Stress Center Peer Support

Me and my boyfriend Alex have been together for a little over a year and half. He has his own apartment and I live with my parents still. I'm 24...I know I'm old for living with my parents. I've always had trouble making enough money because I always gets stressed out and sick when I work too much. But Alex wants us to move in together in August or September. We were thinking of moving to the beach, which is only like a half hour away from my parents house. I'm nervous to leave. I know it's normal to feel nervous...I've just lived her my whole life, it's really hard to leave. I'm nervous that him and I are going to crowd eachother and not get along, or I'll be miserable living with him. I'm also afraid (this is weird) of my stomache problems around him. When I get anxious or nervous or anything I feel it in my stomache. I have IBS so I always have to go to the bathroom if I get anxious...he kind of knows this, but he doesn't knwo the extent of it all. So, I'd be completely embarassed if it happened and he was home. We are really close and I should be able to just tell him this stuff, but I'm embarassed, I don't tell anyone! I also need to find a job..I've been out of work due to my anxiety. I need to go back out there and find a job..but it's easier said than done.

Does anybody have any advice? I know I need to push forward and move and make a change...and I want to.

Are you seeing any counselor or doctor, or any other health professional who is helping you with these issues?

I had a lot of anxiety when I was your age and younger (and older), and I wish I had asked for more help and been more insistent towards doctors. I did move out when I was 18, and the anxiety did get worse, but I am still glad I did it. I lived with a boyfriend who was very caring and helpful.

There are medications that can help you function better while you are helping yourself, and I think you should talk to your doctor about trying something that can help you with the anxiety so you can work. It's not good to feel helpless and incapable when you are this young, because it holds you back from getting on with your life. If you hit a bad spot when you are 35, it's a little different, because then you have some experience with being out there and living independently and you know what you can do and get back to.

Also, I'd explore a food intolerance diet option for the IBS... you can give it a try for 2-4 weeks, you'll see real quick if it is helpful. My 20 year old stepdaughter got rid of so many issues she had struggled with for years by changing her diet. She's back to eating some of the food she used to, but in smaller quantities and not so often, and she knows when her body tells her she needs to be more careful, before it becomes a real problem.

Hi Arwen,

Thanks for responding!

Yeah I have a therapist I go and see. I have changed my diet recently, but it doesn't seem to work all of the time. Where did your step daughter learn about this diet? I'd like to know more.

I am excited in a way to move forward so it isn't all anxiety..I'm really trying to ciew it as excitement.
I do have plans for a job and going back to school to finish my music degree, so at least I have a plan now...I never was very good at planning.