Extreme anxiety about small things

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Hi everyone,
I was wondering if anyone else here gets extreme anxiety over things like sitting in the same seat in class or having to sit in a corner or against a wall in public places? I know this is silly but sometimes I get so upset over not sitting in the same seat that I'll have to hold back tears.

If you do experience this any suggestions,telling myself it's not a big deal doesn't help the feeling

It is a big deal if you're being overwhelmed by the anxiety over it. Are you on medication? If not, it should help significantly.

You could also try some breathing techniques to calm yourself. Breathe in deeply and slowly through the nose and exhale through the mouth quickly... repeat... then breathe in deeply quickly through the nose and exhale slowly through the mouth...repeat... start the cycle again. This keeps you busy focusing on your breathing, increases oxygen flow and release endorphins that help calm down the anxiety. Its not a 'fix' but its helpful.

Thanks for suggestion. Yes I'm on Prozac and buspar. My Prozac just actually got increased for worsening sensory issues, I haven't noticed anything yet I also just started a new med for sleep called clonidin. It's very difficult managing meds because I've been on Prozac since I was 4 and when I tried to go off it years ago I went crazy. Without meds I wouldn't be able to function at all.

I hope it helps a little

Medication does tend to stop working over time and you have to be switched to another one. Maybe you can ask your doctor if this could be the case... doctors generally prefer to just up your dosage as if forcing the body to 'take it' unless you ask them if the med can be changed for a low dose but just as effective other medication. My only experience with this is with blood pressure med though It might be a different thing with things like effexor.

You can also carry herbal tea with you... some of them (you'd need to look them up and try them) help with anxiety too.

Yes I do. Bigger things are no problem.
A big problem is easy to address mentally head-on.
A bunch of small problems is like trying to address a group of army ants.

Haha I love the army ant analogy!

Last edited by Kwstar on 24 Aug 2014, 10:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Sheldon would like that too!

I have so many "small things" that i neet to do on my own way to make it work.
For example i need to get on my class room one hour before it starts just to make sure no one sits on "my seat", because if i can't sit there even focus on the lesson is almost impossible for me. The same happens with the bus that i take at the same hour every day. If i lose it because i'm late it looks like everything else in my day will get out of control.

yeah i do that, I need to sit in corners, and I hate silent rooms so I get anxious without being able to have music on.

as someone else said try breathing techniques, and perhaps try and work out why you feel the need to sit in certain places and then try and think yourself into finding it ok not sitting in the same place, that's what I try and do.

I'm the opposite; I love silent rooms and dislike when there is piped music or a radio playing in the background; or worst of all a baby / young kid screaming nearby. A waiting room is perfect if I'm the only person there and silence reigns, I can pull out my book or tablet and read.