saware
20-12-12, 00:12
so I've been dealing with anxiety for over 3 years now - it began with the occasional panic attack, I'm talking once every few months. not a massive hindrance to my life, my GP prescribed me propranolol and sent me away. I never took it as I was perfectly able to control my symptoms.
until a few months ago, nothing traumatic happened that I can think may have caused this but my anxiety has suddenly gotten a lot worse - I have a constantly high heart rate, can't stop worrying about tiny trivial things, feel like I can never get enough air into my lungs, am convinced that my boyfriend of a few months is going to break up with me (even though everything's been going great so far!)
I might add I'm 20 years old and in my second year of university. I live with 5 people I would call friends but who I wouldn't say I'm particularly close to - in fact I'm not really close to anyone at university. I still don't know anyone on my course and sit alone in all my lectures. the added problem is that my boyfriend lives at home so we only see each other once every 2 weeks. this causes me a lot of worry as he's a very good looking guy and gets a lot of attention from girls, even when I'm there! I'm convinced I'm going to fail my course (even though I'm averaging a 2:1 at the moment), convinced that every slight pain I experience is something worrying and life-threatening, and am generally extremely insecure. I'm not keen on the idea of taking medication for my anxiety as I've heard about the risks of dependence etc and I'd really like to try every other alternative first.
sorry for the long post. I'd just love to know where to start with all this if anyone can point me in the right direction! this all has crept up on me very quickly starting as an occasional panic attack and has now developed into a daily struggle. any advice appreciated.
until a few months ago, nothing traumatic happened that I can think may have caused this but my anxiety has suddenly gotten a lot worse - I have a constantly high heart rate, can't stop worrying about tiny trivial things, feel like I can never get enough air into my lungs, am convinced that my boyfriend of a few months is going to break up with me (even though everything's been going great so far!)
I might add I'm 20 years old and in my second year of university. I live with 5 people I would call friends but who I wouldn't say I'm particularly close to - in fact I'm not really close to anyone at university. I still don't know anyone on my course and sit alone in all my lectures. the added problem is that my boyfriend lives at home so we only see each other once every 2 weeks. this causes me a lot of worry as he's a very good looking guy and gets a lot of attention from girls, even when I'm there! I'm convinced I'm going to fail my course (even though I'm averaging a 2:1 at the moment), convinced that every slight pain I experience is something worrying and life-threatening, and am generally extremely insecure. I'm not keen on the idea of taking medication for my anxiety as I've heard about the risks of dependence etc and I'd really like to try every other alternative first.
sorry for the long post. I'd just love to know where to start with all this if anyone can point me in the right direction! this all has crept up on me very quickly starting as an occasional panic attack and has now developed into a daily struggle. any advice appreciated.