Anxiety out of control

Hi there, I'm a 24 year old female that has been suffering from anxiety and panic disorder for over the last year and a half. I've been having such a hard time dealing with it. I feel as if I locked myself in a prison and for some reason tossed away the key. And no matter what I've tried I can't get out.

It all start with driving, so I stopped driving and hoped it was the end of it. Little did I know that sooner then later it would creep into all aspects of my life. I'm too afraid to drive, I can't go into a restaruant, shopping malls, stand in line to pay for something... Even leaving the house to go to work is getting harder.

It's worries me that it may be something more. It just comes out of the blue sometimes my heart races so fast, things start to get fuzzy, feeling of passing out and/or vomiting. It feels like I'm carrying a weight on my chest and even like someone is choking me. Post panic attack I have moderate to severe headache and body ache. Basically I'm wondering if these are normal symptoms.

I've tried to reduce my caffeine intake, change my diet, exercise more, natural supplements such as gaba, yoga, meditation, and self help books. With no significant results. I have recently been to the doctor and received meds to help me. But even visiting my doctor I still don't feel entirely comfortable that I'm on the right track. I know that i need to reprogram my brain but dont knowhow or where to start any advice from people who suffer the same issues as me would be much appreciated

Hi Cpf and welcome!

I am sorry to hear of your anxiety and stuggles with symptoms.

You have however taken some really great steps in the right direction, and I really believe that it is just a matter of time before you are seeing improvement!

A couple of questions...

Have you started your Rx yet?

and

Did your doctor offer a therapy referral for you?

I ask because often times, medications can take awhile to adjust to, before you start to note benefits. (SSRI's especially) You may need several weeks to let the med build up and level off in your system, so try to be patient.

Also, therapy is in my opinion an excellent long term choice for recovery. If it is an option for you, I highly recommend it.

Often the combination of meds, self-help and therapy will be just what it needed to break through and get the results that you need.

Being part of a group such as this is helpful as well. I found the support and understanding here a key part of my anxiety management!

Keep posting with us if you find it helpful.;)

Scaredy Cat

CPF,

Hi there and welcome.  One of the frustrations with anxiety is that it can feel like you are locked up.  I dont know anything about you other than what you posted here, but I having been in a similar situation for quite some time I would venture to say you threw away the key when you stopped driving. 

Confronting that anxiety will give you some freedom, it does take practice.  I truly believe we feed our anxieties when we stop doing something, like labeling driving as dangerous and telling ouselves we can't handle it. Actually, you can handle it, you know you can.

I recommend getting behind the wheel and taking baby steps, drive around the block one day,congratulate yourself and celebrate, then work yourself up to hitting the highway.

Wish you the best of luck and hope you are feeling better soon!

Joshua