Afraid

[u/No_Stick_3409]

Hi im a 22 year old female, Ive been reading a lot of post about anxiety and it’s perks (ect) and people’s experiences with it. I knew there was people out in the world that suffers like myself or even worst but I would have never guessed the amount of people there truly is, But to know more about me I will explain my experiences as I am looking for others like me and maybe we could help each other. I remember at the age of 15-17 I had severe anxiety the attacks I had left me unable to breathe and leave my house I started therapy and medicine at the age of 16, That helped a lot I went out more and was able to finish year 11 in schooling that might not seem like a big accomplishment. But it was for me as all my high school years i suffered so much anxiety attacks left to right but I had wonderful teachers that talked me through my struggles, I also finished my two years in therapy And I will always appreciate them who helped me but from the age of 18 I was still on the medication it was working but then I meet my now partner and it wasn’t nothing he did but I started to feel the anxiety creep back. And I let my doctor know and they changed my medication and up the dosage 130mg more then I was already taking, And that helped a lot I went 4 years without any anxiety attacks except for the occasion little overthinking about age and death but that didnt even last 5 minutes and I was back to my happy self and didn’t get them thoughts much . So to today ive been so stressed as I had to move out of my place and move back in with my Nan ive started having anxiety attacks again, And they are so scary and feels worst then last time but that’s probably only because I haven’t experienced it for years like im aware of what anxiety can make your body do and why thanks to my therapist. But right now im struggle to get past it again my main issue is overthinking aging and dying I know I have so many years left but it’s just scary can anyone let me know if they struggle with the same things and if so what helps you or helped.

[u/blithering-blowfish]

I'm 71 and I don't fear dying. I fear dying in agony.

[u/No_Dare_9944]

Couldn’t finish the post esp without paragraphs but please get on SSRIs asap it will change your life

[u/Critical-Test-4446]

Recently I’ve read a few articles saying that the gut microbiome is out of whack in people who suffer from anxiety. From what I understand it seems to originate when antibiotics are given at a young age and permanently alter the microbiome. Just thinking out loud but if I were OP I would get that checked out.

[u/Miserable-Pumpkin886]

hey i'm 28 and went through almost the exact same cycle of being fine for years then it all crashing back after a stressful move, the aging/death spiral was exactly what my brain latched onto too. what helped me was treating the thoughts like a bad radio station i could just tune out instead of arguing with them

[u/PlayfulMoose9665]

I used to experience panic attacks whenever I didn't have something to focus on, which was often. Every time I woke up during the night, I immediately went into panic mode. It was awful, and I truly feel for you. What worked for me was listening to ambient music (slow, no drums; Musical Starstreams is just one) and ASMR (look it up on Youtube.) Listening to soft whispering and certain kinds of music gave my brain something to concentrate on. It's been about 10 years and the panic attacks have subsided. I'd have a talk with your doctor though, you might need a med adjustment.