SEVERE ANXIETY FOR TWO WEEKS!

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I have been incredibly anxious for some time now. If it isn't one thing, it's another!
1) My computer: I have Windows 7 Professional, and have been dealing with slowdowns, more ads than I've ever seen, and Windows Update coming very slow and making my computer run hot before it finalizes! I took my computer to the vendor who sold it to me used, and I got lucky that he fixed it! It cost $30, which is cheap for most people, but that is big for me as I am on a fixed income! Plus I see all over the news about Windows Update getting more aggressive and making "Cumulative Updates" larger yet! Among other things!
I have been fixing my attention on very small, faint noises in my machine that I never heard before, and driving myself crazy over things that logic tells me not to worry about! But you know how it is with anxiety - it does not respond to common sense!

2) Dental: I have been fixing my attention on changes that I think I see in the fillings in my teeth, and panicking myself to death over very small changes that may not even exist! I am so TERRIFIED of dentists that it's been ten years since my last visit!! So terrified I think it's become a phobia that if I go now, a dentist might tell me that I have to have all my teeth extracted! I feel NO pain, and I am having no actual problems, but I play with my teeth repeatedly and check them in the mirror every ten minutes to make sure that there are no further changes, and that maybe I'm just seeing things! I am SO TERRIFIED!

3) My SSD benefits: Every day I get panicked about what might come in the mail, to the point that I'm driving everybody in my building crazy when I ask if the mail has been here - only to be relieved when there is no mail concerning any negative changes in any of my benefits!

4) OCD: I have been gradually building up routines to counteract any of my fears - so many routines that I have to stick to, or else something bad will happen! The routines take up an average of at least an hour each day, in addition to what is normal for me (about 3 hours a day of routine)!

Now, I have been watching a lot of ASMR videos on YouTube, and they ARE helpful, and I suggest others try that! I even have my OWN channel on YouTube that is about my artwork! I have always been concerned about the number of subscriber I have, and how many people are paying any attention to me, and I'm doing pretty good for somebody that makes art videos! (If you are interested in seeing my channel, PM me or email me!) Lately it has been the one thing that has really been making me feel good about myself - I'm a pretty talented artist, but I do not have much of a "name" in the world!
What would anybody suggest that could help me with the struggles I have been enduring lately? Just making some good friends to talk to would help, I know! BTW, just having posted this little rant has made me feel a little better already! There is plenty more for me to talk about if you just want to step in and be my online "friend" - Thank You!

Hey,
Sorry to hear you are struggling. I hope you are able to figure things out. I'm sure you will be.
One thing I've discovered that helps me a bit is coloring. I have a book and whenever I feel too stressed out I just color for a bit.
I hope you're able to find something to give you some relief.

I would create a timeline for your anxieties. For example 10-10:30 worry abiut teeth. The goal is to begin binding these anxieties one at a time until their allotted time decreases over time. Take small steps for example if you can only decrease the amount of time you worry on each listed item by a minute, that is good. Rumination is the obsession of thoughts. The first key to getting them under control is recognizing when it happens. When you find yourself ruminating, tell yourself to stop doing so vocally helps. You are not your thoughts anxiety wants you to think you are your thoughts.

Don't know if this'll help, but I know that if I was absolutely terrified, and told a dentist I had a massive phobia, and would it be okay to ONLY look at things and not do anything, then most dentists would totally do so. I had a lot of bad experiences with dentists when I was a kid. Eventually happened upon a dentist who recognized it, did some testing (lots of "can you feel this?" and "where am I poking?" and "seriously, you can feel that? You're not supposed to be able to feel that", nothing bad), and found out that I don't respond to novocaine and need triple the recommended dose. She then explained to me how to explain it to another dentist so now it's in my charts. It's easier to work on you if you're not freaked out and in pain, so most dentists are for feedback. I have had dentists who could totally put you out if your fear was too bad. Be upfront about being terrified, and ask for a recommendation for someone who can work with that. And if it hurts, say "ow." If they don't respond, they are bad dentists and you should try a different one. Hey, they screw up, they get bit. So many learn to be nice as a form of self-preservation. But they do need to know if something is problematic.

Check on youtube on how to clean out your computer fan. It might help with the noises, and all you do is open up the case and pick out the giant dust bunnies. You either need a VERY gentle vacuum or patience to fish them out with a stick, and a screwdriver. It is a very good intro on how to handle hardware issues.

I have no advice on the Windows 7 thing, other than that your OS is insecure and you do need to upgrade in some way. I am very sorry for that. Please do not put your credit card info on that machine.

I have been horribly depressed for almost a month. Posting on here really helps me too.