My experience

[Airborn]

This is my first post on this forum, soo i would like to say hi to all members.
I have several problems connected with being anxious, i think its best i share it with you, you will know best what can be done to solve this.
In public my heart is beating fast, when walking on street and facing another coming person, my legs become light, like suddenly i have problem walking (or with coordination).Even when i call dial information or order a pizza, my heart is beating madly.Also when there are stressfull situations, for instance, if there was a car accident, i would start shaking (i just gave an example, even if i started arguing with someone it would be same) and my heart would beat really fast.

The funny thing is, when i am among ppl i know i am never anxious, and usualy i am the one leading chat, talking a lot, being social person, i am not quiet person.

Sad part is, i seek shelter in alcohol drinking a lot, since then i am not nervous, feel reliefed.But that is not answer, that is just runing away from problem.

Maybe importaint information also is, i quit ordinary school, now i just take tests.Soo basicly, i dont leave home much, i live alone now.I feel bad being around ppl.

I ask if there is any natural solution to this problem, if possible without medications.Thx in advance.

[lisa828]

I am not a doctor or anything but it seems to me that the kind of anxiety you have is Social Anxiety Disorder.  I know that any type of anxiety just plain sucks but there is hope.  There is therapy and medications that you can take to overcome this.  As for alcohol, sure it feels better to drink because you won't feel as anxious or nervous...so it basically is keeping your nerves at bay but this route can only be temporary.  I will say that the more you back off of people the more deeper you are allowing yourself to let this take over your whole life.  Of course the people that you are comfortable around won't make you feel this way because you feel SAFE around them.  You probably weren't always like this but at some point something triggered you around people and therefore you associate all of your anxiety by being around people.  This then makes your FEAR being around them.  You need to break the cycle of fear because you don't want it to beat you.  Put it this way, you have to confront and accept the fear.  I think exposure therapy would be really helpful in your situation.

If calling the pizza place makes you anxious then just call and if it makes you nervous then so what.  Say okay I am feeling shaky, okay I am feeling lightheaded or my heart is racing but let it happen...once you let it happen you will see that there isn't anything to be afraid of.  Start with something like that and once you have conquered that then move on. 

Also, you might want to Xanax-great for the heart racing symptom (big one of my symptoms too) or try PURE CALM...it has valerian in it (natural) and it will make you feel relaxed and your heart won't race. 

Hang in there, you will overcome this:)

[Airborn]

Only problem here is, this is more body illness then mind.In my mind i am free, and really not shy.But when i haveto speak or confort person, my voice dissapears, my heart beats....i know there is nothing to fear, and that its stupid, even more, because when i was younger i was constantly in public, as 1 of my hobbys, infront of many many ppl that all looked at me, but i was never nervous.There might be some point that got fear into me, i remember several of them, but i am not sure.
I know thou, like you said, best thing is to confort your fears, not run from them.Meaning, to be in public around ppl as much as possible.

[lisa828]

But that isn't true, its not your body its your mind.  Your thoughts are what's triggering your brain and that causes the things to happen with your heart and shaking legs. It is your body's response to what your brain is telling it what to do.  Hang in there!

[Airborn]

It really is matter of feeling safe or not, like you said.If i walk around with someone i know, like my friend, my family member, i wont feel nervous that much.Actualy i wont feel nervous at all.

[Airborn]

I would like to know, if voice problems are connected to anxiety disorder.Like, when i am nervous i have problem getting any voice at all out of myself.

[Airborn]

Today i had test and basicly, it went great but, again, classroom full of ppl i saw for the first time, my voice faded and was shaking, my heart was beating crasy, i was sweating...i wonder, is there anything that could relax me in such moments, like a pill ?

[apple]

There are anti-anxiety medications that can be used when needed, check out my "medication table- different kinds" under the "medications and therapy" section of this forum...the Benzodiazepines are anti-anxiety meds.

Talk to your doctor about which may be for you that you can use only when you need it,  I take clonazepam only when my anxiety gets the best of me because my anti-depressant usually takes care of me.

[amariahmicheal]

Hello,
Medications like Xanax are tranquilizers, and are highly addictive. Also, if you drink, you should be careful about the medications you take. You should see a doctor. Maybe ask you doctor to try something more mild like Paxil or Zoloft. It might take a few different medication changes before you find the right one.
Amariah

[Denni]

Please be careful with Paxil/Seroxat (Paroxetine). I went to hell on that stuff and it turns out that side-effects (which include personality changes--I'm not talking small stuff!) and withdrawal symptoms are far more common than the manufacturers wanted to admit. If possible, try an alternative SSRI (half-life is correlated with withdrawal symptoms: Fluoxetine (Prozac) is better) or other meds.

There is anecdotal evidence that problems worsen for those taking Paxil for more than six months.