Need Advise.. Anxiety first timer

[guest159]

Hi everyone this is my first time posting on beyond blue, since this is my first time suffering from anxiety.

 I am 18 years old, male and working part time in my family business. These couple of months have been extremely hard for me because I've had health issues that i kept to myself, and googled a lot of info about it, and i was self diagnosing myself with a lot of terrible illnesses. Finally, i opened up to my family and they took me to the doctor for those issues and my doctor has referred me to a specialist and now i am maintaining the health problems i had. The main issue now is that i am experiencing a lot of random muscle pain, chest pain, problems swallowing, back of head pain, and lost about 9 kilo and weigh 60kilo. I'm seeing a psychologist next week about it, since doctors have told me this is anxiety im going through. Everyday i say to my parents about my pains i feel everyday because im constantly thinking about the pains because it's always there, EVERYDAY since all these health issues started. Also these last couple days i've had like rabbit poo stoles everytime i go toliet. not sure if this is part of the stress? please HELP. sorry if i didn't go into depth im not the best typer

[white knight]

Hi JM,  welcome

Google is good for getting ideas of what could be a problem...but thats all.

I'd be getting a second doctors opinion at a different clinic. It doesnt hurt and all your symptoms could be pointing towards a different diagnosis.

Take care.   Tony WK

[Lori]

Hi guest159,

Welcome to the Beyondblue forums and well done for reaching out 🙂

I'm sorry to hear that you are suffering from Anxiety it is a horrible illness and can be very scary at times. I was the same i use to google my symptoms and self diagnose but i eventually found out that it really isn't a healthy thing to do.

Anxiety affects people in different ways we all react different and have different symptoms to it, sometimes people experience the same that you have explained but sometimes they don't but i would be going to the doctors and checking to make sure that these symptoms are coming from the anxiety it's always better to double check just in-case it's something else.

Good luck,  you will overcome this!

- Lori

[PatT]

Hi,

Anxiety can be strange like that. While it is really something going on inside the head, it can affect the rest of the body in physical symptoms. You might feel the mental side of it first as anxiety, but the other things you're describing - muscle pains, chest pains, trouble swallowing, headaches and weight loss - these can all occur as a result of anxiety. 

I'd try and avoid google...self diagnosis does nothing but create more anxiety. I'd go and speak with the psych, see what they have to say and let them decide. They're educated to be able to tell the difference between psychological and physical illness so they would be able to point you in the right direction and offer their help where necessary.

All the best,

Pat.

[morgs29]

Hi there,

Welcome to the community and a big well done for reaching out. It's not always an easy thing to do! I'm sorry to hear you are dealing with anxiety and the other symptoms you have described. 

I think it's important that you keep seeing your GP and the psychologist and listen to what they have to say. They will have options for treatment, and it's then a matter of following the self-care plan and seeing if it helps you. It's really important at this stage to reach out to those closest to you and make sure you feel supported. Reaching out on this site and letting your family know what's going on is a fantastic start.

It might also be a good idea to keep away from Google for now, in regards to diagnosing your own symptoms. There can be a lot of overlap and confusion when it comes to doing it all on your own. Keep seeing the professionals for help and look after yourself best you can.

Take care,

[Narniakid]

Hi guest159 and welcome to the BB forums!

Firstly, avoid using Google to self-diagnosed, because this usually isn't as accurate as going to a GP, and it just causes more anxiety. All of the symptoms you describe are physical, and definitely common regarding anxiety. Well done on seeing a psychologist - they will be able to pinpoint exactly where your anxiety lies, and what is triggering it.

As for the aches and pains, maintain a balanced diet and get regular sleep. Consider seeing a chiropractor, as they will be able to soothe the pain and gives you some pointers as to how to avoid it.

Listen to what your doctor and psychologist has to say, and be as honest and open as you can - their opinions are more often than not worth the money.

Good luck!

Crystal

[smoothdog]

Hey guest159,

Firstly, welcome to BB! Good job on reaching out and I hope you find the answers you seek in the posts. Also I would like to congratulate on bringing up your health conditions with your family - this can be a very difficult step! By sharing it with others, it becomes more real which can be scary. But that also means you have a much greater support network to help you deal with it.

To continue on from what others have posted, using Dr Google is usually a recipe for greater anxiety. I've gone down this route many times before and it definitely doesn't help. Doctors have had years of training in reaching a diagnosis, taking into account many factors beyond symptoms. Given that the symptoms you are feeling now seem to be the root of your anxiety, proper medical advice sounds like your best bet (which unfortunately cannot be found on these forums).

Lastly, I can only imagine how tiring it must be to experience these symptoms every single day. Go see your GP with haste and tell him everything you have told us!

Good luck!

[smoothdog]

Hey guest159,

Firstly welcome to BB! Great job on reaching out here and with your family about your health conditions. This is no easy task and is extrememly scary, as it makes the condition more real. But now you have a much gerater support nbetwork to help you 🙂

To reiterate what others have said: Dr Google is not the answer and more often causes more anxiety. The art of diagnosis is perfected over years of medical training as doctors take into account many factors, many of which may seem irrelevant or even invisible to the patient. And as it seems that the symptoms you are feeling are the cause of your anxiety, I think that your best bet is to seek proper medical advice through your GP. Hopefully as the symptoms are addressed, so too will the anxiety fade.

Lastly, I just want to say how difficult it must be to experience these symptoms every single day. It must be exhausting. Speak to your GP about everything you have shared with us! 

Good luck!

[Sandyrah]

Hello there. Just wanted to say, I have bipolar disorder, I was diagnosed when I was 14, am now 25 and I still suffer depression and anxiety from time to time. I am actually going through an almost identical thing to you over the last few weeks due to uni stress, work related stress (I work at a medical centre so it's a high pressure job, and I am studying psychology at university) and I also have family stress at the moment. I tend to internalise everything however some of my trusted family and friends and work colleagues have noticed a big change in me over the last month, where I am very frantic at work, I snap easily and I have started to develop very high blood pressure in times of stress. I experienced a full blown "anxiety attack" 2 weeks ago. I thought it was a heart attack at first because there is an extensive history of cardiovascular disease in my family. I was driving home from work one night and I called my dad because I rent a house on my own, and I called dad to say dad I think I am having a heart attack. Because my heart was beating so fast, I felt I was about to pass out, my heart felt like it was going to explode out of my chest and my blood pressure was through the roof. I have been building up and internalising all my problems and stress has finally taken it's toll on me not only mentally, but now physically as well to the point I had to call an ambulance. They said it was not my heart, it was simply a full blown panic attack. However I did feel like I was going to pass out, then I was convulsing on my sofa but by that stage my best friend and my dad had driven over at midnight to calm me down, keep me in the present moment and it turns out that my blood pressure was back down to normal once the paramedics reassured me my heart is fine, my oxygen levels are 100% and that it was just stress related. It can be so hard to tell what the issues could be, however if they are starting to affect you physically, then you need to see a doctor and get tests (such as blood tests or whatever else you feel you are having issues with) and get them sorted as soon as possible, or else you will end up like myself and almost burn out. I have become physically unwell so now I have used my uni break to literally chill out when I am not working however I am always keeping myself busy. I see friends and spend time with my dogs. Mindfulness is a great thing to learn as well, talk to a GP about maybe getting a mental health care plan to see a psychologist! 🙂

[SeanM92]

Hey there mate,

You got one hell of a symptoms list there that really must suck.

In saying that try not to panic to much about what it might be as this could make it worse. Not saying that's what your doing but alot of people get told things like this and just panic over things they aren't 100% sure are even the right things. 

As said by another user i have to agree, getting a 2nd opinion preferably before the therapist visit may be a good idea  just to be on the safe side, if you cant thats okay, it wont make the world if difference. 

Just try to relax, maybe treat yourself to a movie or a fun day or something, it might help take the edge off. 

Stay strong, don't panic, we are all here for you on the forum,

Take it easy.