Hi I'm new and glad to be here

[Nori-R]

Hi all, I'm a newbie to this group, but certainly not a newbie to anxiety, panic attacks, social anxiety and agoraphobia. I look forward to meeting, sharing, and learning from everyone here. I hope I can help and support all in this group as well. A little about myself, I'm 54, divorced mom of 2 grown children. I started having anxiety and panic attacks in my teens. They didn't last long at that time. I went many years with very little to no anxiety or panic attacks until 8 years ago they came back with a vengeance. I've been in therapy and medication since. I go to a nearby clinic that is close enough for me to drive to. It's been a revolving door of therapists, social workers and interns. I've seen 10 different therapists in 8 years, and never got the therapy I need, I've stayed because it's comfortable. I finally looked into seeing a psychologist who specializes in anxiety. I found one, but now have to get up the courage to make that phone call. I know I can do it, but any encouragement I can get would be greatly appreciated.

[Darryl Partner]

Welcome

[Nori-R in reply to Darryl]

Thank you

[Jeff1943]

Nori-R, there are many good therapists and psychologists around but finding the right one can be a lucky dip.

May I question whether you are right to continue searching for somebody else to bring about your recovery bearing in mind that this route has not proved successful so far.

Let me ask you: if I was in the same room as you could you see me? Could you hear me? Could you cross the room towards me? Yes, I hear you say. Then you have everything you need to bring about your own recovery from anxiety disorder no matter how long and how much you have suffered in the past.

At some stage I'm thinking you went through a long period of worry, stress, over work, disappointment or grief. Eventually your nervous system could take no more and became over-sensitised. In this state it begins to play tricks on us and we experience panic attacks, strange ideas, symptoms of illness that are never confirmed by scans and other tests, derealisation, agoraphobia, the list is endless.

We react to these with fear and try to fight them. But fighting only causes more stress and strain, the last thing your nerves need. In the process we flood our nervous systems with fear hormones which only serve to maintain our nerves in a sensitised state.

Fear causes more symptoms which causes more fear which causes more symptoms in a never ending vicious circle.

To regain our tranquil mind we have to give our sensitised nerves a rest and time to recover. The best way to achieve this is to stop fighting and do the opposite to what you've been doing until now: accept all the symptoms of anxiety and social disorder for the time being. Accept them completely, calmly and with the minimum of fear.

Acceptance may take time but with practice and persistance it will stop the constant re-sensitisation and your nervous system will return to normal. And so will you.

On this forum you will hear about self help methods that have allowed untold thousands to recover. I wish you well in your quest to regain your quiet mind and hope that the time you spend here will prove to be most profitable.