Anxiety attack or just being paranoid?

[PetaRina]

the other day i had what i want to call a panic attack, but i'm not even sure if that's what it was. (long rant, sorry)

I never like answering the door, i'm afraid of the awkward small talk whether it's someone i know or don't know, recently i've thought i may have anxiety & i want to see someone, but every time i try to i get to, i get too nervous and cancel the appointment.

Anyway, the other day someone came to the door and i freaked out massively. I didn't know them, but it's this person who goes around our area around a few times a year to sell his amateur paintings, so i knew it wasn't like an axe murderer or something. But for some reason after he'd left (i didn't answer the door so he gave up and went to the next house) I started freaking out and kept thinking that people we're coming to get me and he was just the first person and that more we're coming and that all these people were after me. I ran upstairs and was trying to find somewhere to hide and was crying for ages, i kept trying to look out of the windows to see where they were, if they'd found me. For about an hour i was really freaking out and thinking all these people were after me. That they were outside watching. I wasn't hallucinating, i didn't actually see people outside or anything, i just for whatever reason thought that some people we're after me and i was terrified.

Nothing like this has ever happened before, but his sort of thing is happening more often. The other night i had this feeling that there was someone in my room. I didn't see anyone, there was no one in there, but for about two hours i lay in my bed terrified to move because the man at the end of my bed was going to kill me. I lay in the most uncomfortable position, really needed to pee, but couldn't move because I was so scared the man would kill me if i moved.

The other day i was walking home and i had this thought that people were following me. It's not uncommon for girls to feel like that walking home at night, so i dismissed it. But when i thought about it later, i was way more scared than usual i kept looking around and i was hyperventilating and at one point i started running because i thought there were people around, watching me, when no one was there.

So basically, i know it's not normal, I'm not stupid. But i haven't been sleeping, or eating well. I've been quite stressed so i don't know if this is just because of that, or something else and i don't know what to do, i kinda feel like i'm going mental.

[Sophie_M]

Hi PetaRina, thanks for posting.

We can hear from your post that you are currently struggling. It seems like things are really tough and that its really effecting you. We know we suggested previously to discuss with your GP your signs and symptoms to get a mental health assessment - we would like to suggest that you call your area mental health service, they can do a phone assessment and offer more immediate support if needed (number provided offline). Please call them at your next available opportunity so they can assess your symptoms.

Research shows that th sooner someone gets into treatment/support the more effective it can be so hope that you reach out as soon as you can. We would like to suggest you also contact Headspace, they are the National Youth Mental Health Foundation and offer both online and face to face support for under 25’s, they are free or low cost.

We can hear how tough things are with your level of fear and how that is playing out, it is important to keep yourself and others safe.

We are always available to support you. If you would like to speak to one of our Counsellors we encourage you to call the beyondblue Support Service on 1300 22 4636. We can help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with counselling support, information and referrals.