introducing myself- new user!

hi just thought id introduce myself, i have suffered panic/ anxiety disorder since i was 17 (now 39) and had very good success with cbt therapy, being anxiety free without meds for 12 year. recently after a traumatic experience, the anxiety/ panic returned after 12 years without it and i was beside myself. sadly the cbt therapy went out the window and i turned to alcahol for therapy- silly girl. doctors perscribed cymbalta 60 and i was on this for 8 months and felt like a zombie, no energy, yes no anxiety, byt gained 10kg which created a depression cycle. I am 3 weeks tapering off cymbalta and life has been wonderful, no anxiety attacks and when feeling "yuk" going back to my old notes on cbt, and not heading for the wine. (I also suffer pmdd which is quite severe pmt symptoms so the wine was fabulous for numbing the brain and breast pain!) but not helping other aspects of my life. I have 3 beautiful kids and very much want to be the old me again, i found her once, im looking again, i know shes close by :) week 3 with only 2 cymbalta 30's is going well, but the anxiety has hit hard today, i think because i have the flu (10 days sick and full of snot ewwww!) and again, i stupidly forgot to eat, hence throwing my body into hypoglycemic reaction about lunchtime that sets off a panic attack, again, silly girl! im tipping many people who suffer panic symptoms are very type a personality and always on the go, i have been like this all my life, and find that it doesnt help with looking after myself, which sets off body sensations, which in turn create anxiety feelings. for me they are racing heart, feeling faint, dizzy, low blood pressure, and "wanting to escape" feeling and be with someone safe incase something does happen. I know this is iss anxiety, ive done it all before and i know it wont hurt me. Im here for support, hopefully to support some of you too, to tell my story and to recover and get my life back. I hope to speak with like minded people, who understand our struggle. anyway, hi!!!!!

Hi overcomingit and welcome!

Great screen name btw...and I have no doubt that you will indeed overcome your troubles.:)

Great job on getting back on a healthy track as far as your treament plan goes. I am so glad that you were able to conquer the alcohol issue and to pro-actively seek to manage your anxiety in a positive way! You and your kids deserve that...well done.:)

I am glad that you have joined us and thank-you for the great introduction. It is really helpful to know what you have tried as far as treament, so that we can further help and support you. If you are interested in boosting your CBT tool bag for example...we have some great thought jounal and mood record/worksheet downloads in our Resource Guide (main page, 1st post) Keep up the good work in that area...CBT also was a huge part of my recovery!

Keep posting with us if you find it helpful. I certainly have!  Being part of a community with others who understand is in itself healing.:) We are here to listen anytime.

Talk to you soon,

Scaredy Cat

thankyou, im looking hrough the cbt info now, thankyou so much for your help, looking forward to the process, and once again becoming anxiety free :) must go pick up my children, its 3.30 pm here in aus!

Wow I understand everything you wrote although I've only dealt with anxiety about 4 years. I'm new here too so hello :D