Anxiety Taking Over My Life

[PeachyPie99]

I'm struggling. I have a lot to say but maybe I'm just looking for people who can relate to me. I'm 19 and my anxiety got really bad 4 years ago when I started freshmen year. I stopped going to public school and start homeschooling. Maybe that was a mistake but I really enjoyed doing things at my pace. I'm not one to be social or have many friends. But now I don't have any friends at all. I feel stuck. I don't go anywhere because I'm afraid but I'm tired of staying home. I have health issues so I feel like I use that as an excuse that I can't go out. I don't want to continue living like this. I have a big desire to live my life but my fear makes me fear I won't get out of this situation. 4 years is so long to be stuck at home. I go out for my doctor's appointments and stay in the car when my mom goes grocery. But that's not really living. I have tried Prozac (just the smallest dose) but I stopped (with doctor's permission) because I thought I could do without it. I tried CBT but only went to two sessions. Ironically I was too afraid to go. Does anyone else feel stuck? How can I let fear overcome my life? It's easy to read inspirational books and advice but putting it into action and not getting discouraged is the most difficult part.

[Claysha_L]

I totally understand what you’re going through. My anxiety is so bad lately that I stay home basically all day long. I’m still working through it, but things that help are baby steps. Even just sitting outside on a nice day reading a book, or even in your phone, might be a good first step. Just slowly work toward some personal goals. Hope you feel better soon

[Agora1]

Hi PeachyPie99, take it from someone who was housebound for 5 years in that

somewhere along the way you need to break that cycle of fear. Right now you are

stuck and can't move forward. I agree in that it probably wasn't a good idea for

you to have home schooling, it made it too comfortable for you to stay home.

While I was agoraphobic during those 5 years, I never left my home for anything

not even to stick my head out the door to get the mail. I had a doctor and nurses

who came to my house. A counselor also came to my home. Lab tests where done

at home as well as ultrasounds. Even a foot doctor and dentist came to me.

With the internet, I figured I would never have to leave my home since I could get

anything I needed delivered. And so the cycle of fear began to grow bigger and bigger.

Sound familiar?? But I was more than tired of being stuck within 4 walls after a while.

No visitors because I was too anxious and was always crying in fear. I was determined

to beat this. I needed to get out of this prison I enabled myself to be in.

I started using the internet to learn everything I could about anxiety, about the

Mind/Body Connection. I went back to a book I had used years ago that talked about

Acceptance being the key in ridding us of anxiety and it's symptoms.

Dr. Claire Weeks' book on "Hope & Help for Your Nerves" I really paid attention to each

and every word I read. I saw myself so clearly in her description of the anxious patient.

I used my meditation and deep breathing to take small steps in going forward. It wasn't

long before I took the final big step and got out of the house for the first time in 5 years.

It can happen for you. We will help you along as you start going forward. Stay Positive,

your life is about to change for the good. xx

[PeachyPie99 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you. It truly helps to know that I can come out of this.

[brokenagain]

It works differently on everyone. I was on Prozac for 3 months and it did nothing for me. I just stopped it one day and never looked back. My Doctor told me that what I did was very dangerous and I could have hurt myself very seriously. All antidepressants worked differently and I have heard both good and bad when it comes to Prozac. I have been on so many antidepressants and the only one that ever really made me feel great was Celexa at 10 mg. 3 months after starting it and feeling great, one day I awoke and all I wanted to do was to kill myself. I have reached the point that I must just accept my own world, both good and bad and just try each day to keep somewhat balanced. It has been a terrible struggle but I will not give up. All the best to you PeachyPie99.

[Sunnidayz1]

We all understand you PeachyPie99. It is hard to live w fear. The good news is there is a cure. You wont have to live your whole life like this. Keep trying. Find a really good therapist that u click with. All therapists are not the same.

Theres no right or wrong way in dealing w this. Some use meds, others go to therapy others find ways to cope by meditation, exercise, journaling, etc.

We are all human and our basic need is to connect with others. Isolation can lead to depression. My advice is to reach out to your community. You can do it. I used to suffer from social anxiety, if I can go out there & make connections so can you!

Anxiety and panic is NOT a life sentence. You can do this! You are not alone.

XxSunni