Unreality And Fear of Going Crazy!!
Posted , 8 users are following.
Hi, I am new here and have been googling no stop about my symptoms although I know what is going on with me. About two weeks ago, I was so stressed out and didn't sleep for two days which lead to a terrible panic attack because I thought I was going crazy after reading the effects on the brain if you don't sleep. I was so scared that I signed myself into the psychiatric unit where I stayed for 3 days and was told that it was definitely just anxiety. Fast forward to today, my body has been tense, my neck, back, shoulder, head, everything and I've been feeling weird nonstop like things aren't real. Like I'm disconnected and living in a dream. I also feel like I might randomly freak out. When I don't get sleep, I often think back on the articles I read about what happens to your brain when you lose sleep which only makes me lose sleep and make my anxiety worse. I've only been dealing with this anxiety for about a little over two months. It all started after I loss my close friend to cancer and then the googling began and so did my anxiety. How do I get out of this terrible loop, I really don't want to live like this for years. It's scary and I wish I'd never googled. It's so depressing and crippling.
1 like, 8 replies
lisalisa67 rchrbl
Posted
STAY OFF OF GOOGLE! Its a straight path to terror and fear.
People with an anxiety disorder live in a fight or flight mode..over survivor mode by the by the nature of the disorder so your always in search of danger to protect yourself. Doesnt matter it isnt "real" so clearly googling which is the first world scenario of the world and its answers, lead you to the absolutely worst case scenario in existence. Stay away from google. Its is inaccurrate, you dont know what your doing, your searching wrong, you will only see the worst case scenario..thats all you are capable of seeing in a state of anxiety.
we have all done it 😞 Its is useless. Im so sorry now that stuff is in your mind on replay. A doctor can explain it to you why that was foolish. But now maybe you need to go for an exam because your stuck in that mode. Just your regular doctor is fine. They will do bloodwork and dismiss your fear.
samantha62133 rchrbl
Posted
Hi there. I'm so sorry you're having a rough time, but it sounded so much like my own experience that I wanted to write you. First.... you are not going crazy. Panic attacks make you feel out of control and like you might go crazy... but the truth is people who go "crazy" don't actually know it or sense it coming on. The mere fact that you're worried you might be going crazy means you're not. When you feel like things "are not real" that's called derealization and it's a very common symptom of anxiety and panic. I'm so sorry about the loss of your friend and it's very common for anxiety and panic to come after such a loss. The first important step to getting out of the terrible loop is to accept that you're not going crazy, you're not dying.... you are just having serious anxiety and panic attacks. When you can accept that ( a lot harder than you would think) then you can start to work on controling the symptoms that come along with it. Dealing with the grief of your friend and coming face to face with how cancer isn't fair ... can be very challenging. Your body is responding to a very stressful situation. I also find myself googling symptoms which always come back with the worst stuff..... but what I have found is that I start googling anxiety and the symptoms that I am feeling. Read from others what they have experienced and understand you're not alone. Everything you have described is perfectly normal for someone with anxiety..... and the death of your loved one would certainly cause it. Again.. I'm very sorry for your loss... but you're not going crazy. You are having severe anxiety.
jamie_54777 samantha62133
Posted
rchrbl samantha62133
Posted
Thank you for your positive insight. It's exactly what I needed. This is all so new to me and can sometimes be hard to cope with but your response has reassured me that it is just anxiety and I am not going crazy. I've had tests done that all came back clean (CT scans, Xray, Blood Work) so I should just accept it and stop torturing myself. Thank you again.
jamie_54777 rchrbl
Posted
Find a good PSYCHIATRIC DOC. he/she will evaluate your symptoms and see if maybe they can help.
I know exactly what you are going through. I am also a " Google monster"
Was recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and it is painful and messing with my head. I need to get back on the meds i was on years ago or I too will end up in psych ward. I wish you the best. I am quick to responde, usually on this horrifying topic because I know what it can lead to, so if you need to talk just post. I'll be there. Although today is a bad day, as I've been up all night in pain.
I wish you the best of luck!!!!!! 😥
chris24688 rchrbl
Posted
Yeah my anxiety and my depression about health issues have been going on for months now my problem is I'm such a doctor phobic I'm afraid to go to anyone to discuss them and have no insurance and I can't pay for medical tests and I'm just depressed about my situation
borderriever rchrbl
Posted
Have you been to your GP since your discharge ? It may be a good idea to talk to him as He will be getting a letter from the hospital that had sectioned you.
The loss of a friend or family member to a cancer can cause us all to feel at a loss. These feeling can take a long time to get over and it is said upwards of two years is not uncommon, we can take time to rebuild our lives so you need to be nice and understand your feelings
Make that appointment and keep us informed if needed
BOB
rose32332 rchrbl
Posted
I am surprised after your evaluation at the psych unit they didn't discuss having you attend theraphy & meds to help with the anxiety. I have fought anxiety all my life & I am 63 years old! Been on & off meds . Just recently tried weaning myself off meds & like you , had a very close friend die along with several other issues that throwed me into full blown panic & anxiety! I am currently in theraphy & back on my meds but it has taken 4 months to get me back to the place where I'm feeling myself again. You can't treat this yourself since your too far gone. Go see your dr & get help! You'll be glad you did! God bless !