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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Maxime on December 28, 2003, at 11:37:54
Hey. OK, I do not suffer from anxiety. I am posting for a friend that I am really concerned about.
She is 19 years old and suffers from depression. But she also has extreme anxiety. But I don't know if it's anxiety.It sounds more
like a bunch of fears ... I will list some.- fear of mirrors because she thinks one day she will another person
there in addition to her own reflection.
-fear of the dark and noises in the house.
-fear of dolls because she is scared they will come to life
-fear of having the toilet sit open because she thinks something might crawl out.
- fear of doing the dishes and having her back faced to the room in case someone walks in.She says she thinks she developed these fears as a result of watching horror movies. And maybe she did, I don't know. But these fears are
over taking her life and her ability to function. She has developed some habits as a result such as making sure the mirror doors are open in the bathroom so she can't she her reflection. And always closing the toilet lid.She was on Paxil for a while but took herself off it. It was prescribe more for anxiety than depression. She is depressed and often has suicidal thoughts but says she would never act on them. She also self-injures at times.
So is this considered anxiety because she is anxious all the time, or is it just a list of phobias? She is really shaking in her shoes most of the time.
I want to help her, but I don't know what you would call "this". She is scared to tell her pdoc for fear that he will just laugh at her
and call her silly.This young woman is highly intelligent and insightful herself.
So if anyone has thoughts on this I would appreciate it.
Maxime
Posted by zenhussy on December 28, 2003, at 12:08:51
In reply to Is this anxiety? If not, what is it?, posted by Maxime on December 28, 2003, at 11:37:54
Maxime,
Please strongly urge (perhaps offering to go with her) your friend to tell her pdoc at her next visit. Pdocs do not laugh at a laundry list of symptoms/phobia like that. Nor will he think she is 'silly'.
Your friend, from what you have described, sounds like she needs more supervision so that she can decide whether or not to take meds. It doesn't sound like a wise decision to stop meds when one is only 19 and still exhibiting behaviours that indicate the likely need for therapy and/or therapy combined with medications.
You are a good friend to be concerned. It sounds like you have a lot to be concerned about. Please let your friend know: 1). she is NOT crazy
2). there is no reason that she has to live this way and help is available
3). many, many people just as intelligent as she is experience similar symptoms and seek helpI hope that you are able to get through to her that life does not have to be the way hers has become. I'm not sure it is particularly important at this time to even label her cluster of behaviours. I would be more concerned with getting her to see that she is in need of help. Labels schmabels. Worry about what to call it when you're not so busy setting up your life such that you cannot even walk into a room that has a mirror. That's a problem.
zenhussy
Posted by dragonfly25 on December 28, 2003, at 15:57:47
In reply to Re: Is this anxiety? If not, what is it? » Maxime, posted by zenhussy on December 28, 2003, at 12:08:51
i agree with zenhussy,
but it does sound a bit more serious than anxiety and if it isn't treated it could turn into something worse. if she won't talk to a doctor maybe you can talk to a doctor for her. it sounds really scary to be going through. even if this was caused by movies it sounds as though she likely had a dorment disorder prior to this that has been intensified
dragonfly25> Maxime,
>
> Please strongly urge (perhaps offering to go with her) your friend to tell her pdoc at her next visit. Pdocs do not laugh at a laundry list of symptoms/phobia like that. Nor will he think she is 'silly'.
>
> Your friend, from what you have described, sounds like she needs more supervision so that she can decide whether or not to take meds. It doesn't sound like a wise decision to stop meds when one is only 19 and still exhibiting behaviours that indicate the likely need for therapy and/or therapy combined with medications.
>
> You are a good friend to be concerned. It sounds like you have a lot to be concerned about. Please let your friend know: 1). she is NOT crazy
> 2). there is no reason that she has to live this way and help is available
> 3). many, many people just as intelligent as she is experience similar symptoms and seek help
>
> I hope that you are able to get through to her that life does not have to be the way hers has become. I'm not sure it is particularly important at this time to even label her cluster of behaviours. I would be more concerned with getting her to see that she is in need of help. Labels schmabels. Worry about what to call it when you're not so busy setting up your life such that you cannot even walk into a room that has a mirror. That's a problem.
>
> zenhussy
Posted by Utopia on December 29, 2003, at 12:53:13
In reply to Is this anxiety? If not, what is it?, posted by Maxime on December 28, 2003, at 11:37:54
Hey there,
I agree with the dragonfly et al.
When you are anxious of a real problem, like public speaking, it's normal anxiety and what determines if it's a phobia is your intensity of fear and reaction (controlled / uncontrolled).Fear of snakes is pure anxiety and if you run a mile and climb up the closest tree, even though the snake is in a cage, makes it a phobia because most people are scared of snakes but that snake posed no threat. They are, however tangible objects to fear.
When one is scared of something which is not there, but is fearful - just in case - with no tangible object to create the fear from, just in the immagination, then it's paranoia.
Both cases are driven and determined by extreme anxiety and your ability to control the flight/fight response.
It definitely seems to be paranoia on a multiple of levels. There's no insanity. Just a lot of fear. It might even be justified due to ghosts from her past.
You must take your friend to see a good pdoc and let it all hang out. Every single person walking the streets has anxiety, some more some less.
With today's medications or even just therapy these generalized anxieties are easily controlled.
Good luck
P.S. Tell your friend to avoid coffee, cigarettes and chocolate.
Posted by dragonfly25 on December 29, 2003, at 13:06:05
In reply to Re: Is this anxiety? If not, what is it?, posted by Utopia on December 29, 2003, at 12:53:13
chocolate! really?
Posted by Utopia on December 29, 2003, at 13:44:04
In reply to Re: Is this anxiety? If not, what is it? » Utopia, posted by dragonfly25 on December 29, 2003, at 13:06:05
Sorry Dragonfly
Chocolate is high in caffeine and has the propensity to stimulate anxiety. This would intensify the young lady's dysfunctioning even further.
Cola drinks are another example which I forgot to mention.
Anxiety is so harmless yet it can make us act in such bizarre ways.
Posted by brussell on December 30, 2003, at 2:57:34
In reply to Is this anxiety? If not, what is it?, posted by Maxime on December 28, 2003, at 11:37:54
Hello,
I agree with zenhussy's post. Your friend's symptoms are not normal anxiety but are certainly treatable. She should see a good psychiatrist as soon as possible. He or she would definitely not laugh at any of those fears. They sound terrifying and disabling.
Best of luck to you and your friend.
Posted by Viridis on December 30, 2003, at 7:05:08
In reply to Is this anxiety? If not, what is it?, posted by Maxime on December 28, 2003, at 11:37:54
From your description, she really needs to see a psychiatrist (or a new one) ASAP. What you describe is very serious and requires proper treatment. This talk about horror movies, phobias, and so on is peripheral at best -- she needs to see someone who is qualified to treat psychosis now.
I have major anxiety problems (which require psychiatric treatment), but have never lost touch with reality. It sounds like she has, and this will only get worse. I've had a couple of good friends commit suicide under similar circumstances. Please make sure that she gets help soon.
Posted by Sebastian on December 30, 2003, at 11:50:52
In reply to Is this anxiety? If not, what is it?, posted by Maxime on December 28, 2003, at 11:37:54
Paranoid scitzophrenia
This is the end of the thread.
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