Should I see a doctor?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Griddlecakes
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Griddlecakes

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Thanks, colby, your post was well worded and thought out, esp. the part about college/parents. I dont know though, I'm starting to think I'm just waiting for a breaking point. A break down or something, before I do anything proactive about this. Partly because I think I might believe it's a problem that can't be fixed, so if I'm not diagnosed, there's no problem...
 
I really encourage you to see a doctor. You deserve to be comfortable in your own life, and we have so many excellent medications that can work wonders.

There should be no shame in seeking help for anxiety/depression just as your would be seen by a doctor for any other illness. You would probably be surprised at how many of your classmates are experiencing similar feelings, as well as those of us here.

I hope we can encourage you to see your doctor as well.
 
Thanks for your help, everyone, I've made an appt. with a university dr.. I may keep you all posted on the outcome
 
Well I'm a 19 year old male in college with an otherwise pretty ordinary life. I probably actually live better than most. I'm attractive (In my opinion), smart, but going through some terrible stuff. I'll go ahead and list off my symptoms which I've been so desperately trying to ignore for the longest time.

Heart racing uncontrollably many times throughout the day (EVERY day [usually worse when I'm in class])

Sweaty palms daily

I've been getting these urges to cry lately at random times. My eyes will start tearing up (I guess when I'm nervous) but I can't cry even if I want to. This happens 3-4 times daily.. It was the worst when I had my first day of bio this semester, and I was going through the usual heart racing, head twitching stuff when I got an almost uncontrollable urge to run out of the class. When I fought it, my eyes began tearing up hardcore and I could barely fight crying)

Chest pains almost daily

I've been getting muscle twitches frequently, lately.. my head twitches in class now which I can tell makes others nervous. Or so I think. I try to stay still as corpse in class so I don't show signs of nervousness, so it gets bottled up til my head jerks a bit..

I get TERRIBLE anxiety/what I think is depression (I have a hard time identifying my emotions sometimes..) on days after I drink (every weekend). I get bad tunnel vision and can barely drag my pounding heart out of bed in the morning. I'm never hungry and don't want to do anything.

Sometimes when I drink I completely dissociate. (this started recently) My heart usually starts racing after 2 beers but I keep drinking because I don't want to let this problem interfere with my lifestyle or me trying to have a good time.. and it sometimes gets to the point where I don't even feel like myself anymore. I feel almost dead.

SUPER severe performance anxiety [tried beta blockers for this once, worked well]

My worst symptom is sexual dysfunction. I can -never- get an erection when I try to have sex with a girl for the first time. This is mortifying, especially since the last girl I tried to sex up was a model. Though as I get super comfortable with a gf, I can more and more easily get an erection. Even when I'm in a relationship with a girl for 6 months, I can only orgasm probably 1/5 times I'm having sex. I really hate this. [I get an erection fine to straight porn all the time. It's just when another person is involved..]

I get heart palpitations daily

I also get this weird thing where I can feel my heartbeat pulsating in certain parts of my body.. kinda hard to describe

My heart races when my girlfriend lays on top of me [this sucks].. I have this weird fear she'll hear me breathing abnormally, so I try to control my breathing, and my heart starts racing... circular logic leading to panic..

I've got a terrible problem of trying to read peoples body language, I guess with the intent to see if I'm making them nervous or not? (It's really hard not to do this) I'll hyperanalyze every movement my classmates make which in turn gives me panic attacks..

There have been about 4 times when I'm sober (though usually hungover) where I completely dissociated. I didn't feel like myself at all, I could barely communicate; this is probably the worst feeling in the world.



I tried klonopin (Rx) about 8 months ago, it worked alright except I had the most realistic auditory hallucinations sometimes, so I quit. Plus, I heard it's way easy to become addicted or dependent.

I think I might have Generalized Anxiety Disorder. But I've had a sneaking suspicion that I have a classic case of Borderline Personality Disorder [reckless/impulsive behavior, no strong sense of personality, but there is no way in hell I can admit to myself that I'm a crazy person. I don't even know how I've worked up the courage to type all this; I try hiding reality from myself... Please help me. It's been a while since I've genuinely felt happy.. Should I see a doctor? What's wrong with me? I don't know how much longer I can go on living like this...
 
Just a follow-up to see how things went at the Dr.'s? Hopefully they were able to offer you some guidance and do some tests.
 
Thanks for your concern, colby. I was put on 20mg of lexapro.. it seemed to work for a little while but I'm starting to notice some mood swings. Some days I'll be laughing and cheery but on some I just wont want to do anything. Though I'm starting not to feel much of anything from the meRAB anymore, it used to help a bit with the anxiety but not so much anymore. Also, I can't ejaculate on the meRAB >_<

I ran out of lexapro this morning, i have another appt on friday... i'm not sure whether to ask for a higher dosage or a different medication?
 
Hi there it's tinkerbell45 here. i read your post and i think you should go to the dr ASAP!!! you are going thru ALOT right now and you need to talk to someone.this board is a GREAT place to post your feelings and people here are GREAT!!!!i feel alot btter since i have been on this board about 2 months. Please write to me ANYTIME you want and PLEASE take care of yourself.
 
Yes, see a Dr. to rule out any medical conditions. Maybe even get your testosterone levels checked
 
Thanks tinkerbell and kay.. I'm still on the fence about going to a doc. I've got a fear of my parents finding out, I guess. But on the other hand I can't even pay attention in class because I'm too busy freaking out..
 
Yes, you should make an appt. and go see a Dr. It sounRAB like you have all the classic symptoms of an anxiety disorder and/or depression but your Dr. and medical tests will rule out anything physiological. In the meantime cut out the alcohol, exercise, eat right and try to get proper rest.

I imagine this is your first time living away from home as a freshman and often times such a disorder can present itself (if you're predisposed to an anxiety disorder) when one is under extreme stress or trauma, not to mention in an entirely new environment learning to be independent. Typically, these disorders strike in the late teens. Just remeraber many college freshman and college age kiRAB are feeling anxious, stressed and depressed but in someone like yourself, it is anxiety to the 10th degree most likely because you just happen to have the make-up for such a disorder.

There is help out there to overcome the symptoms and medicines to help but it's something that most likely you will have to learn to be the advocate for and manage. It sounRAB like you have been prescribed meRAB in the past so perhaps go back to the Dr. you saw in the first place and let him/her know that you are not doing well and ask for help.

Good luck and hang in there. It can be overwhelming but just try to relax and take a deep breath. Also, don't be erabarassed to let your parents or one of your parents in on this. You'd be surprised at how willing and understanding they'll be to help you. Afterall, they are your parents and love you unconditionally.
 
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