Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Anxiety Inventory

Every couple of months, I have to fill out these 'behavioural surveys' that keep track of my symptoms. The above is for anxiety, as it's a huge componenet of PTSD. It was interesting the first time I saw this, as I never knew 'fear of choking' was an anxiety symptom. My entire childhood I could never wear a necklace, turtleneck, anything that would touch my neck because it felt like i was choking. First peice of jewelry I bought in college was a cheap necklace, I remember my mother being amazed as I could never wear one before. The dizziness/lightheadness was also a new one to me, as I felt it all the time but always attributed it to poor diet. Granted, it can be that as well, but when since the dizziness comes on during periods of stress, it can easily be attributed to anxiety as well.



The rest are just as interesting. #18 - indigestion, #20 - face flushed. I sent this to my friend Xiomara that I've talked about, and she says she has every single one. I don't get them all that often, the main ones being dizziness and flushed face. Shaky was another childhood one. With every step I twisted my ankle and fell.

It's amazing what anxiety does to a person.

11 comments:

Amel said...

WOW!!! I didn't know these, either. Fear of choking? I'm glad you don't feel all of them that often, Vic. :-)

dawn said...

I didn't know that either. I had the opposite problem as a kid I would sleep with the quilt up to my chin in fear of Dracula. Oh my feet had to be covered to. To this day I still sleep the same way, warm or cold. As a kid I figured he couldn't bite thru the quilt , silly huh

Victorya said...

DAwn - not silly at all! the blanket is the ultimate protector, I also used to always have it to my chin, gripped tight (a ratty yellow blanket) and had to at the very least always have my feet covered. Now, I seldom use a blanket :)

Amel - yeah, it's weird what's attributed to anxiety!

Amel said...

Speaking of blankets, whenever I watch a scary horror movie which makes me feel that I'm being watched and chased, I'd also feel safe hiding beneath my blanket he he he...

Lss said...

ruh roh - feeling hot? Maybe you should send that list to me. I wonder how many I could check off.

heavenabove said...

Interesting. I became aware of myself having anxiety when I went through some checklist in a book about 2 years ago. It was similar to yours but not exact.Good Lord, I had 13 out of 15 symptoms-physical and mental ones. And people were thinking I could change at the snap of a finger! Took me this long to even realize I had anxiety issues let alone be able to instantly change myself to ther people's standards. This stuff take a long time to get over. And I'm sure some never can.

You gotta love a blanket, that sift cozy protector of the unknown:)I still have a piece of mine from when I was a kid.

Victorya said...

Amel - There is nothing better than a good blanket! I've had a couple of mine for years and years, even though now one is thinner than my sheets :)

Liss - ruh roh! Maybe tomorrow I'll post the Depression one, as I have to do both. It's interesting stuff for sure!

Heaven - Isn't it funny how people think 'it's no big deal? Just Get Over It?' that annoys me so much. It's like, they're not even trying to understand! But then I think, it's what they tell themselves as well to just not face realities.

Huhmmm, all this blanket talk, maybe a good post idea, have everyone post a pic of their safety blanket!

Amel said...

Yeah...seems like everybody needs a safety blanket. But I'd left mine home. :-(((( But I think I have a pic of myself pretending to sleep with that safety blanket of mine he he...so bring on the topic, Vic! ;-D I'm on if you ever put a pic of yours he he he...

Anonymous said...

I have a very, very old feather pillow that I can't part with. It's just sooo huggy squishable.

Lss said...

yes please post the depression one - although I'll likely find that depressing (pun intended)

Victorya said...

Liss - I'll post the depression one, probably early next week :)