Introduction!

Hi,

I have just enlisted and would like to say HI.

It is overwhelming to me, and in a strange way, reassuring, that some of the posts I have previously read could have been written by myself.

Having lived with severe panic disorder for 23yrs I can honestly say it is debilitating and infuriating. SO many times my day/night is ruined when I worry myself sick that I am going to die/collapse/have heart failure/lung disease/stop breathing that it is almost, but not quite, funny.

I almost have this double torment going on where I can 'see' myself yet I cannot escape the fear. My beloved husband is exceptional in coping with them, I feel it is immensely draining and challenging for partners as they have to say the right thing or it makes matters worse. I do feel surrounded by love and compassion most of the time but with all panickers, I also feel 'they don't understand this affliction', or 'they've got it wrong, I really am going to die!' ...It's TOUGH.

SO, it is almost comforting, but very saddening too, to see so many others who suffer from this daily. I see it as a real cross- it literally wipes out your every day 'normal' life.

I also believe CBT is the best way forward..I have had this about four times in my life and each time it helped hugely. But in the UK there is such a long waiting list for mental health that one almost gives up.

Anyway- the main reason I decided to join tonight was the past few days have been one long nevrending panic- or waves of anxiety. Where you just feel unable to breathe and concentrate. I just feel in apprehensive panic mode - that I will die right here and now. It's so so upsetting.

Thank you for being here!

Amanda

Hi

Nice to meet you and welcome to the forum you have received some good support from SC so I just wanted to pop in and say hi and keep posting we are here to support you.


Hibee

Hello Amanda and welcome to HealingWell,

I have a 30 year history of anxiety and depression and when I am in the good zone all is well but when I hit a tough spot I know how you feel. What I discovered was that the body is very tricky...as soon as I began to realize what my anxiety  attack symptoms were, and I could go, "Oh, okay, my chest is tight and my heart is pounding, this isn't a heart attack, this is a anxiety," and it was no longer frightening.  

My body found another way of making me anxious. This was lightheadedness, dizziness and fear of going out in public. I think it is just my  anxiety "evolving" so to speak. I suggest you find a therapist in your area. I learned a lot of strategies for managing my general anxiety as well as my panic attacks from working with different therapists over the years. I did end up going on medication too, but therapy, breathing exercises, eating healthy and meditation worked wonders.

Above all, you are not alone, anxiety affects millions of people.  Do keep talking with us as we are here for you.

Kindly,

Kitt

Hi Amanda

I to live in the UK up in sunny Scotland lol. Yes I have reactive arthritis it caused me a lot of problems and seems to flare up every now and then Naproxen really helps with the inflammation and I also had some steroid injections which also helped. A flare up can be extremely painful so I am sorry to hear you also have RA.

Feel free to ask me any questions and I will do my best to answer them.


Hibee