It's just come back..

[NatashaSAB]

I was diagnosed with anxiety 2 months back, I was having really bad panic attacks and didn't know what was happening to me, I thought I was going crazy. I don't take tablets for it I've been going to see a counselor and it's been working my panic attacks stopped and I felt like I was getting somewhere, I finally felt like it wasn't going to constantly control my life until this last week.. After my counselling session on Tuesday I had a really bad panic attack.. If it's mild I can deal with it but if it gets too much I have to have my Aunty with me and I haven't needed her for so long I was angry that it had come back, I thought it could just be a one of but I've been having them a lot again.. I was sat in my sisters house playing with my nieces and I started to have one.. I have no idea why and then I think it can't be anxiety because nothing brings it on it just happens and I think I'm going crazy all over again.. My lips go numb when I'm about to have one.. Well I think they do or it could be just me panicking. I'll tell my counselor about this last week on Tuesday but I do feel back to square one again like I'll have anxiety forever.. I'm a different person now because of it. I use to love thrills and adventures but now I can't even go on a fairground ride with my friends because I'm scared it will bring a panic attack on. To the people who take tablets, do you think I should ask about them? I'm only 21 I don't want to be on tablets for my life but with anxiety constantly on my mind I am stopping doing things I love..

Hope everyone is doing good here. It helps so much to read up on what other people are going through, makes me know I'm not on my own.

Natasha

[sarm]

Tablets could help atleast until u r further with ur counselling. I an 21 and I also have severe attacks. I constantly think im gna die because of how bad they get . Know how u feel x

[leveller]

Hi Natasha,

Anxiety was described to me as my therapist as being a little like diabetes or asthma - once you've got it, you've got it, but then it's up to you to control it. So don't feel angry with yourself if you slip back a little, if you've come back from it once, you can do it again. I've suffered with anxiety and panic on and off through my life (I'm in my forties now) but it got really bad a few years ago. I have tried tablets (citralopram) but whilst I think they made me feel better they didn't sort the issues out that were making the anxiety worse- they knock the edges off everything (bad stuff and good stuff) and personally I hate the lows that I get, but I miss the good feelings I get when I'm not in the middle of anxiety. Since I came off them a few years ago I decided that (for me) I preferred to look for solutions that didn't involve drugs and keep them as the very last resort. Whilst I have some bad times since then, I've managed to stay off them, so that makes me proud.

I've recently tried mindful meditation. It is clinically proven to be as effective as tablets for anxiety and depression. Whilst I still have bad days (which is normal, everyone has bad days even those not in the throws of mental illness) I have more good days. And on the bad days I don't beat myself up, I just accept that we all have bad days and they will pass. Because they do.

Good luck, hang in there and maybe speak to your therapist about mindfulness. I found it was better to finish the CBT that I did with my therapist before moving on to mindfulness.

Best wishes, Leveller.

[Damian]

I'm sorry it's got worse for you again. I find, though, that anxiety does tend to come and go. Has anything stressful happened in your life recently? I find that's always a trigger for me. For example, say I was starting a new job. Anyone would worry about that a bit, but for me it's worse, because it would kick off all my irrational anxieties too.

[ESR2284]

You're not the only one of course. I'm 29 going on 30... I'm not use to the person I've become. I use to be adventurous also. Now it seems my life has taking a whole 360. I look ar the ppl around me an It seems I'm the craziest. But I'm coping! I hope you feel better, you are still young. ☺️

[Hidden]

I know exactly how you feel. I have been suffering from anxiety and depression since I was 9. I am now 30. I had my first horrible panic attack when I was 13. I thought I was dying or going insane. I do not wish it on anyone. It is really scary. I still struggle every day with extreme anxiety, it is a battle. It is good to know we are not alone in this. Take care and God bless.