Posted 12/14/2009 8:20 AM (GMT 0)
Long story short:
I am 26 now. I have had terrible anxiety ever since I was 11 when my parents got divorced. It slowly grew over the years from fear of losing someone close to me (imagining all the negative things that could happen) to public speaking, to where I am now, practically Agoraphobic. It has got really bad in the last couple months though. I decided to fight my anxiety since I am getting married in April and will have to brave 200 people starring at me.
I have tried holistic, medical, and counseling approaches. The doctor put me on Paxil which made me so light headed that I had a new constant fear of fainting in public. Switched off that and started taking Atenolol which made me feel better at first. But then a couple of months ago I was hit with extreme panic attacks and overwhelming daily anxiety. I got off all drugs that were making me feel crazy and since then have felt a little better... at least no major panic attacks. I have had to stick to my xanax though for most social situations that I will not be able to drink at.
See the real scary thing right now is that even though I had social anxiety before the major panic attacks happened, I still had no problem doing normal things like going to the grocery store or hanging out with close friends. I know I am under a tremendous amount of pressure right now with being unemployed and getting married. This has really made my self esteem hit rock bottom. But my fear of social situations has made trying to get a job an incredible scary thing! It is like a vicious cycle that I have no clue how to get out of.
Has anyone gone through a similar situation or had their anxiety get to a breaking point after it slowly building for so long and then gone back to normal or felt better??? Any advice on how to lower it?
Thank you anyone that responds,
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