I don't have the correct symptoms, but could it still be anxiety?

[ytown]

I don't have the sweaty palms, racing heart,  etc, but I think that it's probably because I avoid any and all situations that will cause me any sort of anxiety.  I have been a stay-at-home mum for 17 years and love my life, but occasionally I think I should probably get a job outside of the home.  The problem is that I just can't.  I have even gone so far as to sign up for courses, but I can't make myself get there. I have all of these coping things in place. For example:

 have to do things in a certain way by a certain time, and when I treat myself to a day out shopping, I start to get panicky if I'm not home by a certain time. Actually it's the same with anything I do outside of the home. Whether it's going for coffee with friends, helping at school,  whatever,  i have to be home by a certain time (the time varies depending on the day)

I don't sleep terribly well.  By this I mean that I sleep heavily for about 5 hours but then I start to worry that I should get up...now!       

I suffer terribly from mouth ulcers whenever I am stressing.  I also find myself grinding my teeth constantly day and night

I don't feel I can talk to my husband or friends because I feel stupid.  I'm a very strong person.  I absolutely do not ask for help. 

Isuppose what I really need is some advice about vitamins or over the counter medication that any one can suggest

[beingbyrne]

I am not a psychiatrist and forgive me if it sounds like I am trying to make a diagnosis ( we definitely have to leave that to the mental health professionals), but you could have OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), which is a type of anxiety disorder  characterized by intrusive thoughts that produce uneasiness, apprehension, fear, or worry ; by repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing the associated anxiety; or by a combination of such obsessions and compulsions

"OCD can lead to unhealthy patterns of behaviour that can cause difficulties in daily functioning"

You can look it up and see if it sounds like you. If it does, then what you need is a psychiatrist who will give you advice on vitamins or nutritional supplements addition to treatment.

I'd also like to say welcome to BB and I'm looking forward to hearing from you again. 

[geoff]

dear Ytown, I have to agree with Mrs. Byrne that you should check up on the net about OCD, which does control our thinking and the way we behave, it's done this to me for 54 years, so I would love you to get back to us after you have read up on it, as there must be a million questions which you may want to ask. L Geoff. x