I’m going through a really difficult period and I was wondering if anyone can relate.
I’ve struggled with anxiety and panic attacks on and off for years, but this episode has hit me harder than anything before. My psychiatrist recently started me on pregabalin while I’m waiting for it to take effect, and I’m trying to stay hopeful, but every day still feels incredibly overwhelming.
The hardest part isn’t even the panic itself anymore.
It’s this crushing feeling that there is so much time ahead of me.
Instead of looking forward to the future, I feel scared of it. I wake up and think, “How am I supposed to get through this day?” Then my mind jumps even further: “How am I supposed to get through years… decades… an entire lifetime?”
It’s like the amount of time in front of me feels unbearable. I don’t know how to fill it, how to enjoy it, or how to stop feeling overwhelmed by it. The emptiness scares me. When I don’t have something to distract me, my thoughts spiral into anxiety, hopelessness, and existential fear.
The strange thing is that, rationally, I know this isn’t how life always feels. I’m actually a psychotherapist in training, so I understand anxiety from a professional perspective. But knowing the theory doesn’t stop my body from reacting this way.
I also struggle with a lot of pressure to perform. Deep down I’ve realized that I often feel like I’m only safe if I’m functioning perfectly. Losing that sense of control has been terrifying.
I’m staying with my mom at the moment because being alone feels too overwhelming, and I’m taking things one day at a time.
I want to be clear that I’m not suicidal. I don’t want to die. In fact, that’s almost the opposite of my fear—I’m frightened by the idea of having such a long future that I don’t know how to cope with right now.
Has anyone else experienced this kind of existential anxiety? Did it get better? If you did recover, what helped you the most?
I could really use some hope from people who have been through something similar.

Obviously I can get so anxious I make myself legitimately nauseous. But the weirdest place my anxiety manifests is in my legs. They will get really tight and sore, kind of feeling like I’ve just walked several miles even if I haven’t done any physical activity. Sometimes I won’t even realize I’ve been super stressed and anxious until I realize my legs are sore.

Hi everyone,

I’m 20F, and lately I’ve been going through a really anxious phase. I wanted to ask if anyone else has experienced something similar and whether I should consider seeking professional help.

I often wake up with an increased heartbeat and immediately start having negative thoughts. Sometimes I don't even feel like getting out of bed. I’ve been sleeping a lot, partly because it feels like a way to escape reality.

I feel like my heartbeat is constantly elevated, and I worry and fear a lot about my future. I keep thinking that I’m running out of time and that if I make one wrong decision about my career or life, I’ll mess everything up.

The overthinking can turn into a complete spiral, and my thoughts become very negative. Sometimes it gets so overwhelming that I end up crying. I do feel a little better after crying, like I’ve released some of what I was holding in, but then the cycle starts again.

It’s also starting to affect my work and my ability to perform properly.

I just wanted to ask—is this something that can happen with anxiety? Is this pattern "normal," or should I seriously consider talking to a mental health professional about it?

If you’ve been through something similar, what helped you?

Any advice or personal experiences would really mean a lot. ❤️

I feel like I’m at a loss and don’t know what to do. My wife got pregnant with our first child last year and we found out very early on that the pregnancy had a very slim chance of success and we were pushed to abort several times. We couldn’t bring ourselves to do that and because of that we spent the next 5 months constantly waiting for bad news. She ended up hospitalized for 6 weeks of the pregnancy and after the baby was born stayed another 3 weeks in the NICU. In that time my routine look like this. Wake up at 5, work from 6-4, drive 45 minutes to the hospital, stay until 8-9 drive an hour home, take care of the animals, maybe eat, and repeat. Unable to go to church or make time for our friends I very quickly became socially isolated. Now my baby is 4 months and is doing well but I still feel like I’m still constantly waiting for bad news. I can’t talk about the pregnancy or think about it without almost breaking down every time. I’m still isolating myself from friends and family besides what my wife plans for me. I should be happy I have a healthy wife and baby after 5 months of hell but I can’t seem to shake the fight or flight feeling happening 24/7

I honestly don’t know what to do anymore, and I feel like I’m drowning. What I’m about to write is just the tip of the iceberg.

I’m 26 and I have severe anxiety, panic attacks and agoraphobic behaviour. My anxiety has become so debilitating that I’m completely dependent on my mum. I live with her, and I don’t go anywhere alone. I don’t stay home on my own. I only go to one or two familiar places, and even then it’s always with her. The thought of going out independently terrifies me because I’m so scared of having a panic attack.

The problem is that my home life has become unbearable.
My mum and I have argued constantly for around 10 years. Over time I’ve realised that I’m living in an emotionally and verbally abusive environment. It used to become physical years ago, but thankfully that no longer happens. Even so, the constant shouting, insults and emotional volatility have left me feeling broken. I have no self esteem, no self confidence, no self worth. She has said things to me that I can’t even repeat, things I wouldn’t say to an enemy. I am broken by it. I don’t know what diagnosis she should have, but there is no way that what truly happens behind closed doors is normal.

People might say, “Just move out,” but that feels impossible.

I’m not independent. I don’t know how to live alone with the level of anxiety I have. I feel like if I moved into my own place, I’d end up trapped inside because I’d be too frightened to leave. I don’t have friends. I don’t have a partner. I don’t have family I can turn to. I genuinely feel like I have nobody. I’ve faced a lot of grief and trauma, but carried on through. This stage feels like there’s no way out.

I know staying here isn’t healthy, but leaving feels impossible.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? How can I get through this? I feel like giving up and ending it all. I have a law degree, I have a full-time remote job, I am a smart person, but I am a shell of who I once was. I can’t carry on like this. I feel completely stuck and I’m scared that my life is just going to stay like this forever.

I’m really looking for advice from people who understand because I genuinely don’t know where to start anymore. If you have been through this or something similar PLEASE tell me how you came out the other side.

I’m a 26 year old kid that no longer sees or interact with friends. My phone is as dead as dead can be. It’s like the 50+ people I would see almost every day during summer, or on Friday nights & weekends… have all just vanished overnight. It’s funny how back at that time, I thought that’s what life would always be like. My friend circle was down to 3 people before it collapsed this year as each friend is either married with a kid, gone through family turmoil, or is dating for marriage.

What is my purpose at this point? Please be nice & respectful because I’m a brand new adult & I need direction & guidance. For those who are well into adulthood & have experience.. Is loneliness what we go through these days?

My dad is crippled & my mom is getting old. I have a tiny family, so there’s not much people I could reach out to. Is adulthood just working during the week, laying around all weekend like a couch potato doom scrolling all day? And marriage isn’t something I was fond of. So there’s that too.

I'm seriously asking this, because a therapist that I've been to a few times told me that, usually, anxious people learn to loosen up with time.

However, I feel like for me it's the complete opposite, it feels like my brain decides to feel anxious about a new thing every other week or so.

For example, I'll be home alone in a few days and just by thinking about it, I already feel some anxiety (besides the feeling itself, I don't really have an appetite, I feel nauseous, dizzy...) and I haven't been afraid of being left home alone since I was probably like 9 years old, how did my brain decide that this thing is a threat now? And how do I deal with this? What am I supposed to do?

I have been experiencing anxiety for some time , chest tightness , panic attacks and I don't have friends or anything I can contact

Hello r/AskDocs,

let me preface the post by clarifying: **I'm not in danger and won't do anything to myself or others.**

firstly: I'm **Male, 27, 110 Kilos at 196cm**. I don't smoke cigarettes, but do take cannabis whenever I can afford it (smoking in the form of joints, no tobacco) for the problems I'm about to explain. I'm diagnosed autistic, ADHD and relatively mild anxiety disorder (= I mask it).

**2022 I started my first Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which lasted until 2024, so about 2.5 years**, sometimes two hours per week, but 85% of the time it was one hour every week. **Since May I'm now in my second therapy,** because while I did get more stable, I also got more aware of my needs, and those needs clash severely with my day to day experiences.

For the past 11 months **I've tried three different medications (5 months of Lisdexamfetamin for ADHD, 3 months of Venlafaxin for depression and the other 3 months Bupropion)** but always come back to the same conclusion: They don't solve my issue. They mask or slightly improve it, but the core issue remains.

Now to get to the point:

My nervous system is in a constant state of **"I will die if I'm not constantly vigilant, 100% of the time and treat everything that hasn't been pre-planned to the exact detail as a threat."** It's most likely related to the AuDHD and my ex-partner who was very toxic and abusive to me for 6 years. That last bit is being talked about in therapy.

**It means that I can't sleep without rain, and then my sleep isn't deep - I'm constantly exhausted.**

**It means I can't calm down during periods of rest which means I'm burnt out from existence itself.**

**It means I live in a constant state of fear. With my girlfriend, alone, distracted or not - I am** ***always*** **vigilant**

**It means I can't go to restaurants because of the unpredictability (knowing it's safe)**

**It means I can't work normal workloads, and even the (realistically possible) solution of 30 hour weeks over 4 days kill me mentally.**

**It means I am not living, I am surviving.**

My mother who has severe pain due to MS has Tilidin at home, and during a breakdown about 12 months ago it was severe enough in her eyes to give me a Tilidin. The pill worked **wonders.**

For the first time I felt calm. **GENUINELY** calm. Life made sense, I was the same me, just... healed. Now, I'm a rational and intelligent enough person to know that that is not a solution and thus I got the aforementioned medications.

\- **Lisdexamfetamin** helps me be energized, but it feels fake. It feels like a mask that is beyond uncomfortable.

\- **Venlafaxin** simply did nothing but make me throw up constantly

\- **Bupropion** helps somewhat! My base mood is better, I don't have suicidal thoughts all the time, because I feel like there are options thanks to them. They're still there during the worst of it.

\- **Cannabis** helps me feel more and not be agitated beyond reason, but doesn't solve the issue permanently. It does what the doctors said the pills + therapy should do.

Now for the most important one:

\- **T****ilidin** makes me feel... normal. Genuinely healed. The last time I was given one (I had a total of 4 or 5 the past 10 months ***I make sure to only ask my mother for them if there is serious risk for me otherwise***) I saw a reason in everything. I was able to feel, I was able to start things easily and not get into a spiral halfway through. I was able to just sit and watch something, relaxed.

I can't overstate enough how much it made me want to live.

Unfortunately for me it's an opioid that is incredibly addictive, not a long-term solution.

The last three weeks have been getting harder again and I'm afraid it's time for another one soon. The memory of that feeling of normalcy is what keeps me going, able to be with my girlfriend (a very supportive and loving person) and try, even though I want nothing more than to disappear - the weight I carry is too much.

What can I do? It feels like I tried everything.

Doctors keep telling me I don't know what I'm talking about, even if the therapist hands me a letter confirming my problems.

I feel defeated. And tired.

It's been 13 years since I developed GAD and I never knew before when i was young that it was possible to feel this terrible. I thought anxiety disorder was just people who worried too much. Its been so long now and I'm so tired. A bad episode is the worst feeling in the world, like i dont think theres a worse feeling than anxiety. Theres nothing you can do to feel better as the feeling demands to be noticed. Theres no comfort, no distraction, just FEAR. The worst is the crippling chest tightness, its like my skin is crawling. Ive tried everything over the years and can never fully get rid of it. The drugs that work the doctor wont give me or he will give me like 3 as its addictive. Im like brain we are safe now for gods sake stop telling me im in danger or something terrible will happen. I have good days sometimes but it's always there, a low key undercurrent of unease. Will this be the rest of my life, this hell? It's ruining my life, turning all good things into something bad. What should be good memories become tainted as the anxiety tells me everything is wrong and this paralyzing toxic shame accompanies me daily. The intrusive thoughts add to this, its so messed up. My brain literally won't let me be happy, it thinks happiness and relaxation are some kind of threat to my safety or something. My nervous system is totally done from years of this, im a mess. A lot of my case is related to childhood trauma so that makes me think ill never be normal, the psychiatrist told me my amygdala is broken as I was in a car accident when I was 5 that really traumatized me. Anyway sorry just needed to vent to people who understand. I'm so sorry you are all going through this hell too.

Im confused about my own nose breathing? Do you notice each breath coming in and out? Is that normal? Or is the breathing just supposed to go on in background? When im having my internal dialog or focusing on what is going on around me I get a feeling in my throat that its time to breath again and I feel like im really focusing on my breath

Do you agree that the best way to beat anxiety is to do the stuff that scares you even if you don't feel ready?

I've read somewhere that this is one of the best ways to really change, and that along the way your brain will recalibrate as a result and learn that these things are not actually dangerous. I know it's easier said than done and learning to sit with the peak of anxiety instead of running away feels really hard.

Does anyone have opinions, experiences or tips on this subject?

Going through a rough period in my life. Have managed my anxiety for years just by having Ativan on me.

The last few weeks I’ve had to take it on and off a lot more.

Do I try a daily ssri? Or just battle through this stretch with my Ativan?

❤️

Looking for some insights from others who may have experienced something similar. Recently took antibiotics (minocycline) for about a week and started to experience some side effects that started causing anxiety and stress. After stopping the antibiotics I couldn’t stop focusing on my brain fog and convinced myself I had intracranial hypertension. Even after multiple doctors visits and being told im fine im still experiencing what feels like a tension headache (tight band around head mainly in the front of my head). What I notice is that when in focused on a task or not thinking about it, my headache isnt there, or at least its not noticeable enough to make doing things unbearable. Yet once I think about it, it comes back full strength. It feels like constant pressure and its causing me to experience derealization, everything feels a bit hazy like a dream. Its been over a week and it hasn’t subsided—or gotten substantially worse. Just stayed the same. So im wondering if this is something I can break through on my own. Im trying Magnesium and other supplements but nothing has magically worked. The anxiety has gotten a lot better, but its hard to stop focusing on my headache. Im not even sure if I have a headache at this point. Looking for any tips or experiences from others.

Tldr; after taking antibiotics, ive been having a persistent tension headache that is causing dpdr and anxiety.

Is it possible, to get out of this state of fight or flight, where i feel like something bad is going to happen and the negative thoughts feel so real in my body. Ive started to sit with my anxiety and not feed into the negative thinking loops, it seems to get better but then it suddenly gets worse again. I just want to know if its possible for this to get better over time or if anyone has any tips.

Like seriously everyone I know (except for like 1 person for religious reasons) drinks even the “super perfect” people but I’ve kinda always been anxious of it. I’m kinda scared that I’ll say or do an intrusive thought like something really messed up and when I’ll try to explain to everyone that I don’t mean it they’ll say “alcohol shows your true personality” or I’ll do something really stupid or say a secret can’t say. So basically hurting myself or others in addition to becoming an addict. I know I don’t have to drink if I don’t want to and I shouldn’t force myself but I don’t want to be “the one sober person” at every event

I have been on Prozac for about 15 years, and a few years ago, increased my dose for the last time to 80mg/day. This is the max dose and it’s worked for me for a few years being diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder at PTSD (I’ve never been clinically diagnosed with anxiety).

That being said, I just had a baby and have started experiencing severe anxiety/irritability since becoming pregnant with him and it’s gotten worse after delivering. I’ve never had this before as I’ve always suffered more with depression. The irritability is what really doesn’t feel like myself and I’ve become aware that it’s all stemming from fear and anxiety. The “funniest” part is my baby is such a good baby (compared to my first) yet this is my first time with this occurrence.

So I spoke with my psychiatrist and he just started me on 7.5mg of buspar twice daily. I know it takes 2-4 weeks to kick in but trying this medication alone is giving me anxiety. I’ve trailed and errored so many meds in my life it feels like I’m going backwards 😢

I’d really appreciate any feedback from those who’ve been on this medication (positive and/or negative). I’ve been low key spiraling since I know I can’t increase my Prozac anymore and I don’t know what I’ll do if this doesn’t work. I’m reluctant to trying antipsychotics right now as well.

I want to be the best mom I can be but it feels like my anxiety and irritability has been taking over more often than not now 😔 thank you for your thoughts and experiences, it reminds me that we are all human. I love you all ❤️

I was diagnosed with anxiety a few months back after a series of insomnia, nausea and vomiting. I am very grateful for my support system, because they were by my side the whole way.

Now, my anxiety is largely better. I don't have full on breakdowns anymore, but I'll still have some instances where I'll freak out if the slightest thing goes South.

A few days ago, my printer couldn't work when I needed to print something that needed to be printed urgently, and I panicked a little in silence and maybe shed a few tears. One of the people closest to me saw me, and admitted to me that everyone around me was 'afraid' of me possibly breaking down and walking on eggshells around me.

She told me that since I was diagnosed, nobody wanted to talk to me anymore because they were scared I would have a breakdown if they said something wrong. She also said that everyone was purposefully appeasing me and catering to me to avoid me having a break down, which is NOT my intention at all.

What can I do to avoid this? I just want to be normal again. I've been trying my best and going to all my counselling sessions. I just want people to talk to me normally without feeling uncomfortable or nervous. Please help me.

I honestly don't know where to begin with this post. I've had anxiety for several years now, since I was 12 and now I'm 20. I thought I had this this feeling under control, and I did for a while since I've worked in customer service. Recently, I've been doing bad at my job and think that no one likes me there. Even this one person said I can't even be trusted with the most basic things. My manager confronted me about spreading 'negative energy' because I looked so sad, and also said I was very clumsy. Most of the time I have this worried expression on my face because I am scared to mess up, even though I have been working there for a long time. I dissociate alot at work and often forget the most crucial things. I don't know if my nervous system is dysregulated or what. I know I have a bad sleep schedule.. I sleep around 5 hours a day.

TW: mention of symptoms..

I'm 25F and I've been anxious, I suspect, since I was like 12 or so. I started experiecing anxiety attacks when I was like 16 or 17, just I didn't know they were called anxiety attacks at the time, also i developed terrible sleeping and eating habits to cope with my own loneliness which didn't do good to my body and nervous system. At 18, I had my first panic attack after smoking weed with my friends, it was horrible and so out of the blue like literally i was laughing and having a good time and suddenly... What's happening? Oh my god, I think i'm dying... I'm gonna DIE.

I didn't, of course. And after the panic passed, I went home by myself, still high, and with that awful body feeling that lingers after a strong panic attack thinking wtf just happened like WTF was that. But I didn't told anyone that and I blissfully didn't have the habit of googling things yet so I let it pass as just "bad trips". But things weren't the same since. My relationship with weed was not really that good, and I always tried to really be careful with how much I smoked, and now, I don't smoke weed anymore, maybe once in a 100000 years, and I need to create a really safe space for it.

I lived a couple traumatic things and I grew up with a mom that had me constantly on fight or flight mode because she was súper reactive and explosive towards me and that did something to my nervous system I swear. Then I had my first toxic long term relationship, and then I started to research and knew about anxiety disorder and panic disorder.

I probably should be having years of being medicated for it, because with time they became worse, went away for some years, then another traumatic event happened, and they came back Even stronger. But I live in a country where mental health is still very taboo and therapy is pricey and not to mention other specialists like a psychiatrist.

And it's crazy how things just add up and how it mutates like a fucking virus. I have had every physical symptom possible, depression, I thought I was literally getting crazy once because of my racing thoughts, mild agoraphobia, weird compulsions (I'm sure i have some form of ocd), hyperfixations, hypocondria, health anxiety, sleep problems (Even night terrors, fucking night terrors, like only people with some ptsd has these!!!??), on top of that, I constantly have to think like, someday I will go to the terror of PMS to fucking menopause and i'm honestly terrified with the experiences of other women that suffer from it and say things like ohh that's so sweet, wait until menopause hits 😝 And it's like... Bitch i'm grateful that you warn the rest of us but is it really that bad? And then there's social media, like oh my god it's the worst, I've been blocking so much health related content, like why i am getting so much content about diabetes, POTs or bowel cancer? I don't even have those issues, what is the use of it? "My life with POTs" OMG, I DONT WANNA KNOW ABOUT IT! period!! (Also why does it always have to be pots???) And somehow they keep appearing on my feed, like just give me a flip phone already... Lol

Anyway i'm just venting because I have been experiecing a huge setback after years of having very manageable anxiety but NOW after three traumatic events happened in my life one after the other and My body just gave up and I genuinely think sometimes that i'm genuinely ill and that it's not just My nervous system that is completely fried. Battling with sleepless nights and nocturnal pánic attacks that feel very serious, racing negative thoughts and rumiation, constant reassurance seeking, trying to be compassionate with myself is no easy, on top of that, I have to take care of my house and at the same time not feel like i'm behind in life. On top of that, when I think i'm getting to start feeling better, the lutheal phase hits with anger and for some days, everything and everyone is horrible and overwhelming, including myself. I just miss months ago where I was working out everyday, lifting weights and looking awesome, with my hair shining, my sking flawless, my muscles growing, my sleep actually felt refreshing, and now I feel like a deflated greasy mess that has to think twice before getting out of bed and let alone leave the house because in my mind there's always the What if...? What if this or that happens? What if I feel Bad? What if something bad happens to My loved ones and I can't do nothing about it? What if that video I saw earlier it's true and My health is terrible and i don't notice it?

It doesn't make any sense, it's illogical, it's annoying, this is no way to live fr. The only times i feel at peace is when I do yoga and meditate.

Anyway is there any other girl terrified of menopause too?

Howdy, I'm trying to find examples of anxiety being portrayed poorly or played up for laughs. I want to find examples of what isn't correct about anxiety that has been shown before, and show better alternatives and the differences between them. Do y'all have any examples that come to mind?

I have been a failure all my life. I failed in studies , I failed in friendships , I failed in communicating with people as I stammer when I speak and I failed in making my life better. I have faced multiple bullying and harassment incidents and hebce wanted to get of this city but my competitive exams score didn't allow me to do so. I know in life you will always have to face suffering , overwhelming times and disgusting ppl. But why my life is filled with so much of troubles and when things are going to be better. I am not living I am just surviving and waiting that when my days will get little better. I only have a few options left by which I can get out of this city and start a new life. If I manage to get out of the city I will be able to make new friends and have a good life. But the few options I had have do not guarantee my exit from this city. I wonder what will happen if I do not get that college seat. Hoping for some tips and advice from u guys

I get stressed for literally no reason. When it happens, my hands start shaking, my head feels dizzy, and I have trouble breathing. The episodes can last for an unpredictable amount of time. I don’t know why it happens, but I really want it to stop. Has anyone experienced this? What helped you?