You can overcome this!

My overwhelming anxiety and panic disorder started when I was about 21. I am 35 now.

I went through some really tough times and had to deal with some major life stressors.

I felt so alone with my anxiety and panic attacts.I had constant scary thoughts.It was really bad. I thought it would kill me. This went on for years........

I wanted to share with you some of the things that helped me to completely overcome this. I have not had a panic attack in about 7 years! I no longer have obsessive scary thoughts and I can go anywhere and do anything that I want to do.

Even though I was diagnosed with a disease that has no cure, I am still holding steady. Unbelieveable!

I do still have what I consider "normal anxiety". There is no comparison!

Anyway I wanted to share with you some of the things that helped me.

1. I surrendered my life to God.

2.I prayed alot!

3. I changed my lifestyle (stopped smoking, stopped drinking, started exersizing, oh,and stopped caffine).

4.I went through a program called "attacking anxiety and depression" by Lucenda Bassett.

5.I started taking risks and facing my fears.

6. I would do things even though it scared me to death. I would say to myself "so what if it kills me, then I will go to heaven and be with God!

There is hope! You have got to face your fears HEAD ON!

You only have this one life! Start today! Change some things!

You can do it!  

Post Edited (georgiagirl) : 7/19/2008 3:50:48 PM (GMT-6)

HOw do you surrounded your life to god. I hear this in church allthe time and I really don't get it.  I believe  in god --I haven't been able to go to church without starting to get teary eyes.  I was so depressed last week I didn't even go .   I read how depression goes on for years --I can't take this for years.  I need help now ..I know i do need to get back to exercising ..I haven't for 2 weeks or so .  My fears are irrational fears--more obsessive thoughts that we will be broke and my kids won't get to college and we will have failed them as parents.  My husband assures me that won''t  happen .  BUt i can't stop the feelings   I have tried to tell my husband and he is listens but can't relate--he has never been depressed and doesn't worry about hte future.  He says god is in control.  I can't find peace with that . does that mean I am not a true believer.  I guess it is the saying  Why does god let bad things happen to good people.  I know my life could be soo much worse  I read these post and then feel worse because you all have a TRUE reason to be depressed and mine is a what if ????

I just want to feel peace  and be happy for what i have but i just feellike crying and my heart is tight and beaten hundred miles an hour.  I can't take being like this --I feellike asking my husband for a divorce so he can go and find a better wife andmother for his kids

Georgiagirl,

Thank you so much for sharing your story and I am so happy you have faced your fears and continue to believe that you will be OK.  That is great.

It is inspiring to hear a success story too. Bless you.

Kitt

how to stop the pain,

Take a big deep breath and know you are OK.  You are a new member and there is no  one way that works for everyone.  Georgia found a way to control her anxiety and she is able to maintain with the information she shared with us.  That does not mean you won't find a way with help and you too will overcome your depression.

First of all do you have a therapist?  Also  perhaps you need to see your physician for a good medical screening exam to be sure you have no medical problems going on.  Now here are a few tips for dealing with your depression.

Learn to love yourself,  you have to take care of you first.  You are a unique and caring person and you are very important to many people including your husband. 

Depression can be like a tremendous weight, keeping you down so you don't want to function. Sometimes, it's a constant battle with oneself to get up, get ready and get dressed every day. Life has a way of piling stuff on us, and it is our job to un-freeze our bodies and keep going during even the most difficult of times. Don't give up on yourself for having depression, it is possible to increase your energy and drive. It just takes finding out what solutions work best for you specifically.

Don't overanalyze or judge situations that upset you. Minimize the drama in your life.

It is best to limit your exposure to people who consistently bring you down or stress you out. Take situations and problems at face value. Don't read into them, just accept the reality of each issue as you experience it . Be kind to yourself.  We are all here to help and please keep posting.

I believe you have been posting in the Depression Forum, right?

I look forward to getting to know you better.

Gentle Hugs
Kitt

If you want your email in go to Control panel and there is a place to insert if you edit Profile and then it wil show up in lil envelope at the side for others to see that are members only**

YOU did nothing wrong at all I just worry when I see an email addy up in a post like this for all to get to ya know any questions email me k

Welcome to HW

     LYN

Post Edited By Moderator (Howlyncat) : 7/20/2008 7:44:50 AM (GMT-6)