"just anxiety"

[guitarpants]

Now this is not to cause anyone to be more anxious, or to be negative, but to help people. Since I've been on this forum a common trend when someone complains of a symptom is that most (not everyone, I know) people tell them it's "just anxiety". This is very comforting and reassuring for those like myself who have have trouble coming to grips that such frightening things can occur out of an anxious state.

However, I also find doctors falling into this trap as well. The thing is, not everything is "just anxiety". Use common sense, do not try to diagnose yourself, get yourself to a doctor you feel comfortable with and get their opinion. There are a lot of diseases, infections, etc. that get overlooked as just anxiety. Falsely reassuring some folks can perpetuate their suffering if they do not get appropriate medical treatment.

I've been told by multiple doctors, neurologists, psychiatrists, psychologists that I'm suffering from "just anxiety" or "just depression". I've finally gotten to some better professionals and that may not be the case (solely). Yes, I suffer from anxiety, no it may not be the sole explanation for my symptoms. Some underlying medical problems have been found. You have to remember there are many medical causes for anxiety and depression. It is not solely a psychiatric issue. It's not a magic, imaginary state that exists only in your mind, there is physiology behind it.

Now, I am not saying do not listen to the people on here. This forum is one of the best things I've ever found and it is immensely helpful. Just, follow your instincts, use common sense, and get yourself checked out. If you feel you are being brushed off by your doctor or they are not taking you seriously, go to a different one.

I just don't want anyone to suffer unnecessarily.

[Utility]

You are of course quite correct NinjaXero. Common sense should always prevail. The first port of call should be the doctor to rule out "other" medical conditions and then the anxietry can be treated with confidence.

[Going home]

Yes I agree with what you're saying. I had some blood tests done a few weeks ago...and have had these tests done regularly once or twice a year for the last 3 years since they discovered I have high bood pressure, now controlled very well with beta blockers...but this last test showed up a high level of iron. The doctor has now referred me to the hospital for more tests, but reading the list of symptoms of high iron levels it describes all the symptoms ive been having for many years. They include heart flutters and missed beats, twitching eyelids and a sort of staining of the skin as if you have a permanent tan, though not all over the body, just in parts.

I couldn't believe it when I read about these symptoms as ive had ectopics and flutters for many years, and in recent years have had awful eyelid twitches...very painful. As for the peculiar skin staining well yes, I have that too on my feet. So if the tests prove that i do have higher than normal iron levels then all the years of being told they can't find anything wrong will end. But then the treatment begins

Anna xxx

[sarah jayne]

I totally agree with you. For over 2 years i had chest pains that were like a heart attack which i was told was ' just anxiety' , i knew it wasnt but my doctor wouldnt believe me, it wasnt until i asked to be seen by someone else that i was diagnosed with chronic costachondris which is very painful and at times can mimic a heart attack. Another time my neck was sore and stiff and kept seizing up, after many trips to the docs i was given an mri and found to have 3 slipped disks ! I got sick of being fobbed with that doctor so changed doctors. Unfortunately im still having horrible symptoms but this doc is taking me seriously, ive had blood tests which show i have a bad vit d dificiency and ive been referred to a specialist for my joint porblems. I honestly believe i do have something awful going on in my body otherwise i wouldnt constantly be getting these symptoms.

[Going home]

Sarah, I do sympathise and having a vitamin D deficiency can affect your bones so that would make sense for you. To let my docs off the hook...but only a bit...high levels of iron in the blood in women isnt always spotted until after the periods stop since periods help to flush out any excess. But its not something they automatically test for anyway when they take blood, and my doc decided to look for it after my liver count came back higher than normal. If I have the condition then the cure is to change diet a bit (very little alcohol) and for them to syphon off a pint of blood every now and again but as far as I know it doesn't involve any drugs which is great.

Happy days

[oneofus]

I'm sorry but I must disagree with advice been given here, to go and see your doctor to set your mind at rest. This is classic safety behaviour, which will reinforce any anxiety problem you may have. You're going to the doctor not to look for advice but for the doctor to confirm your anxiety so to convince yourself you are not wrong (no-one likes to be wrong and everyone wants to be right). So if he finds nothing wrong you're unlikely to believe him and your worries will be reinforced the more.

I've attached a paper from Oxford University for anyone who's interested http://www.homepage.psy.utexas.edu/H...x%20disord.pdf.