Hi Corey, Thanks for sharing your story here. You mention about depression in your post. I wasn't sure if you were aware or not but we have a great sister site called the "The Depression Center". You can visit this site at www.depressioncenter.net. Here you will find our Depression Test. Again, this test is not a diagnostic tool and is not a replacement or substitute for a physician's advice. The purpose of these tests is to prepare you with information that you can present to your physician. When you're finished the test, you can either print your Final Report or email it directly to your doctor. Regarding your experience with alcohol, you are not alone in feeling this. A lot of members report that this makes their anxiety worse. Thanks for visiting us and we hope to hear from you again soon. Casey _____________________________ The Panic Center Support Team

Hi, I have some obsessive thoughts after the "attack" I read a few books and they say that when you have an attack to tell yourself what the problem is, then ask yourself why you are thinking this why. what is making you feel this way and work from there. I've done that a few times adn the first time it was near impossible to change my thought, but after a few tries just focusing on the reason why I am thinking that way and trying to solve it calmed me down a lot faster. I also think about things that make me happy. What my daughter told me that was hilarious, my wedding....and I tell myself that this is what I am living for...happy moments with the ones I treasure most. the negative after that seem so minute. when I feel down or panic coming I instantly make me a cup of hot tea. the name is TAZO CALM. I swear by this. I sip it and it really soothes the soul. I hope this helped you in any way, take care

Hey everyone, Sorry for the length. I was diagnosed with depression in November, although I very rarely feel/felt classically depressed. I'm currently taking Zoloft for depression, but its the anxiety that is far and away my biggest problem. I have not been diagnosed with panic disorder (or GAD for that matter), but I believe what I have could only be described as GAD. I am also (self diagnosed) obsessive compulsive (although it seems I hardly have compulsions... more just obsessive thoughts). Some of the posts I read on this site are like reading my mind (thinking you're going crazy, worried about heart, etc), and it certainly is nice to know that I'm not alone. The short version of my story is that a few months ago, I became obsessed with my heart, and after a panic attack and a visit to the ER, the concern broadened to my physical health in general. My physical health concerns lasted for a while, but I was able to convince myself that (after two more hospital visits) I was healthy... physically. My concerns for the last month or so have switched over to my mental health - like many of you, I truly believe at times that I'm going crazy. I cannot express how much the thought scares me, but I don't think I have to - some of you know where I'm coming from. It seems like no matter what, I can't seem to get this anxiety off of my mind. It's like there is always something lingering in my head that won't let me forget. About a week ago, I was feeling considerably better. Anxiety seemes to be replaced with a more sane version of being worried about going crazy (which, looking at it now, sounds like a natural progression). That is, until this past weekend, when I drank huge quantities of alcohol, and got considerably more drunk than I had planned. The past three days, my anxiety is at much greater levels than it was last week - alcohol seems to have quite a negative impact on me. In fact, alcohol may have induced my anxiety in the first place... no more drinking for me. Onto my question: Right now I am experiencing dramatic ups and downs. Sometimes I feel as though there is no way I'm not crazy, and become extremely anxious about extremely stupid things (like thinking about my head exploding, or things that I know rationally cannot happen). Then