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Newbie with panic disorder and agoraphobia

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Posted 10/4/2007 8:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi I am 26 year old who has problems with panic disorder.  I recently started a new job in Detroit and while I am from Michigan, I am not from this area.  So the stresses of a new job and area are weighing on me heavily, I have been panicing whenever I walk to my car.  I am on 200mg of zoloft and well, for the most part it works but these attacks keep on coming and getting worse as time goes on.  Any suggestions?

Thanks

Posted 10/4/2007 10:49 PM (GMT 0)

Hello and welcome to Healing Well and the A & P Forum.  I am Kitt.

Have you considered addding therapy to your medications.  Many people have great results with CBT therapy.

  • A counselor can help identify the life problems that are contributing to your depression and help you decide on changes. You may need help to set goals, see new options and learn new approaches to your problems.
  • A counselor can help you identify distorted thought patterns that contribute to your feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, for example, self-defeating thoughts such as "I've always been a loser and I always will be."
  • A counselor can help you to stop over generalizing and sending yourself negative messages.
  • A counseling can help you regain a sense of control and pleasure in life.

Medications can be very useful in helping some types of depression, particularly moderate to severe depression. Medication combined with psychotherapy is especially helpful; however, your use of medication should be monitored by a prescribing physician.

Again a warm welcome to you.
Posted 10/5/2007 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome, and great name :) heh...

I think moving to a new area is extremely stressful. Finding a place that feels safe is important to me. Or really comfortable, that reminds me of home. Something to make me feel grounded. I think finding a good therapist, if you dont have one already there, might help. I know when i moved to a new city i felt like i was floating for a while. It wasnt til i connected with someone (not a romantic connection) did i feel more grounded. I think it takes some time and the increased anxiety is very normal.

If you feel things are getting worse, then you're off to a good start (sounds bad to say, but hear me out). You recognize your situation is uncomfortable and getting more uncomfortable and you want to make a positive change, that to me is really good and a great sign of inner strength.

Things that can help. Yoga, meditation, cycling, exercise, book club or something lightly social, therapy, dog parks, parks, pets, walks, breathing exercises, running, art, photography, bird watching, sailing...ok, maybe not sailing...

Also, reading books that deal with anxiety and panic. I wish they would put Embracing The Fear in the Healingwell store, thats a great book. I think talking on here and just a talking to people in general will help slow it down. I also think that you will get to a point where it will begin to decrease. Once you start to get in your comfort zone. I think its really important to have that. At least for me it is...

I wish you the best, keep posting...
Dan
Posted 10/5/2007 4:37 AM (GMT 0)
I agree with dan... great name!...lol

Im sorry youre having a hard time with your move, any major life change can cause a panic attack to come on strong, especially if you have a few life changes at once! Thats what caused my first attack earlier this year, but things will surely get better as you settle into your new home and job, but the first month or so may be hard... but it will get better!

Keep posting on here, or just read through other peoples comments, its been incredibly theraputic for me to sit and read these everyday!

Do you have any hobbies that you like to do? That can be useful to keep your mind off things =)
Good luck to you! =)

P.S. about living in detroit... careful with the canadian border gaurds.... they can be mean!! lol
Posted 10/5/2007 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
With starting the new job, I got new insurance and a new physician and since I have an HMO, I need to get a referral, so new patient appointments are few (I've got one on 11/5, the ealiest I could find). I recently took the MCAT as well, so I am getting back to into having hobbies as opposed to studying all day, lol.

I also have been going back and forth from Lansing to Detroit (at least 2 hours in rush hour traffic), so my cats are there and I am here during the week (I stay with a friend until my lease is up). What is great about Detroit is that I found a support group nearby and I am thinking of attending a meeting on Tuesday.

PS-panicattacker, I haven't been to Windsor yet, lol
Posted 10/5/2007 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like you're doing a lot of great things! I'm interested in hearing how the support group goes on tuesday, so keep us posted!... It's unfortunate that you have to wait a month to see someone :(. It better than nothing, and I think if you keep busy with stuff the time will go by fast.

Good luck!
Dan
Posted 10/5/2007 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
I totally agree with all and with Dan here about letting us know how the support group goes Tuesday .............

Glad you are proactive against this DD and are giving it a dang goof fight

LYN
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