fear is controlling my life.

[Spree]

yeah i'm having a fear problem or still have for some of you that's not a new thing but i think its getting worse so i'm asking everyone cause its getting bad like every time i have to run to my room which is like the only place i feel safe and when i say run like i feel like if i slow down for a second i'm terrified somethings going to get me and i cant even have my eyes open in the dark like as soon as the lights are out my eyes close tightly.

any help on what i can do will be helpful and also just in case anyone asks no this is no new thing this fear thing has been happening ever sense i was 5.

[Cuddly]

It sounds like you need professional help. Take a brave step and get an appointment with a psychiatrist.

[meridannight]

this sounds like an anxiety attack. however, it is impossible to diagnose a person on the internet and from just this piece of information alone. consult a medical professional. they have meds for that and they help a lot.

[meridannight]

PS. i'd like to add that it is not necessarily a psychiatric condition. i think that's a stretch. consult your general physician first. they can prescribe anxiety medications, and if it's more serious than that they will refer you to a specialist.

[matty7]

have you looked into agoraphobia ? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agoraphobia , my friend had it and was only felt safe in his own flat ...it is a really deliberating illness....hope your doctor can help you

[Borg69]

Get yourself some charm and wear it. Convince yourself that nothing REALLY bad can happen to you as long as you wear it.

[LJay]

Ask your general practice doctor to recommend a psychological counselor and then talk to that person. We can send good vibes, but the counselor can help you to get past this. Psychiatrists, for the most part, deal in medical solutions and you may want to work with a counselor/therapist first before you go the medical route. Good luck and keep writing. Just talking about it here may help some. Still, get help.

[Virge]

PS. i'd like to add that it is not necessarily a psychiatric condition. i think that's a stretch. consult your general physician first. they can prescribe anxiety medications, and if it's more serious than that they will refer you to a specialist.

NO! NO! NO!

Getting a general practicioner of medicine involved is most likely the worst possible move to make. Sure they will be glad to give you a scrip anti-anxiety meds because they get kickbacks and perks from big pharm companies for pushing them. They'll run you through the mill for a two or three months to get their piece of your insurance plan and copays before referring you to someone based on whether they like him and not whether he's the best one to help you.

Plus think about this. All meds do is mask the anxiety and cause all sorts of undesirable side effects you'll have to deal with. Using meds solves nothing. It's like putting a new coat of paint on a rusted out car.

There are Psychologists now who will work with you to avoid meds (as much as possible) and overcome the problems. That should be your goal. Overcoming the problems rather than getting on meds to mask them has great secondary benefits like improving self image and confidence through the process of accomplishing something that will improve the quality of your life rather than lessen it like meds always do.

You can get referrals from any local mental health association, or a hospital's referral service --- and even Angies List. Another great source of referrals is to join local forums in your area and ask. Veterans who have been treated for PTSD will steer you right.

(my dad's a GP in family medicine and real ethical about it. I'm marrying a Psychology PhD in July.

[LJay]

Yeah. memechose, I do tend to forget that there are shyster doctors. My GP is an absolute prince. When I talked to him about my mental health problems, he was right up front about saying that psychiatry might land me in the land of much heavier drugs than I wanted or needed. We listed some choices and he gave me the name of a behavioral psychologist. A good GP is worth their weight in platinum and everyone should make a real effort to find one. Another thing worth mentioning is that in these days of multiplying specialists [I have 7.] a good GP can help you to walk through the maze without getting lost.

[ChadCoxRox]

yeah i'm having a fear problem or still have for some of you that's not a new thing but i think its getting worse so i'm asking everyone cause its getting bad like every time i have to run to my room which is like the only place i feel safe and when i say run like i feel like if i slow down for a second i'm terrified somethings going to get me and i cant even have my eyes open in the dark like as soon as the lights are out my eyes close tightly.

any help on what i can do will be helpful and also just in case anyone asks no this is no new thing this fear thing has been happening ever sense i was 5.

google "irrational fear is overwhelming" and research a very common ailment... About a 1/3 of my caseload (roughly 30 clients) deal with irrational fears as a part of their recovery programs. GET HELP. Whether general practitioner or specialist, the prescribing doc will NOT be enough...you need to work with a licensed therapist (counselor) to help establish and maintain an ongoing recovery program of which the meds are only one ingredient... and maybe not even necessary or at least not the focus. Listen to the voice of experience (YOUR OWN)....study....consult. Programs don't work...you work programs.