Could I have an anxiety disorder? Are these panic attacks?

Question

I've always been a worrier, over-thinker and basically just anxious about everything. And I'm an extremely creative/imaginative person, so I come up with ridiculous scenarios in my head that would probably NEVER happen, but I still worry about them for no reason. Any time when I'm in public and hear people laugh or whisper, I automatically think that it's negatively pointed towards me. I think if I don't say be careful to my dad or mom when they leave to go somewhere, that something horrible is going to happen to them. I can't stand to be in a fight with someone for more than a few hours or I'm afraid something is going to happen to one of us, such as dying, and there will always be that regret of not making up with them. 
I don't have panic attacks, at least not the kind that everyone talks about where you can't catch your breath and your chest gets all tight. But I do have times where I get this feeling of impending doom, where I just /know/ something bad is going to happen. My throat begins to feel kind of cold and I become very aware of my heartbeat and breathing, though I can still take deep breaths. I just start to feel physically sick, every time I get worried. Could that be a type of panic attack?

I don't want to have an anxiety disorder, and I really just don't want to worry as much as I do. But I feel like if I'm anxious about stuff, thinking of the worst, somehow I can be more prepared for it or even prevent the bad things from happening. It's hard to explain.

Alex · Accepted Answer

It sounds like you do have general anxiety, yes. General anxiety is characterized by excessive worrying about everyday occurrences and possible outcomes of events.

"But I feel like if I'm anxious about stuff, thinking of the worst, somehow I can be more prepared for it or even prevent the bad things from happening."

^ This is an EXTREMELY common experience among people with anxiety, which is why it can be very hard for us to give up our anxiety through treatment. Our anxiety is a defense mechanism which we feel protects us from the bad things that might happen to us. The fact that you feel this way further proves that you definitely are experiencing anxiety.

As for panic attacks, it's hard to say. I'll list the diagnostic criteria of a panic attack for you, and you decide for yourself if it sounds like something you experience:

"A panic attack is defined as an abrupt surge of intense fear or intense discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes, and during which time FOUR or more of the following symptoms occur. The abrupt surge can occur from a calm state or an anxious state:

1. Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate 
2. Sweating 
3. Trembling or shaking 
4. Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering 
5. Feeling of choking 
6. Chest pain or discomfort 
7. Nausea or abdominal distress 
8. Feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint 
9. Chills or heat sensations 
10. Paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations) 
11. Derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself) 
12. Fear of losing control or going crazy 
13. Fear of dying"

Ally · Answer

It sounds like you do. I haven t been diagnosed, but my dad has been 99% sure I have some anxiety disorders for a while, since it runs in the family. Anyways, do your research, look up different anxiety disorders, take quizzes, look at symptoms, but don t self diagnose yourself, since you never know if you actually have this problem. You should also keep in mind that if this is a recent thing, you probably do not have it, since people with anxiety disorders other than ptsd (post traumatic stress disorder) typically inherit it genetically, so you d have it for a very long time. After you ve done your research, I suggest asking one of your parents if they can take you to a psychologist/psychiatrist who can diagnose you within a few visits, if he/she believes you have this problem. Hopefully this helped ^^

Jaye · Answer

I'm 16 by the way.

apoorv · Answer

i am 19 and i am the same..... i thought i was the only one.....yes we are anxious because of our past..

Could I have an anxiety disorder? Are these panic attacks?

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