Are you familiar with Anxiety, Panic & Agoraphobia?
MlssCue =Go Blue=
2012/08/08 10:47:49
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Have you ever experienced Anxiety Attacks, Panic Disorder or Agoraphobia? If so how long have you had it & how do you deal with it? Are you on medication and/or see a psychologist/psychiatrist or a family doctor?
Top Opinion
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Yes
+3Anxiety attacks. They only happen to me when I am severely stressed. Example- when I have to get my blood taken or something along those lines. I just step outside, take deep breaths and calm myself down. I do not take nor do I want to take any medications. The only thing that does seems to help is if I were to smoke weed. No joke.I have taken Xanax in the past but it would make me fall asleep and then when I stopped taking them, I'd get bad dreams. So, there is no way I will take any so-called "safe" drugs for it. I have been getting them since 9/11.
I used to be embarrassed as a kid hearing about my mother's side of the family and depression. One of my uncles is bright, but troubled by schizophrenia. Being a Major in the Army, you'd have thought of him as a normal person, highly functional, 'together'. But it was during family gatherings, common to witness him enter a room wearing some bizarre mask, and just stand there practically motionless while others conversed pretending he wasn't there. (i know that's off topic from panic attacks)
Anyway, I've changed my outlook since first dealing with depression as a teen. I'm no longer embarrassed. The more people I've met through the years, the more I think depression & anxiety are the norms and not the exception :)
Anywho, I've had them since the age of 14, so 26 yrs total. I have come a long, long way! The agoraphobia kept me housebound for an entire summer then I spent longer not being able to leave the comfort of my neighborhood. It's been pure hell & I would never, ever wish it on even my worst enemy. I've tried different meds, doctors & lots of my own research.
What helped me the most was reading a certain book, learning to pay attention to the triggers, paying attention to my breathing & even muscle tension. I'm still not a big fan of driving & crowded places. I finally found a medication that has eased the edge quite a bit. I know it seems like so many people are prescribed xanax like candy, my doctors have never agreed & while I would be upset at times, over all I am happy that they won't.
I'll never be completely free of it, but I am extremely proud of where I am in life as opposed to where I use to be. If anyone of you ever feel you need to talk to someone, please do not hesitate to msg. me. I know what it's like to feel overwhelmed and/or petrified for no apparent reason at all & I also know how just talking to someone (about anything but the feeli...
Anywho, I've had them since the age of 14, so 26 yrs total. I have come a long, long way! The agoraphobia kept me housebound for an entire summer then I spent longer not being able to leave the comfort of my neighborhood. It's been pure hell & I would never, ever wish it on even my worst enemy. I've tried different meds, doctors & lots of my own research.
What helped me the most was reading a certain book, learning to pay attention to the triggers, paying attention to my breathing & even muscle tension. I'm still not a big fan of driving & crowded places. I finally found a medication that has eased the edge quite a bit. I know it seems like so many people are prescribed xanax like candy, my doctors have never agreed & while I would be upset at times, over all I am happy that they won't.
I'll never be completely free of it, but I am extremely proud of where I am in life as opposed to where I use to be. If anyone of you ever feel you need to talk to someone, please do not hesitate to msg. me. I know what it's like to feel overwhelmed and/or petrified for no apparent reason at all & I also know how just talking to someone (about anything but the feelings) helped me a lot. I wish all of you the very best of luck in getting a upper hand with this devastating illness....one that people do not take seriously because it is not physical. Which only makes it harder to deal with. But you can do it!
Mental health issues, not matter what they are, are real and serious. It is unfortunate that any do not recognize or accept them.
Yeah the medications are not to be stopped for a good reason, I hope she will take them as she is suppose to, so it can help her as is needed.
Death had always been my biggest fear, but when she passed it was the first time I had simply told myself.....death is a part of life, you have to accept it. I did, I am not as afraid of death as I use to be and the main reason, is because it will be my time I get to see my Mom again! There's nothing at all that I can say to ease the pain of you losing your Dad but I can tell you this, while it never gets easier, you will handle it better as time goes on. Thank you for sharing!