dealing with anxiety

[little_windmill]

..

[kisstheviolets]

try therapy and a consult with a good psychiatrist.

[littlewicca]

also a good advice or hope or word could help, not only pro help

[maudmac]

Hey, little_windmill. Sounds really stressful. I definitely think it would be a good idea to talk to a professional about this. There are therapies and medications that have been very effective in treating anxiety like this.

Is your college far from home? Does it have a counseling center or something like that? (I'm not sure where you are, but most colleges and universities in the US have counseling centers for students.) Perhaps you could contact your college now and set up some appointments, so you'll have some support right away when you get there. Or, if they don't have a counseling center on campus, ask them about other options in the area. If whoever you talk to can't help you, they should be able to refer you to someone who can.

I know you didn't specify that you have social anxiety issues, but you might check out our Social Phobia thread anyway.

[ellbogen]

I'm a professor and have had numerous students who have anxiety, depression, and other similar situations. I second the recommendation to talk to somebody. Most schools have a counseling center, and these tend to have caring people who work for them. I say this because most schools don't pay therapists as much as they'd make in private practice. So you'd likely get someone who cares and who understands the needs of students, plus it would be cheap or possibly free.

And definitely don't give up if you have anxiety at college. You'd be surprised how common that is... but college is awesome - don't let your situation get in the way of a positive experience. Definitely seek the help that is available.

I also highly recommend meditation and yoga as a way to combat anxiety. There is a meditation thread on here. Chances are your college also has resources in this regard like an informal meditation group and/or yoga classes. Try that as well. It can be very empowering just to make the effort to try these things, and that alone may help your anxiety, just knowing that you have options and resources at your disposal.

[little_windmill]

thanks everyone for all your replies, it helps to know i'm not the only one who feels like this.

[Guest]

Hello little_windmill :],

These bouts of severe anxiety must be hard to live with on an everyday basis.

I agree with the others that professional treatment would be a great aid. Maybe you could try the services of a therapist specialised in Behaviourism or Cognitive-Behavioural therapy.

Your bodily responses (such as stomach upsets) may be in relation to your inner thoughts and beliefs about limited possibilities in a situational context such as college life. In these forms of therapy, the focus would be on modifying these thought processes that are causing or reinforcing anxiety and anxiety-related behaviours. Furthermore, the therapist might try to provide you with a guided exposure to the fear-producing stimuli while associating it with a state of relaxation.

However, as ellbogen stated earlier, gaining access to the counselling services offered by your college would prove to be much less expensive and would even help you in getting adjusted to your actual background. It usually has far-reaching positive results.

In any case, Fall-time 2007 is over and you must have resumed with college by now. I hope you've given it a good shot.

Take care and good luck with your studies,

Vi'