HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

New Here... . Anybody Care??? ?

Support Forums
>
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 12/10/2012 12:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi There All!

I have been researching about my condition for years now, trying to get some help or to talk to someone who understands me... . Sadly most of my friends don't understand what I'm going through and they will say, "It's all in the mind" those who suffer from Panic/Anxiety Attacks know it is easier said than done... .

I have been dealing with Anxiety/Panic Attacks with OCD for almost 7 Years now... . I decided to go on medicines (anti-depressant) on 2010 but then I don't feel it's helping me at all, I used to have episodes of panic and anxiety plus OCD is there so I stopped it 2 months ago. I actually went cold turkey during my first attempt to stop and I had unbearable withdrawal symptoms so I taper down for two months then I totally get rid of it... . I was OK for a while but now... . For the last two weeks Anxiety/Panic Attacks and OCD is EXTREME! Like this is what I felt before I take medications... . I don't want to go back to medicines anymore, I am trying my best to help myself by studying/learning the CBT thing... . I have been reading lots of stuffs about it but when I feel anxious my mind is clouded and messed up and don't really know what to do... . I cannot afford a Psychologist or a Therapy for my problem as I don't earn that much plus I don't have medical insurance... .

Any advice you can give me? I feel so helpless and hopless... . I'm living/working in a foreign country alone :( so imagine how difficult it is for me... .

I hope I'll Be Fine SOon... . :(
Posted 12/10/2012 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Be_Dazzled,

Welcome to the forum!

Sorry to hear about everything that your are going through. Please note that we care about you. I've done CBT already with my therapist. Now I'm doing DBT.
Is there no public service that offer counseling? I know there are many toll-free hotlines that you can call to chat with someone. Maybe you can try this when you're feeling down and not sure what to do?

Please note that we are here for you. I hope you feel better. Keep us posted.
Hang in there.

Take Care

UA
Posted 12/10/2012 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hi BD and welcome!

Yes we care!!! I am so glad that you found us.:) I am sorry to hear that you are having issues with anxiety however:(  I can imagine how hard it must be to be dealing with this alone, in a foreign country...so know that you now have a group of supporters who understand and will be here for you anytime you reach out here!

Good on you for starting up with some self-help and CBT! Please note that it does take time for the techniques to start to be effective. I went through two courses and did additional self-help work...and it did take patience. However, it was well worth it, so don't give up! If you need some additional book ideas, just let me know and I will post some links.

We also have a great Resource Guide right here, full of good self-help ideas. It is on the main page, 1st post. You will find breathing and relaxation links that teach you how to effectively reduce your overall anxiety, or help stop a panic attack. If practiced daily, these really help! We also have free on-line therapy links called Moodgym and e-couch that are CBT based.

There is hope, and you are on your way to healing and recovery, so keep up the good work!

I hope that you will continue on with us...feel free to post anytime.:)

Talk to you soon,

Scaredy Cat

Posted 12/11/2012 6:00 AM (GMT 0)
Hi UA & Scaredy Cat!

Thank You For The Reply... .
I don't think they have Public Service for Counseling from where I am now :(

Lucky you have some help doing your recovery using CBT... . What is DBT by the way?
I'm doing it alone so far I don't know where I'm heading... . I'm reading a book now called, "Feeling Good The New Mood Therapy" By Dr. David Burns it talks more about depression and anxiety but not much about overcoming OCD... . If you hear about my OCD Issues maybe you'll find it weird, I do... . But I just cannot control it :( But I will definitely visit the sites your'e suggesting me. Thank you for that!
I'm glad I found you too!

Today, not much of panic attacks but as usual I'm dizzy. When I feel something wrong with my body that's when my anxiety starts... .

Making it through the day,
Be
Posted 12/11/2012 6:41 AM (GMT 0)
Scaredy Cat... .

Is it ok to ask for your help on me doing my own CBT :(
I Really Don't Know Where To Start... .

My MOod Is Constantly Changing... . Now I'm Ok And The Next I'm Feeling Anxious... . :(
Posted 12/11/2012 7:16 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Everyone,

I just joined this site tonight looking to find out more info on weining myself off my depression
meds, i think i have been doing it all wrong.
Posted 12/11/2012 8:01 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sun Glow... .

Welcome To HW!

I'm Also New Here!

I was OFF My Medications for two months now... . And I tell You I Had Troubles Weaning Down... . Because Of The Withdrawal Symptoms... . But EventuaLlY It WiLl Go AWAY... .

What Medications Were You Taking? And How Many Dosage??? ? *If I May Ask... .

Cheers!
BE
Posted 12/11/2012 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
Here are some links to check out BD.:)

http://www.get.gg/links.htm

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=cbt+workbook&tag=googhydr-20&index=stripbooks&hvadid=566

http://www.amazon.com/Overcoming-Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder-Behavioral/dp/B008SLGCVY

http://anxieties.com/ocd-help.php

We also have some CBT downloads in our Resources here that you may find useful.  I hope that this gives you some things that you find beneficial!

S.C.

Posted 12/11/2012 5:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Scaredy Cat!

I was feeling dizzy now, When I'm on my way home from work My ears were ringing, it usually happens to me before I have my period it's one of my PMS dizzy and vertigo but right now I just had my period 1 week ago, I don't know why I am always Dizzy :( and when I am dizzy I feel anxious then like I said panic starts! I can't think straight! :(

Now, I'm feeling bad... . :(
Posted 12/11/2012 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
I get the dizzy symptom as well...it is awful! For me, it is the feeling of being out of control that get to me. I think that it is definitely a cycle. I am anxious, so I get dizzy...then I feel out of control, so I get more anxious.

I try to do breathing exercises when I get dizzy, because hyperventilation is often to blame.

When we are anxious, we often without even being aware of it, take quick, shallow breaths. This disrupts the oxygen and Co2 balance in our bloodstream, thus causing all sorts of symptoms...not the least of these...dizzyness.

Try some deep breathing exercises (see our Resource Guide for directions) I have a personal favorite that I will post for you if you would like...it is very effective for me.

I hope that you feel better soon!

S.C.
Posted 12/11/2012 5:53 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for replying... . Scaredy Cat... .
I have some breathing exercise hand outs with me but everytime I try to do it I feel like I get anxious more and I end up always catching up my breathe... . Maybe I'm doing it wrong?

Can you post here your personal favorite that help you?

Thank You So Much! ;)
Posted 12/11/2012 6:49 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know that you are doing it wrong...I think that some people just have trouble with them...I did too, but for some reason this one worked for me.  Here is an old post, copied that includes  a video from our Resources and my favorite breathing exercise.:)

S.C.

****************************************************** 


I never found any breathing exercises that helpful until I was taught one that I felt really put me in control. It is called 'The Divided Breath' and I will post it for you, along with some other links that you may find helpful. Remember to practice daily, even if you are not feeling anxious. It is the deep, slow breathing habit that you want to develop, and it takes some time for it to become second nature.

www.ehow.com/video_4405003_breathing-exercises-panic-attacks.html


Okay, my favorite is this one, it takes some practice though. When I first started, I could hardly do one!
The Divided Breath:

Imagine your lungs as having 3 parts. The bottome third, the middle, and top third. On the inhale fill the bottom third first, then the middle and finally the third. Make sure that this is one continuous breath, but divided, with a slight pause in between each third. Hold the breath in for 3-5 seconds if possible. Exhale in reverse. First blow out the top third, then the middle, and finally the bottom third of your lungs until all air is expelled. (remember the pauses) Repeat several rounds for a toatal of about 10 minutes. Practicing this every day will not only give you control and structure to your breathing, it will strengthen and loosen the thoractic muscles, allowing better, more productive breathing, and relieving the chest tightness!
 

Posted 12/12/2012 7:40 AM (GMT 0)
Be_Dazzled,

Welcome to the healingwell site. You have found a group of caring people that understand and we have been thru it. By the way its great you've started Cognitive Behavior Therapy on your own. DBT is

Dialectical Behavior Therapy which i am doing for the 2nd time.

Anxiety/Panic attacks can be so debilitating at times. For me my Psych won't put me on meds for anxiety attacks per addiction reasons, so i have to use other avenues to try and get thru them when i feel like i'm going to explode at the time. Breathing exercises that i learned thru DBT really do help but it still makes living with this problem so very difficult.

i feel for you and being so far away. i also suffer from many different diagnosis but one being OCD. So my best for you.

Serenitee

Bipolar 2 w/Depression, Borderline Personality Disorder, PTSD, OCD, Anxiety/Panic Disorder, Social anxiety and agoraphobia

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply