Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 1:49 pm
Well, I guess I've finally reached the point where I need some help. It's been hard asking for it, that's for sure. So, here goes.
My story is probably similar to alot of yours. I was sitting at my desk one say about seven years ago, 22 years old, and suddently this wave of lightheadedness and nausea hit me while I was on the phone. It literally came from nowhere. I thought it was low blood sugar (happens a couple times a year), and decided to look for something to eat and drink. I didn't feel better, so I left work and went home. Looking back, that's probably when I had my first official panic attack. So, of course, I went to the hospital, had all the tests performed - and nothing. The doctors assumed I was dehydrated or something like that.
Over the next two months, I would go to the hospital three more times, convinced death was imminent. I can't even count the number of times I went to my regular doctor with some kind of ailment. He wanted to prescribe all the anti-anxiety medicines, but I passed on them. I knew they would only mask the problem.
The first year of anxiety was the toughest. The symptoms were almost unbearable. I'm pretty sure that was the first time in my life I was depressed. I had just graduated college, living 400 miles away from anybody I knew, and I was alone. On top of that, I was suddently feeling as though my entire body was breaking down. I still remember the lightheadedness, dizziness, and general feeling of constant anxiety about my health. I was losing sleep and my mind at the same time.
Fast-forward eight years, and I still have many of the same problems. My "scary spots" are places where I am afraid I will become ill, pass out or have a major medical event. These places include weddings, large company meetings or some smaller social gatherings. In fact, I can't think of the last time I went somewhere without thinking about having a panic attack to some degree. Of course, some days are better than others, but as all of you know, the constant thoughts of peril or doom are emotionally and physically draining. I can put on a good front in most cases, but I'm to the point where I need to finally admit that I have a problem that can't solve itself.
So, that's where I am. Sorry if I've bored you with my details. This is actually the first time I've posted a message on a forum like this, always thinking previously that my anxiety and panic attacks weren't "that" bad. I feel like I've relapsed recently (could be related to the stress of baby number 1 arriving in a few months and money worries), and I need to finally be done with this. I can't continue this way.
I haven't yet purchased the program. I'm still researching it, but I'm pretty sure I will own it soon. It has to help because my techniques have seen spotty results at best. I'm hoping that the first step of trying to communicate with people in a similar situation will begin the healing process.
Is anybody else jealous of people who don't suffer from panic and anxiety? That's the new phase that I'm in. I wish I could just be normal again, like I was when I was younger and feared nothing it seemed. I hate seeing other people move through life normally, while I struggle some days just to make it to the next hour.
Anyways, thanks for reading. I look forward to communicating with some of you and talking further about ways to get better.
Good luck to all of you!!!
My story is probably similar to alot of yours. I was sitting at my desk one say about seven years ago, 22 years old, and suddently this wave of lightheadedness and nausea hit me while I was on the phone. It literally came from nowhere. I thought it was low blood sugar (happens a couple times a year), and decided to look for something to eat and drink. I didn't feel better, so I left work and went home. Looking back, that's probably when I had my first official panic attack. So, of course, I went to the hospital, had all the tests performed - and nothing. The doctors assumed I was dehydrated or something like that.
Over the next two months, I would go to the hospital three more times, convinced death was imminent. I can't even count the number of times I went to my regular doctor with some kind of ailment. He wanted to prescribe all the anti-anxiety medicines, but I passed on them. I knew they would only mask the problem.
The first year of anxiety was the toughest. The symptoms were almost unbearable. I'm pretty sure that was the first time in my life I was depressed. I had just graduated college, living 400 miles away from anybody I knew, and I was alone. On top of that, I was suddently feeling as though my entire body was breaking down. I still remember the lightheadedness, dizziness, and general feeling of constant anxiety about my health. I was losing sleep and my mind at the same time.
Fast-forward eight years, and I still have many of the same problems. My "scary spots" are places where I am afraid I will become ill, pass out or have a major medical event. These places include weddings, large company meetings or some smaller social gatherings. In fact, I can't think of the last time I went somewhere without thinking about having a panic attack to some degree. Of course, some days are better than others, but as all of you know, the constant thoughts of peril or doom are emotionally and physically draining. I can put on a good front in most cases, but I'm to the point where I need to finally admit that I have a problem that can't solve itself.
So, that's where I am. Sorry if I've bored you with my details. This is actually the first time I've posted a message on a forum like this, always thinking previously that my anxiety and panic attacks weren't "that" bad. I feel like I've relapsed recently (could be related to the stress of baby number 1 arriving in a few months and money worries), and I need to finally be done with this. I can't continue this way.
I haven't yet purchased the program. I'm still researching it, but I'm pretty sure I will own it soon. It has to help because my techniques have seen spotty results at best. I'm hoping that the first step of trying to communicate with people in a similar situation will begin the healing process.
Is anybody else jealous of people who don't suffer from panic and anxiety? That's the new phase that I'm in. I wish I could just be normal again, like I was when I was younger and feared nothing it seemed. I hate seeing other people move through life normally, while I struggle some days just to make it to the next hour.
Anyways, thanks for reading. I look forward to communicating with some of you and talking further about ways to get better.
Good luck to all of you!!!