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Hi I am new here
| Wed, 04-04-2007 - 6:28pm |
Hi! I am just looking for a place to get support for anxiety. I have been dealing with it for about 12 years on and off.....I was doing really well for about 3 years until 2006 when I had a huge set back because of a very stressful year and a very stressful move. It came back with a vengeance and I am having trouble getting out of it with just cognitive therapy and a therapist.....which is what worked before but doesn't seem to be working this time around. I am 44 and I've heard the older you get the harder it is to work through it. I am debating about going on meds. So I just was looking for a place to come and talk and share and just feel like I am not alone. Thank you.

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You are not alone. I'm 41 and came down with anxiety/panic disorder last fall. I also tried to work through it with therapy but finally my therapist talked me into going on meds. I really didn't want to, but I was having a hard time functioning. It was pretty horrible - I was having panic attacks on a daily basis. An antidepressant did the trick for me. I also had to take tranquilizers for a couple of months because I wasn't sleeping and they were the only thing that helped me sleep.
One of my friends went through the same thing, she was on the same meds as me. (Lexapro and Klonopin). She got off the meds. She said it does come back from time to time but she knows the triggers and warning signs, so she has never gotten it back as bad as her first occurrence.
I honestly think mine is partly hormonal, but I try not to get too hung up on the whys and just deal with it.
I was sorry to read that your friends have been less than supportive. I have been very open about my problem and most people have been okay. No one (besides family) was rushing to help me out though. LOL I think if people haven't been through it they just can't understand it. Plus it's not like something tangible they can "see", you know? Even when we're in the midst of anxiety or a panic attack we look normal to everyone else. This board was a huge help in my recovery - no question or symptom is too weird! Someone here has been there! It's a Godsend.
Edited 4/4/2007 9:10 pm ET by peoplearenuts
Hi Kimberly!
This board is such a great and nurturing place. If you ever have any questions don't be afraid to ask. Our board leaders jan and sheriann are great. My wonder is this time could your anxiety be linked to hormonal changes? That could make it so much harder to get control over it. Meds can be a great way to get the control you need over the feelings. You could also look into behavioral/cognitive therapy. Anxiety workbooks work well for some people as well and can be found in a local bookstore. Perhaps, just finding something that calms you down will do the trick. Exercising, belly breathing, positive imagery,etc. Are great ways to calm the mind. All you could possibly need is to find your calming niche.
We're here for ya!
Hi, Kimberly! Nice to see you;) You are NOT alone. Many of us have had setbacks with anxiety & stressful events are often a trigger.
Some folks have suggested meds & ITA. That doesn't mean you must take them forever. Just until you regain your footing & learn new ways of coping. We have alot of info in the *coping tips & tricks* folder below. I am partial to belly breathing & daily meditation. Hopefully, you will find some techniques that will help. I know it's hard to imagine getting back to where you were, but it WILL happen.
Join us in chats. Post anytime with questions & concerns. We care & want you to succeed. GL & GBU! (((hugs))) jan
PS Just wanted to add that I have read alot about anxiety & most of what I have read supports it decreases as we age. I am 54 & for me, that has been the case. HTH:)
My panic started because of dealing with a very dysfunctional family....so I am not close to my birth family.....so I thought at least my friend base was good.....but maybe the fact that I never felt safe enough to share this problem with them was a sign I should have paid close attention to.....because I really am having a difficult time understanding the silence I am experiencing. But I can't focus on that I need to help myself right now and find people who do understand which is what led me to here.
Was your friend on meds for a long time and then slowly came off of them? To me the whole med thing is very scarey and I just need to have more info on it. So did the meds work for her to help her remember what normal felt like and then can you be weaned off of them to then work it through with knowledge and breathing techniques? I'm not quite sure why the idea of taking them is so scarey to me.
thank you SOOOO much ((big hug))....what a great way to start my day :)
I am trying to figure out which route I want to take....thank u so much for the support.....it is helping already!
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