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Posted 7/12/2008 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi--I'm Hibiscus.  Lyn suggested I introduce myself, not sure if this is the right place.

I have had chronic depression and anxiety for most of my life. On Paxil for a little over a year, it's great.  The depression is almost gone, the anxiety is harder. 

I have GAD, travel anxiety, possibly a form of mild agarophobia.  I go out, but like to be home in a few hours, or at least by nightime.

Lots of control issues!  Like things to be the same.  What we call being "The Rainman."  Remember the movie?  Well,not quite that severe. yeah I'm 59. 

**Just added a wee bit more to title my friend .....and I brought your other post to here so you wil get more answers ...it is slower on wknds but you will get answers........LOL

             59 you say I am 54 welcome to the oldies but goodies group yeah

Post Edited By Moderator (Howlyncat) : 7/12/2008 8:18:17 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/12/2008 2:22 PM (GMT 0)
Posted by Hibiscus ,.......New member .........

Posted Today 8:36 AM (GMT -6)



P.S.:

 I have a trip of 3 nights on Friday! Including seeing my mother, whom I have big issues with. I'm feeling myself wanting to cancel, but am not going to! One thing I've learned: avoidance doesn't help.

HI there....I moved the post here where you will get more answers my friend okay .......LYN

 

Email me anytime you need to ...email is under my name at side  in envelope ......

Posted 7/12/2008 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi again
There are so many that will be able to relate to what you are going thru and will help you out
This site is fantastic for support and empathy as well as caring and honest ability to KNOW what you are going thru .........

I too like to go out but I tend to get rigth anxious about it and I am on a benzo for that
I take diazapam to keep me from stressing out or having high anxiety as it only makes my other Disease or disorders worse..........or flare up

I am on Celexa as well and I am finding it is just starting to kick in so that is all good

I am so OCD and have to have total control in my house alll the time .....
I am getting better with some things due to doing Cognitive behavioural Therapy online .......I was a skeptic but I am not now

I love that saying
" Avoidance doesnt Help"
SO true isnt it
Have you a therapist or a doc that might RX you something short term for the anxiety you are facing over this trip.......
I know that with techniques and meds I am a better person and I live a full life now.........
It is slower during the wknds but no worries you will get some answers my friend ( not just from me LOL) seems like we have known each other for yrs already EH
Take care and
STAY with us

LYN
Posted 7/12/2008 4:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lyn--I do have Xanax in the house.  I don't much like it in the daytime, as it makes me so sleepy, but I'll take it if I have to.  I am trying a combo of the "let yourself feel it and it will go away" approach, and positive thinking.  Also, went on a walk and a bike ride today. 

I can't imagine having agaraphobia to the point where you can't go out.  I've been lucky to not have that.  Walks do me so much good. 

I had a guy on another site tell me that letting himself feel the anxiety to the max makes it go away the fastest.  I tried it , it seemed to work, but isn't for everybody. 

I like this from Dr. Mark Goulston " Admit that you're anxious by saying to yourself "I am anxious."

    Accept that you're anxious by saying to yourself "It's not something else, I am anxious."

     Just experience that you're anxious by saying to yourself "Ifeel anxious."

     But Don't act on it.  Instead say to yourself:  "Just breathe slowly and let it go."

Posted 7/12/2008 4:30 PM (GMT 0)

hibiscus

Welcome to HealingWell and the A & P forum.  I have anxiety and depresssion too.  I also take Valium and have just added low dose buspar. I am on cymbalta but want to come off that so we are adding the buspar to cover the anxiety better. 

I am like you, I anticipate the outings but I have practiced staying in the moment.  Don't worry about yesterday it is over. Tommorow will take care of itself so stay in the moment.

I like to believe that the biggest fear is fear itself as after the event I realize I was just fine and nothing bad happened to me.

Please stick with us as we love new members and having you with us it really nice.

Kitt

Posted 7/12/2008 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kitt--thanks for the encouragement.  How do you like the Buspar?  My M.D. didn't encourage it.  I did take a half a Xanax!  I don't have to drive anywhere,etc. so why now?  If I get sleepy, I'll take a nap.
Posted 7/13/2008 3:29 AM (GMT 0)

hibiscus,

Welcome to Healing Well!! I hope you like it here, we are a supportive group of people and we have a few laughs as well! I have anxiety/panic disorder and OCD. I too, like things to be "just so". Woe unto anyone who leaves dirty dishes in my sink! I was on high doses of xanax a few years ago (6mg) but I rarely take it now beacuse it causes (in me) rebound anxiety. It is great though for getting through tough situations (like going on trips to see difficult family members!) Please let us know how that goes. My mother is coming to stay for seven days and altho we get along great I'm sure we will want to throttle each other at some stage.

Again, welcome, it's lovely to have a new member to share their experiences and wisdom.

Meg

Posted 7/13/2008 2:26 PM (GMT 0)
How you making out today my friend
'As you see there are so many great ppl here

Keep posting and

Stay with us

I feel you will be an asset to this forum ........LYN
Posted 7/14/2008 7:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi hibiscus.......welcome to HW.

I'm exaclty like you! Anxiety since I was 19 (am 42 now), don't like to travel, like to go out, but like to come home in a few hours.

I've been up and down with anxiety where I have not left the house in 7 months to going away on vacation for 2 weeks.

Control = anxiety. I think everyone who suffers from anxiety has a desperate need for control. I'm not really on any meds or ever have been, but do take xanax as needed.
It's great that you found a med that works for you.

When you said "I had a guy on another site tell me that letting himself feel the anxiety to the max makes it go away the fastest.  I tried it , it seemed to work, but isn't for everybody"

I agree and made an entire thread about this. When I embrace my anxiety, it dicipates and I can function. This is a method I would love to teach everyone who suffers panic because it truly works.

Welcome and I look forward to seeing more of your posts :-)

Jen
 

 

Posted 7/18/2008 8:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hibiscus,

Welcome!

You are so right about how avoiding the things that make us anxious doesn't help - at least not for me, and not in the long run. It's so hard to grit your teeth and face it sometimes, though. For instance, I had to go to a business conference this spring, and the whole time I was there, I was a nervous wreck. I'm glad I went and proved to myself that I was strong enough to do it, but I just wish I could have *enjoyed* it too. Oh, well, success comes in baby steps!

Glad to have you with us!

percycat
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