How to juggle multiple sources of stress and anxiety??
January 3, 2010 10:03 PM Subscribe
How can I juggle anxiety (maybe hypochondria), problems with my house itself, and still stay on top of school/work?
I struggle with intermittent medical anxiety. Basically, when I get stressed out, I get heart palpitations, chest pain, and have trouble breathing. This makes me think I'm going to die. It doesn't help that I have slightly high blood pressure (135/80) and a (currently) benign heart valve condition.
I'm a male college student and fairly busy and involved, so I have a constant source of stress.
Recently I've been having some problems with my house... Without going into too much detail there are a handful of problems with it including some source of allergies for me (mold or dust mites I'm not sure) that is giving me asthma, which kickstarts this cycle of medical anxiety. Basically my "sanctuary" (which I rent) is more of a source of stress than relaxation.
My home problems, as well as my fairly minor health concerns and academic/work obligations are all worsening this medical anxiety concern. I'm basically still a kid and I feel like I'm about to drop dead sometimes.
What can I do to manage these somewhat overlapping issues? I'm feeling fairly overwhelmed, like trying to fix one problem will make the other worse.
I struggle with intermittent medical anxiety. Basically, when I get stressed out, I get heart palpitations, chest pain, and have trouble breathing. This makes me think I'm going to die. It doesn't help that I have slightly high blood pressure (135/80) and a (currently) benign heart valve condition.
I'm a male college student and fairly busy and involved, so I have a constant source of stress.
Recently I've been having some problems with my house... Without going into too much detail there are a handful of problems with it including some source of allergies for me (mold or dust mites I'm not sure) that is giving me asthma, which kickstarts this cycle of medical anxiety. Basically my "sanctuary" (which I rent) is more of a source of stress than relaxation.
My home problems, as well as my fairly minor health concerns and academic/work obligations are all worsening this medical anxiety concern. I'm basically still a kid and I feel like I'm about to drop dead sometimes.
What can I do to manage these somewhat overlapping issues? I'm feeling fairly overwhelmed, like trying to fix one problem will make the other worse.
I'm not completely sure what you mean by 'medical anxiety' as I'm not familiar with that as a medical or psychological term, but these sound very much like panic attacks. Therapy is a great resource for learning some tools to help yourself relax when you start to feel this anxiety. There are also ways to deal with panic attacks that involve medication--have you discussed this with any kind of doctor or health professional?
posted by so_gracefully at 10:42 PM on January 3, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by so_gracefully at 10:42 PM on January 3, 2010 [1 favorite]
I've been getting these kinds of attacks for the past couple months as well, although mine also include feelings of either numbness or heat throughout my body. I am seeing a psychiatrist and a psychologist partially due to my anxiety issues, and I'd advise you to do that if you aren't already.
However, in a more immediate sense, I've found that when I have one of my attacks it helps to sit or lay down and call my father. Even if we're not really saying anything to each other, it's comforting to have somebody "there", so to speak. Is there anybody you can keep on speed-dial to talk to when you have one of your attacks?
posted by Target Practice at 11:05 PM on January 3, 2010
However, in a more immediate sense, I've found that when I have one of my attacks it helps to sit or lay down and call my father. Even if we're not really saying anything to each other, it's comforting to have somebody "there", so to speak. Is there anybody you can keep on speed-dial to talk to when you have one of your attacks?
posted by Target Practice at 11:05 PM on January 3, 2010
I'm a male college student and fairly busy and involved, so I have a constant source of stress.
This is the only aspect I know anything about. You should be able to reduce the stress by seeing a school counsellor or doctor, and getting a couple weeks of grace from all your classes - maybe extended deadlines on something, or not having to hand in a weeks homework.
If what you're involved in is voluntary, try and cut back on any activities that don't actually help you relax. If it's stuff where other people would be disappointed, explain that you're having some allergic reactions to something in your house and need to take some time to get over that.
You should have some plan to deal with the house issues eventually - either a not-too-distant moving date, or get someone to help you talk to the landlord about having them fix it (your school probably has a housing advice service to start with). As a temporary measure perhaps you can try and find somewhere else as a 'sanctuary'. It won't be as good, but a nice spot in the library, or a coffee shop, could be somewhere you can relax without having to think about your allergies for a while.
posted by jacalata at 11:47 PM on January 3, 2010
This is the only aspect I know anything about. You should be able to reduce the stress by seeing a school counsellor or doctor, and getting a couple weeks of grace from all your classes - maybe extended deadlines on something, or not having to hand in a weeks homework.
If what you're involved in is voluntary, try and cut back on any activities that don't actually help you relax. If it's stuff where other people would be disappointed, explain that you're having some allergic reactions to something in your house and need to take some time to get over that.
You should have some plan to deal with the house issues eventually - either a not-too-distant moving date, or get someone to help you talk to the landlord about having them fix it (your school probably has a housing advice service to start with). As a temporary measure perhaps you can try and find somewhere else as a 'sanctuary'. It won't be as good, but a nice spot in the library, or a coffee shop, could be somewhere you can relax without having to think about your allergies for a while.
posted by jacalata at 11:47 PM on January 3, 2010
get one or more air purifiers. this should help with the asthmatics and by extension at least some of the cause of your medical anxiety.
posted by rhizome at 12:04 AM on January 4, 2010
posted by rhizome at 12:04 AM on January 4, 2010
heart palpitations, chest pain, and have trouble breathing
As so_gracefully says, this sounds much more like a panic attack than hypochondria. Your body's releasing a lot of stress hormones when you get anxious. Definitely see your school therapist (you should get at least a couple of free sessions) and make sure to discuss (a) your stress and (b) your physical response to stress. If you have a heart condition and high blood pressure you probably don't want to put this off for very long.
posted by oinopaponton at 4:59 AM on January 4, 2010
As so_gracefully says, this sounds much more like a panic attack than hypochondria. Your body's releasing a lot of stress hormones when you get anxious. Definitely see your school therapist (you should get at least a couple of free sessions) and make sure to discuss (a) your stress and (b) your physical response to stress. If you have a heart condition and high blood pressure you probably don't want to put this off for very long.
posted by oinopaponton at 4:59 AM on January 4, 2010
I'm feeling fairly overwhelmed, like trying to fix one problem will make the other worse.
Often the fear of stress prevents people with anxiety from being able to deal with the source of the stress. One method is to break it down into smaller steps, so that you're not overwhelmed. Day 1, call the landlord and ask for a HEPA filter (or to come examine the source of your allergies). Day 2, look at other rentals on Craigslist for 5-10 minutes. Not telling you to move immediately, just look at your options and see what else is out there. Sometimes just having information can ease your worry cycle a bit.
Take advantage of your school services. It may be counseling, it may be meds to help your panic attacks, or some way to ease your academic pressures.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 5:24 AM on January 4, 2010
Often the fear of stress prevents people with anxiety from being able to deal with the source of the stress. One method is to break it down into smaller steps, so that you're not overwhelmed. Day 1, call the landlord and ask for a HEPA filter (or to come examine the source of your allergies). Day 2, look at other rentals on Craigslist for 5-10 minutes. Not telling you to move immediately, just look at your options and see what else is out there. Sometimes just having information can ease your worry cycle a bit.
Take advantage of your school services. It may be counseling, it may be meds to help your panic attacks, or some way to ease your academic pressures.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 5:24 AM on January 4, 2010
heart palpitations, chest pain, and have trouble breathing. This makes me think I'm going to die sounds like panic attacks. They are real, and they can be managed. There have been many questions, and you may want to do some browsing.
During a panic attack, a cold wet washcloth on the face is very helpful. It triggers physiological responses that can stop the physical part of the panic attack. Longer term, regular exercise, meditation and cognitive behavior therapy are good methods for controlling anxiety. I carry xanax as a sort of life preserver but haven't used it in ages.
posted by theora55 at 9:46 AM on January 4, 2010
During a panic attack, a cold wet washcloth on the face is very helpful. It triggers physiological responses that can stop the physical part of the panic attack. Longer term, regular exercise, meditation and cognitive behavior therapy are good methods for controlling anxiety. I carry xanax as a sort of life preserver but haven't used it in ages.
posted by theora55 at 9:46 AM on January 4, 2010
I hate to be the only one advocated meds here, but Xanax can do a lot to help level you out when having an acute attack. Talk to your doc about this.
posted by blueplasticfish at 10:39 AM on January 4, 2010
posted by blueplasticfish at 10:39 AM on January 4, 2010
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You might also want to check out the Anxiety and Phobia Workbook. It'll help you identify the particular kind of anxiety you're suffering from, and run you through some basic cognitive behavioral exercises. Personally, I've found CBT more effective than anything else in dealing with anxiety, and it's worked remarkably quickly.
Good luck!
posted by asterix at 10:35 PM on January 3, 2010 [2 favorites]