My story with anxiety

[Cbruggemann11]

I have never done anything like this before, I have never really been one who talks about their struggles with anyone but my family. But I wanted to try it now just to get it out and see if anyone has similar stories or help. It all started around November 2017 my eyes started to feel like there was pressure above them and always made me think like I would pass out or fall asleep. This made driving hard and it always stressed me at especially since I work till 10:30 usually so I drive home in the dark so it didn’t help. I think all the built up stress finally made me panic the one day going to school and I went home and didn’t go to class. Slowly I started going to my girlfriends less and then I started having panic attacks while being in the passenger side of the car sometimes. I had a panic attack at work because I felt dizzy and lightheaded feeling like I would pass out, I had my mom drive me to the hospital and left work that day. I found out I had a sinus infection but I started to not want to go to work or go out and see my girlfriend. The last week I worked about 1 month ago I stopped working that day I had a big fight with my girlfriend because of my anxiety, and I decided to start taking medicine for my anxiety. Over the past month it has been so hard for me going through an antidepressant and I haven’t gone out as much as I used to and mostly stayed in my room. But now my girlfriend is getting upset and sad because she has problems too and it is affecting her. I have been feeling much better than I did weeks ago but I am still not 100% but I am just tired of dealing with this anxiety.

I have changed my whole life going to therapy now for the anxiety and now I have been eating mostly better and exercising probably about 50 or so minutes a day. I am just doing what I can to help myself feel better and I have completely changed my life style. Thanks for listen to my story and I hope others can relate to it.

[Hidden]

I had panic disorder. I started to avoid situations that caused my panic attacks. I became agoraphobic for fourteen years. From reading your story I think you are doing everything right. Recovery takes time and effort all of which you seem to be doing. The most important advice I tell people which I wish someone told me is this. Don’t avoid the situations that are causing your panic attacks. Avoidance will only reinforce the the false beliefs about panic attacks. Keep up the great work. You are on the road to a cure. It took me fourteen years but I don’t get panic attacks anymore. Keep on fighting.

[Cbruggemann11 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the response I am happy to hear it and I am sorry about your story but at least you got past it and now can share you wisdom on the topic. And I have to thank my mother for her help she knows what I am going through and is helping me by giving that push and telling me not to avoid the thinks that panic me. The funny thing for me is I am a Psychology major and I know exactly what is happening but nothing can really prepare you but it actually happening to you. Thank you again for your support!!

[Hidden in reply to Cbruggemann11]

Your personal experience with panic disorder will help you tremendously when you helping others in your chosen profession. My mother and father both helped me a lot. They tried to get a doctor that would come to the house, but the only one willing wanted nine hundred a session. This was back in the 90s. Imagine what he would charge in today’s world. So my parents bought many self help books. I used them to help me.

[Cbruggemann11 in reply to Hidden]

I never thought of it like that but it is very true, if only we could get rid of anxiety. That seems very greedy of that doctor though trying to take advantage of the situation. Probably would charge thousands now, but I hope there are some people with humanity now. I have been trying many things like even just writing down my thoughts for the day and using positive thinking and some fragrence oils.

[Hidden in reply to Cbruggemann11]

I used to write down my thoughts to and refute them. I used Socratic reasoning. It was in one of the self help books. It really helped me with my negative self talk.

[Cbruggemann11 in reply to Hidden]

I was inclined to talk to my anxiety try to question it but I don’t know if that really worked or not. I will have to look into that I am just trying to do anything I can to make myself better. I know in the beginning for me I always didn’t believe in myself but I started driving now a lot more and I am feeling much more confident with going out.

[Hidden in reply to Cbruggemann11]

That is how I got better. Small steps to build up my confidence. That’s great that you are driving. I never got my license. I was agoraphobic from age sixteen till I was thirty. I don’t work so I couldn’t afford a car even if I did drive. The hardest part of overcoming panic disorder is the time it takes. It sure teaches you to be patient and have fortitude.

[Cbruggemann11 in reply to Hidden]

That’s really what is horrible about anxiety it just tries to take away your confidence. That’s the bad part for me I lost my dad when I was young so I always was independent because I wanted to take care of my mom and sister. I wanted to take on the world, but this anxiety has been making me feel like I was losing everything. I can understand that I feel like my uncle was similar to you he has had anxiety since I known him and I don’t think he had agoraphobia but he definitely had severe panic and anxiety about just going out. He even told me he would be afraid to just walk down the block. But I do believe that it will take time, I know I just can’t give up and I will be good.

[Hidden in reply to Cbruggemann11]

Sorry to hear about your father. He can be proud of you for stepping up and taking care of your mom and sister. You seem to have everything down pat. Keep up the good work and keep fighting.

[Cbruggemann11 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks I think it could be one of the reasons for my anxiety. I just know I don’t want to let this anxiety win that’s for sure. Thank you for such a good talk, it was good to let it out.

[Tibbi]

Did you find that exercise reduced your anxiety right away?