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Thread: crazy anxiety - help

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    Veteran Member pheno's Avatar
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    Default crazy anxiety - help

    Not sure what to do about this...

    Over the last 3 months, I've become increasingly fearful and paranoid. I'm so consumed with the concern someone is going to attack me or break into my apartment.

    I lock my doors, but have to double and sometimes triple check that I did so. I'm afraid of leaving my balcony door open at night or when I'm in the shower because someone might break in. I live on the 3rd floor. At night, all the normal noises sound like they could be 'something' and I get too freaked out to sleep. When I'm driving, I make sure my doors are locked, but find myself getting anxious waiting at intersections with long lights. I don't live in a particularly dangerous city. I sometimes get worried someone is hiding in my backseat when I drive home at night.
    I've been especially nervous of meeting new people or getting close to anyone because I've been really betrayed and physically threatened in the past.

    I'm not sure exactly what's caused this, but it's starting to seriously interfer with my life. I can't afford to go to a doctor.
    "By 'them' do you mean people like me?"

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    God/dess LuckyOne's Avatar
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    Default Re: crazy anxiety - help

    Did something traumatic happen 3 months ago, or are you consuming a lot of caffeine or other stimulants? (Like drugs or diet pills?)

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    Veteran Member pheno's Avatar
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    Default Re: crazy anxiety - help

    I've thought about caffeine being a problem, but have cut back to about 3 cups over 12 hours.

    As for trauma, not sure. About a year ago, I had a male 'friend' who put me in a terrible place, very physically, sexually aggressive with me. Not rape, but I was just damn lucky. This month, I was chased across my parking lot by 3 men at 1am - barely got in my car. However, I've been weird for longer than that. Being hyper aware and nutty made me take off running for my car before the guys ran after me. Maybe I'm scared my luck will run out?
    "By 'them' do you mean people like me?"

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    Default Re: crazy anxiety - help

    i understand what you're going through. i was agoraphobic at one point many years ago. i still have anxiety and some ocd issues. i don't feel comfortable talking about it all here, since

    A. people are judgemental
    and
    B. things posted here tend to wind up allllllll over the internets

    but if you want to message me, feel free.

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    God/dess LuckyOne's Avatar
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    Default Re: crazy anxiety - help

    3 cups is still a lot of caffeine and maybe that incident being chased in the parking lot just confirmed your worst nightmare... no wonder you have become anxious!!!

    I am extremely paranoid about safety too, so I think its good to be cautious- even overly cautious. But its getting to the point where it affects your life in a very negative way, so you either need to find a way to sooth your fears or see a health professional.

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    Senior Member Hidendragon75's Avatar
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    Default Re: crazy anxiety - help

    3 months is a long time and if it doesn't seem to be getting any better I would seriously considering at least speaking with a counselor of some kind and see what kind of options they can give you. Every community is different but some counselors do offer their services for free.

    There are a lot of theories on anxiety and several varieties of anxiety and its hard to know exactly what the trigger is for you. Anxiety is a very real emotion that can really effect your daily life so I'd really work towards a solution soon because it doesnt seem like its gonna go away on its own.
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    Default Re: crazy anxiety - help

    Quote Originally Posted by pheno View Post
    Not sure what to do about this...

    Over the last 3 months, I've become increasingly fearful and paranoid. I'm so consumed with the concern someone is going to attack me or break into my apartment.
    No you have not become fearful and paranoid; you have become vigilant and mindful of your environment. The common perception is to remain oblivious and through purposeful peer pressure to pretend that bad things do not happen to ordinary people. To direct your new awareness let me introduce you to a very profound thinking Man when It comes to personal protection; Colonel Jeff Cooper. )
    This is an explanation of the “Color Code” concept with a minimum of the biography.


    Quote Originally Posted by pheno View Post
    I lock my doors, but have to double and sometimes triple check that I did so. I'm afraid of leaving my balcony door open at night or when I'm in the shower because someone might break in. I live on the 3rd floor. At night, all the normal noises sound like they could be 'something' and I get too freaked out to sleep. When I'm driving, I make sure my doors are locked, but find myself getting anxious waiting at intersections with long lights. I don't live in a particularly dangerous city. I sometimes get worried someone is hiding in my backseat when I drive home at night.
    I will be the first to counter the nay sayers and say ! “Nothing is wrong with you!”. To alleviate you fears there are things you can do. First, to counter your anxieties a simple check list, to mark off what you have checked before going to bed will settle your jitters.. This was considered normal a hundred years ago and should be the same today. If your not concerned about your own personal security who will? The government? Yeah right.

    Quote Originally Posted by pheno View Post
    I've been especially nervous of meeting new people or getting close to anyone because I've been really betrayed and physically threatened in the past.
    This is unfortunately a sign of adulthood. We! Each and every one of us must be concerned about who we meet and our personal interactions. There are good people and bad and our relationships have molded our perceptions.

    Quote Originally Posted by pheno View Post
    I'm not sure exactly what's caused this, but it's starting to seriously interfer with my life. I can't afford to go to a doctor.
    Well follow the two links and do some Google and library search on “personal protection”. If you have concerns seek out a woman in the Personal Protection business. Such as a CCW permit instructor.

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    God/dess xdamage's Avatar
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    Default Re: crazy anxiety - help

    Extreme social phobias and anxiety disorders are sometimes due to a chemical imbalance, and if that's the case with you, well you won't be able to solve it by trying to out think it. If your problem is a chemical imbalance (common enough), then you need to see a doctor as it's treatable, for the same reasons that you'd need to go see a doctor if your thyroid output is too high/low, your insulin level is too high/low, etc. You just can't fix these problems by out thinking them. I know you said you are broke, but find a way.

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    Default Re: crazy anxiety - help

    Army Sgt., yes and no. I agree with you 100% about the vigilance and awareness, but Pheno explained that her anxiety is reaching an overwhelming level. It consumes her thoughts and she can't even sit calmly at a traffic light, when there is practically NO imminent threat. Yes, we need to be aware in order to protect ourselves, but she can't even relax in her own house with the doors locked or a car thats not moving. I would consider that TOO much anxiety...

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    Default Re: crazy anxiety - help

    If your anxiety is interfering with your everyday activities and bringing your enjoyment level down as it sounds like it is from your post then it has become a problem. I disagree that she is just being vigilant. Vigilant would be locking your doors at night vs checking 3 times that you have locked the doors - see the difference? Checking behaviours are associated with OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder).

    There is also a possibility that it could be a mild PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) after the incident that u described involving your male friend.

    Being anxious in social situations and generally fearful sounds like generallised anxiety disorder. It is hard to tell from your post, which if any of these that u might be suffering from.

    A psychologist or psychiatrist could definately assist you with this tho.
    Last edited by jaizaine; 07-24-2007 at 12:56 AM.
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    Default

    ^^^ I think you hit the proverbial nail on the head.

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    Default Re: crazy anxiety - help

    U have real reasons to feel the way u do. some of those things u posted are scary. there are some things u can do for your safety. like the pking lot. try to keep ur car closer to an entrance if possible. dont hesitate to ask for security guard to escorts u to your car.

    if you feel u are being follow home, instead go immediately to the nearest police station.

    If you are hearing noises at night that disturb you the best thing to do is just remember u locked the doors. and that u are the only one home.
    Do u have any pets? sometimes having animals around can be calming. animals tend to sense things and act up is something is odd.
    Last edited by pookie; 07-24-2007 at 07:02 AM.

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    Default Re: crazy anxiety - help

    Quote Originally Posted by pookie View Post
    Do u have any pets? sometimes having animals around can be calming. animals tend to sense things and act up is something is odd.
    I was totally going to mention this- a dog is supposed to be the best security system you can have because it deters thieves- even small ones because they cause a ruckus. But a dog is a LOT of work and that shouldn't be the only reason you get one.

    And yes, pets are calming, but I think that would only be part of the solution to this problem...

    I don't have a security system but I live in a good neighborhood (for this city!) a gaurd dog, an attached garage (so I don't have to walk outside alone at night) no windows at ground level, I don't answer my door for strangers, and I keep a gun. (No kids in the house for me tho.)

    Carry pepper spray if you have to walk outside by yourself at night. Some peole argue that a gun is superior, but you have to know how to shoot it (WELL), guns are dangerous, and someone wishing to harm you could take it from you and use it against you if you aren't VERY gun savvy. (Of course this also applies if you have a gun in your home.)

    Having roommates and/or vigilant neighbors may help you feel safer at home...

    Car alarm, tinted windows and inconspicous plates (NOT SPECIALIZED) might make you feel safer in your car.

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    Veteran Member pheno's Avatar
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    Default Re: crazy anxiety - help

    Thank you all very much for the info. It is very appreciated.

    I'm going to look into a personal protection course - not a cure all, but good to know.
    I stopped drinking coffee and found a book on dealing with anxiety that I've heard good things about. (The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook)
    "By 'them' do you mean people like me?"

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    God/dess LuckyOne's Avatar
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    Default Re: crazy anxiety - help

    Coolness! Yay for you!!! You are really taking action. This was a good thread.

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    Default Re: crazy anxiety - help

    Quote Originally Posted by LuckyOne View Post
    Army Sgt., yes and no. I agree with you 100% about the vigilance and awareness, but Pheno explained that her anxiety is reaching an overwhelming level. It consumes her thoughts and she can't even sit calmly at a traffic light, when there is practically NO imminent threat. Yes, we need to be aware in order to protect ourselves, but she can't even relax in her own house with the doors locked or a car thats not moving. I would consider that TOO much anxiety...
    I had noticed that People who have not had a reason to deal with violent persons; have a belief that Authorities will always be there. The shock and anxiety that People feel when they first realize help is not instant; overwhelms them. To be expected a part of growing up, when a the thought that we are totally responsible for ourselves.
    Counseling is not bad, but from the original post I gathered the fears were based on personal safety. Ones own personal protection is a concept that reaches into most every aspect of our lives ; personal and public. Getting started can be overwhelming.

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