Hello! Since breaking up with my girlfriend of 2 years I have been having problems with my mental health. It started with a panic attack on the night it happened which included strong paranoia. Since then I have developed a lot of social anxiety. This has come to a crisis point where I have had to suspend my 3rd year at university because I felt very anxious about everyone thinking I was crazy and meetings were terrifying me. Another factor to it was that the place where I was staying constantly reminded me of her, so I felt like I was going mad in it.
The problem which is concerning me the most is that I am hearing voices inside my head, I recognise that they are my own thoughts but I’m really scared that they indicate another underlying problem. I get them when I’m stressed for example; hungry, tired or anxious, otherwise I can only hear them if I concentrate on it and listen out for them. I’m very worried that the voices mean I’m suffering from psychosis or schizophrenia and I cannot stop obsessing over this, I’m constantly googleing symptoms and possibilities.
I have visited the GP and told the doctor about my issues and he said I’m suffering from severe anxiety. He has referred me to a therapist and prescribed me propranolol, my first session is in 3 days.
A. It is very common for people with severe anxiety to believe they’re developing a psychotic disorder. It is one of the most common inquiries that I receive here at Psych Central. People with severe anxiety tend to focus upon the worst possible scenario, which to them is often developing a psychotic disorder.
It’s important to focus on reality. The reality in your situation, from the information you have provided, is that you had an evaluation and the diagnosis was anxiety. Evaluations are objective. You should believe in the evaluation. Facts are reality and focusing on them can help you stay grounded in reality.
By ignoring facts, you risk inflaming your anxiety disorder. Googling symptoms and possibilities is a prime example of a behavior that fuels your anxiety. If you want to reduce your anxiety, then stop engaging in behaviors that make it worse.
Thankfully, you will be seeing a therapist in the near future. Both medication and therapy are primary treatments for anxiety. With treatment, you’ll learn how to reduce your anxiety and hopefully eliminate it from your life. Please take care.
Dr. Kristina Randle
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