I hate anxiety
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| Fri, 03-09-2007 - 2:51pm |
Hello!
I am quite new to the message boards. My anxiety started when I was 18 and I am now 26. It has changed over the years from not being able to go out in public for fear of certain people to not being able to stand in line or shop in a crowded store.
Yes, I have been on medication and I have tried three different ones. I am currently on Paxil but it no longer seems to work.
For instance, I went to a concert a few months ago, I was so excited! I couldn't wait to go and when I got there, I freaked out. I started shaking, palms sweating and I felt like I would pass out. To make it worse the beginning of the concert had massive strobe lights, that was killed me!
Once I left, I felt instantly better. Mad at myself but better. Many friends and family have suggested going to counseling but for those of you who know, that is one of the hardest steps.
I am just really fed up and sick of the anxiety. I am ready for it to move on but then like last week, I was at Ikea (a very busy place on the weekends) and I had to get out! I became a wussy and sat outside while my best friend and Mom shopped for 3 hours.
Arg!

Hello Sarahmmurray, Welcome to the board. I am pretty new here also. I'm sure some of the other wonderful people here, will probley be able to give you better advice then me, but I'll just do my best anywayz, :)
Have you tried talking to your doctor and maybe trying another new medication.?? Maybe a increase, or something. I went to theaphy along time ago, and it's not that bad. You can you learn all different techneques *Might be misspelled* that can help out durning a situation that might make it all better. Dont be embarrested, to seek someone who can help you. I hope my advice has helped, and I wish you the very best of luck.
Hugs,
Evelyn
Green Eyed Kitten
Hi Sarah,
I hate anxiety too. Sometimes I wonder how much energy I am wasting hating it. I try really hard to be positive but you know how hard that can be. I am sorry you are having such a hard time. I took Paxil for 3yrs until this last Oct when I decided to try to wean off. I did good for a couple months but then I got sick and had some stress and it set it off again. Now I am on Paxil again but it is not working so well this time. Before it worked awesome and I felt so normal, but this time its not going away like before. I am seeing a therapist for the first time to see if that helps. The majority of the time I feel it does. Even if we don't do a specific activity that is related to overcoming anxiety, it helps just to talk about what is bothering me. I would really recommend that you look into it. I am sorry you are having such a hard time. I know first hand how frustrating this is. I feel frustrated everyday and then think I should be using that frustration to better my situation, I am just not always sure how. I write in a journal now and try to remember to do some positive affirmations. That and I am learning to not take on so much. It angers me to have to limit myself but the alternative is worse, so I do. I hope some of the other ladies on this board have some words to share with you, they are so awesome and supportive. It really helps to be able to share with people who understand what you are going thru. Hang in there!! Hugs, Erin
Hi, again! I am sorry to hear what you have experienced. I have had panic attacks for 36+ years. There was a time when I could NOT stand in lines, drive
Sheri Ann
Hi Erin,
I love chatting with people who understand! I am going to get off Paxil soon, my husband and I want kids and Paxil is a health risk for infants. I went to a therapist for the first time yesterday! It went great, I only had an hour but wow, I had a lot to say. Of course I was nervous at first but once we starting chatting, I relaxed. I can't wait for my next appointment. After I left, I felt ready to face my fears.
I do appreciate your comments, having finally found this message board, I look forward to chatting much more with everyone!
Thanks again for your words!
Sarah
Thank you for your kind words!
I am not afraid to tell people about my anxiety, I am just more afraid of passing out in front of them. I did go to therapy for the first time yesterday and I was so happy when I left. Finally I accomplished something, just walking in there was a huge first step to getting rid of my fears.
I am so happy to find this message board, I look forward to sharing and reading everything!
I will unlearn my fear!!!!
Thanks,
Sarah
Good for you Sarah!!! I'm really glad you like your therapist. It really does help doesn't it? I felt like my first session just flew by and now I can never get done in the 45min sessions I get. I always go over, then feel guilty! I can't help it, stuff just pours out of me. I always feel better and lighter when I leave. My T is out this week on vacation so I have to skip till next week but I will be fine. I do enjoy going though. Its awesome that you made that step and went.
When you do go off the Paxil, do it slowly. I had to do it 1/4 a pill at a time, a week at a time. Don't let anyone tell you to just cut your pills in half for a week and then go off altogether. And just so you know, if you have some withdrawl effects, they WILL go away. It might be uncomfortable for a day or so, but they DO go away. Some people don't have any symptoms at all, so don't go into it thinking you WILL, because you may not. If you do feel like you are having them, look up Paxil withdrawl in your search engine. It will bring up TONS of useful info and message boards. It helped me SOOOO much to know that what I was feeling was normal for going off the meds. As soon as I knew it would all go away, I was fine. Good Luck and keep posting!! Hugs Erin