What lead to your diagonosis?

Hi Everyone
I was just curious about what lead you to seek treatment? How did you come to realise that a) what you felt was more than just the same kind of nerves everyone feels, b) that it was a treatable condition and c) that many other people suffer this condition?

I'm not sure if I've put it quite right so I hope my story will make it clearer.

I'd been having what I know know was anxiety issues ever since my early teens and probably even before that. At the time I had no idea what these feelings were that would overcome me. My anxiety got worse after I got a bad case of stomach flu on the way home from a family holiday and became obsessed with the possibility of having an accident and soiling myself in public.

I hit my lowest point after I left home and moved to another state where I didn't have any family or friends. Things got pretty bad and I could barely leave the house some days. Anyway to cut a long story short I was watching an episode of Oprah one day that was all about anxiety issues and, to quote her, It was a light bulb moment. I was like THEY"RE JUST LIKE ME!!!!! I'm not crazy or some kind of medical freak. there is a real reason for me feeling this way and I can get BETTER! It was such a relief. It still took me a while to work up the courage to go and see my GP but the rest as they say is history.
Thanks
Belle

I didn't really realize I had anxiety issues until I was 19 when I had my first panic attack. I have always been an anxious person, but it wasn't until then that I knew I needed to start taking action to feel better. I started different kinds of anti anxiety medications that really didn't help much, and decided to go off from them and just fight it on my own. I wrestled with bad anxiety for about 4 months, but it eventually calmed down. Now here I am 8 years later, and my anxiety has kicked back into high gear. I did just have a baby six months ago, and I really think that has a lot to do with it. That made number 4 for me, and I think I am just overwhelmed. But anyway, I enjoy coming on here and being able to relate to others who understand where I am coming from.