I've always been a bit shy ever since I was a kid, but went through a period of a couple years where I was growing out of it. I made lots of new friends and contacts for my future career plans. But the past few months some weird things have been happening. In my mind I'm not nervous when I talk to people, but my body seems to be nervous. I know that sounds weird, but even when I'm talking to a close friend, a slight feeling of nervousness and panic comes over me, my heart starts to race, my mouth gets dry, my palms sweat, and sometimes I get shaky. I don't know what in the world is going on, because it happens around strangers and very close friends that know everything about me. Like I said, in my mind I'm not nervous in the least, but my body acts like I'm scared to death.

If anyone has any idea what could be going on with me, I would appreciate some opinions. I hope this doesn't sound too crazy to you. Thanks!

Not crazy at all, Sarah. Hmm, I don't know if it's a possibility influence, but have you made any changes in your life? You just graduated high school and just got into a job doing something with police, I believe? Maybe the new atmosphere and new work has changed your modd a little? Do you feel like it could be a possiblity?

Before you start worrying about your mental state, see an M.D. Always look for physical reasons before anything else.

Your mind is trying to tell you, by sending jitters to your body, that you have ignored contemplation of the fast-paced changes occurring in your life. Write down a list of goals, and with each goal, write the steps and how long each step will take to achieve the step. Go over the list each day or every over day, and you will realize that your physical jitters--indicative of repressed anxiety--are all taken care of.

It sounds as though you have gotten your first taste of the rat race. Get caught up in your thinking so that you will be better able to cope/react once one and two and three nasty individuals start to give you also a taste of the cruel world out there, which, by the way, may be the true cause of your anxiety.

jusork... There have been some changes lately, but the major changes I went through like graduating weren't really stressful for me. That's why I don't understand it. I've done work with the PD for 3 years. The first year I was a little nervous, then the most part of the second and third years were fine. It is only lately that this feeling of nervousness comes back. I had to give up my position at the PD due to college, so maybe all this change is getting to me.

DorianGreyed... I have spoken with my doctor about this briefly, and he seemed to think I was just shy and would grow out of it, but I don't think that's the case here.

tsaeb... That may be it. I haven't acknowledged most of the change in my life, I've just jumped right in. I have had a lot on my plate lately, personally, academically, and socially. I'll try that goal listing idea. Do you think writing in a journal would help? I used to do that regularly, but have backed off lately due to being so busy. I've had nasty individuals around all my life. Many people in my family have problems with my decision to be a cop, and most aren't supportive. I've also had many backstabbing "friends", and my fair dose of criticism from coworkers at the PD. I deal with the situations well, but maybe I do repress that anxiety and that's the problem.

Are there any meds out there that would help my problem? I don't want to take meds if I don't have to, but I'm looking for options in case these strategies don't work.

Thanks one and all!

Sarah51: Do what calms you down and puts you on track. I also think that it would be great if you could touch bases with experienced female officers to determine what challenges they faced and how they dealt with them. It seems that your greatest fear is of the unknown, and there is nothing which you can do about this, except to be mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually fit for what comes up--as the rest of us mere mortals.

Could it be Shell Shock? That is a term coined for war-time “shelling” where military persons came home with stress related symptoms from their experiences. Today it is known as Post-Traumatic Stress syndrome where the individual is more nervous than a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs, minor things can trigger the symptoms, even some unrelated circumstances can trigger the old feelings which lead to the old symptoms.

Stress is the key to it. It appears that you have a few stressors (Stress + Pressure = Stressor) in your life that could be leading you to be reminded of your period of shyness and you are acting/reacting in similar mode to "new" things. Your list of symptoms is not normal to mere “shyness” – they are more along the lines of “fear” or anxiety.

I would start keeping a log book on this, list the date and time and as many of the symptoms that takes place with each specific event. I would also schedule an appointment with doctor, not for tomorrow, but a short distance into the future. I would also right down the estimated date and times of these events to date. When you do see doctor take your log book with you and go over it with him/her. The more information you have the better the diagnosis will be.

Although there are drugs out there for treatment of stress/anxiety/depression/etcetera, they should be considered as half of the treatment – you also will need to seriously consider regular therapy to learn how to cope with the emotional events and work on the underlying issues that cause them.

I don't know if something similar to Post-Tramautic Stress syndrome could be it, because doesn't that come from one major event? I haven't had any abnormal changes in my life, just a lot of small scale ones in a short period of time. I do have stress in my life, and possibly a bit more so than the average person. I've suspected for awhile that I may have some disorder, but to be honest I'm tight with money right now, and I know how expensive therapy and meds are.

I just don't understand why sometimes when I talk to someone none of the symptoms happen, and other times all of them happen at once when I'm talking to that same person another time. It's so weird. It happens more so around men because I've always had more anxiety around men than fellow women.

I agree that I may need regular therapy, but it's so expensive and I don't know how in the world I could afford it. My schedule is also VERY tight as well. Is online therapy worth a try???

You are having what is known as anxiety/panic attacks. Some symptoms of a panic attack could include:

* a feeling of imminent danger or doom;
* the need to escape;
* palpitations;
* sweating;
* trembling;
* shortness of breath or a smothering feeling;
* a feeling of choking;
* chest pain or discomfort;
* nausea or abdominal discomfort;
* dizziness or lightheadedness;
* a sense of things being unreal, depersonalization;
* a fear of losing control or "going crazy";
* a fear of dying;
* tingling sensations;
* chills or hot flushes.

Many people have panic attacks. (more than you would think) An anxiety attack usually doesn't last long. (maybe a few minutes at most) I am not a big fan of medications for anxiety. The medication given to treat anxiety attacks can give you a new set of problems. One reason doctors want to give medication is so that an anxiety doesn't turn into a fobia. Some people have such bad attacks that they avoid interaction with others completely. Try to find ways to minimize your stress. Eat right, start exercising and make sure you are getting enough rest. The next time you start to feel an attack coming on- breathe. Take in a deep breath and hold it. Slowly exhale. This usually works. You should discuss this with your doctor again.

More info here

I'm seriously considering therapy, but as some of you may not know, I'm 17. My mom tends to sneak around and find out everything she can that's going on with me. My question is, can a therapist/psychologist tell her what we talk about? I read somewhere online that they can since I'm a minor. I don't want to open up to a therapist only to have her tell mom everything that we talked about. I had this problem when I had to talk with a lawyer about a situation last year and mom went to him and he told her everything because I'm under 18.

I also read that many therapists prefer to have parents involved in the process, and I don't want anyone else involved. Is there any way for me to get therapy without these potential difficulties??? Thanks!

I have been reading up on the new Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations. They are fairly complicated, but it seems to say that Adolescents do NOT have the right to prevent parents from accessing medical information.

How long until you are 18?

Also, can you speak to your doctor and just ask a few questions about the confidentiality issue?

That's what I gathered from the laws too, that I can't stop my parents from getting the info.

I just turned 17 this September, so I have a good 10 months before I turn 18, and that seems like forever.

I might go ahead and ask a few questions of my doctor though. I feel like it's going to be really hard to wait that long to talk to someone about my problems, but I dont' want mom involved. What if I went to a therapist without telling her? If she never knew, then she wouldn't have the chance to ask for the information. Sherasi - can you tell from what you read if Adolescents can talk to a therapist without a parent's signature or consent or anything?

The best thing to do is to talk to your doctor. He can give you better information about patient confidentiality... and also he would need to do the referral. If your mom pays the insurance you may not be able to do the therapy without her knowing about it.. unless you plan to pay for it out of pocket.

But, even if she does know about the therapy, the patient confidentiality may come into play and what you talk about may be kept from her. That is why you need to talk to your doctor for more definite information.

Ok, thanks for all your advice! I really appreciate it.

You are welcome. Let us know how things work out, okay?