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Posted 10/25/2008 9:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone.
I am 24 year old female, newlywed who is trying to get a handle on things again. I was diagnosed with GAD and Separation Anxiety Disorder yesterday. I have been having panic attacks, anxiety issues for almost 2 years. I have lost jobs due to illness from anxiety. I have been suffering from stomach problems since Feb of this year. Had tests done, many appointments, put on pills, nothing seems to help. I now believe it is due to anxiety issues. I started a new job last month but I have missed a good 3 weeks already due to illness and now anxiety (again) having panic attacks. I was taught a breathing exercise with imagrey yesterday at my appointment with my psychiatrist. I tried it again today before work, but I just kept having the problem of relaxing and then once work came up in my mind I'd get tightness in my chest, my throat felt constricted (new symptom for me) and a tingling in my hands (also new), my heart pounded. It was horrible. So I got ready for work and tried to go (I live by work) and made it to the side of the building but had to return back home. It is really stressful and hard to deal with. I have other things htat play into it but I won't go into that now. Sorry to ramble!

I joined this forum basically because I want to have people to talk to who know and understand what it is like. I joined another one yesterday but nobody responded to my post and it seemed quite inactive. This one seems like people care and everything so that is good. :)

So hi :)
Posted 10/25/2008 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, Mellybeans, and welcome!

I know you'll find lots of members here who understand what you're going through.

When it comes to the breathing techniques, my therapist advised me to practice them at times when I'm not feeling anxious or stressed, or distracted, for that matter. She says that having practiced and made them more of an automatic habit will allow me to use them better when I am having a panic attack. I'm not very good about practicing them as she suggests, but I can say that from using them during attacks, each "next time" goes better.

percycat
Posted 10/25/2008 9:23 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks percycat. :)

Well the problem is I still am feeling that anxious feeling from when I was going to go to work....and that was an hour and a half ago. Sometimes it won't disappear for a while. I will keep trying to do my breathing exercises when I am not stressed like I did yesterday. Appreciate the advice.
Posted 10/25/2008 9:40 PM (GMT 0)

Mellybeans

Welcome to HealingWell and know we are so pleased to have you join us.

Support groups are a place for people to give and receive both emotional and practical support as well as to exchange information. People with health conditions, as well as their friends and families find support groups to be a valuable resource and get confirmation that their feelings are "normal", educate others, or just let off steam. IMHO joining a support group is joining a family. :-)

Know your personal limits. One of the chief causes of anxiety is when a person takes on more than he can handle. Know your limits as to what you can do and how much you can do. It will go a long way in reducing anxiety in life. Reducing anxiety is not hard to do once a person knows how to it. The one principle to keep in mind is if you have any doubts about reducing anxiety on your own, seek professional help.

Here are a couple of resources for you to look into.

The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook, Fourth Edition

Pass Through Panic: Freeing Yourself from Anxiety and Fear
by : Claire Weekes

Again a warm welcome,

Kitt
Posted 10/25/2008 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

Glad you found this site, I am new on here and have beem greatly supported already!  :-)

 

I can empathise with how you have been feeling as i have been suffering extreme anxiety and panic for some weeks now and it became unbearable. I also hav GAD and have had it for years. I would be convinced that i wouls have a certain illness as would have the pains that were very real for ages. I had one particular prob that lasted for months and when i eventually got referred to a specialist who gave me the all clear it went away that afternoon when i got home!! Amazing, anxiety can be so powerful

Unfortunately i would end up developing some other prob because anxiety needs to be addressed before these issues start to slow down. But as always when i get the all clear and really believe it the pain or symptom gets less or goes away! turn

Are you on any meds for your anxiety? 

 

Stick with your breathing and reassure yourself that this is anxiety not YOU!!

Am happy to talk anytime

 

Claire x

Posted 10/25/2008 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hi again, I also meant to say that my intense anxiety feelings can last hours and it is very difficult to deal with but it always reduces to a managable level so i can try to build up my resources again.

I find that trying to accept the feelings can be helpful as we put so much energy into trying to stop it and it generally does not stop and can be worse when trying to fight them off.

I know it sounds a bit strange but i will sometimes say something like  ' Hello anxiety, what can i do for you today?'

See how that goes?

 

C x

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