Having problems with anxiety. . .

I just thought of something, I don't know how old you are, but I have a friend who went through menopause, due to a hysterectomy and when she did, she had severe anxiety, she tole me she would spend hours in the closet crying and didn't recognize her own kitchen!  If you are close to the menopause age, it might be worth checking out as well, maybe hormones are the problem!  Just a thought.

I agree with Lisa R completely,,,and hope that any doctor would take that into consideration

gosh, I sooooo wish I could get some of this stuff through to my Mom.  She'd NEVER talk to a therapist and won't even ask the doc for anything for her depression.  When I was growing up the back door led either straight down to the basement or if you hung a right and went up a step, into the kitchen.  That door was ALWAYS locked during the day, but since Dad worked 24 shifts, nites he worked, she "checked" the basement.  One of us sat at the bottom of the stairs between the two big rooms so that no one could run from one side to the other after she'd already "checked", one of us at the top of the stairs, one of us INSIDE the door into the kitchen...locked of course...and one of us sat by the phone to call the police in case she screamed.  Talk about PARANOID!!!  I was afraid of basements for years!  Always felt a chill going up my spine when I went back UP stairs......
 
Lets see, germs, everything carries soooo many germs....mice, flies, critters, shoes......and while not having carpeting might be more sanitary it's 50 times more work!  My dogs don't pee on the carpet, but I clean it once a month or so anyway....big deal.  I ALWAYS feel like she, and my sister, don't feel that my house is quite "sanitary" enough for the two of them!!  And someone is always looking to hurt her or take advantage of her.....this poor woman has had irrational fears for as long as I can remember...but by golly she will NOT ask for help.

Well, will be 34 in April so don't think it's menopause yet. 

Glenda-Funny, I'm not worried about dog germs only human ones.  DH cannot believe that.  I also used to check the rooms of the house when I got home and the shower and closets before I got Willow.  Now, I know she would know if someone was there.

But, gosh, with allll those fears, I can't imagine how she ENJOYS life.  And a little bit of help is soooo close.

I'm sure she's like me, not really realizing it.  Until I started reading all these diffenent stories of what people do, I never really realized that these were all "symptoms" of this problem.  I just thought it was just stuff I did.  Now that I'm aware, I'm floored and yet happy that I can identify this and hopefully get help for it. 

Hey Lori, you not worrying about doggy germs reminds me of our dear friends. They have a son named Shawn. Any time anyone kisses Shawn,,could even be his Mom or Dad, he wipes it off. ALWAYS!!!   Yet he lets any dog lick his whole face!!!!     LOL LOL LOL

Uh, slight problem. . . I didn't call.  I freaked out, didn't know what to say.  I'll try again tomorrow. 

Tomorrow is another day! 
I know how you feel, one time my friend called and made an appointment for me because I just couldn't!
You know what Lori, during the day we have good feelings and bad feelings. In one of your good ones tomorrow,,,run for the phone and call and make an appointment, there is only help and peace for you at the doctor.

Sorry I'm coming in late on this. I have been there myself, and you are NOT alone. I know its really, REALLY hard to make that first call. I wish I was there to be with you, but since I'm not I'm sending you some strong courageous vibes. You know what you're doing is courageous, right? I'm proud of you. You CAN do it.

Don't think about it. Just pick up the phone, call em up, and say, "I don't know what to say but I need some help." They should take it from there. You're probably gonna start crying, and that's OK too.

There's not a whole lot that I can add that hasn't been already said here, but I just wanted you to know that we care about you!

I don't really have much to add, Lori, except to wish you all the luck in the world.  I just think it's sad that society, in general, tends to make people feel guilty or shameful about any illness that isn't physical.  We wouldn't dream of making someone who has cancer or diabetes or a broken leg feel that way, but if the illness is mental/emotional/neural etc. society just doesn't want to hear about it.

I wanted to repost this. I posted this in response to a similar discussion on another board last week. I'm editing some and putting in the relevant parts here:

I too have my own struggles with depression [and anxiety]. I would never think less of you for it. I second what has been said several times - medication *can* make all the difference. Unfortunately its kind of a trial and error sort of thing - you may not find the right one the first time out of the box.

A few practical things you can do for the time being, until you are able to get to the doctor, is get thee into the sun. Your body will use the sun (convert blah blah seratonin) to help make you feel a little better. The stinky part is that you're probably not going to FEEL like going out, but do it anyway. ** note that with anxiety this may be difficult for you, so I would be satisfied with just back porch if you can. If not, don't sweat it.

If you can, take a wee walk with the puppers, and try to eat and sleep regularly. These things WILL help you a little. If you can't, don't worry about the getting out parts right now.

Its not a boot-strap thing. Many of my (much older) relatives have a "keep your chin up" or "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" attitude. I'm here to tell you - its no inadequacy in your character that would make it impossible to do so. Depression (and anxiety) is much more complex and difficult than that, and for most the boot-strap method is inefficient.

You'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

Lori - just catching up on this thread again.  I, too, always thought I had certain behaviors just because "that's how I am."  It's weird to step away from it and realize it's part of a larger issue and that not everybody thinks or acts that way.  I remember when Tonka was going to have surgery, and I mentioned my fears of him not surviving the anesthesia to my friend (who is devoted to her dog and cat).  She looked at me with genuine surprise and said, "I never would've thought of that!"  This type of thing happens to me all the time, where I'm struck by how the average person's mind doesn't go to the places my anxious mind goes to.  I often think how much easier life would be to live with that type of calmness --- never to have it occur to you that something bad could happen.
 
I've discovered something interesting since Tonka's death.  I've always been a worry-wart and somewhat of a melancholy person, even as a kid.  However, my anxiety kicked into high-gear after Tonka came into our lives and I fell madly in love with him - suddenly, I worried endlessly about his health, behavior, happiness, etc.  That led me to worry about myself more, because I was afraid I wouldn't be around to care for him, so I became more panicky about driving, flying, illness, etc. 
 
As his health failed last year, the anxiety was consuming.  After he died in January, I was immobile for a few days - barely moving, not eating much, etc.  Once I got back to work, I seemed to be okay, and in 2-3 weeks I felt relatively together.  I thought, "Well, I'm handling this okay."  But I soon realized that all I was feeling was the "improvement" of having the anxiety/worry lifted.  Within another week or so, I found that all I was left with was that low, sad feeling that wasn't noticeable when he was with us (he brought us such joy and love).  I'm not sure what's worse - being a wreck with the anxiety in his final weeks, or being left with nothing but the horrible weight of feeling sad, lonely and empty without him.
 
I'm keeping you in my thoughts.  I agree with the earlier post about getting some sun.  I live in dreary Oregon, so I know that this difficult winter has been made worse for me due to the grey skies we constantly have.  But I'm grateful for a place to share stories - it does help to know there are others who have similar experiences. 

Ugh, I'm not doing good, here.  I still haven't called and DH said if I don't call in the morning he's going to do it since I've had all week and haven't done it.  I didn't even want to post to this thread.  
 
I totally relate to how you feel Tracy.  And, I'm sure if anything was to happen to Willow it would really cause quite an upset to me.  I would LOVE to see some sun around here!  First, we think spring is coming, it was in the 50's last week and now back to the 30's and windy!  [&:]
 
Anyway, thank for all the support, I'll get this call done! 

OK Lori, I'm thinking you need a good swift kick in the sit down!
 
CALL THE DOCTOR!!!!