SomewhatUsual
27-07-08, 16:37
Hello everyone!
I'm new to this but have been browsing for a few days.
I'm a student with a heavy, really heavy, workload and 3 months ago I experienced what I now think was a panic attack. A feeling of overwhelming fear came over me, I started shaking, racing heartbeat etc for no reason really. I had had a pretty good day but as usual I stressed myself immensely with schoolwork and getting enough stuff done. The panic attacks resulted in me taking break off school and missing 2 exams. I was afraid that if I studied I would have yet another attack.
What followed was a series of days difficulties breathing, chest pain and a feeling like I could not get enough of air. Everytime I would put myself through a stresful situation this occured. I went to the doctors, they said my test results was fine and it was probably just stress.
Up until a few weeks ago my problems with anxiety and stress were strictly physical. Mentally I did feel fine except I felt worried.
Now that worry has escalated and I feel fear everyday. Two months ago I stopped going out. I did not want to see my friends, everyone else seemed so normal and I felt so not normal! (I have been out since then but I don't enjoy myself anymore) I also feel disconnected with my old self, I cry a lot and don't feel connected to my friends/family the way I did before. I just don't feel like my old self. I don't know if this could be depression or depersonalization or just general anxiety. I also have a bit of a headache and a pressure in my ears. Before coming to this forum I was convinced I was losing my mind, becoming crazy etc but now I realise it's anxiety and stress. I was also convinced I was becoming a bad person or developing mental illness. I feel very much sad almost everyday, I have ups and downs but even in my ups I don't feel like my old self. I used to be a positive person, I was secure in myself, liked company but also enjoyed alone time. Now I don't know what to do with myself. When I socialize my mind is always somewhere else and I just have this persistant worry that I won't be fine. When people talk to me I keep thinking : how do they function and do they have fears and what are they thinking. What's normal thinking like?
I've read that depersonalization occurs because the mind is exhausted, this I believe to be the truth with me but when does it go away. What should I do? I feel terribly alone and while breathing excersises helped a few weeks ago, they don't know. I feel numb and empty. Does it sound like depression to you people? I don't even know what it is, but since it all started with that attack I think it might be anxiety or maybe a mix?
I'm new to this but have been browsing for a few days.
I'm a student with a heavy, really heavy, workload and 3 months ago I experienced what I now think was a panic attack. A feeling of overwhelming fear came over me, I started shaking, racing heartbeat etc for no reason really. I had had a pretty good day but as usual I stressed myself immensely with schoolwork and getting enough stuff done. The panic attacks resulted in me taking break off school and missing 2 exams. I was afraid that if I studied I would have yet another attack.
What followed was a series of days difficulties breathing, chest pain and a feeling like I could not get enough of air. Everytime I would put myself through a stresful situation this occured. I went to the doctors, they said my test results was fine and it was probably just stress.
Up until a few weeks ago my problems with anxiety and stress were strictly physical. Mentally I did feel fine except I felt worried.
Now that worry has escalated and I feel fear everyday. Two months ago I stopped going out. I did not want to see my friends, everyone else seemed so normal and I felt so not normal! (I have been out since then but I don't enjoy myself anymore) I also feel disconnected with my old self, I cry a lot and don't feel connected to my friends/family the way I did before. I just don't feel like my old self. I don't know if this could be depression or depersonalization or just general anxiety. I also have a bit of a headache and a pressure in my ears. Before coming to this forum I was convinced I was losing my mind, becoming crazy etc but now I realise it's anxiety and stress. I was also convinced I was becoming a bad person or developing mental illness. I feel very much sad almost everyday, I have ups and downs but even in my ups I don't feel like my old self. I used to be a positive person, I was secure in myself, liked company but also enjoyed alone time. Now I don't know what to do with myself. When I socialize my mind is always somewhere else and I just have this persistant worry that I won't be fine. When people talk to me I keep thinking : how do they function and do they have fears and what are they thinking. What's normal thinking like?
I've read that depersonalization occurs because the mind is exhausted, this I believe to be the truth with me but when does it go away. What should I do? I feel terribly alone and while breathing excersises helped a few weeks ago, they don't know. I feel numb and empty. Does it sound like depression to you people? I don't even know what it is, but since it all started with that attack I think it might be anxiety or maybe a mix?