StrawberryFields678 Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 I came across this site while doing a web search. I am 34 years old from long island, NY. I have dealt with depression for years and in 2006 started having panic attacks and I honestly thought I was dying. It was a very difficult thing to deal with. I started taking zoloft for my depression and the attacks and it did help somewhat and I also saw a therapist. At that time I was diagnosed with Panic Disorder. The medication made things more manageable but I still experienced the attacks. When it started i was pretty much scared to go anywhere...I was basically housebound for a few months with such paralyzing fear and gradually started doing more things as I started feeling better. In 2012 my choice, I decided to go off meds and try to see how I would feel. I was off meds for about 8-9 months. Then my panic/anxiety attacks came back full force and I felt worse than I had when this started in 2006. Again Paralyzed by fear I was scared to do anything again....felt dizzy, and very off for a while. I started taking a different medication, Effexor. A different doctor diagnosed me with GAD. I've been on it a little over a year and I feel much better than I was but I still live with anxiety every day, there is not a day that I am not thinking about it. I do more things now but i still have off days. I am so hyper sensitive to any feeling in my body.....pain, discomfort....I have experienced many attacks over the years but even still when I have them I think "this is not an attack, I am going to have a stroke, heart attack or faint." Dealing with this for 8 years, I really cannot remember what it was like before this, when I didn't feel like this. I honestly wouldn't wish this on anyone, not even my worst enemy. I have struggled, still do....want this to go away, feel normal....but I may very well have to be on medications for the rest of my life...I know a major cause of these problems is a chemical imbalance. I have tried to explore in therapy more of a root to this condition....something in my past or whatever but I have not succeeded in finding a reason. I think this is so difficult for people to understand who have not experienced it. I decided to join this site to share some experiences and maybe offer some input on what others are dealing with. Thank you for reading Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt07 Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Hello and welcome aboard! Yes, anxiety is horrible. I am just coming out of an anxious period myself. Meds help but they aren't 100%. You are definitely in good company here. I hope that we can be helpful, and I look forward to seeing you post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiaB Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Welcome to CB! You should find plenty of support here on our Panic/Anxiety Disorders forum. Please take a minute to read our rules (located in the bottom righthand corner of the screen), and feel free to contact a staff member if you have any questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrawberryFields678 Posted May 13, 2014 Author Share Posted May 13, 2014 thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olga Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 Welcome to Crazyboards. Let us know if you have any questions. olga Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 Heya, welcome to CB. Anxiety is one of the worst feelings out there. It sucks to live with it, for sure! I'm sure many of us can agree on that. I'm glad you're getting help for it. Ever tried CBT? It can help a lot in conjunction with medication. Wishing you all the best, and I hope you can find some good info here and get some good info for yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenix_Rising Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 Hi and Welcome to Crazyboards! I agree with San; using CBT is helpful for dealing with anxiety in addition to taking your meds. Looking forward to seeing you around Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrawberryFields678 Posted May 14, 2014 Author Share Posted May 14, 2014 thanks all for the warm welcome. Never tried CBT...heard about it and read some about it though. Def something to consider Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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