Hello,
My name's Brian. I'm 20 years old and live in South Africa.
I have always been a very introverted-analytical thinker and perfectionist, which as you may have guessed has caused me many hours of worry throughout my short life.
Now that I have given a brief introduction to myself, and the way I think, I will now summarize what I have been struggling with:
Half way through last year I had the worry that nothing around me was real; or the constant question "How can you be sure everything is real?". This caused panic and anxiety, which I just couldn't seem to stop. This fear eventually vanished and was replaced by another irrational thought:
When I would read silently I would have the fear that I may not actually be reading all I saw, or the question "How can you be sure you are actually reading?". This fear would stop if I read everything out loud. Now the fear has moved on to a doubt of my own internal thoughts, of whether they actually exist (ridiculous, I know). And, I also have this overwhelming confusion of what language is all about, how we come to know anything.etc.
What I have just said, I realize, is a mouthful. But I am desperate, and need help. It has gotten to the point that I cannot enjoy anything I'm doing. As soon as I wake up the thoughts, feelings, anxiety and panic start. I have scheduled to see a Psychologist, but, in the meantime, does anyone have any advice for me?