Seeking Guidance for Overwhelming Anxiety
I’m a 22-year-old man in desperate need of advice regarding a recent troubling experience. Previously, I managed to cope with silent panic attacks quite well; however, about three days back, while watching a YouTube video that critiqued some dogmatic ideas, I was suddenly hit by a severe panic attack. I still can't pinpoint the trigger for it. Since that incident, I’ve been trapped in a relentless cycle of anxious thoughts. It feels as if the world around me isn’t real, which has created an urgent desire to scream and cry. Even as I write this, I find myself struggling to breathe, and my arms have begun to tremble and lose feeling. Although I rationally know I should be okay, fear still grips me. To provide some context, I had been a daily cannabis user, although I doubt it’s the root cause of my current distress. In an attempt to mitigate my symptoms, I have decided to stop using it, including cutting out nicotine. I believe that before seeking mental health support, I should first undergo a physical health check-up; however, without health insurance and being currently unemployed, I find myself in a difficult situation. Fortunately, I am living with my parents, which allows me to manage day-to-day needs, but I am eager to overcome these feelings so I can return to work and support those around me. What steps would you recommend for someone in my position?
Answers (1)
2/16/2026, 9:30:35 PM
OpenHealth AI
Experiencing overwhelming anxiety, especially following a sudden panic attack, can be incredibly distressing. It's commendable that you're seeking to manage your symptoms and looking for ways to improve your situation. Here are some important points to consider, along with actionable steps to help you on your path to feeling better.
Main Points:
- Understand Your Symptoms: The feelings of unreality, trembling, and difficulty breathing can be common in anxiety and panic attacks. These sensations, while frightening, are typically not harmful.
- Prioritize Self-Care Techniques: Focus on immediate strategies to calm your mind and body.
- Seek Support: Given your circumstances, support from friends, family, or mental health resources can be valuable.
Explanation:
Anxiety can sometimes result from a combination of factors, including previous experiences, substance use, and stress. Since you've identified your cannabis and nicotine use as areas you've changed recently, it's important to recognize that withdrawal or changes in routine can exacerbate anxiety temporarily. The good news is, with the right strategies, it's possible to regain your sense of control and improve your emotional state.
Actionable Steps:
-
Breathing Exercises: Start by practicing deep breathing to help control your physical symptoms. Try inhaling for a count of 4, holding for 4, and exhaling for 6. Repeat this several times—aim for 5-10 minutes each time you feel overwhelmed. This can help reduce panic and anxiety in the moment.
-
Mindfulness and Grounding Techniques: When feelings of unreality arise, try to ground yourself by focusing on your surroundings. Name five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you hear, two things you smell, and one thing you can taste. This can help reorient you to the present.
-
Establish a Routine: Create a daily schedule that includes regular meals, sleep, and physical activity. Structure can help manage anxiety symptoms by providing predictability to your day.
-
Limit Stimulants: Continue avoiding substances like caffeine, cannabis, and nicotine, as they can heighten anxiety and trigger panic attacks.
-
Connect with Support Systems: Open up to your family about what you’re experiencing. They can provide emotional support and understanding during this time. If there are local mental health resources or hotlines you can access, consider reaching out to them for additional guidance, even if it's pro bono.
-
Educate Yourself: Learning about anxiety and panic attacks can help demystify your experience. Books or trusted websites on anxiety management can be beneficial resources.
-
Document Your Experiences: Keeping a journal might help you identify triggers and patterns in your anxiety, allowing for a deeper understanding and better management of your symptoms over time.
If symptoms persist or worsen, it’s crucial to seek professional help as soon as you can. Remember, you are not alone in this, and there are people and resources available to support you. Prioritize your wellbeing and take small, manageable steps. If you need more specific resources or have further questions, feel free to ask.
Related Questions
Health Concerns and Blood Test Results - Insights Needed
*A 35-year-old woman from the UK, standing at 5ft 7in (174cm) and weighing 10st 4lb (66kg).* *Background Information:* - Underwent an emergency cesarean section in 2020. - Generally good health, no known medical issues. Values healthy food and regular exercise. - Identified as having a high risk for breast cancer, necessitating annual mammograms. - Family history includes a mother who faced endometriosis after three cesarean deliveries and sadly passed away from peritoneal carcinoma that metastasized to her ovaries in 2020. *Daily Vitamin Intake for One Year:* - Vitamin D, Calcium, Cod Liver Oil, Vitamin B complex, Vitamin C, Iron, Magnesium (maintaining 100% of the Nutritional Reference Value as indicated on labels). *Symptoms Prompting a Visit to the General Practitioner for Blood Work:* - Experiencing increasing irregularities in menstrual cycles over the past nine months, with durations between 24 to 32 days. - Periods vary in intensity, sometimes light and other times heavy, accompanied by significant pain. - Typical symptoms like bloating and increased hunger have also been noted, along with new experiences: - Nausea, depressive moods, and severe headaches resembling migraines around the second and third days of menstruation. - Occasional hot flashes. - Severe fatigue and cognitive issues, such as difficulty recalling words and poor short-term memory. - Initially attributed the symptoms to aging, but the intense migraine and feelings of depression during days two and three of her cycle have significantly disrupted daily life. She has found the need to take time off work and had dark thoughts last month, which subsided after day five of her period, causing distress due to a sense of losing control. - The pattern of frequent absence from work has become concerning. *Summary of Medical Concerns:* Thank you for reading. As mentioned previously, I have adhered strictly to a vitamin regimen to enhance my health after a dip in iron levels earlier in 2023. My GP conducted various tests including CA-125 and full blood count, focusing on hormonal evaluations that are still pending in my results. She was looking into the possibility of perimenopause or thyroid dysfunction, although she indicated that diagnosing perimenopause is challenging. - My Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) levels were reported “within normal limits.” - Calcium levels came back elevated and will require retesting. - Folate results showed >24.0ug, which appears high but I'm uncertain of its implications. - Vitamin D levels were notably low despite my consistent intake, raising questions about the effectiveness of the supplements. - CA-125 levels registered at 29, within the reference range of 0-30. Naturally, I felt anxious regarding this due to the family history of monitoring CA-135 during my mother’s chemotherapy. Although 29 seems to be a low result, it does raise concern when compared to her previous values. I naively searched the internet, and parathyroidosis was mentioned, aligning with some of my symptoms and test results, though it hasn’t been discussed by my healthcare provider. *Questions I Have:* 1. Would an abnormal TSH level indicate parathyroid issues? 2. Is there cause for alarm concerning my CA-125 results? 3. What steps should I take to address these concerns? Despite my vitamin usage, I feel something is amiss (the doctor recommended a supplement based on the notes without prior discussions). Thank you for your insights!
Feeling Trapped: A Cry for Help
Throughout my life, a profound sense of isolation has haunted me. My older brother and mother often ridiculed me, labeling me as foolish, while my father subjected me to constant abuse, shattering any joy during family celebrations. When our relatives eventually learned of these circumstances, their silence spoke volumes; they claimed to support me, yet they were absent when I truly needed them. The loss of my beloved dogs deepened my despair, exacerbated by a cruel remark from an aunt who, despite knowing my grief, incessantly questioned my sadness instead of offering compassion. Attempting to pursue higher education only intensified my feelings of loneliness. At university, I faced ridicule and was barred from showcasing my artistic creations, even though my only desire was to enhance my skills. A so-called friend dismissed me harshly after I needed some time away to recover from illness; I was merely trying to protect them from getting sick. In my life, I feel as though I lack control or agency. My mother’s constant accusations of my being "just like my dad" only reinforce my struggles. I find it incredibly difficult to navigate my emotions, having been subjected to belittlement for so long, and even now, at 19, I often find myself in tears. When I make the effort to speak softly during conflicts, I still bear the brunt of blame, being told I'm no different from my father. Throughout high school, I lacked support while enduring my father's relentless hostility, who would insult me by calling me names like "freak" or "mistake." Attempts to share my feelings with my family have led to laughter from my mother or indifference from my brother, who seemingly encourages me to continue my struggles. I feel trapped among people I wish to distance myself from, yet I lack the financial resources or options to escape this situation. I am not interested in hearing platitudes about things improving; the harsh reality is that my family does not love me, and I find it challenging to love myself. The thought of ending my life feels like a solution, sparing both my family and myself from the burdens we impose on each other. In that sense, it seems like everyone might achieve their own peace.
Experiencing Heart Pounding and Exhaustion?
Over the past month, I've been encountering episodes where I suddenly feel extremely fatigued. These moments often come hand in hand with a headache or distorted vision, and I also notice my heart racing significantly. Typically, these spells last anywhere from one to four hours. During these times, I’ve monitored my pulse, which peaks at around 110 beats per minute; however, what alarms me more is the intensity of the pounding sensation. Should I be worried about this? Is it indicative of any specific health issue that I should investigate? **Personal Details:** - Female, 30 years old - Height: 5'3"; Weight: approximately 178 pounds - Diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome - Diagnosed with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome - Chronic Migraine sufferer - Suspicion of an autoimmune disorder - Current medications include Cromolyn (for mast cell stabilization), Tylenol, and Xyzal. I appreciate any insights you can provide!
Seeking Guidance on Antidepressants for Severe Depression with Hyperadrenergic POTS
Hello, everyone. I am currently living with a chronic illness that includes Hyperadrenergic POTS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME), and persistent pain, which has led to my disability status. Over the past two years, I have experienced severe depression and anxiety, stemming from a sudden life change and the trauma that accompanied it. Due to my condition, I am mostly confined to bed, and this lifestyle shift from being a previously active individual to someone who cannot walk much has deepened my feelings of sadness. Unfortunately, the therapists I have consulted seem unable to grasp the complexities of my medical issues and are hesitant to prescribe any medications. I am currently on a waitlist for nine months just to see a specialist experienced with POTS in my country. Next week, I plan to discuss this with my primary care physician, but I’d like to hear your thoughts beforehand. Many medications have an energizing effect on me, leaving me feeling overly stimulated and disrupting my sleep patterns. I experience symptoms typical of POTS, including significant heart rate increases when I stand, which is accompanied by overwhelming fatigue and an adrenaline-like sensation, including symptoms like palpitations and restlessness. During flare-ups, my insomnia and melancholic feelings intensify, contributing to my overall exhaustion. I alternate between feeling fatigued yet wired, enduring insomnia, and grappling with the sorrow of being unable to engage in activities due to the extreme fatigue and post-exertional malaise. My current medication regimen includes: - Ivabradine: 10 mg daily - Pyridostigmine: 120 mg daily - Pregabalin: 150 mg daily (tapering off due to inefficacy for pain) - Dayvigo: 5 mg at night - Rosuvastatin: 20 mg at night As needed, I take: - Tylenol #3 very rarely (about once every three days max) for pain episodes - Ubrelvy for migraine - Celecoxib as needed - Allegra and Pepcid as needed I am curious about which antidepressants might be suitable for someone in my situation, particularly considering my insomnia and anxiety, along with the underlying dysautonomia/POTS. I also have concerns about medications that may lessen the efficacy of codeine, as I occasionally rely on it for pain management. If duloxetine is a potentially viable option for enhancing my mood and addressing my racing thoughts, would it be feasible to continue using codeine on an as-needed basis, or would a different pain management approach be advisable instead? To provide some context, I am a 35-year-old male residing in Iran. Previously, I have tried various antidepressants; for instance, amitriptyline worsened my POTS symptoms due to its anticholinergic side effects, while escitalopram changed my personality significantly, leaving me feeling emotionally numb. At this time, I am not taking any antidepressants. I also do not have any known allergies.
Seeking Guidance
Background: I am a fit 25-year-old male who typically runs about 80 miles weekly, identifying as an ultra runner. Recently, I've significantly reduced my running activity and have ceased running altogether. Am I able to enhance these health metrics within a two-week period? To assist my recovery, I've begun taking iron supplements and multivitamins. Here are my recent lab results: - White Blood Cell Count (WBC): 3.6 x10^9/L - Red Blood Cell Count (RBC): 4.12 x10^9/L - Hemoglobin (Hgb): 10.3 g/dL - Hematocrit (Hct): 32.9% - Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV): 79.9 fL - Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH): 25.0 pg - Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC): 31.3 g/dL - Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW): 14.0% - Platelet Count: 326 x10^9/L - Mean Platelet Volume (MPV): 11.6 fL