Hi everyone! I am new to the program/peer support. I have been going through anxiety and panic attacks for about 11 years. I am 28 years old and hoping this program will help me overcome this. I feel like this is my last resort for help.
When my anxiety first started, i probably went to every Doctor/ Specialist around. I was convinced there was something physically wrong with me. My primary physician knew it was anxiety/panic but i chose not to believe him.
Off to Psychiatrists and Psychologists i went. I dreaded it. I felt as if they were trying to tell me that something went wrong in my childhood when nothing did. I was very close to my mom and very shy as a child. Could this be where my anxiety comes from? I am very fortunate that i have the most loving family, and friends.
Even though i was so afraid of medication, i finally decided to try it (at this point i was agoraphobic). It was a bad experience. All i kept thinking was that the doctors were using me as a guinea pig to try all these meds. I tried quite a few different kinds and finally Paxil was the one to work. I was on Paxil for a couple of years. However, i wasn't happy with the thought that i was taking medication. I had a difficult time understanding why there were people who could overcome this without any medication and i could not.
Two and a half years ago i got married to a wonderful man (my high school sweetheart) and live in a beautiful house. I can't ask for anything more. I am recently off of the medication (as of August)because i am planning on getting pregnant. My anxiety and panic attacks are back again almost to when i first started having them. I have no control over them and now have depression with the anxiety. I am not agoraphobic, but am afraid i will get that way again.
Can anyone relate? Has anyone had it go away and then come back? I am hoping that the program will work so i don't have to go back on the medication. I can't suffer any more. I am really struggling. Please help!
i am really sturggling with anxiety, panic, and depression
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Guest
Rosie
Welcome to the program and to chat/forum! So glad you have found your way here! This is going to be the thing that changes your life.
To answer you question yes anxiety can come back because every human being has anxiety.....everyday sometimes we just take to the extreme and let it interfere with our daily life.
Youve had lots of change in your recent life....getting married, owning a new home, coming off medication, starting a family.....these are huge life changing situations and they will tend to bring on higher stress and anxiety.....dont let it scare you its very very normal.
The program will provide you with the coping skills you need to get through these episodes. vitamins, exercise, nutrition, chat, these will help you to feel better. I take my good days vitamins religiously and I think they make a tremendous positive difference in my disposition.
My best advice to you is be open to the things this program offers you and use it daily......the more you practice the faster you will feel the results and I say feel because its all about feelings and thoughts.......
Congratulations on the marriage, and the house and good luck to you on the baby making! What a wonderfull time in your life. Heres to NEW BEGINNINGS!
see you on chat.
Dodger
Welcome to the program and to chat/forum! So glad you have found your way here! This is going to be the thing that changes your life.
To answer you question yes anxiety can come back because every human being has anxiety.....everyday sometimes we just take to the extreme and let it interfere with our daily life.
Youve had lots of change in your recent life....getting married, owning a new home, coming off medication, starting a family.....these are huge life changing situations and they will tend to bring on higher stress and anxiety.....dont let it scare you its very very normal.
The program will provide you with the coping skills you need to get through these episodes. vitamins, exercise, nutrition, chat, these will help you to feel better. I take my good days vitamins religiously and I think they make a tremendous positive difference in my disposition.
My best advice to you is be open to the things this program offers you and use it daily......the more you practice the faster you will feel the results and I say feel because its all about feelings and thoughts.......
Congratulations on the marriage, and the house and good luck to you on the baby making! What a wonderfull time in your life. Heres to NEW BEGINNINGS!
see you on chat.
Dodger
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Guest
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Guest
Your message really resonated with me. I struggled with anxiety and depression for many years - but thought it was just me. I finally got help two years ago when it began controlling my ability to function (go to work, etc.) I took some meds for it (I took Xanax once and swear I will never take it again) and Lexapro. It worked, but I didn't like the side effects. Went to therapy, yaddiyaddiyaddi. About 9 months later, I thought I had it beat. Then about 6months ago, I changed jobs and my husband and I started seriously discussing starting a family. Anxiety and panic attacks came rushing back. I was so frustrated that it all came back - but I now am in a better place, realizing that this is all a journey, and that I obviously had not dealt with everything I had to during my previous treatment. I am much more patient and relaxed about getting through it all now. I am not in such a hurry to "get better." My goals have changed too. I'm not so focused on getting rid of the anxiety, as I am to really learn the skills that I need, internalize them, and make them a natural part of my thinking, so that anxiety naturally decreases. It's not about me beating it...it's about dealing with it. Thanks for your post, it made me think and reflect!
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Guest
Hi Rosie,
We have a similar story as I am also 28, started having panick attacks around 11 years ago. I was so petrified of what was happening to me that I almost didn't go to college. So I went on Paxil for 10 years and I am almost now completely weaned off (I take 10 mg every 2 days which doesn't do anything for me). The anxiety and panick attacks came back just where I left off before I took meds. Maybe partly my own fault because I didn't go through therapy (unitl now) and I didn't learn how to deal with the anxiety. Now it's a struggle, I'm not going to pretend it's not. I sometimes think it's too difficult without medication. One of biggest fears I have is speaking in front of people and towards the end of January I have 3 meetings I will be going to where I will have to present for about an hour, 3 different times at 3 different meetings. I don't think I need to say much more than I am FREAKING OUT! In the past when I have spoken in front of people even when I was on full medication (20 mg paxil daily) I would have panick attacks. I would get through it but it's so awful. Now that I am going through the program and I am trying to convince myself that I can do this and I will experience anxiety and that's ok. Me and my husband (married 2 1/2 years ago as well) and are wanting to start a family so I want to continue to get off meds, go through the program and get better but there is no doubt that this is a huge struggle. Medication is not a bad thing, it helped me tremendously. But I realize now between therapy and this program, these skills are very powerful as well. Medication masks alot of what's going on inside and sooner or later we have to learn to deal and cope with it. Now hopefully I can have that attitude during my presentations
We have a similar story as I am also 28, started having panick attacks around 11 years ago. I was so petrified of what was happening to me that I almost didn't go to college. So I went on Paxil for 10 years and I am almost now completely weaned off (I take 10 mg every 2 days which doesn't do anything for me). The anxiety and panick attacks came back just where I left off before I took meds. Maybe partly my own fault because I didn't go through therapy (unitl now) and I didn't learn how to deal with the anxiety. Now it's a struggle, I'm not going to pretend it's not. I sometimes think it's too difficult without medication. One of biggest fears I have is speaking in front of people and towards the end of January I have 3 meetings I will be going to where I will have to present for about an hour, 3 different times at 3 different meetings. I don't think I need to say much more than I am FREAKING OUT! In the past when I have spoken in front of people even when I was on full medication (20 mg paxil daily) I would have panick attacks. I would get through it but it's so awful. Now that I am going through the program and I am trying to convince myself that I can do this and I will experience anxiety and that's ok. Me and my husband (married 2 1/2 years ago as well) and are wanting to start a family so I want to continue to get off meds, go through the program and get better but there is no doubt that this is a huge struggle. Medication is not a bad thing, it helped me tremendously. But I realize now between therapy and this program, these skills are very powerful as well. Medication masks alot of what's going on inside and sooner or later we have to learn to deal and cope with it. Now hopefully I can have that attitude during my presentations
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Guest
I relate to everything being said here too. I was extremely shy as a child and I struggled with it all through my teen and early adult years. I used to try to self medicate with drugs and alcohol. I found if I was drunk or high on pot I didn't feel shy anymore but as I got older I realized this wasn't the way. I first went for help after my first child was born. My Dr said I had "baby blues" and gave me Paxil. When I realized it helped with the anxiety too that was a real bonus. I spent several years on Paxil buy I would reach a plateau where the dosage was no longer effective. I got to 250mg and my Dr. wanted to try Effexor. It worked at first but then after awhile I started to notice that I couldn't feel things anymore. I was just kind of numb. I didn't feel axious or depressed but I couldn't feel happy or even laugh anymore. No more being excited for holidays or birthdays. Just numb. I decided I didn't want to feel that way anymore. I stopped taking them. I was so sick for about 2 weeks I was lucky if I could make myself get out of bed or take a shower. I should have probably gradually weaned myself off with a Dr's help. Once I was off the pills I could feel again but there was the anxiety again. I barely ever wanted to leave the house. I would avoid social situations and didn't want people to come over and visit. Its just like what they're talking about in session 1. If you don't get any treatment once you're off the pills you go right back to square one. I knew I had to do something. I pushed myself to go back to work because first of all we really needed the money and second of all I knew I had to push myself back out into the world. I found a job but didn't really like it. I'm trying to find a different job now but I feel like I'm working towards something. These tapes have been a God send. I was doing all the things they talk about. Saying negative things to myself. Scaring myself. I've really been working on listening to whats going on in my head and making it something positive and I'm already within only a few days feeling better and stronger and more positive.
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Guest
Hi: I am a 49 year old woman looking for help with a life long problem with panic and anxiety disorder with agoraphobia. This has greatly affected my ability to travel and I have not been out of a 25 mile half radius of my home for 20 years. Any available insight and help would be greatly appreciated. I have much more to share and say, questions to ask, and information to share.
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Guest
hi,
sometimes others have to take meds because of a chemicla imbalance and as for me i am one that needs too..i have been on one for a little over 3 years and the other for 2 and 1/2.. both help me and i told others that if it helps you get through the panic an anxiety and agrophobia then so be it..
some do not have to take meds and the program will help..all of us are different.
ASTRA,
i had panic and anxiety for years and then had agrophobia so bad i could hardly drive..my wife boefroe we met lived almost 5 hours away..to go see her i had to drive and i did but i took the relaxitation tapes and cards with me..if i had to stop i would go in and come right back out. if i needed to eat i would either take it with me or go through a drive through..
2006 was my year to shine. after we moved in 2004 things were still the same but geting better..2005 things started changing and then in 2006 we started doing things and started going to church and one day i work up and it was gone..i still take meds but i can go and do things i could not do before..do it in small steps and go a little further each time. take care and may thinds be your year to shine. GOD BLESS..
don
sometimes others have to take meds because of a chemicla imbalance and as for me i am one that needs too..i have been on one for a little over 3 years and the other for 2 and 1/2.. both help me and i told others that if it helps you get through the panic an anxiety and agrophobia then so be it..
some do not have to take meds and the program will help..all of us are different.
ASTRA,
i had panic and anxiety for years and then had agrophobia so bad i could hardly drive..my wife boefroe we met lived almost 5 hours away..to go see her i had to drive and i did but i took the relaxitation tapes and cards with me..if i had to stop i would go in and come right back out. if i needed to eat i would either take it with me or go through a drive through..
2006 was my year to shine. after we moved in 2004 things were still the same but geting better..2005 things started changing and then in 2006 we started doing things and started going to church and one day i work up and it was gone..i still take meds but i can go and do things i could not do before..do it in small steps and go a little further each time. take care and may thinds be your year to shine. GOD BLESS..
don
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Guest
Oh yes! I can totally relate to you! I am 38. I was on os many different medications from the time I was 18. I have always used xanax to sleep. Long story short I too married an amazing man. He is the best thing that ever happened to me. We have a beautiful home, great friends & a great life. I went off Zoloft I guess like a year ago and was fine for a while. Then wham over the summer is when it started to come back. By October I was in full force, panic, anxiety & depression. Of course I have been going to doctors left & right b/c I have irregular heart beats, chest pain, dizziness, hair loss, ringing in my ears, weird head pains etc... Believe me the list goes on.... I refuse to go back on medication b/c I would like to have a baby this year. I am trying very hard to get through each day the best that I can and believe me I struggle. I am waiting to get the program in the mail. So you are no alone... I hope that you start to feel better real fast! I am guessing that you go the program.... Good luck!
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Guest