Are there nurses out there with anxiety?

I have been diagnosed with general anxiety disorder,and was just wondering if there was anyone else out there with the same problem?I know I have alot ahead of me with studying for LVN class,but I have to do it,it's my dream.So if anyone has any advice or info,it would be greatly appreciated. :)

[tencat]

You have to get the disorder under control to help you in every part of your life, not just in nursing school. I was 22 when I first found out that I had depression and anxiety. I was having horrible panic attacks where I thought I was going to die. It took a while, but I learned to see the symptoms coming and was able to diffuse the attacks before they came. I forget to breathe evenly and deeply. If I catch myself sighing, I know I need to focus on breathing to avoid panic. I take meds, too, and have for 14 years. I'm in school now, and it is quite stressful, but I am really enjoying it and doing quite well. Counseling did wonders for me, and so did antidepressants. It's a lot of work, but it's worth it.

[Saved_by_Grace]

I'm not a nurse yet, but am starting a lpn program this fall. I suffer from anxiety attacks. To the point to where I almost became agoraphobic. I started taking Zoloft in June and have been doing much better. I always wanted to find alternate ways of dealing with it for years, but it got to a point to where I couldn't do it on my own anymore. The meds have helped me so much.

Good luck with your classes and I hope you find ways to curb your anxiety.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Good luck to you. I was generally a very anxious person when I started nursing school, each day it got better as I built my confidence and tried to keep things in perspective. Everyone's different. Best wishes.

[SLH522]

Hi!

I have anxiety as well...I take Zoloft (the minimum that I can get by with) and it truly helps. I've often wondered how nursing might affect this...but I believe I can manage it.

[christinafarner]

I also have anxiety and the zoloft really helps! I had to quit my job waitressing that I had for 15 years and finally went to counseling, which helped immensely!! They taught me tricks to help me out of the attacks.I couldn't even go to the grocery store!! That was a year ago and now I have applied to a nursing school and am going through the steps to enrolling!! I still have the attacks but I know I am not dying! I too am afraid of the attacks happening while at school or on my way, but this is a dream of mine and I will have to overcome. I actually think the attacks stem from my terrible allergies and when my body is overwhelmed or I can't breathe it triggers an attack! My allergist thinks this is possible! Have you tried thinking of an underlying cause of the attacks? GOOD LUCK!!

[Nancy428]

I also have anxiety and the zoloft really helps! I had to quit my job waitressing that I had for 15 years and finally went to counseling, which helped immensely!! They taught me tricks to help me out of the attacks.I couldn't even go to the grocery store!! That was a year ago and now I have applied to a nursing school and am going through the steps to enrolling!! I still have the attacks but I know I am not dying! I too am afraid of the attacks happening while at school or on my way, but this is a dream of mine and I will have to overcome. I actually think the attacks stem from my terrible allergies and when my body is overwhelmed or I can't breathe it triggers an attack! My allergist thinks this is possible! Have you tried thinking of an underlying cause of the attacks? GOOD LUCK!!

I really don't know why I get them,they just come out of no where.I get really nervous,anxious,can't sit still,can't concentrate...and I have to start my classes soon,and I'm worried that the lack of concentration will affect my learning.But bottom line here..that's what anxiety is..WORRY.So,I have made myself a Doctor's appt...and will take it from there..maybe I can get on something to calm myself down.Thank you all for responding..it's nice to know there are other nurses out there with the same problem,and they are still doiing what they love to do. :)

[christinafarner]

I hope the meds help but if they don't please try some counseling! It took me 8 years of ever worsening attacks to finally go and I should have gone sooner! I hope that your first doctor will help you, but in some cases there are still docs out there that think you can overcome this and you are just a nervous female!! My first doctor told me he would not switch the first med I was on for years ( I thought maybe I was becoming immune to it) when there are many different meds out now!! He told me to go home and pray! While not discounting the power of prayer, I went to another doc that listened and went to counseling and it is so much better!! You can do anything!!!

[BoonersmomRN]

Yes I have anxiety and at first I was put on Effexor ( that's another horror story in and of itself) and now I have been switched to Zoloft..but I am only 1 week in so I know I have to give it time. The Effexor worked great for the anxiety but the horrendous side effects were not worth it. You are not alone!