Let's Get To Know Everyone Better....Part 2..Join IN

Well, first things first I'm reluctant to share my real name, hence the name 'mynameis'   

I'm female, 19 years old (20 in a matter of weeks) and come from the east of England. Currently I'm unemployed, which I am trying hard to change.

I think by nature I'm just an anxious person and it's social situations which I find most difficult. I remember as a child of about 6 years old I was getting ready to go to a friend's birthday party and I was in hysterical floods of tears because I was just so scared about mixing with other children and what they would think of me. It saddens me that I was like that as a child. I've pretty much had zero confidence throughout my teens. I was always the 'ugly, fat bookworm' at school and was constantly teased for my appearance and for being so quiet all the time. At the age of about 14 my mother was diagnosed with cancer and at the age of 15 she died. It completely shattered my confidence. I was left with my father and we've never really got on very well. At the age of 18 I went to university but dropped out after 2 months because my anxiety was so bad, I could barely walk to the kitchen without panicking; let alone shop for food!

More recently, things have been a bit better for me. I met my boyfriend in August and that's given me a lot more confidence. I've noticed in the past couple of years that men have been showing me a lot more positive attention, so I no longer feel fat or ugly. I still live at home with my father, which is difficult because he has cancer and is currently having chemotherapy. Having both parents ill with this disease has really forced me to have to grow up, so I don't feel I really connect with many people my own age. Because of this my teenage years have been a bit of a nightmare, I haven't enjoyed them at all. I feel my anxiety is very easily triggered, usually when I have to deal with a spontaneous situation; particularly if it's social. When my anxiety's really bad I can get deeply depressed and on those days I can barely function normally at all.

Oh yes, I'm also learning to drive and have my test in November. I've already failed 3 tests, which I put down to the fact I could barely hold the wheel because I was shaking so much (anxiety...it's always anxiety, isn't it?) but I'm so determined to beat it this time and prove I can drive.

Hope I haven't bored people too much! I've sort of lurked on this board on and off for months now and I do think the support people give each other here is fantastic. No-one should feel they have to struggle on with this dreadful condition alone.

Hi all,

I've been on the depression board for the past year or so.  But, lucky me, I was also diagnosed with anxiety!  I'm a 33 year old female, who has never been married (twice engaged), has no kids who lives by herself.  (I'm not dating anyone right now, but Mr. Right is somewhere out there!)  Any other 30 somethings on the board who are in similar situations?  'Cause where I live in New Hampshire it seems like I'm the only single white female around!  Everybody else seems to be married with two kids!  Or at least part of a couple! 

I have a great therapist who I see once every two weeks and I'm taking 20 mg of Celexa ever day for anxiety and depression.  And I sit in front of a light box for 30 minutes every morning for SAD.  I also have IBS and environmental allergies.  But, those are both in check at the moment! 

I'm an Environmental Planner by trade, who works for the government, so I have great health benefits!  But, I have yet to tell anyone (including my folks - who live in upstate NY, where I grew up) what I'm struggling with.  My brother stumbled upon my prescription for Celexa when he came up to visit and thought it was birth control!  So, I did tell him, but only after he went off saying "how he tells his 'buddies' to stay away from the girls who come to the pharmacy for their antidepressant medications, 'cause ya know those are the ones who have already gone off the deep end and you don't want anything to with!"  So, needless to say my family isn't exactly understanding, supportive, or compassionate towards mental illness!  But, I think I did give him something to think about, in my most compassionate way!    

Things I enjoy are the great outdoors - snowboarding, backpacking, kayaking, reading, cooking (as long as my kitchen is clean), Yoga, hanging out with friends, and shopping!  And I'm in the process of shopping for my first home!  It's exciting and stressful, but in today's market it'll be a great investment - I can't wait not to have to deal with any more landlords!  Yippee!     

Hi,

I still consider myself a new member even though I've been lurking here for a while now.  I come here pretty much every day while I'm at work, as it helps me feel a little less alone with this.  My name is Andi, I'm 28, and I live in NC.  I live with my boyfriend of 2 years, who tries to be supportive without really understanding anything about anxiety, and our 2 cats.  When I have panic attacks, my boyfriend gets real quiet and just watches me ride through it.  I know he knows I'm feeling really scared and upset, but I don't think he understands why, and I don't think he really knows what to say to me.  He has however, gone to doctors with me, the ER once, and hugs me when I need to be embraced, which I'm really greatful for. 

As far as my anxiety goes, I've had it along with depression in bouts for most of my life.  I had a good childhood, and fortunately, parents who have been pretty supportive.  My dad has had it his whole life, so he's the only one who truly understands.  I came to this site looking for support and info about GERD, which is what I thought I was dealing with after many doctor visits.  But after an endoscopy and a ph test, I have been told I don't have GERD, but the symptoms are still there, and they're all I think about right now. 

I currently work as an office manager, but I am clearly not cut out for this job, and I'm constantly stressed and feel like it has been a huge contributor in making me feel so crappy all the time.  I know stress can make your body do weird things, and I try to tell myself that often.  My manager pulled me into his office last week and told me I wasn't working out anymore because I'm so stressed all the time, anxious, and missing lots of work for doctors appointments.  He didn't fire me, but insisted that I think about it and let him know on Wednesday when he gets back if I would like to stay and "get myself into full gear" or resign.  For me there's no thinking to do, I'm resigning!  I just can't do this anymore!  I feel anxious and panicky just being here everyday.  Now I just know I'm facing more stress in having to find another job as I have to be employed, especially around the holidays!

Thanks to you all as always for listening and providing such a safe and comforting place to let it out and not be judged.