Tired of living with panic and anxiety.

I just joined this site today in hopes of finding some comfort or help in dealing with my anxiety.

I started having panic attacks about a year and a half ago, I think my first attack started because I was worried that I could be allergic to a food I had eaten, it was an odd worry because in the 18 years that I've been alive I have never had an allergic reaction to any type of food.  When this first attack happened I had all of the "normal" symptoms (I had no idea at the time that these were something I would have to deal with for a long time) my chest hurt, my heart was pounding, I felt like I was choking and I couldn't breathe, I thought I was going to have a heart attack or pass out, my left hand and arm was numb.  Anyone who has ever had a panic attack knows exactly what I mean, and my deepest sympathy goes out to anyone who can understand or relate in any way.

Well, it's been a year and a half since that first horrible panic attack and I'm still having them. In the beginning I had lots of tests ran, EKG, Thyroid, a test to see if I was anemic, I even had to go to the emergency room on several occassions because I thought I was going to die...after all of these tests the final conclusion was that my heart and everything was basically as normal as it could be, my only problem, ANXIETY. I have refused to take any medication. I don't take medications and I prefer to avoid putting anything unnecessary in my body. I've been to a therapist and I thought the problem was gone so I've stopped going to see him, only here lately, the problem seems to be back.

Panic and anxiety has been nothing but a huge pain for the past year, it ruined my senior year of highschool, and has made it hard for me to feel completely comfortable with a job, I had to miss a lot of school in highschool and college both because of my anxiety and it's pretty much impossible to lead a normal life when you try to avoid situations that you know will cause anxiety. I avoid long check-out lines, I can't really go to the movie theater, long car rides cause panic attacks.

I just want some help from someone who understands, it's hard to have family and friends who think I'm just be dramatic. All I need is some understanding.

Thanks,

Kayla

Good Morning crwdrkla, First off, welcome to Healing Well, I hope you find that this is a wonderful place to come to for support, help, caring and compassion. Like deepakk, I too have suffered from panic attacks for a long time.  They can be very debilitating because we do not want to encounter what makes us panicky.  Being on meds and/or seeing a therapist does not mean anything except that you are getting the help that you need.  Iknow how you feel about taking meds, I don't like doing it either, but I know that I need to do this - it's part of getting better.  There's a thread that I just brought up to the top regarding CBT.  THis is a type of therapy that changes your negative thinking to positive thoughts.  It works for some and not for others, but many people here use it, including myself.  In that thread is a link for you to go to a free online CBT course.  Maybe this will help you to get the panic under control.  But I really do think you should consider therapy and/or meds - it really does help. Please keep posting so we know how you are doing and we can continue to support you.  Again, a warm welcome to you from all at Healing Well. ((((Hugs)))) Wen

HI and Welcome to HW
All great support and input already I just wanted to add that along with or IF you are deadset against meds altogether for NOW try Cognitive behavioural Therapy.....A way to change your thinking pattens and find a way to deal with the a/p
I know you will find a lot of great ppl here and the support is fantastic so plz do stay with us as Wen said and continue to post

Best to you
LYN

Kayla,
Welcome to Healing Well and the A & P Forum.  I see you have met many of our wonderful members and have received some great advice.

Please continue to post and you will find that this is a great place to find people who know where your coming from and what your going through.