a little help please

[Arrowhead]

I have always seen myself as a completely normal person. I am rarely sick, I am in good shape, and I try to eat right. But a few days ago, my world turned upside down. It started when our neighbors (who live a few doors down) house burned down. I woke up in the middle of the night and looked out my window to see flames engulfing my neighbors house. At first, i just had a surge of adreneline and ran downstairs. Luckly, everyone inside escaped and were not injured however their entire house is now gone. The next day I began to feel these very strange feelings of fear and disengagement. It was a definite "fight or flight" feel. I tried to do some self diagnosis and figured that this event may have just scared be a bit too much and now i am just stressed. I figured it would go away. It has not. Since Tuesday night i have felt constantly like this. I am always thinking and worrying. I looked up this site and found info on people's "triggers". However, nothing specifically makes me scared. In fact, the only thing that triggers me is the fear that i have this anxiety disorder. Kindof ironic eh???

Also, this is what is going on in my life right now:
1. Graduating High School in less than a month and leaving far away from home for college.
2. Having some relationship problems.

I really dont want to go the route of medication because i dont want to get hooked and then have to keep upping doses til i die. Does therapy work?

It seems so silly to talk about this in the times when i feel normal but i fear that if i dont get this taken care of it will just get worse.

Is 5 days after a scary event too long to still be having these feelings??

Please Help

PS: The only thing that seems to make it all go away is to be so busy doing something fun that i forget about the whole thing. At my prom last night i was a little nervous at first but once i started dancing and having fun i couldnt even remember i had been having these anxiety issues.

 

[deadboy]

its completely stress and anxiety. when you go thru things like that it will put stress on you and where there is stress, there is usually anxiety. it could take a long time to get rid of the feelings you feel. i dont think you should take medicine, medicine is just a crutch and that seems like something you can get over yourself. and if you feel pretty good while youre busy, then you should keep busy to keep stupid thoughts off your mind. school and relationship problems will also put alot of stress on a person, and it seems to me that the feelings youre having are completely normal. just keep busy and know that you will get thru this

 

[Chilling__Echo]

yeah, deffinately, it's normal. it sounds like a mini PTSD (post traumatic stresss disorder). the sooner you develop symptoms after the ordeal, the sooner it will pass. some people don't develop it until as much as 6 months after the stressor.

not to say you've gone and developed this, but our bodies can only take but so much stress. even if you are healthy, stress is one of the most unhealthy things for us and it can wrack even the healthiest of bodies. do you know of any ways to relax? relaxation techniques? breathing excercises? do you know that they world isn't gonna fall on your head? :wink: just checkin. the last one i have to tell myself more often that anything else.

take care of yourself and i'm sure you're normal.

 

[garnet]

Hi arrowhead

Although easier said than done, I think you need to try and not become too preoccupied with these thoughts and feelings. I entirely agree with Deadboy and Chilling_echo - its much too soon after that frightening event to feel completely back to your usual self. Also, because you are stressed about your relationship and your forthcoming graduation and going far from home, it's logical that the fire had a much more profound impact on you.

:idea: I think that rather than stressing yourself out more by looking for answers, you should try visiting your GP and explaining these feelings to them. If they are of no help, I would strongly advise you to visit your student counsellor.

I really hope that your anxiety improves and that you enjoy your graduation day.