Anxiety

[QuietWOW]

Panic attacks, agoraphobia and anxiety...how do you handle them?

[antiana]

How to handle anxiety and agoraphobia... ahh that is a very good question!
I suppose that those of us that have had these things interrupt our lives have invented tricks, ordered tapes, therapy, rode it out, and have gone to many doctors. I would just like to say again... as in depression folder you are not alone. Big Hugs.

[DLC55]

{{{antiana}}} when I was first diagnosed with panic, I was working as an auditor for a former company. I had a co-worker who was so in tune with my behaviors , she knew before I realized what was happening that I was going into the panic mode. She said she could always tell by looking at my eyes. If we were working together, she would make me stop what I was doing and we'd go for a walk until the attack was over. I really miss her timing, lol!

For about 3 years, I think, I was on prozac for the panic. Now I do breathing exercises to combat the attacks, those similar to the ones in lamaze training. I find certain things set mine off, being sick and not knowing whats going on, meeting new people(big time one here!), getting up in front of a group of people(even ones I have known for years!) to talk and believe it or not, sometimes going into chat. I feel totally exposed in a way, go figure rofl! I have never let this thing takeover my life. It's been a challenge not to. My doc once told me he had no idea how I continued to work in the state I was in when I was first diagnosed. I had no choice. I push myself, sometimes too much. That's me. We're all different, that's what makes us unique:-)

[antiana]

{{{{{ DLC }}}}}

was on "effexor xr" for 3 years and lorazepam for same amount of time. Dr. and I had disagreement.
So on my birthday this year I gave my self the present of total freedom of being off these drugs. I do not recommend this for everyone... trust me!!
I did come off of these with the doctors knowledge. I really had to though. I needed to touch base with who I was after grieving so long. Sometimes it's too easy to hide behind these drugs. Although they were definetly needed at the time.

I have found that most people I have met that have panic attacks and agoraphobia are usually very out going and caring people. Maybe that's our downfall being to emotional and really caring. When in reality we need to take better care of ourselves. But I still believe the world needs us "the caring people". Oh my, the walls we build... and right now the walls in my life are real. /me a

You, DLC were fortunate to have a friend who knew. I think we also recognize others who are there in "the panic."
Pssst... I also panic at times when going to chat.
And will admit that one time it took weeks for me to go to chat. Go figure. lol

[DLC55]

Oh antiana....lol I had to chuckle. When I went off mine it was not with the doc's blessing. I also felt I wasn't getting any better on the meds and hated taking them. I never did take the one he gave me for sleeping. In fact, I came across them the other day and tossed them out. I feel much better than I did before. I can think clearer, one thing I never could do on the meds, even though he said I should have been able to. Mind you, prozac had not been out long and I was his first patient to even take the drug for depression. The only upside to it was the fact I lost 40 pounds, something he said wasn't the norm for this drug. For my panic, I was given Paxil, I think I had that mixed up earlier, rofl..and here I said I was thinking clearer<g> Either way, I can't stand being on any med that alters me.. or my personality. I sorta like being who I am!

[Desertflower]

((((((all))))) I've been on zoloft for panic disorded for 1&1/2 years . When I discovered I had such a thing as panic disorded it was because I was driving everyone NUTZZZZ!!!! My honey said to "Get Thee to a Doctor for some Help !" I didn't even know I was acting crazy . It got to th epoint where I would get ready , get in the car , drive down the street about two blocks and start having chest pains so bad I had to turn around and go home . When I finally started therapy for the panic I couldn't get myself in the car to drive down the hill and it took a couple of tries to walk out the door . Then I thought it was pretty sad I neede the help , but couldn't get there .LOL . I'm glad that I did get help and am healing . I also feel that the meds aren't helping that much any more and have cut the script in half , but am affraid to stop all together . Someday soon I will though . It helped me to know that there is life after Prozac . Thank you all for your stories they were enlightening for me . Much love your way ,,, Desertflower p.s. I panic on line too .(-:

[Clara]

Arrrrghhh!

About 4 years ago, I met a man I love very much now and call my partner. This has caused a bit of a problem however.

It has caused me to quit driving and I used to be a professional driver. I am not very fearful of driving and am unsure every step--or gear of the way.

I am not sure how to get past it--as I have a panic attack and then an anxiety attack and I feel like I am losing my mind each time I have to be in a car without another person being there with me.

Meds would probably help me--but if you would please refer to my depression post--I do not regularly take my meds anymore.

Does anyone have some sound advice---besides--take meds?

I know that part of it already!

Thank you for your time,
Clara

[LiamFan!]

Hi Clara,

I used to fear driving, and I read a book that changed my attitude about it. It's called "Zen Driving" by K.T. Berger. The subtitle used to be "Be a Buddha behind the wheel of your automobile." <g> Now, it's a simple black and red cover (Amazon.com has it...and you can even order it through WOW's link at the bottom of this website ;-)

It is truly a valuable book. I recommended it to a friend who was in an automobile accident and subsequently afraid to drive, and she is driving without fear again.

Good luck..let us know how things go!

((((( Fellow Suffers ))))))

I feel I am now coming through the worst episode of my life. Panic Attacks be they trying to travel through one of London's busiest Railway Station; or walking to work - a very common one because of not wanting to be away from the comfort of my own home nor near strangers, nor near ppl who knew me. Just wanted to hide away to the point ( and I still do this now ) I stay upstairs, alone in my bedroom without opening the curtains, keeping the natural light away.

Anxiety, for me, goes hand in hand with Panic Attacks. One leads into the other, one feeds off the other.

...And so to medical help. Medication. Anything between 2 and 6 Laprozlam just to calm myself enough to face everyday tasks. Then there were other sleeping meds to help me relax enough to sleep, but never 9 and still now ) longer than a 4 hour period no matter how many meds taken.

I reconise most of the meds mentioned previously. I have been on many different ones these past 4 years and am now on 60mg of Prozac - yes, a high dose but my tolerance is high. This brings in Depression.

Then the other phobias start to rise to the surface like People Phobia - do not like to be amongst ppl. Only now I can tolerate small groups of ppl before self-medicating. Open Spaces - it was a long time before I could leave home alone without the help of walking alongside someone I trusted. So general household tasks like shopping was ( and still is to a high degree ) a nightmare.

I thank my lucky stars that one person recognised most of these things in me and kept on at me to seek and re-seek help whilst standing by my side and listening to my negative talks for hours on end.

It DOES help to talk. There are not many good listeners out there and even less true and honest friends. Hang on to those you KNOW you can trust and more importantly, must learn to trust yourself and your own ability to trust again.

[Sunshine]

Originally posted by Clara
Arrrrghhh!

About 4 years ago, I met a man I love very much now and call my partner. This has caused a bit of a problem however.

It has caused me to quit driving and I used to be a professional driver. I am not very fearful of driving and am unsure every step--or gear of the way.

I am not sure how to get past it--as I have a panic attack and then an anxiety attack and I feel like I am losing my mind each time I have to be in a car without another person being there with me.

Meds would probably help me--but if you would please refer to my depression post--I do not regularly take my meds anymore.

Does anyone have some sound advice---besides--take meds?

I know that part of it already!

Thank you for your time,
Clara

((((((Clara))))))))))) Phobias can be very tough and I want you to know that you are not alone! Sunshine!

[Sunshine]

Originally posted by The-Brit
((((( Fellow Suffers ))))))

I feel I am now coming through the worst episode of my life. Panic Attacks be they trying to travel through one of London's busiest Railway Station; or walking to work - a very common one because of not wanting to be away from the comfort of my own home nor near strangers, nor near ppl who knew me. Just wanted to hide away to the point ( and I still do this now ) I stay upstairs, alone in my bedroom without opening the curtains, keeping the natural light away.

Anxiety, for me, goes hand in hand with Panic Attacks. One leads into the other, one feeds off the other.

...And so to medical help. Medication. Anything between 2 and 6 Laprozlam just to calm myself enough to face everyday tasks. Then there were other sleeping meds to help me relax enough to sleep, but never 9 and still now ) longer than a 4 hour period no matter how many meds taken.

I reconise most of the meds mentioned previously. I have been on many different ones these past 4 years and am now on 60mg of Prozac - yes, a high dose but my tolerance is high. This brings in Depression.

Then the other phobias start to rise to the surface like People Phobia - do not like to be amongst ppl. Only now I can tolerate small groups of ppl before self-medicating. Open Spaces - it was a long time before I could leave home alone without the help of walking alongside someone I trusted. So general household tasks like shopping was ( and still is to a high degree ) a nightmare.

I thank my lucky stars that one person recognised most of these things in me and kept on at me to seek and re-seek help whilst standing by my side and listening to my negative talks for hours on end.

It DOES help to talk. There are not many good listeners out there and even less true and honest friends. Hang on to those you KNOW you can trust and more importantly, must learn to trust yourself and your own ability to trust again.

Excellent info! I loved reading this, although it was posted a while ago, it hit me for today. Sunshine!

[sunflower]

Well I guess I have a people anxiety.

It seems I,m always saying the wrong thing ,if I try to joke around it comes out rude.I have never been close to anyone except my family.When I grew up my parents never once said they loved us kids, so I grew up not knowing how either.I,m really a shy person but I seem to make friends easily but I don,t get close.Anytime I went to a party or any place with people I always drank,it just seemed to make it easier.I,m not drinking now and my hands are shaking.
So if I seem a little distant I,m to blame.

Now can I have some cheese with that wine

[Savannah]

oooh sunflower ((( hugz)))
i am most interested in what the cause is of this anxiety, does it get triggered off by an event or is it intracellular??? did we all have panicky mothers?
i suffer from anxiety, it is mostly unspecific but i noticed it comes to the fore with ferocity when i have to face people in a group. it doesn't affect me the least bit when it is a public place but if i have to attend a meeting of some sort where someone might put me on the spot i freak!!!

or i go bushwalking and suddenly i get chest tighness and find it hard to breathe.
from memory the trigger of all this was the death of a boyfriend some 20 yrs ago.

[PoohsBigSister]

(((((((((( Sunflower )))))))))))) (That's a hug with a bit of space..)

My boyfriends parents never said "I Love You" to him either. For me, it was the most frustrating thing to never hear those words from him! I finally figured out... He shows me with his actions what he can't say in words. He does say it more now ... and when he does it gives me butterflies in my stomach.

Anyway...others out there are like you, and you are not abnormal for feeling the way you do!! Anxiety is an awful thing to deal with on a day to day basis. When you get "anxious" what are you doing? Like Savannah asked, do you know the source of your axiety? And finally... do you write about what makes you axious? or what happend before and after you felt that way? I have found that journaling for me is the ultimate release. If I write it down, I can usually find the source and work on that instead of dealing with the symptom all the time.

Anywhooo.... we are here to talk it ya want to ...

[Atman]

Me --@-- Sunflower (That's a nice warm handshake. I just make it up. )

Isn't anxiety awful? My mother is the calmest person in the world and told me she loved me everyday when I was growing up. I, on the other trembling hand, have suffered from anxiety for as long as I can remember! I was afraid of baloons, afraid of other children, afraid of taking to cashiers at stores, afraid of leaving home and, later on - afraid of driving. Naturally, I became very good at pretending not to be anxious and so people tended to see me as a very in-control and unusually happy person. Ho ho ho.

Thanks to anti-depressant medication and a small circle of good friends, I'm not nearly as anxious as I was. I still suffer "flare-ups" when I'm under stress, and I still have the brain chemistry I inherited from my father (I leared, as an adult, that one of my cousins was afraid of the grass, and I will always, I think, lean more toward Barney Phife than Andy Taylor) but anxiety is now the exception rather than the rule of my existence.

I tell you this 1) to give you hope that you won't always be this miserable, 2) to let you know that you don't have to become a completely different person not to be anxious all the time, 3) to throw out the idea that people might not know you're anxious and 4) to let you know that it might be okay for you to *let* people know that you're anxious.

You wrote that you're shy, make friends easily, but don't get close. That reminded me so much of myself! I'd be shy and anxious, but many people couldn't tell, so I'd make friends, but I wouldn't get close, because I'd be so busy trying to pretend that I wasn't shy and anxious! Then I'd feel isolated, and lonely, which would make me more anxious, so I'd try harder not to let people know I was anxious, and then I'd feel even more isolated.

If this sounds familiar, maybe you could let one of your friends know that you feel anxious. Sharing vulnerabilities is the best way I've found to get close to other people. And feeling close to other people is one of the best ways I've found to be less anxious.