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Posts created by ashepp3

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 56

Hi I´m "Blueskies" and new to this

Hi blueskies,

I started experience these things recently myself and decided to get help before it went on for too long. It really is difficult that nobody understands it if they haven't experienced it. It made me feel even worse to try to talk to people about it and get bad advice, lack of understanding, and sometimes lack of empathy. I still try to be open about what I'm going through though.

It's really been helping me to read books about the disorder, talk on the support groups, and do CBT programs. I'm also seeing a therapist. Seeing a therapist is great because they understand the disorder and it's really been helpful to talk to someone that knows what you are going through and is there to let you talk and help you out. And we do relaxation exercises which has been great.

I've been feeling much better lately and I wasn't sure I ever would, so hang in there.

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 56

Hi I´m "Blueskies" and new to this

blueskies,

I think my job contributes to my anxiety as well (Software Engineer). I completely know what you mean about feeling like you can't enjoy things anymore. I used to love going out drinking with friends and I'd pretty much be down for anything. I felt like I was fun to be around. That changed a lot when this all started but I'm starting to get the old feeling back. I'm still more fearful than I was before, but I at least have hope now that I can live a happy life.

My first therapist was not a good fit at all. So I found my current one and I'm so glad I did.

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 56

Hi I´m T.J.

Hi TJ,

I completely understand what you mean with being prescribed medications increasing your anxiety. I was suffering pretty badly from panic and anxiety but when my doctor wanted to prescribe me Prozac it made me feel even worse.

I never did end up taking the Prozac and I've been feeling better these last few weeks after working through the program, reading about the disorder, and seeing a therapist. Sometimes seeing going to see my therapist does feel like it increases my anxiety at first, but I do think it makes me feel better in the long run, especially now that we've been doing relaxation exercises.

I ended up in the ER at first too and it was scary for me. I never thought I'd be able to feel normal again but I do most of the time now. Reading books about coping with anxiety and panic really helped me.

Good luck

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 56

Hi I´m "Blueskies" and new to this

"Seriously, I've heard this sort of thing countless times. It gets to you. It got to me. Huh, I think I just discovered part of my problem. Trying to meet everyone's expectations no matter how unreasonable they are. "

This is a huge part of my problem too, CdnGuy. I realized it a little while ago and even though I thought I was assertive before I'm trying to work even harder at that now. And I'm making some big changes career-wise that I'm optimistic about.

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 56

Myth or Fact

I've been pretty open with everyone about what I'm going through. It's a choice I made in the beginning and I think it helps.

I felt like it was necessary for them to know why I wasn't acting like my normal self and everyone has been reasonably understanding. Now that I'm starting to feel better, they notice. If I ever get into a bad way again they'll know why.

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 56

My Fears & Anxious Thoughts...

New fears that cropped up after panic attacks started are: drinking coffee, drinking alcohol, heavy physical exertion, thrill rides, taking medications, and eating sugary foods.

I'm afraid of dying (this has always been a huge one for me) and of the people close to me dying. I'm not at all religious so I don't have expectations about life after death.

I worry that I made the wrong career choice, that I could be happier doing something else. I worry that I'm not enjoying my life as much as I should be, or that I'm not spending as much time with my family and friends as I should be.

I have anxious thoughts about what people think of me. I always try to be strong, perfect, someone who gets things done, someone who is funny, smart, chill, etc. When I feel like I'm living up to this I think it makes me anxious.

Sid, you talked about what it was like growing up. I had a very happy childhood but one thing I've been thinking about lately is, compared to my sister, I had to be the stable one. She's always been more emotionally volatile and dependent and I've always had to be emotionally strong and independent (or I've felt like I've had to be). There's never been room for me to be weak in my mind even though others were allowed.

I'm still working a lot of this out myself so I don't have as much insight into my own thoughts and feelings as I should. But I guess what it comes down to is this unrealistic standard that I hold myself too. Everybody else is allowed to be emotional but me. Everybody else is allowed to make mistakes. Other people can be bores, but I have to always be happy and fun. I'm just starting to get over this.

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 56

My Fears & Anxious Thoughts...

blueskies,

Your story sounds very, very similar to mine. I too am now afraid to exercise too hard, drink caffeine, drink alcohol, be in crowded places, etc. Whereas before I loved to go out drinking with friends, now I find myself so scared of the drinking causing panic that I can only have one drink. I'm working on all these things. It makes me depressed when I think about how much this has changed me and that I'm not the same person. I've found that these thoughts are among the most distressing I have.

I read on the other thread that you are seeing a new psychologist. I have been too for the last couple weeks and it's really helping. At first we were mostly doing biofeedback but I really started opening up more when we talk and we are starting to make a lot of progress getting to the core of some of my issues.

Most days I feel fine now, it's just some of my remaining fears still cause me to despair. I do feel like the panic was a bit of a wake up call for me because I am making a lot of positive changes in my life now.

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 56

Help for loved one

Hi Suzie,

I think it's really nice that you want to help him and are making an effort to understand what he is going through because many people do not understand or make this effort.

It really does sound like he needs a good therapist, especially since he is coping with alcohol which isn't uncommon in this situation. If he likes to read you could get him books to help, maybe The Feeling Good Workbook or Hope & Help For Your Nerves. Maybe you should call his doctor yourself and express your concerns?

It sounds like a tough spot to be in and I hope you figure something out.

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 56

Question about distractions

Video games have really helped me to feel better, even more so then reading a good book.

I personally think distraction is fine for general anxiety as long as long as you are not avoiding dealing with something that is causing you the anxiety. If I am experiencing a bad bout of anxiety or panic though I let it pass without distraction.

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 56

Drop in and say hello

The last post was me. I think there is a bug sometimes when you hit login without filling in the text boxes, or maybe there is a user with a blank username and password. Either way, it seems like something that should happen.

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