Severe anxiety agoraphobia and panic attacks

[AuntDK]

Severe anxiety agoraphobia and panic attacks I was diagnosed with anxiety agoraphobia and panic attacks about 20 years ago for a while they were under control but six months ago I moved from the home I had bought 34 years ago and ever since then I have been having anxiety almost 24 seven panic attacks shortness of breath everything that goes along with it has anyone else on here dealt with a move and how long does it take to get used to your new surroundings and for the anxiety and panic to subside appreciate any help I talk to my therapist about it and she just says it’ll take time

[Agora1]

Hi AuntDK, Welcome!There was a time that I struggled with Panic Attacks, Severe Anxiety that led into

Agoraphobia for 5 years. It had nothing to do with moving into a new home. I was

already in my "forever home". Something inside of me started focusing on fear and

nothing else. I'd wake up to fear and go to bed fearing the fear that was to come in

the mornning.

After a while, I feared going out and literally stayed in my house for 5 years straight

never even peeking out the door to get the mail. It was a bad situation.

I used that time to address my fears with my therapist multiple times a week.

I was on medication as well. It didn't seem to be enough.

I re-read Dr. Claire Weekes' book on "Hope & Help for Your Nerves" A book of

Accepting Anxiety. I had gotten into a pattern of fight or flight each time I experienced

a Panic Attack coming on. The more I fought, the stronger the sensations and frequency

got.

I got to a point where I was tired of being trapped in my own home since that didn't seem

to solve the problem of anxiety and fear. I was stuck in a cycle of bear begets fear and I

desperately needed to break that cycle.

I studied everything I could about Anxiety and it's effect on the Mind/Body Connection.

I made YouTube my "go to". Looking into anything and everything I could to beat this anxiety.

I found Meditation and Breathing helped me. But at first, my brain was so scrambled with

thoughts that I couldn't concentrate for long.

As I learn to really concentrate on what the words of the meditation were saying, I started to

believe what I was reading. Believing and Accepting that I could and I would be okay.

It took some time but more than that it took consistency each and every day in allowing

some "me time" for myself. I was ready to got out in the world again. I was ready to live and

not just exist. Eventually, I had my "aha moment" where I knew I was going to have control

over my life once again.

That has been many years ago and life is still amazing. We are here to support you through

this difficult journey. Know that you will reach your "aha" moment as well xx

[PanicSucks]

I don't think I'd be here if it wasn't for medication. The hell of 24/7 panic attacks for WEEKS was nothing less than torture: couldn't eat, couldn't drink, couldn't do anything except have an endless loop of panic attacks. Imagine having seizures 24/7. Imipramine was the first drug that provided almost IMMEDIATE relief! It blocked the panic attacks and brought them down to a "manageable" level. Quotes around this as it was still torture just mitigated. This allowed me to go back to college and take some courses. A lot more medication changes and therapy since that initial attack has brought me to today: still looking for a SOLUTION to ERASE all feelings of panic and anticipatory anxiety. For years I was quite stable on a high dose SNRI and Xanax, managing to work and live albeit it with Panic always waiting in the shadows each day and breathing down my neck.