Hi everyone. I am very thankful for this group. I am so happy to have others to talk to that know what I am going through.

I have been suffering from anxiety/panic/hypochondria/somatization for 3 years now. I have a debilitating fear of cancer. Every little thing that "hurts" or feels abnormal in my body I instantly connect to cancer. Right now it is my throat, I am having difficulty swallowing, I had a throat culture and the doctor told me I am fine…I just find it hard to believe her because it is still happening. Before my throat it was under my rib cage.

I have 3 daughters who I fear I may pass this on to. I freak out when we go in public places, when they are swimming, riding bikes, even running … I am scared to death that something is going to happen to them. I have noticed a few things that make me think that I am being a horrible influence to them. My youngest wouldn\'t go in the ocean for a long time because of MY fear of sharks. Now she goes in the water and all I can go is pace and tear up because I am overwhelmed with fear. My husband is as supportive as he can be, but he does not understand at all.

I can no longer enjoy my life. My throat (or whatever is bothering me for those months) is on my mind the second I wake up and it is still there when I lay down at night. I am in nursing school right now and I can hardly concentrate on my studies because I am so preoccupied with my throat. I am taking the next 5 weeks off from school so that I can try to get in to see a psychiatrist. I tried a few months ago and 3 different places said they were not taking new patients.

I am in Psych this MOD and my instructor who is a psych nurse said that I need to be placed on an anti-depressant like Prozac, right now I am on an anti-anxiety, buspar and I hate it, it does nothing for me. Anyone have an experience with these meds and prefer one over the other?

Again, I am excited to be here. I look forward to getting to know some of you!