New Here

[Elfy-Ears13 1]

Hi everyone,

You all can call me Elfy...I wasn't so sure about putting my real name out here. I'm 19...a girl... and that's the fundamentals. A little bit about what brought me here, is that throughout my life I was always a worrier. I became entirely stressed by little changes, my sister reorganizing the bathroom so that I cant find my things, crumpled up papers effecting my grades, and other seemingly miniscule things. the older I got the more things worried me. To the point some nights I wouldn't and couldn't sleep. This carried on for years. Last semester in college I had a lot happen to me leading to many a complete breakdown, and panic attack on top of my day to day anxiety that piled on to p of me. Some days it was hard to pull myself out of bed, let alone out of the house. My new boyfriend fairly recently pushed me to talk to my doctor about my anxiety. I have yet to get to a therapist for various reasons, but I thought a good start was to join a chat forum of some sort to bounce questions off of and learn experiences from. I tried another forum but they were less than helpful and I didn't feel quite welcome. I hope that you all can find space in your heart to accept me...and I hope I fit in here.

[jonathan123 2368]

Hi. Elfy. A warm welcome to AC. .

If you want to use your real name or not it is entirely up to you. It's all anonymous anyway. I am sorry to hear about other sites although it comes as no surprise to me. I too wandered around most of them and was unpleasantly surprised at some of the antics they get up to. Here you are more than welcome and if we can help we will. We are all experienced in the ways of anxiety, too right we are. No criticism or judgement whatsoever. Feeling better about it? Good. So let's' have a look at your post.

My new boyfriend fairly recently pushed me to talk to my doctor about my anxiety.

You have very wise boyfriend! The first port of call should always be your GP and, while many have not got much idea about anxiety, they can often prescribe some short term relief which will give you a chance to think things through.

I became entirely stressed by little changes, my sister reorganizing the bathroom so that I cant find my things, crumpled up papers effecting my grades, and other seemingly miniscule things. the older I got the more things worried me.

Yes, if not treated and understood it can escalate as we get older. Elfy, understanding is the key to your feeling better. The more you know, the more knowledge you have about anxiety the easier it is to deal with.

Some days it was hard to pull myself out of bed, let alone out of the house.

Yes, but you did. THAT is so important. It's so easy to get caught up in the idea that you can't do anything because of your anxiety. Your body is working fine, it's the mind, the way you think that's the problem. If you can get therapy or some counselling then go for it. To me mild medication to begin with and counselling can work wonders. You will not always be like this. Honest!

Many of us here prefer to use the word 'management' rather than cure. Anxious people are so often sensitive people. They feel for others and are open to the negative feelings around them. They tend to exaggerate everything, which is what you have described. To manage your anxiety means that it no longer interferes with your life. If it appears again you know how to deal with it. Look under GAD on the site and the work of Dr. Claire Weekes. You could get her books if you look them up on Amazon. She shows ways of dealing with panic and agoraphobia.

 I hope that you all can find space in your heart to accept me...and I hope I fit in here.

For goodness sake, Elfy. SPACE!!!!. There is so much space here it's often unbelievable. And in our hearts? Where else would you be? We all know and understand only too well. Why? Because we have all been there and know and there is no substitute for experience. This is a mutual help site so if you have any tips or experiences that you think may help tell us about them. Once again, welcome, good to have you here.   Jon.

 

 

 

[rhinogirl 11]

Hi Elfy! It was so nice to talk to you in chat tonight. It was my first time in chat and I was so glad to make a friend here.  You are stronger than you know- you have inspired me. Thinking of you and sending love and strength! XOXO