To worry that I'm not normal?

[SchmancyPants]

Bit of background- I have family history of mental health issues. (don't even know if they're hereditary but I think they are). My mum's uncle spent most ofhis life in an 'asylum' as they were then. My mum has depression and anxiety which has been acute enough for her to attempt suicide twice and to have spent months in psychiatric units.

I am worried about my own level of anxiety at the moment. I am a teacher and my first lesson begins at 8.30am each morning. I feel anxious and tearful unless I am at work by 8am and set up my laptop with presentation ready to go. I then twiddle my thumbs till 8.30. None of my colleagues seem to need to do this.

I am now also noticing the desire to be 'prepared' sneaking into other areas. I always used to set out my clothes the night before but now I often do it several hours before bed. If I am cooking I can't put stuff in oven and then do something else- I hover and check and pre-prepare things. I also get anxious about washing up after meals and have lately found myself bolting down my food in 10 minutes so that I can get the washing up done.

AIBU to think this isn't normal? Should I be seeing a doctor?

Yes I think you should see your GP.

But please remember that "normal" does not exist. Strive to be happy in your own skin. :)

You sound like you're getting more anxious than you were. So go see the GP. If you're worried, at least it will help to do something positive about it.

Perhaps you are over anxious about becoming over anxious if you see what I mean!! With your family history perhaps you feel it's inevitable?

It's worth going to the doctors though for a chat. Do you excersise? Yoga?

I suffered with panic attacks last year after a traumatic event with dd and I found the best cure was the basics... Lots of sleep, less alcohol, taking up cycling and yoga.

If you want to post this in health you will get loads of help and advice as well.

Hang in there.. Xx

It is quite normal to not be normal.

I have suffered with terrible anxiety I take prozac which is very effective. I would see your GP before it gets any worse.

you have a strong family history and whether it is a temp or permenant problem you will never know unless you seek help. leaving it now that you have identified it wont make it go away. What will help is if you speak to a health professional. lots of people suffer temperorary anxiety - it is masses more common than you would think because it is so not talked about.

Chat to your GP about your anxiety. Perhaps some cognitive behavioural therapy could help you unpick the thought/reason/trigger behind these behaviours, which you sound like you feel are consuming you.

Anxiety is a bastard but you can deal with it, with help. No doubt knowing your family history fuels some of your feelings. Good luck.

I'd have a word with the GP personally, there's lots that can be done to help with anxiety. Fluoxetine (or Prozac) is really good, as is propranolol which helps to control the physical symptoms of anxiety. Don't worry about being 'normal', it's rare that anyone ever is completely normal

My husband has trouble with anxiety. Anxiety is manageable but it does sound like yours might be getting harder and harder to manage. I'd talk to your GP, and when you do, you might ask for his/her thoughts on a referral to a therapist who can help you with mental & breathing exercises to work through it when you feel it coming on. It might be useful to talk about where it's coming from (your worries about family history, etc.) but also just having some coping exercises can be really helpful. Medication might also help as others have said.

Try not to feel frightened about the anxiety. It is soooo common to have mental health problems. There's a history in my family, and I know i am prone to it too. There's so much help out there, but it is about finding something that works for you.

Thanks to all of you for your kind words- I feel really touched. I am going to book an appointment with the doctor. I think people who said my family history makes me 'anxious about being anxious' are spot on- I hadn't thought of it that way before!

Good for you and best of luck xx

you sound anxious about being anxious as others have said go to your GP speak to them about it and see what happens next , I have an anxiety disorder it comes and goes it has gone atm but it can be hiding around the corner sigh I did have meidcation in the past but I cope better with it now,

I would say you do sound a bit more anxious than normal but in a sense getting to work half an hour early is quite a good way of tackling this. I would go in, get set up so you're ready at 8.30 and then do something nice like read the paper / a book and have a cup of tea. That way your relaxing a bit more before you have to start the day's lessons.

I don't think there's a problem with setting your clothes out earlier in the evening as long as you're not taking this to extremes of setting out several days' worth of clothes or something. The eating quickly thing while you worry about the washing up is probably a bit more unusual. I would say it's good that you've identified this and make a conscious effort to slow down and enjoy your food trying to ignore the washing up (perhaps eat in a different room). It's OK to wash up straight after eating but not to rush eating in order to wash up :)

I would still chat to your doctor about it as you are worried about how it's making you feel but I actually think some of your solutions for dealing with it are actually good :)