Who Helps.... The Helper....

[JoseLuis25]

Hi Mr name is Jose but all of my friends call me Luis. I have been suffering with anxiety and panics disorder for over three years now. The crazy thing is that I'm ok for the most part. I'm here more to help everyone else with their issues. I know just how horrible it feels to have anxiety or feel a panic attack coming. Anyone that has this knows that it starts or as a bad feeling that something is going to happen. I will usually start sweating especially my palms and feet. Then the chest tightening and the accelerated heart beats. I'm having a heat attack and no one is here too help me. I live with a roommate who is beyond exhausted of my episodes so I don't even mention it to him anymore. I'll just go outside and try to deal with it on my own. That's makes me feel even more alone than anything. I take Buspirone or Buspar more commonly known. It has helped so much and my doctor has no problems giving it to me. He said it's a mild anti anxiety medication and if it's helping me... then why not. The thing is that I don't want to get to into taking medications constantly because afterwards you become reliant on these meds and I would like to be drug-free. I want to clarify that there is nothing wrong with taking medications and I know that there are people out there that really need it but this is just a personal choice. So... I've been a lot better lately and every chance I get I want to help others in any way I possibly can. Sometimes I will sit here for hours trying to message as many of you bec. I know what its like to feel alone. I want to reach each and every one of you but I'm only one person. Being human there are times when anxiety gets the best of me too. One other thing I want to say. Anxiety and panic all have triggers and you might say no but subconsciously something in your mind may trigger your next panic or anxiety attack. I've been through therapy and know this soo keep your mind open to what triggers you. Ifyou y know it helps a great deal. Last night I was having a panic episode and felt so alone. So the question is... Who Helps the helper?

[Loveydovey0519 Ambassador]

Hey Luis, nice to have someone like you here on this forum. I have been dealing with anxiety and panic disorder for 10 years now. I did have a stretch of 4-5 years with VERY minimal problems with this. However this past Halloween I ended up going to the ER for the first time in my life. And it was all over a panic attack that just hit like a ton of bricks and like never before. Since last Halloween I have had one hell of a setback, and I am still having very strong physical symptoms from the anxiety and panic to this day. You would think that after having this for 10 years it would be easy for me to get back on track. However I am coming up on a year since my setback, and although I have made great progress. The anxiety and panic is still there fairly strong, and seems like it may never get like it was once before. I go to counseling, take medicine, had an extensive medical work up back in April which included a cardiologist visit. I know I should be better than I am, but for whatever reason I am not where I would like to be quite yet.

[JoseLuis25 in reply to Loveydovey0519]

Im so sorry your going through that.. let me be the first too say... I'm your friend and I will be here for you. I had a similar issue to your because when i first stopped doubt hard core drugs i went through a horrible time when i wad depressed and the anxiety reached an all time high but somehow I got through it and was fine for like 5 years. Then like two years ago all of a sudden it just started happening again. I will say that something triggered that. It's usually a big event in you're life. Mine was that I lost my job and was having a hard time coping with the change. Think long and hard and you just might realize yours. The more stability you have in your life the easier things will get. That's what worked for me. I now have and even better job but still go through spurs of anxiety here and there. Last night for example... I was having some anxiety but i try to keep my mind on other things which help a lot. Figure out what works for you.

[JoseLuis25 in reply to JoseLuis25]

selftherapy.org/listen.php

Try listening to this! It works wonders!!

[Windy101 in reply to JoseLuis25]

Thank you for sharing that link!

[Loveydovey0519 Ambassador in reply to JoseLuis25]

Hey Luis, I appreciate that response and also the the link you posted below. I listened to it during work yesterday. I believe I may know the trigger or triggers, two major things happened about a month or so before the huge relapse on Halloween. My triggers now are ALWAYS my physical symptoms, two main ones being palpitation/the feel of my heart beat and it beating harder than normal. Also the dizzy/fuzzy/funny feelings I experience. It is almost like I am waiting and worrying about those symptoms and then BAM they come like clock work.

[claire0410]

I hope that you feel that everyone on this forum would like to help you in any way they can. Please know that even if I don't post much, I do read what others post because in some way it helps to know that I'm am not alone in this. I always keep all of us in my prayers and send nothing but good thoughts to everyone. Thank you for what you do for all of us - it never goes unappreciated!

[JoseLuis25]

Thanks Claire. Your kind words will not go unnoticed. It's good to know that I have people who share what I have and there to lend a helping hand. Ok be again. Thank you soooo much.

[Windy101]

We do! It is so kind of you to take on that role of helper here and no doubt you have made a huge difference in many lives. But you deserve help, too. Even therapists have to go see their own therapist now and then. So keep on helping people here, but when you need help, please say so. It is only fair to you that you get to use this place for support and coping just like everyone else, even if you do give so much to others here.

As for the medication, please be careful. Someones we think we don't need the medication anymore precisely because it is working. I would love to be drug free, too, but I have learned over the years that I need my meds. It took a long time to find ones that worked. Now that I have, I'm staying on them, even though I feel so great it seems I don't need anything.