Posted 7/21/2011 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi AM and welcome. I am sorry to hear of the anxiety and symptoms that you are experiencing. I am glad that you have taken the first step, and seen a dr. to rule out any physical causes...now with that information, you can start to treat the anxiety.
It is not suprising that the loss of a close friend, and one close to your age, triggered your anxiety. I think of A/P as one of those chronic illnesses that is predisposed in an individual, and is set off by an event, or trigger. You not only suffered a great deal of shock and grief, but were forced to face your own mortality for the first time.
The good news is that A/P is very treatable. Most people find a combination of medication and therapy to be very effective. If you would like to avoid the rx side of it, this can be done as well. I went this route and tried therapy first, and it worked for me, but everyone is different...so this is something that you and your dr. should discuss.
I would recommend starting with your G.P. and possibly getting a referral to a therapist who offers CBT. This is an effective, long term treatment for anxiety. (as well as other disorders such as panic, OCD, GAD, PTSD, depression ect.)
Until you can get in to see someone, visit our Anxiety Resource Guide for great links to helpful sites and videos. Learn the relaxation and breathing exercises on them and practice everyday. It makes a huge difference in reducing the A/P symptoms!
Keep posting here with us. It is very theraputic to just talk to those who have been there and understand. Glad that you found us:)
Scaredy Cat