How can i get over irrational worrying? is this a pyschological problem?

i sometimes go into severe panics about fears that may seem irrational to some but seem very real to me. for example i was once convinced i had HIV even though i was a virgin. i experienced physical symptoms like my heart would beat very fast and i would get chills. i would cry, i would spend hours researching on the net and virtually give up my life. I even went to the hospital to get testd. this happens some other times with other issues aswell. te pattern seems that i see something or hear something (in the HIV case it started when i heard freddy mercury died of AIDS) and gradually i go from hearing about that to thinking about how much that would suck if i had it to eventually believing 100% that i do have it. this is happening to me again currently after i heard about prison rape, then i thought i better be careful, then i looked up prison self defense and know i feel very scared im going to prison because of something i did (but is unlikely to be illegal according to many)

Seems to me that you need professional help. This irrational fears that you have are born through insecurity and lack of self-confidence. Have you ever tried talking to your best friend or your parents about this issue? Perhaps you need to relax and start thinking about other positive things in life. Instead of always thinking about how other problems and issues might affect you, try reaching out to others and helping them. It will help to distract your thoughts and focus your energy on something worthwhile and satisfying. Always remember that you are unique in your own way and nothing will ever change that fact.

I would say it sounds like an anxiety disorder - you should seek help - talk to your doctor to refer you to a psychologist. It can be controlled, if not treated entirely. Best of Luck, you will be ok.

You are definitely compulsive. Most people here can ask a question in 30 words or less, you wrote a whole essay.

The first and most important thing to do is to make a plan for your future, what will you be and what will you do in 20 years time. How will you work towards that goal, what steps will you take. get others involved in your goal, start out taking those steps, start making you own personal future happen.

Then start thinking about what you do in your spare time, why are you not a member of 3 groups or clubs or classes? learn to dance, work out, run, walk, climb, swim, paint, sing, read, learn the guitar.

79% of your issue is boredom and lack of direction. 21% is too much TV. Make something happen and this junk in your head will not have room to grow.

Each time you panic, its an attack, each time you panic you need to stop it, remember the following, (Keep in mind i suffer from these attacks myself, i merely get them from a different cause but its all the same story. i don't believe in seeking help, therapy sessions and the whole relax and meditate but this is common sense and is starting to work for me):

The Four Steps to remember when you start worrying very sudden:

1. Relax.
2. Stop Negative Thinking.
3. Use Coping Statements.
4. Accept Your Feelings.

______________________

1. Deep breathes, slow * complete breathing will begin to reverse the attack.

2. Shout STOP!! in your mind, the attack is being carried by a series of attacks started by your brain. By shouting the word stop to yourself in your mind, although it sounds silly, it is a distraction to your brain and interupts the cycle.

3. Instead of thinking im going to go to jail think: this is only happening to me, i havent done anything wrong.

4. Explain to yourself number 3. you thought about jail and it set you off on a panic, but you havent done anything wrong so its all in your mind and its going to go away.

**Repeat 1&2 then take your mind off it, get yourself occupied by doing whatever!

Good luck, you deserve it

i think you should see a doctor and i don't think you should believe what the first person who answered it because you should not get all scared and worried since you always are and you don't know if this person is a real doctor. no one can diagnose you except a doctor who takes the time to get to know what's going on. you could just have an anxiety problem and you could read anxiety disorder books. a good one is "Living well with anxiety : what your doctor doesn't tell you"