im new and confused!

[sam]

Hello evryone
just joined this forum but reading evry1 else's story makes me wonder if my worries and anxieties justify me being part of this forum. i think am unsure about if i have a real problem or wether i am being a hypocondriact. I'm 18 and am just about to finish my first year in uni. My worries are quite bizarre and specific i wont go out socializing with my friends a nite out makes me feel nausious and anxious i dont know why, if i manage to pluck up the strength to then go out with them i dont drink as it makes me nervous about being ill and hungover. Also i wont eat certain foods for fear of being ill. i cant remeber the last time i went out for food in a restaurant and ate a whole meal. Yet there are certain places that are 'safe' as i describe them that i know can do without getting to worked up or anxious such as the cinema and beach. Meeting new people is obviously difficult and as i have the usual worries will they like me, omg they think think i'm a freak. Ive told my friends about it and they sort of understand yet still they are unable to persuade me on a night out. i therefore spend most nights alone in my room while my friends are out partying. Then this makes me nevous because i shouldnt be in my room on my own so much. this all seems to add up 2 a visious circle of anxiety. Any 'new' and 'big' situation i find scary usually results in me not eating until i am used to the situation.For example when i moved away to uni i didnt eat for 4 days as the nerves made me feel sick.i went away 2 uni to try 2 concur my fears which has helped me make friends easierly but hasnt really helped me 2 go out more.

i dont know much about this an am unsure whether i have a problem or am i overreacting, just thought someone could help me figure it out .

sam :confused:

[minxy]

hello sam , welcome to the forum
I agree that a diagnosis is probably your first step. The doctor may want to give you medication for a short period of time to help you get through some of the rough days and increase the efficacy of the therapy. Make sure your doctor understands everything you discussed here and tell him everything! This is very important. A doctor's diagnosis is only as good as the information you give him. Try and find someone who specializes in anxiety disorder so you aren't chasing your tail with someone who really doesn't understand the disorder. There are also some things you can do on your own to make sure that the anxiety doesn't get the best of you:

You already said you hardly drink alcohol which is great! If you smoke, you should stop and avoid caffeine like the plague. It is a stimulant and you want to avoid stimulants at all costs.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is helpful to many.
Meditation works great for relaxation and thought changing
Exercise increases endorphins in your body making you happy and also has the side effect of getting you into shape.
Eat well. Garbage in garbage out. I think you have already stumbled onto this as well.
There are herbal remedies that can help take the edge off, but they will not work for more than mild depression or anxiety.

Take care sam,
minxy.

[mamalisa422]

Hi Sam...my names Lisa I am also new to this thing here. I'm not a doctor as minxy said you should probably go get diagnosed and they can give you meds to help. But from reading your story it sounds similar to the way I am and I have Generalized Anxiety disorder and panic disorder. I dont like going out by myself and I stay home alot because it is in my safety zone kinda like what you were saying. I have bad driving anxiety and such. I am young too...only 22 and anxiety is defenently a real condition that with treatment you will feel alot better! Because I know I do, so I'd go talk to someone and get on the right track so you dont always having to be worrying about everything all the time! Hope that helped!!! :)

[sam]

thanks for all the suggestions and support i think i will go see a doctor and see what they say thankyou minxy and lisa i'll keep u updated thanks .