Do You Ever Just Get The Feeling?

[Saralaise]

Has anyone ever experienced the feeling of being so overwhelmed and stressed, that you fear you are actually going insane?

I have never suffered from any type of anxiety problem, and my stress levels seem fairly normal for someone my age; work, college, friends. I do have some family issues going on that have recently escalated, but these 2 "episodes" happened before this.

There have been at least 2 serious occasions that stand out in my mind where I felt so panicked and frantic in my mind that I was afraid I was going crazy. I know I tend to over think things if I really get lost in thought, and sometimes its my own fault if I get worked up. But these two times were scary for me, I almost felt like I had no idea what was going on, and that the whole world was out to get me.

My question is, even if you have never had an anxiety problem, is it okay/normal to feel overly anxious from time to time, as long as its not occuring in regular intervals? I mean, I know its not NORMAL to feel anxious, but hopefully someone understands what I'm trying to say.

[WildChild]

Well, take action before it gets to that point. This may sound a bit different but it works - try primal screaming. Just reach down inside yourself and grab that frustration and emotion and then let loose with a scream. Not a little one, not a eekkk. A deep, stong, scream. NO words. Just scream, like a wild cat. Ever hear a mountain lion scream? Like that, from you inner self. It's amazing what it can do. I don't do it often - once every couple years but it can do the job of releasing your immediate pain and frustration so you can deal with what you need to.

[Inmydreams]

YES, I have definitely had the exact feelings you are describing and know what it is like, even though it might be different for everyone. I would say that in retrospect it would have been wise to seek professional help, but I did not have insurance at the time or money to go. I have had postpartum depresssion as well as major depression as well as anxiety or something similar I do not know what it was. At the time I was havign anxiety, everything in my life not only was overwhelming and seemed out of control, but also unfixable at the time. I went through a period where I could not concnetrate on anything, work or school or family. Just could not do it. Felt so depressed I did not want to get up in the morning and face life. At that time, I was in a bad relationship. At think at those points of life, the best thing you can do is do something COMPLETELY different from your regular routine - if possible. Anything you can, but the more the better: Take on a new hobby, activity, go to a class, learn pottery, travel overseas - I know some of this would be hard, especially if you have a family. But doing completely new things, even if you are so deprressed you definitely don't feel like doing anything, can jolt you out of this mood and cure the problem.

- Sometimes it is the times you feel least like change that it is the best thing for you.