Anxiety Problems...advice?

Here are some of my symptoms:


1) Hate answering the phone at work because I dont want other people to here me on the phone


2) Hate meeting old friends from the past b/c i get so nervous we wont have anything to talk about! I mean to the point where i dread it for days


3) Hate ordering phone from places like pizza joints etc b/c i dont want to talk to strangers


4) hate meeting new people- i know- that sounds so bad!





Has anyone had experience with anxiety? Does this sound like im just ';shy'; or need to consider counseling and/or medication..





I guess the reason i dont see counseling as an option is i KNOW im shy... and its not b/c of selfesteem or anything (i think im great haha).. so.. what can them tell me?





But i kinda feel like medication is a cop out...





Thanks!Anxiety Problems...advice?
Call it shyness, call it social anxiety it doesn't really matter. The following steps might help:





1. Breathe properly - if you control your breathing, you control panic. As soon as you notice the signs of anxiety, check your breathing: breathe in slowly through your nose pushing your tummy out (to the count of 5 or so). Breathe out slowly and for a bit longer (to the count of 7 or so) through your mouth. Do not breathe rapidly or shallowly (in the chest area). This will soon restore the balance of oxygen and you will feel a lot better.





2. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy! CBT is proven to be the most effective thing for social anxiety and can work for shyness. It takes a bit of work, but it is super effective. You can speak to your doctor about taking a course or you can take a course for free online at: www.livinglifetothefull.com





3. Try relaxation exercise tapes (progressive muscular relaxation). They really help if you practise often enough.





With each of these steps, practise makes perfect. Hope you feel better soon! Good luck!Anxiety Problems...advice?
Yes, I have after the death of my husband and other situations too. I felt the same way and still do.


I got some medicine for anxiety and I know it helps some.


I haven't gone for counseling or therapy, because I can't afford it. If you can, I would suggest that you do. Anxiety can lead to severe depression and other things.
I don't think you need drugs to overcome shyness and a weak sense of self. Some counseling might work out better.
Get the book and tapes; ';Attacking Anxiety'; Do not numb yourself with medication, there are other ways
I have had experience with anxiety, and it really can interfere with your daily life.





It almost sounds like you may have a form of social anxiety, which is a surprisingly common problem. I would go to a trusted doctor and tell him or her about the symptoms you are having.





The medication used for anxiety varies, but most of the time they put you on an SSRI--Zoloft/Lexapro, and the like. The SSRIs are generally effective though they take a few weeks to kick in for some people, and can have some side effects like dizziness and loss of interest in sex.





Medication is NOT a cop out...it's a way to help you cope. You could also try counseling as well, or in leiu of medications.
Seems like you are just painfully shy, not an anxiety disorder. I used to be like that.Some times it takes awhile. You have to force yourself to do those things. My Son, 39, was like that, but the more you face it the easier it becomes! He is doing much better now, because we encouraged him to keep trying. People don't bite, you may be missing out on some real nice relationships because you don't assert yourself. Good Luck, try it, it really works.!
Anxiety Management and Treatment





Self-Care at Home





In certain cases, you may treat anxiety at home without the involvement of a doctor. These are limited to anxiety attacks of short duration in which you know the cause, the anxiety is short, it goes away by itself, and the cause can be eliminated. For example, you may be anxious over an upcoming public performance, a final exam, or a pending job interview. In such circumstances, stress may be relieved by such actions as these:





* Picturing yourself successfully facing and conquering the specific fear





* Talking with a supportive person





* Meditation





* Watching TV





* Taking a long, warm bath





* Resting in a dark room





* Deep-breathing exercises








How to Get Help for Anxiety Disorders





If you think you have an anxiety disorder, the first person you should see is your family doctor. A physician can determine whether the symptoms that alarm you are due to an anxiety disorder, another medical condition, or both.





If an anxiety disorder is diagnosed, the next step is usually seeing a mental health professional. The practitioners who are most helpful with anxiety disorders are those who have training in cognitive-behavioral therapy and/or behavioral therapy, and who are open to using medication if it is needed.





You should feel comfortable talking with the mental health professional you choose. If you do not, you should seek help elsewhere. Once you find a mental health professional with whom you are comfortable, the two of you should work as a team and make a plan to treat your anxiety disorder together.





Remember that once you start on medication, it is important not to stop taking it abruptly. Certain drugs must be tapered off under the supervision of a doctor or bad reactions can occur. Make sure you talk to the doctor who prescribed your medication before you stop taking it. If you are having trouble with side effects, it's possible that they can be eliminated by adjusting how much medication you take and when you take it.





Most insurance plans, including health maintenance organizations (HMOs), will cover treatment for anxiety disorders. Check with your insurance company and find out. If you don't have insurance, the Health and Human Services division of your county government may offer mental health care at a public mental health center that charges people according to how much they are able to pay. If you are on public assistance, you may be able to get care through your state Medicaid plan.


Ways to Make Treatment More Effective





Many people with anxiety disorders benefit from joining a self-help or support group and sharing their problems and achievements with others. Internet chat rooms can also be useful in this regard, but any advice received over the Internet should be used with caution, as Internet acquaintances have usually never seen each other and false identities are common. Talking with a trusted friend or member of the clergy can also provide support, but it is not a substitute for care from a mental health professional.





Stress management techniques and meditation can help people with anxiety disorders calm themselves and may enhance the effects of therapy. There is preliminary evidence that aerobic exercise may have a calming effect. Since caffeine, certain illicit drugs, and even some over-the-counter cold medications can aggravate the symptoms of anxiety disorders, they should be avoided. Check with your physician or pharmacist before taking any additional medications.





The family is very important in the recovery of a person with an anxiety disorder. Ideally, the family should be supportive but not help perpetuate their loved one's symptoms. Family members should not trivialize the disorder or demand improvement without treatment. If your family is doing either of these things, you may want to show them this booklet so they can become educated allies and help you succeed in therapy.
As a fellow sefferer of anxiety and panic attacks, I can tell you that meds are NOT a cop out! Sweetie, unfortunately, we were born with bad nerves. I inherited it ffrom my Mom. My husband is as calm as calm can be. Anyway, there are some wonderful meds now, that really work! They don't make you high or goofy, they just adjust the seratonin in your brain. I used to have an attack when I knew my doctor was coming in my room! I couldn't have a face to face conversation with anybody, except my husband. And ,yes, I would dread having to see an old friend for weeks too. You don't want to spend the rest of your life like that, do you? Of course not. Get to your doctor and tell him EVERYTHING. That way he/she will know which med to put you on. I personally think that ';Klonopin'; is a miracle drug. But there are other great ones that are also for depression. There's a good chance you have a bit of depression too, because of your anxiety. That's why you have to tell your doctor everything you wrote in your question, and everything you did not. It's all confidential, so keep no secrets from your doctor. And the great thing about anti-anxiety meds is that they work immediately. You don't have to wait 2-3-weeks for them to kick in. You sound like a great girl!! You have a great personality, so stop keeping it hidden. Call your doctor tomorrow. Please. You'll regret not doing it a lot sooner. Good luck!! :)