Fed up with anxiety and depression....

SB,

I am sorry that you are going through this currently with these fears and concerns.

If it is any reassurance...I have read through literally hundreds of posts including the same worries...and I have not once read of them being realized/actually happening.

These are common concerns in other words, and shared by many affected with anxiety.

One way of gaining triumph over these worries is to face up to them slowly.

If excercising if causing you to avoid it for fear of over-exertion for your heart, then very gradual exposure to the experience can help.

Start with a very slow and short walk. If you find yourself getting symptomatic or scared...slow down more still, but don't stop.

You will likely get through your initial session just fine, and can gradually up your intensity and duration as your cofindence increases.

This exposure therapy is very effective for many fears. It takes some courage and willingness to go outside of your comfort zone initially...but the pay off is worth it!

Using coping skills to keep your anxiety levels as low as possible overall will also help in the process.

You can do this...and I have confidence that your results will make you glad you tried.

Keep us posted as to your progress, and we will keep cheering you on.:)

S.C.

I'm sorry you've had such a bad day, Soul. I've had a rough one myself. Had a panic attack in the surgeon's office. Ugh! I hate embarrassing myself like that, but it just happened, and I was helpless to stop it. Couldn't breathe through it, and I just wanted to run away.

I also choke every time I eat. We are still working on finding a dx for me, but all of my health issues have caused my anxiety to skyrocket.

It's okay to cry it out. It may even be helpful to get it out. For a long time I couldn't cry, because Cymbalta took away my personality, and my emotions. After about 3 months off of it, I finally was able to tear up some, and now I can actually cry.

Let it out, and keep posting here. We get it.