I think I need therapy
 

I think I have some kind of anxiety issue. I've always been a little neurotic, but lately it just seems worse than ever.

I am a control freak. Usually, if something it isn't done exactly the way I want it, I just get huffy and redo it myself. I have been steadily getting worse and worse about it. Here lately I find myself in almost a full blown anxiety attack if things aren't "just so".

For example: My oldest DD vaccuumed the living room for me last night. I looked at it and immediately got this very panicky, uneasy feeling that made me nauseous, my heart was pounding, and my hands were shaking and sweating. Why? Because the lines made by the vacuum cleaner were going the wrong way in front of the fireplace. She had them going this way ( | ) instead of this way ( --- ).

WHO gets that way over vac lines? :eek:

I have been noticing that happening a lot lately over a lot of different things.

The dishwasher being loaded incorrectly, the glasses not put in the cabinet correctly, chairs not pushed up to the table and in the right spot, the kids' toys not put away exactly where they are supposed to be, books put back on the shelf out of order, the toilet paper roll put on the thingy backwards - all of that causes me to panic.

It started getting worse pre-DUG so I can't blame it all on him, although it seems to have gotten worse since he came and went. I think the stress kind of accelerated it.

I don't know what to do. Taking deep breaths and other relaxation techniques doesn't work. It has gotten to the point that other people are starting to really notice. :(

Anxiety like that can be horrible..."Compulsive"!! Have you seen your doctor about it? Maybe you need some meds for awhile and see if they would help you? How old are you? It could be your age and maybe a change type thing you are going through? Always something to worry about isn't there!! Good luck to you!!

I know exactly how you feel. I had one situation that set me off & then everything else started to set me off. Therapy does help. You may be repressing things that need to be dealt with; possibly conserning DUG. When I'm not dealing with something emotional every little thing starts to get to me & pretty soon I meltdown. I starting seeing a therapist around april. I see her every 2 weeks. I won't lie it's not easy; she makes me examine things I'd rather not think about, but she's trying to help me deal with things & then discard. It wouldn't hurt to check it out.

Also talk to your family doctor he should be able to give you the name of a therapist and possibly something to help in the meantime. My doctor gave me a small dose of Xanax, I take half a pill when i begin to feel "overwhelmed".

I also wanted to add that there is nothing wrong with you. Everyone processes things differently & you are not abnormal or crazy. You might also be a Highly Sensitive Personality (it's not what it sounds like). When my therapist suggested this I did lots of research on it & found it describes me to a T. Check out this website it might help. P.S. my dog also has HSP, which I find a little funny. I hope you find the answers you're looking for.
The Highly Sensitive Person

Are you sure you are not my long lost twin?:eek:

I honestly do not have carpets for that express reason.

Therapy will help a great deal and if you want suggestions for natural supplements to help--hit me up with a PM.

I do not react well with traditional meds--- if there is a wacky side effect that rarely occurs---that's the one I will get. I use to think I manifested them upon myself, but it happened even if I made the doc and folk filling my scripts not tell me.:rolleyes:

I do know that things escalate for me when I neglect to take time for myself for a period of time.

Easy to overlook as my natural self is a nurturer and I tell myself that taking care of everyone else takes care of me------- but my body tells me diff.;)

Try reading some books that help you to let go of the small things in life. The Secret was a great book for that.

I was starting to get anxiety issues a couple years ago, its completely against my nature to stress out but life kind of got out of control for awhile and I was not handling it well... sooooo I read The Secret, watched the movie, went for Reiki and just realized that its not worth it. I learned how to let the little things like that go. Now, as long as I vaccuum Im happy! As long as the dishes MAKE IT in the dishwasher/cabinet Im happy. :) Its such a nicer way to live. :) Get out of the house and keep a busy schedule doing things OUTSIDE the house and your life will feel full enough where you'll just be happy to get things done, never mind RIGHT... just DONE! :)

My oldest daughter has these problems. She is OCD.

I am going through it too. I have been dealing with panic attacks since I was 15. They have come and gone throughout the years in cycles. Usually long periods of stress "kicks" them off.

Ever since I had foot and ankle reconstruction surgery back in Feb and was laid up for almost 3 months with a feeling of being "stuck," not only physically but mentally as well, I have been in the midst of a full blown cycle. It is horrible! I have been on xanax for panic disorder since '92 and do not want to up the dosage. I also do not want to try anything new, because l too had a bad experience the one and only time I tried something else. Any adverse side-effect and I will get it. I have never really had depression accompany the panic like many do but I feel like I am fighting that now too for the first time. Being afraid to do things for the fear of an attack happening takes the joy out of many things I love to do. It becomes taxing on the spirit. I am trying hard to get positive again. I need to remember that a cycle doesn't last forever and the more I "feed" it, the longer it will last.

I've gone for bio-feedback therapy twice now and I feel it hasn't helped too much. I do know the importance of breathing. I've also seen a Psychiatrist, within the same practice as the bio-guy, but do not feel comfortable with him...he does ALL the talking...he should be paying me! I just breathe and pray a lot and that does help.

I'm hoping to get past this soon. I can't be home alone without being afraid. I freak out in traffic, and I almost had a mental breakdown on the turnpike, because I knew there was no getting off for 6 miles...what is that??? Also, had to fight the urge to jump out in the middle of a car wash because I felt stuck. So I know what it's like to feel like you're losing control. I feel for you and will pray for you. You need time to de-stress and relax. Maybe we should start our own support group on here... ;)

Please take care!
Tammy

I think I am your twin (or triplet) Im SO OCD and ADD its BAD now Im becoming a freak about bacteria and germs and stuff. ugggggg not for me but the fur babies!!!

My problem with drugs is that usually they have the opposite effect on me. Stuff that is supposed to calm me down sometimes makes me wired, and stuff that is supposed to give me energy knocks me out for 2 days. :rolleyes:

I have no clue how to relax. Even massages make me nervous. I usually leave more tense that I was when I went in.

OCD has been suggested to me before. I've never heard of HSP.

Thank you all for not thinking I'm a looney tune. ((((hugs))))

OMG have gotten much worse about germs. I don't like to touch anything if I am out of the house. I have enough hand sanitizer to supply everyone on YT. I have my own little "eating out baggies" which are zippie bags that contain a plastic fork, spoon, knife, napkin, and a straw. I take them with me to restaraunts and always order my drink in a take out cup.

The worst for me though is people. I do not like touching people. I can't stand shaking hands or hugging or anything like that. That is just way too much for me.

I have that problem... I really HATE car washes. I will drive my car into the car wash and get out, then walk back and enter the code to start it. :rolleyes: Even if someone is with me I feel panicky. Mines probably a phobia. :confused:

I had never heard of HSP (Highly Sensitive Personality) either, until my therapist thought I might have it. I do not have any of the normal OCD tendencies like doing things repeatedly or you panic such as making sure a door is looked multiple times. So she game me a test for HSP (you can take the test on the website I listed) and it turned out I had it in spades. I answered yes to almost all the questions. supposedly 20% of the population has it & it affects all species as well. I'm working through the book now & it's scary how accurate it is. It's like someone watched my life & wrote it down. The jist of HSP is you body processes stimulie differently than other people. We register things other people ignore as just part of life. Like for me the footsteps of co-workers drive me batty. whether they shuffel stomp ect. drives me crazy. So because of this awareness to all stimulie in normal everyday life HSP's can being to feel overwhelmed. We need time to reboot, clear our minds, start over; if we're not given this time, HSP's eventually shut down completely (i.e. a breakdown). It's worth looking into & if you do happen to be an HSP there are tons of books on line to help you deal with normal everyday things.

I am definitely a highly sensitive person and I am going to buy that book as soon as possible. I'm not so bad about lines in the rug...but I am a control freak. AND, I usually avoid sad posts, movies, books, etc. because I can feel the person's pain too much!! I, too, have dealt with panic and anxiety/depression issues for many years. I take minimal meds to try to keep it in check. I feel for ya!

You might actually have OCD. I would touch base with a therapist. Once you are diagnosed there is lots of help.

FYI Howie Mandel is a germaphobe....he doesn't like to be touched. Next time you watch deal or no deal watch how uncomfortable he gets if someone hugs him, it's really interesting. It's also the reason he shaved his head.

I was thinking more about this.... I became an obsessive cleaner years ago. My relationship with my ex (stress EX) was falling apart and the only thing I could control was how clean my house was. An 'outward' appearance. I had to make the 'outside' look good to cover the turmoil on the inside.

Is there turmoil going on in your head that you maybe need to take care of? Are you really stressed with buying a new house? Not taking enough time for you? Something on your mind that you need to say to your DH or MIL maybe? Find out whats feeling out of control on the inside, and you might be able to let go of SOME control on the outside. :)