Strange Anxiety symptoms

[marcwarner]

I am a 20 year old male who for the majority of my life have been fairly healthy. I have always had some social anxiety and delt with general anxiety disorder, though to be honest it never was a huge problem in my life. Recently however i have been dealing with a serious problem. One night about a year ago while I was studying i suddenly felt this weird tension in my eyes, and I felt as though I was in kind of a brain fog. I thought that it would go away however the next day i woke up and still felt the same. The symptoms sometime vary, but typically i feel like there is this pressure right below or behind my eyes that makes it extremely hard to me to concentrate on anything. I constantly feel like im in a fog, that things going on around me aren't real.  Ever since i have had these feelings my anxiety levels have skyrocketed, all i ever think about now is this strange feeling that wont go away. Ive become extremely depressed and borderline suicidal because of this problem, the only relief i have from the symptoms comes from taking xanex or adderll, but these are both short time cures and once the effects wear off I find myself trying to deal with this problem. Ive pretty muched given up on my dreams because my grades have plummeted and i find it more and more difficult to do anything now. Ive been percrisbed a number of anti depressants, which range from lexapro to paxil to zoloft without any success in dealing with my problem. Through research ive looked at several answers to my problem including lyme disease, mono, even some very unlikely neurological stuff. Does anyone else feel like this or have any suggestions?

[RubyWitch]

JGF has give you excellent advice and I hope you follow up on it.
My question is if you began to have this "weird tension" in or around your eyes and the "brain fog" which, as you've described it, sounds like depersonalization or derealization a YEAR ago, have you seen anyone for these specific symptoms? If these symptoms are still happening, in my humble and non-medical opinion, I believe you should be seen by both an EENT and a neurologist. If the Xanax helps, that's pretty good proof that anxiety is part of the issue, but when it wears off and the problem is still there, then all you've done is mask the symptoms. The question of what is causing those symptoms remains unanswered.
Considering the incredible negative impact this is having on your life, most especially ANY thoughts of  suicide, I'm going to say that you're in a crisis stage and need to get help ASAP.

I would strongly urge you to go to the infirmary at your school and tell them what you've told us. That will get the ball rolling..........rather quickly I suspect. I didn't suggest going to your local ER as the docs there have a "treat 'em and street 'em" mentality and they'd probably fill you with benzos and send you home. Somebody having an anxiety attack is small potatoes..........they're looking for bigger fish to fry. Start at a place where they might actually care about YOU.

I don't want to scare you, but you've gotta get off this particular bus very soon. It's traveling quickly to a place you do NOT want to go. And as JGF has said and I firmly agree, there is so much help out there, but you've got to go out and get it. I know how difficult that is when you're racked with depression, anxiety and fear. You just gotta dig down real deep and find a way to do this. If you have a friend who can ride shotgun with you through this, that would be most excellent.

You're not alone in these feelings. NEVER let yourself believe that! You've got all of us here who know exactly what you're going through. Post anytime you need to talk, we're open 24/7.
Know and believe, with absolute certainty, that you can and will get better. It's the truth. And for the love of Mike, please remember that suicide is a permanent soloution to a temporary problem.
Nemaste
Greenlydia    

[JGF25]

So from reading your post, you have prescriptions for Xanax and Adderall and you previously have tried some anti-depression medication.  Have you been diagnosed with ADHD?  The derealization is a symptom of anxiety.  Have you been diagnosed with anxiety?  Also, it is important to rule out any other causes for the symptoms so you need to start with a doctor's visit first.  

If in the end they say everything is okay and it is anxiety related, then you have a few options.  You can go to a Psychologist who can help you learn coping strategies called CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) or you can go to a Psychiatrist and try the medication route again.  College in itself is a very stressful time in a person's life.  

You said that the medication did not help you before.  How long did you take it for?  These types of medications take a good 4-6 weeks for you to really see their full benefit.  They do come with some side affects which can make you a bit more anxious in the begging but that does subside.  So you may want to discuss this with your doctor and see if giving it another try is indicated.  

With everything out there today, there really is not reason you have to suffer like this.  Many people on this forum have been in your shoes.  So do not throw in the towel.  Exteme anxiety can lead to depression which is why you need to see a doctor as soon as you can to start to get a handle on what is going on.  Once you take this step, you will be on your way to feeling better.