Hello everyone. I'm Shawnee, I have been suffering from anxiety and panic attacks since 2004. I have had a handle on them until the last couple years they have gotten pretty bad. Honestly I have nobody to talk to or who will understand my situation. It has gotten so bad to the point I feel I am secluding myself from people, place or things to prevent an attack. Just looking for alittle support.
Thank you.
Welcome Shawneemaree 
there are plenty of amazing people here that you can talk to. People have all sorts of backgrounds, and I’m sure that you will find that there are plenty of people who understand what you’re going through.
I’m glad you’re here and I hope you find what you’re looking for
Thank you for the warm welcome.
Hello welcome to this amazing site 🥰❤️🫂. The people here are very kind and understanding ❤️. - Hiba
Thank you for the warm welcome!
Your welcome ❤️☺️
Hi Hb2003...What's your story?
I had very bad depression during 8th grade and during high school I got bullied a lot I also suffer from anxiety and I get shaky I have been doing therapy for a few years now
I got bullied too in 7th and 8th grade! It changed my life....
Same with me it’s not fun
I also suffered from suicidal ideation
Hmmmmm think I suffered from that too. Can you please explain suicidal ideation?
So suicidal ideation is a thought of wanting to do suicide
Well ive had plenty of those thoughts.
You are more than welcome here, Shawneemaree. You’ll find pretty quickly that you’re not alone in feeling the way you do. So glad you found us!
I have never felt so welcome as I have now. Walking through life surrounded by so many people feeling so alone sucks. I am so glad I found this site!!!
Shawnee your not alone. I’m am also in the dumps I’m looking for a few people I can help and that in turn will help me. Too many meds. Too much COVID or Presidential drama make me feel like what the reason to stay. I just want to talk too.
Thank you! And neither are you! I understand I totally get it. It's alot going on right now and it has been causing so much anxiety and depression. I cannot wait until COVID is over. But I know how you feel! I am always here for you if you need to talk!
Hi Shawneemaree. Welcome to a safe supportive site to come to when feeling you are all alone. I went through the same thing as you many years ago. I thought that anxiety/panic attacks came from places I've been, people I've met and things that I was doing.
I was wrong, so wrong. As I learned down the road, the anxiety was in me and I couldn't
run away from it. I tried at one time and became Agoraphobic. That's when I realized that
hiding in my house, the attacks and fear were the same. I learned to accept Anxiety and it's symptoms as a lie coming from my subconscious mind. It starts as a thought and then escalates into a fear which then turns into a physical symptom.
I'm glad you are here with us Shawn, you won't have to walk alone, we will be right there with you sharing our own experiences and supporting and understanding you because we care. : ) xx
Thank you so much. That makes me feel alot better to know that I am not alone. May I ask what helped you to get though it to where you are now?
What help and was the turning point for me Shawnee was when I realized that I had the answer inside me. It wasn't in a pill and therapy was just there to help me find my way home. My doctors and therapist were constantly reassuring me that my strength was still within me. I had to pull on my resources and I had many but never acted upon them.
Once I started believing in myself once again and put words into action, I started seeing the results. It's hard work that gets easier by repetition. . We are here to help you learn
through our mistakes as well as steps forward. xx
I know what's your feeling.. I have had them since I was 19 .. I am 53 now and still avoid many places due to panic attacks.. The worse thing you can do is run home whenever you get a PA or avoid going places.. Your only feeding the beast, I find meds didn't work , but therapy did wonders for me.. Just remeber your not alone .. Whenever you feel a PA .. 1 in 6 people are suffering the way same way we are ..
Hi Detour13...I am 62 and my PAs have gotten worse. Ive walked out of 8 "good" jobs I've had due to PAs. And I often hole up at home because things outside my home feel scary. I'm on plenty of meds but I do need a therapist. I often feel alone because I don't feel people understand it. Sadly, I feel like my world's getting smaller..
Good morning.. I know the feeling .. And I'm sorry to hear that.. I'm the opposite. When I get to work the last thing I think of is PA .. I get into work and the fear of having a PA is temporally gone.. I was ashamed for years to tell people I suffer from PA.. But to my my surprise most people are very understandable. You should try to open up to people.. And hey you are definitely not alone..
Thanks for your kind words. Yes, everytime I have one the first thought is to run back home. That is like my safe zone. But your absolutely right. It just feeds the beast. I hate to take medications so that isn't an option for me. I tried therapy but it seemed like it didn't help any. I am trying to search for a good therapist now to try again.
There are a lot of tools .. When you having a good embrace it!! Take it in and enjoy it.. U know something so crazy helped me out a lot.. I put a bright yellow smiley face on the screen in my car.. And I would look at that smiley face everytime I felt a PA coming on.. And I associated that smiley face to a day I was panic free .. And it really worked for me..
Hi Shawneemaree...Maybe we can chat....we seem similar. Im a young 62 female living in Sol Cal where everbody is supposed to be happy all the time...
Hello! Of course anytime! I'm always here if you need anyone to talk to.
Hi Shawnee, Sounds like you are between a rock and a hard place. You need emotional support, but need to minimize anxiety/panic attacks. I need more emotional support and interaction, but have fears of rejection and being misunderstood. It is a difficult place to be when we have conflicting needs. Participating in this online forum is a step in the right direction. You are in the company of people who are struggling with the same and similar issues. I encourage you to keep posting as a way of getting support and not feeling so alone.
Hello John!
Yes, I feel as if I am. I have the same fears. I used to have my own family laugh at me when I had panic attacks. They used to think I was being "dramatic". So I've learned how to deal with then myself. People who don't know how it is to live with panic attacks don't take it seriously. It's a horrible thing. I definitely will keep posting I've met alot of great people in the short time being here. Thank you for your words!
Hi Shawnee and welcome. You are definitely not alone. Many, many people suffer from panic attacks. My attacks started at age 18. I am 45 now. I too did not want to go on medication. In fact it took me 7 years to finally start taking an antidepressant to control them. That was the year 2000 and I havnt had an attack since. I give you much credit trying to deal with this without meds. It’s always better to do it naturally if you can. I’m sorry you have been laughed at. Those who have never experienced an attack haven’t the slightest idea of what it’s like because their mind has never gone there. They lack compassion because they see it as a weakness and it is not! Just remember none of this is your fault. Panic attacks hit the strong, the smart, the successful, the weak, the poor, the rich. They do not discriminate. Not sure if your a person of faith but my faith has carried me and continues to carry me through. I wish you all the best!
Hi shawneemaree, Thanks for the reply. It is difficult when others do not understand and are not supportive, especially when we are most vulnerable. Good hear this online group is helping you.
SO TRUE.. If you have never experienced PA , people have no idea what we go thru.. And damn after having a PA, it is emotionally exhausting.. Feels like I just got hit by a truck..
Hi Shawnee, nice to meet you. I'm sorry you're struggling with anxiety more these days. It's understandable, as these are troubling times. This is a good community and hopefully the things people say here will help. I know they help me a lot. 🐺
It really is alot nowadays. I'm so happy I found this site. I'm glad your able to get the support you need as well!
I've been on here a couple of days. There are great people on here. Hope to be able to help you if I can. I'm learning the ropes too.
Thank you! I really appreciate you! 🙂
Hi! Welcome! I’m sorry you are experiencing panic and anxiety. I’m 53 and this all started in 1987 🤦♀️ I became agoraphobic. It was awful! I finally got on the right meds and have a good life. The attacks still sneak up on me. Please get help, I did the same thing. Message me if you would like. I’d be happy to help you.
Hello! Thank you for your words. I'm so glad you were able to get the help you needed. I am going to message you.
Hi ShawneeI suffer as well so I know how painful anxiety can be. There are lots of people on this with anxiety. I finally went in patient at the hospital for help. I didn’t know what else to do. It turned out to be the best place since I was prescribed medication that has kept me calm and no more anxiety.
I hope you get professional help. There are lots of different meds to help us just have to see psychiatrist so they can help you. I know you will feel better if you start medication.
Hello. Thank you for your kind words. I'm glad you were able to get the help you needed. I would love to get help but I am fearful of taking medications. Do you mind messaging me just so I cns get more insight please?
Hi ShawneeThere is an abundance of antidepressants and anxiety medication on the market What works for one person may not work for another. I would make an appointment with a psychiatrist since they are the most knowledgeable on mental health issues.
Welcome. I hope you will find some helpful ideas on this site so you can better cope with life and his uncertainties. My advice is simple: feel grateful for what you have every day...simple pleasures, food, warmth, good physical health, nature, etc.
Thank you for your kind words. I have had alot of good ideas come from this site. I will do that thank you so much!
Thank you guys! You all have truly made me feel more than welcomed! I've never experienced this much acceptance before.. thank you everyone! 😊
Shawneemaree, When I read that your family laughed at you and said you were being dramatic I totally got that. I've left at least 5 jobs due to panic attacks and anxiety. It's hard to know if my family takes my PA seriously bc they don't discuss it. If I saw a family member leave job after job, I would pull them aside and say something but my family doesn't acknowledge my PA at all! Very sad commentary on my family & yours.😐
I keep some things secret because I don’t want to talk about them but sometimes I do talk about it
Slow but sure...your anxiety will melt...under spring sunshine🌼
Welcome to our community shawneemaree 🤗. Much love and lights to you. ☮️🕊🌈🙏xxx
Hey friend...I suffer too but I found out I have the worry gene in my dna mthfr, comt and Pemt. My point is that this condition, it’s NOT a disease and it is not your fault and you can heal BUT: If you go to YouTube search sleep hypnosis for anxiety and body healing. Put a head set on and try to clear your subconscious of negativity, crazy thoughts and re-wire your brain. I am sending you light and love, healing and new beginnings. Turn this anxiety around. You know this anxiety was given to you as another way of awakening. You know something is not right with something. Either with you, someone else or losing faith sometimes. You are holding in the truth, you are tired of something that is keeping you back. One of the best healing modalities are music. I have it piped in my house 24/7. If I’m singing my favorite music I’m not ruminating. I love old 70 rock and blues music, I sing out loud like I’m on stage as it heals the vagus nerve, I go in my car and scream at the gods so loud I know the gods can hear me. I roll up in a ball and cry when no one is around because that is when the universe answers your question. Anxiety causes our body to get stagnant. We must shake it out with music, crying, screaming. Once you cleanse your energy the body calms down. Then you are given a gift. Usually hope floods you, lessons show up, you forgive your friend, you help others because you will become a teacher after this. You’re anxiety is message. Even though it’s been years anxiety goes away. I love you, I trust you will never give up, someone special will show up this week. Reply back and tell me your blessing.
Hi Shawneemaree....I'm new here, too, so don't feel alone. I think we're all in need of acceptance, understanding and kindness.....this stuff is hard! And it can be so lonely. Like you, I'm hoping to find others who can relate, and so far it looks like there's plenty of us. You keep hanging in there and I will, too. Sending hugs
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