choose even if you are prescribed a medicine.
We are always here for you!
I wish you well, Crystal

[cubix]

Hello.. i would advice you to get theraphy is the best way to get over your anxiety it will help you find the real cause of you anxiety. Also go to your doctor and have some tests so you can exclude any other posibilities. Take some vitamin D it will help since there is no sunlight. Make sure you DONT take any pshyatric drung for anxiety..it will make it worse lot worse. And has a lot of side effects. Placebo is better that any anti-anxiety drugs. This is only my advice

[Colby10]

I think you should go back to your doctor so you will be prescribed the right medication for anxiety,