Topic : Fears, Phobias and Anxiety Disorders

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Created on : Thursday, July 07, 2005, 08:58:51 am
Author : dataimport
Do you have an irrational fear of flying, spiders, leaving your home, or one of a host of other fears? Do you suffer from anxiety or panic attacks? You're not alone. Join those who understand as we struggle to overcome our fears.

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January 13, 2007, 1:22 pm PST

I've been there

Quote From: mango_girl

hi everyone.

I desperately need your help here... have been feeling suicidal for a couple of days... really see no point of living that pathetic life of mine.

 

I am going to give an outline of my case and what I need is not advice... I would rather love to know if anybody has ever felt the same... I feel I am going crazy, and no one really seems to believe what I tell them!

 

Well, ridiculous as I may sound, I assure you I personally have no problems with myself! I mean as far as all those people who know me or who meet me at different occasions say about me, I am pretty, fun to be with, talented in many things, successful at work ...etc.

 

So what's my problem then?!!!!!!! My problem is really weird and is driving me crazy, depriving me from any feelings of happiness! I cannot enjoy an outing or a trip or anything! I have become so self-concsious and social-phobic!!

 

I fear to step out of my house, I fear to go to club, to a cafe to a market or even walk in the street.

Now the question you should ask me is: ' WHY'?

 

Well, I swear to God, people look at me and laugh (not a loud laugh, rather a ridiculing smile) sarcastically!! I never understood what was wrong with me to make them laugh! I go out so satisfied with my looks and so willing to enjoy a happy day... and then... as usual... I find people looking at me and laughing!

 

To make things even worse, this 'laughing' thing is not 'regular' in the sense that... ok... suppose now I went out in the morning... people would look at me with much admiration and would try to flirt with me, fine! Like by the middle of the day, things can change dramatically and I would start to see people looking at me with an incredulous laugh as if I were a clown!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

No matter where I am: in the bus, in a taxi, in the club, at a cafe....EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!!!!!  When I am at work its wonderful because all my colleagues make me feel I am miss universe! They really find me pretty! I find myself good, too... I have a mirror after all!

 

I reached the point that people might be seeing me in a different way than I see myself!!!!!!!!! But HOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It really hurts my feelings to be laughed at and its even more hurtful because the reaction I should get MUST BE THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Sometimes the whole day might go fine... and sometimes the whole week... but then... the following week I find things becoming really worse! You know its not only that they laugh, but they rather laugh sarcastically showing disrespect!!!!!!!! What's that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I am going crazy... and speaking of self-confidence it's A VERY BIG ZERO! Even when I was with my ex, I would fear to go out because everyone around us is laughing. I keep looking around me, in front of me, behind me!

 

I know I am ok! I know I am too good for all this, but what shall I do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Sometime I really think of stopping people and ask them why they laught but I cant. Thats so humiliating!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Anybody been like this before!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I know exactly what you mean..sorry to say.  I could not go anywhere without feeling the way you have described.  I am 52 now and this has plagued me for about 5 years.  I went to a psychiatrist, was prescribed meds and my whole life changed!  I am really serious about that.  My life is far from a bed of roses but I can deal with it and when I need to, I can go out to a movie, shopping and even walk with my dogs.  That's a treat.!!!!
 
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January 14, 2007, 1:31 am PST

Thx 4 support!

Quote From: cgisonda

Yes, I know exactly what you mean..sorry to say.  I could not go anywhere without feeling the way you have described.  I am 52 now and this has plagued me for about 5 years.  I went to a psychiatrist, was prescribed meds and my whole life changed!  I am really serious about that.  My life is far from a bed of roses but I can deal with it and when I need to, I can go out to a movie, shopping and even walk with my dogs.  That's a treat.!!!!

Dear Cgisonda 

 

Thnx a lot for replying. Though now I feel I am not alone!

 

So what did your Dr. tell you?! Don't tell me it's delusions because, you know, I am pretty sure I am not imagining things.

 

Anyways, I take the whole situation to be really silly, but it's really annoying for me to face this out of all other ppl I know enjoying their life happily.

 

Needless to tell you that it really sucks! 

 
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January 15, 2007, 10:16 am PST

thanks everyone

Quote From: zappa_24

If you need or would liek to talk message me and I will be MORE than happy to share with you my struggle with panic attacks and anxiety disorder.  I am a 24 year old girl who love life I am fun and outgoing and I love to be the center of attention.  This disorder has been at times crippling and I would love to share with you some of my techniques and things that I have learned that have helped me without medication.

I would really like to thank everyone here for the advice. I have tried some alternatives to medication, like meditation and some herbal remedies to get calm. This helps me to actually go to bed without fear, but when I feel I'm getting close to a panic attack I can't focus my mind on something else. I am not  that fond of medication, but seeing how my alternatives don't really work, I have decided to go see a doctor. I will let you know how this evolves.

Thank you all again,

love,

Aranha

PS: Zappa 24, I would like to hear your advice, but I'm not sure how to message you. In any case, you can contact me at: aranhabelle@gmail.com.
 
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January 21, 2007, 12:56 pm PST

needs help

 Hi, i am a filipina and while browsing and finding help for my anxiety, i am nto quite sure if its anxiety, or maybe it is. I read a book about my yawns or interrupted yawns as symptoms or underlying anxiety. And as i dont really understand my docs prescription, he is a chinese cardiologist, but he gave me an anti anxiety tablets called Deanxit.  which i am taking half a pill everyday. Aready took it for two weeks now. Still have more to take. Today i didnt take any and i feel ok.

 I always feel nervous and in some simple things that comes to me, like fear of something or fear of losing a friend makes me tremble and nervous. I was so homesick last december because my son is living far away from me. I had my first attack on December and managed to bring my son here on china for 10 days and spend his holiday with me and my husband. Still have nervous  and panics. The first neurologist who checked me had prescribed me an Aprazolam tablets that i took for almost a month. It relieves my panics but will eventually return after a day. I took half a pill of that too everyday. This deanxit is much better i suppose .. i am trying not to take it and trying to manage my nervous as much as i can. My question is,  am i going to be OK or do i really need to take the pills everyday through life? Please help me. My english is not so good but please help me and understand as much as you can.  God Bless.Thank you so much.

 
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January 21, 2007, 5:38 pm PST

anxiety and panic attacks

i have been dealing with anxiety and panic attacks for about 7 months.  i think its the worst thing ever. i always feel anxious, worry a lot, andconstantly feel pressure on my chest which is very uncomfortable.  i went to the doctor after i had my first attack and was perscribed hydroxzine.  it helped alot at first, but now i constantly have pressure on my chest and worry about when im going to have another attack.  thats all i think about all day long. sometimes i just want to scream.  i can never just sit down and relax.  its the worst at night when i lay down and go to bed.  it takes me forever to be able to fall asleep.  i just cant relax because im always worrying.  i actually havent taken any medicine for a week or so because i havent had any bad attacks, but i still have the symptoms which i think is just as bad as having an attack.  a big problem i have is when im having an attack im always afraid of dying of a heart attack or something.  i cant help it.  i want to feel normal again, be able to relax whitout medication. i want to be able to enjoy life without worry about having thes attacks and not constantly feel this horrible pressure on my chest.   so if anyone can help with i would really really appreciate it.
 
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January 21, 2007, 8:23 pm PST

Fears, Phobias and Anxiety Disorders

Quote From: jaycfowler05

i have been dealing with anxiety and panic attacks for about 7 months.  i think its the worst thing ever. i always feel anxious, worry a lot, andconstantly feel pressure on my chest which is very uncomfortable.  i went to the doctor after i had my first attack and was perscribed hydroxzine.  it helped alot at first, but now i constantly have pressure on my chest and worry about when im going to have another attack.  thats all i think about all day long. sometimes i just want to scream.  i can never just sit down and relax.  its the worst at night when i lay down and go to bed.  it takes me forever to be able to fall asleep.  i just cant relax because im always worrying.  i actually havent taken any medicine for a week or so because i havent had any bad attacks, but i still have the symptoms which i think is just as bad as having an attack.  a big problem i have is when im having an attack im always afraid of dying of a heart attack or something.  i cant help it.  i want to feel normal again, be able to relax whitout medication. i want to be able to enjoy life without worry about having thes attacks and not constantly feel this horrible pressure on my chest.   so if anyone can help with i would really really appreciate it.
i forgot a couple of things my doctor never told me which is why i feel this pressure on my chest, what exactly causes it.  another thing is why my heart skips a beat sometimes when im stressed.  sometimes it will skip a beat(i think) and it will scare me into having an attack.  i get this feeling in my throat when it does it.   the fact that i dont know why this happens makes me worry more.  i just need some help and assurance that i will be able to get over this
 
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January 22, 2007, 3:33 pm PST

Fears I have...

Hi, my name is Laura! I just thought I would share some of my fears with you. The worst ones include:

 

Doctors/Hospitals: Even just visiting someone in the hospital I get very anxious, dizzy and naseous, my heart races, I sweat. It doesn't matter why I'm there I ALWAYS feel this way when I go to the doctors office, dentist, or hospital. As soon as I leave the place, I am fine. But from the second I enter to the second I leave, I feel very panicky. I've been like this for as long as I can remember and I don't know why. I have no memories of anything traumatic that involves doctors, so I really don't know where this came from. It's bad enough that it stops me from going to the doctos unless it's absolutely neccesary. It's like, I'm scared to go to the doctor for an unknown reason, so I don't go, but then what if there's something wrong with me that I don't know about, and because I put it off too long, what if it's too late to fix, then I get even more scared to go and then I don't go for even longer. And it's a big long vicious cycle.

 

Spiders: I think lots of people have this phobia, but for me, it doesn't matter how big or small it is!  I can not be in a room with a spider, and if I happen to see one I can't take my eyes off of it until someone kills it. And then I'm all paranoid about spiders for a day lol

 

Natural Disasters/Bad Whether(Wind storms, thunder/lightening etc): I am TERRIFIED of natural disasters. I don't even like hearing or saying the word of a natural disaster. Always been scared. If I hear about it on the news even if it's half way around the world, I have to turn it off. I don't like being in the room when people are talking about it. This is probably my worst fear, along with the doctor thing. I feel like a small child when this fear is triggered. I feel better when I have someone who is comforting (my mom, my husband) to just talk to me about something happy, and really try to distract me, or even hold me if I feel bad enough.

 

Travelling: I don't like being away from home. I always feel like something bad is going to happen (even though it doesn't) I just feel uneasy, and it's hard to relax, but I don't have a full blown panic attack. But I hate being on boats (ferries). I get panicky, I feel every tiny movement of the ship even if it's super calm out, I feel naseous, all the noises and movements it makes worries me. I've never been on a plane because of this fear, and even being in cars scares me. But I think that's just because there are so many awful drivers out there. I don't trust them. But every time I'm in the car I get scared at least 3 times - this is why I don't have my license. And I always have to be in the front seat. I can't stand being in the back. I need to see the road at all times. I cannot sleep in a car, or boat, no matter how long of a trip it is.

 

Loud unexpected or unfamiliar noises or dead silence: I feel uneasy when it's too quiet and too dark. I don't like being outside at night either (alone). I don't really like being at home by myself at night either, but it doesn't really affect me that much. I just don't like it.

But I also feel uneasy when there's any strange or loud noises (thunder, loud truck driving down the street) Any loud booming noise that resembles thunder.

 

And one of the worst which I avoid at all costs is elevators. I will not step foot in an elevator. I have awful panic attacks in them. Hyperventalating, sweating, racing heart, bad thoughts, scared feeling. Even at work, I work at a hotel doing housekeeping and laundry and when ever I have to go to another floor I put the cart in the elevator and take the stairs. Last time I went in an elevator was actually on my honeymoon lol. For 11 floors. It was awful. It's rare when I go in elevators, and I have to be with someone holding their hand.

 

I don't know where these fears come from, but the ones I have mentioned are the ones that affect me the most. Things I think of or have to deal with often. Does anyone else have similar fears? Do you know where you got them from? Have you found anything to help you with them?

 
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January 22, 2007, 3:49 pm PST

...

...I just spend alot of time worrying and I hate it. There's no reason for it. It takes me up to an hour to fall asleep, sometimes longer. Sometimes I worry about people if I don't hear from them for days. ( I usually talk to my mom everyday and my dad every other day, so if I don't hear from them after 2 days I get a little worried). I'm always scared of me or someone else dropping a baby, or seeing an elderly person fall. I don't participate in sports because I could get hurt. Im just a big huge worry wart! Ugh...
 
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January 27, 2007, 9:44 am PST

Fears, Phobias and Anxiety Disorders

Here I am in my world, and there you are in your's.

All is fine and well, no one knows of the hell,

that you and I experience and tolerate.

 

What does this all mean? 

I'm right and you are wrong.

I believe this, you believe that.

I did this and you did that.

I went here and you went there.

 

My culture teaches that I am right, the things I believe.

So I judge you, and although your culture teaches you the same.

I still maintain that you can't be right, for it is written in the books.

But you have different books that teach you something else.

 

I stepped out from the norm, formed my own opinions,

I was rejected by my culture and my people.

I saw thing differently than even my own.

A brand new revelation.

 

They taught me that it was wrong to listen to the music.

John said some things he shouldn't have said.

But John was independently minded, open minded, and probably on drugs.

At least that's what I have heard.

 

So does this make John a demon?  Does this make his less important?

Does this mean that God doesn't love John anymore, just because he made mistakes?

Don't we all make mistakes?  Didn't John seek out his spirituality despite the words he said?

Does this make him wrong?  We look at his faults, not his heart, not his good.

 

So judge me.  I am wrong, I crossed the line, I denied my cultures beliefs.

So am I bad like John?  Did I fall from grace?

Am am doomed to demoralization Am I less of a man?

Judge not lest ye be judged.

 

Don't' we all experience doubts in our lives?

Does this mean we are evil?

Are we judged by our actions or our heart?

Judge me, tell me what you think.

 

Am I evil, or am I destined for hell?

Do you know what I feel?  Do you understand my rational?

Am I less fortunate than you?

Am I less than you?

 

We journey through this life clinging to to our own beliefs, hopes and dreams.

When the hopes and dreams of our past are not reality in our today,

What did we do wrong?  Why am I like I am?

Why do you ignore me when I am in the despairs and darkness of a phase in my life that I don't understand?  Why do you avoid me when I am at my worse?

 

And why do you acknowledge me when I am at my best?  I am the same person either way.

Whether I'm up or down, happy or sad.  Confident or confused.  I'm still the same man.

 

That's OK.  Encourage me not.  Embrace me not, for you see, I am just a man.

So when a man is down, is this what we do; ignore him, avoid him, pretend he isn't there?

Do you lose faith just because a man is dealing with tragedies in his own life?

Are you right and I am wrong?

 

If you pass a man on the street and he is kind, appears normal, and kind, acting out the normal functions of a man, then do you stop and say hello?

If the same man is sitting on a bench, confused, in pain, hungry, distraught, desperate for answers, do you look the other way?

 

We are all different.  But all the same.  We all believe in something.

We all have a cause, a purpose.

But if a man is having troubles identifying with his self, is  his self worth any less.

 

Does self matters apply to me only when I am well?

Does self matters mean that I matter only if I act or speak a certain way?

Am I an eye sore for this message board?

Do I bring discomfort to your mind?

Do I turn you away because I am down and out?

 

If this is the only way I know to express myself, then does this make me a bad person?

Is it wrong to hurt?  Is wrong to be different?  Is it wrong to be me?

 

I feel that I am a reject, a nobody, time is devouring my heart and soul.

Friends become strangers when I am in need.

Is this the way we are as people.

If I said, Oh I'm happy, everything is well, how are you, blah, blah, blah, the are you my friend?

 

But when I dive into the deep clouds of emotional turmoil and despair; doubting myself, and hanging on to the promises of life, joy and happiness, but slipping deeper and deeper into the darkness, then do I become a stranger to you?

 

My needs aren't important.

My troubles are mind to bear alone.

My way of dealing with my confusion, pain and despair are not what one would expect,

So this makes me inadequate and unworthy to be a person.

This makes me a lost cause, a man not worth feeling life.

 

Will you understand one day?  Will they ever listen?

what will it take to be accepted as me?

As I stand on the edge of the cliff of life, looking down at the great fall,

Is this the time to walk away, when there's little hope left for my life.

 

On a path to certain self destruction, let me go.  I would be one less to worry about.

I try to set my soul free from this turmoil and seemingly hopeless case of what we call life.

One more bites the dust.  Doesn't really matter, now does it?

I'm not concerned, nor do I care.  My time will come.

 

Who will cry for me?  No one I hope.  I have been reduced to a mere group of molecules, atoms, flesh, blood, failing in all things.

 

How I wish I had those old feelings, those hopes and dreams for tomorrow.

But tomorrow may never come.  This is not important.  There's noting special about me.

So I lay down my honor and dignity.

I give up my token of self worth, and importance in this life.

 

Let the breeze blow upon my body, telling me stories of truth, defiance and deceptions.

Let the eagle cry, and take flight over the majestic landscape of God's earth.

Oh, great bird of majestic beauty and exaltation, you are awe inspiring to many.

When you spread your wings and take to flight, no one knows where you might go.

 

Let you beauty and graceful flight be one of honor and recognition for all to see.

While I quietly bow my head, and think of the things I used to believe in,

Realizing this is my life, my ways, with the dreams all gone,

The hopes all diminished.

The reality dominating my soul.

My existence isn't relevant to the symphony of this life.

 

I play another tune, sing a different song, therefore, not to fit in.

My instrument is rusted and obsolete.

My songs are not heard, not a part of the grand scheme.

 

It's all mysterious; the things that used to be in black and white have faded to nuances, shades of gray that all run together on the canvas of my life.  No clear delineations of the portrait.

No clear picture of my life as it once was very clear.

No one who can see the vivid colors of hope, excitement and dreams that once covered the canvas, and my brushes painted a bright and hopeful future.

 

Now, all the colors have blended into one mass of gray, no definitions, no clear picture.

Where did the colors of life go?  Where did the vivid dreams of happiness and hope go?

How did they all fade to a life of hopelessness, helplessness, and absolute annihilation of all portraits of life as I once knew it?

 

Bleeding hearts are hungry for truth.

Wretched souls are thirsty for life.

Defeated minds are searching for answers.

People who are different are searching for a place in this life.

 

But as time goes by, and the pieces of the puzzle fall into place, one by one;

And soon it is obvious that my piece has no place in the puzzle. what does this mean?

Patiently waiting for years on end to find my place in this puzzle of life, only to realize that I have wasted all of these years waiting for my chance to fit in, and at the end, there is not one place for my life in this giant puzzle of life.

 

Again, this is NOT a suicide note,  Yes, I think of death daily. 

NO, I DO NOT PLAN TO END MY LIFE.  NATURE WILL TAKE IT'S COURSE, AND WHAT'S LEFT OF ME, FEEBLE AND DEFEATED, SHALL YIELD TO THE OVERBEARING STRENGTHS OF LIFE'S CHALLENGES, AND MY TIME WILL COME, WHEN THE LORD SEES FIT.

 

All and All, I have no place to go, no one to see, no avenues left to explore. 

So I sit and wait for my time to come.

I shall be a part of something on the other side. 

A place that has a reserved slot for my piece of the puzzle on the other side.

 

So I shall not despair, I shall continue to deal with these demons of torture, this life of disappointments, this person who I have become; how, I do not know.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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January 27, 2007, 5:10 pm PST

Fears, Phobias and Anxiety Disorders

Has anyone ever had a fear of loose hair?

cuz i definately do.

btw...im theresa and im 16

 

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