[hello_there]

I am 16 years old and I have been struggling with anxiety attacks for about 2 years now. I always feel panicky, on-edge and fidgity no matter where I am. I never seem to feel relaxed ever unless I'm waking up from my sleep. The littliest things make me nervous and if I freak out over something small, I can never calm myself down, resulting in a triggered anxiety attack. My heart beats super fast, I feel dizzy, I feel like I am dying and so much more symptoms that drive me nuts! I get so scared and then I go running to my parents freaking out, who are also freaking out because they do not know what is wrong with me, seeing me crying and shakings and panting like crazy.

Later on, I eventually sort of calm down and then when we all realize that there is nothing wrong with me, I sit there feeling like I'm going insane and I need to be in a straight-jacket at a mental institute. I know that my parents understand, but its still embarrassing for me, especially when it happens at school or somewhere public.

I was wondering if taking half of a glycine capsule will help me to relax my anxiety at all. I weigh 99 pounds and I'm 5 ft and half-an-inch tall. Is that the appropriate dosage for me to take??

[Jake2008]

Your anxiety attacks, as you identify them, with the symptoms you have, that have gone on for two years now, need to be assessed by a qualified Doctor.

Why have your parents not seen to it that this has been done?

[hello_there]

They don't think that its anything serious. And I have seen a doctor but they jusyt said its anxiety. Do my symptoms seem more serious?

[Jake2008]

What you have described so far, which you do very well by the way, is not under control. When you say that you have no control over anything when these 'attacks' occur, and that when they are over, everything is okay, does not sound to me that what you are experiencing is fully understood. It is not okay when it's over, because they keep happening.

I would advise you to speak to your parents again, and show them your first post. Tell them that you wish to see a Doctor again for an assessment of all the symptoms you are experiencing.

After two years, the suffering you go through needs to be addressed.

[hello_there]

Thank you for listening and understanding VERY MUCH, because I thought this whole time that I was crazy and losing my mind. But in the back of my mind, I knew there had be something more that's wrong. I will talk to my parents and let them know that I do need to go to a doctor. And another thing, almost every time I have an anxiety attack, it always seems that there is a new symptom with it adding on to what I already experience. Just recently, I've noticed that the most recent new symptom is that my stomach starts hurting very much. Based on my symptoms though, what does it sound like is wrong with me?

[Wondergirl]

It sounds like you are having anxiety (panic) attacks that then also become physical problems. Read over this web site and see if anything sounds familiar --

Anxiety Disorders: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

[hello_there]

This website helped SOO much, it seems as though I typed that whole list of symptoms myself describing exactly what I go through. The obsessive thoughts especially and dizziness. What can I do to at least know how to calm myself down during an attack?

[Wondergirl]

One thing that might help is, if you feel an attack building up inside you, to stand still and very purposely and deliberately take ten deep breaths, letting each one out slowly, i.e. breath in s-l-o-w-l-y through your nose and then s-l-o-w-l-y breathe out through your mouth ten times. That will help center you again.

Go into a room where you are alone and can place soothing music like something like Fairy Lullabies (my personal favorite). Lie down on the floor on a mat or carpet. Close your eyes and relax your entire body. Just let everything go like your body is melting into the floor. Then, starting at your feet, tense individual muscle groups for a count of, say, five to start, then release the tension. Tense and release muscle groups all the way up to your face. At the end, tense your entire body for ten seconds, then release. Then just lie there listening to the music and let your mind wander to your favorite tropical island.

Here's a good site with these and more ideas -- Relaxation techniques: Try these steps to reduce stress - MayoClinic.com.