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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ElectricTech on November 27, 2009, at 21:48:49
I'm 21, in college and I get extremely anxious when I'm in my larger lecture classes of 90 or 150 people. I have a really hard time looking towards the front of the room because I fear the possibility of making eye contact with people sitting in front of me. I'm so scared to face the front that I have to keep my head down and I can only see the board/projection screen by moving my eyes up! From there, I can only look for a few seconds and I look back down again. When a person in front of me turns at a 90 degree angle or makes any sudden movement, that's when it gets really bad and my shoulders and head get really tense and jittery. The entire time, I find it uncomfortable to sit in certain positions and I'm basically stuck in one position. I've never had a problem like this before now; this started in week 6 of this semester and it's week 14 now. This has become a major problem for me and it's getting in the way of taking notes!
In my larger classes, this is a huge problem, but it isn't an issue in my smaller classes of 20-30 people, where I'm pretty calm unless a good-looking girl sits in front of me.
Also, I get jumpy when I enter or leave a room or walk towards a corner and a person pops out in front of me unexpectedly, which has made me a bit apprehensive lately when I'm about to exit a room.
How would you explain all this? My anxiety issues arise in larger lecture halls; however, I'm fine when I walk around outside. There were also a few occasions where I felt awkward walking across the treadmill area of the gym, the library, and stores like Target. This all started when I was in class and a cute girl who was right in front of me looked back in my direction and I freaked out.
Should I see a psychiatrist? Winter break is also coming up, so maybe I just need a vacation?
Posted by willyeee on November 27, 2009, at 22:45:44
In reply to Do I have panic disorder with agoraphobia?, posted by ElectricTech on November 27, 2009, at 21:48:49
Id do some reading on GAD,general anxiety disorder,meaning anxiety daily in spurts through out the day,ooposed to paniac attacks.
The reason id say to research gad,is to see for yourself if you feel u fit this description,reason being if u go to a doc they will simply put you on a medication,its what they do,so before u take that route read up and if you feel the critia meets you in lots of ways,then yess see a doc and get some treatment,i remeber pre treatment your story sounds like mine,at work id face down,and when confronted with the simplest
interaction id totaly loose it inside,now my anxiety is treated and im actualy a social butterfly and talk peoples heads off like my barber and etc.Good luck !
Posted by Phillipa on November 28, 2009, at 0:47:10
In reply to Re: Do I have panic disorder with agoraphobia?, posted by willyeee on November 27, 2009, at 22:45:44
Welcome to babble does this only happen at school? In the lecture halls? Phillipa
Posted by ElectricTech on November 28, 2009, at 1:09:43
In reply to Re: Do I have panic disorder with agoraphobia?, posted by Phillipa on November 28, 2009, at 0:47:10
Thanks, it's nice to be here.
As far as I know, this only happens at school. Mostly in the lecture halls and in small classrooms only if it's an attractive girl who is sitting in front of me.
Posted by ElectricTech on November 28, 2009, at 1:15:43
In reply to Do I have panic disorder with agoraphobia?, posted by ElectricTech on November 27, 2009, at 21:48:49
Here's another detail:
There were two occasions at the gym where I was jogging on the track overlooking the basketball court and I suddenly developed a fear of heights when I ran around the edge and I usually don't have it, and then it just went away after several laps.
Also, I was just at the gym this Wednesday and I felt perfectly fine walking through the treadmill area. Today, I went to Best Buy and felt comfortable walking around as well.
Posted by tensor on November 28, 2009, at 5:48:53
In reply to Do I have panic disorder with agoraphobia?, posted by ElectricTech on November 27, 2009, at 21:48:49
I've been there. This is exactly what happened to me when I went to college. You suffer from social anxiety. There are several types of medication that can help with this. I think social anxiety is very difficult to treat without medication, but a combination treatment with CBT is probably best, this will also help with panic disorder. So you need to contact a psyciatrist and/or a therapist who will help you. When you get relief from the treatment it's paramount to expose yourself to the situations that trigger your fears, it's going take a lot of practice but it's the only way.
When it comes to medications, the ones that often helps are SSRIs like Zoloft and Paxil and SNRIs like Effexor. For me, a benzodiazepine called clonazepam is the king for social anxiety. This is something for your pdoc to decide.Good luck.
/tensor
> I'm 21, in college and I get extremely anxious when I'm in my larger lecture classes of 90 or 150 people. I have a really hard time looking towards the front of the room because I fear the possibility of making eye contact with people sitting in front of me. I'm so scared to face the front that I have to keep my head down and I can only see the board/projection screen by moving my eyes up! From there, I can only look for a few seconds and I look back down again. When a person in front of me turns at a 90 degree angle or makes any sudden movement, that's when it gets really bad and my shoulders and head get really tense and jittery. The entire time, I find it uncomfortable to sit in certain positions and I'm basically stuck in one position. I've never had a problem like this before now; this started in week 6 of this semester and it's week 14 now. This has become a major problem for me and it's getting in the way of taking notes!
>
> In my larger classes, this is a huge problem, but it isn't an issue in my smaller classes of 20-30 people, where I'm pretty calm unless a good-looking girl sits in front of me.
>
> Also, I get jumpy when I enter or leave a room or walk towards a corner and a person pops out in front of me unexpectedly, which has made me a bit apprehensive lately when I'm about to exit a room.
>
> How would you explain all this? My anxiety issues arise in larger lecture halls; however, I'm fine when I walk around outside. There were also a few occasions where I felt awkward walking across the treadmill area of the gym, the library, and stores like Target. This all started when I was in class and a cute girl who was right in front of me looked back in my direction and I freaked out.
>
> Should I see a psychiatrist? Winter break is also coming up, so maybe I just need a vacation?
>
Posted by SLS on November 28, 2009, at 6:20:33
In reply to Do I have panic disorder with agoraphobia?, posted by ElectricTech on November 27, 2009, at 21:48:49
Hi.
I just wanted to say that I agree with everything Tensor said. He summarized things much better than I would have been able to. I have nothing to add.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on November 28, 2009, at 19:10:42
In reply to Re: Do I have panic disorder with agoraphobia? » ElectricTech, posted by SLS on November 28, 2009, at 6:20:33
Seems situational to me social phobia in some locations certain circumstances. Personally I'd try solo theraphy first and let the therapist help decide if you might need a med? What do you feel about this? Phillipa
Posted by ElectricTech on November 28, 2009, at 23:02:29
In reply to Re: Do I have panic disorder with agoraphobia?, posted by Phillipa on November 28, 2009, at 19:10:42
Sounds like a good way to go about it.
Posted by oldschool305 on November 29, 2009, at 15:47:13
In reply to Re: Do I have panic disorder with agoraphobia?, posted by ElectricTech on November 28, 2009, at 23:02:29
test
Posted by oldschool305 on November 29, 2009, at 15:50:13
In reply to Re: Do I have panic disorder with agoraphobia?, posted by oldschool305 on November 29, 2009, at 15:47:13
Hey ElectricTech =) Cynthia here from Yahoo Answers.... Glad you decided to give this site a try. The people on this board are so helpful and I've received great advice from folks on here. Hope ya get feeling better soon.
By any chance, are you a musician? ((I'm asking because of your screename)).
Posted by Phillipa on November 29, 2009, at 19:40:49
In reply to Re: Do I have panic disorder with agoraphobia?, posted by oldschool305 on November 29, 2009, at 15:50:13
May I ask what your posting name was? Seems like Yahoo answers is very broad. Phillipa
Posted by ElectricTech on November 29, 2009, at 21:48:35
In reply to Re: Do I have panic disorder with agoraphobia?, posted by oldschool305 on November 29, 2009, at 15:50:13
> Hey ElectricTech =) Cynthia here from Yahoo Answers.... Glad you decided to give this site a try. The people on this board are so helpful and I've received great advice from folks on here. Hope ya get feeling better soon.
>
> By any chance, are you a musician? ((I'm asking because of your screename)).Thanks :)
Yes, I am a musician - I play the clarinet/bass clarinet, bass guitar, and sax. I was in band from 5th-12th grade and I have a background in concert/symphonic and jazz music.
Posted by oldschool305 on November 30, 2009, at 15:04:04
In reply to Re: Do I have panic disorder with agoraphobia?, posted by ElectricTech on November 29, 2009, at 21:48:35
Sweet! I play flute/piccolo/keyboard. Musicians RAWK!! =) I'd write more but I'm feeling pretty crappy today. Let us know how you're doing if/when you go see a doc =)
xoXOxo
> > Hey ElectricTech =) Cynthia here from Yahoo Answers.... Glad you decided to give this site a try. The people on this board are so helpful and I've received great advice from folks on here. Hope ya get feeling better soon.
> >
> > By any chance, are you a musician? ((I'm asking because of your screename)).
>
> Thanks :)
>
> Yes, I am a musician - I play the clarinet/bass clarinet, bass guitar, and sax. I was in band from 5th-12th grade and I have a background in concert/symphonic and jazz music.
>
>
Posted by ElectricTech on November 30, 2009, at 23:10:09
In reply to Re: Do I have panic disorder with agoraphobia?, posted by oldschool305 on November 30, 2009, at 15:04:04
That's awesome Cynthia :)
I went to class today and I could tell from my body that it just wasn't my day. Seems like things are getting worse, so it looks like I'm gonna have to see a doc! I plan to see a psychologist at my school to start out and then I'll get back to you all!
> Sweet! I play flute/piccolo/keyboard. Musicians RAWK!! =) I'd write more but I'm feeling pretty crappy today. Let us know how you're doing if/when you go see a doc =)
>
> xoXOxo
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
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