Hey Im Liann and I have Panic Disorder and Slight Agoraphobia. I have been experiencing anxiety and panic for a few years, it comes and goes, but recently its been alot worse than before. The last two months have been a nightmare but I am getting better. I started with going online and on message boards and that seemed to help some. I thought I was alone but found that there are alot of people just like me. From there I went to the book store and picked up a really good self-help book and it helped alot as well. I learned possitive self-talk and breathing techniques, as well as possitive thinking.
I still have episodes but they are no where near what they were two months or even 3 weeks ago. I was to the point that I couldnt eat more than one childs size portion of food in a day! I lost so much weight it made me feel even worse because I looked sick. Finally three weeks ago I decided it was time to seek preofessional help. I started seeing a counselor and getting things out in the open. Things that were bothering me. Things from my childhood and early adolesence. Even things from my more recent past.
Since I have been seeing the counselor, my anxiety increases the day after but goes back away. Im sure it has something to do with it coming back to my mind. Thats how I will get better is facing it. The past is the past. Things happened. I made mistakes, but hey we are all only human. We all make mistakes. Just learn from them. Let them go. Dont dwell on the past and things you may regret. Forgive yourself. This is what helps me to realize that I shouldnt let these things get to me. Living in the present is the best way to feel good and "normal". Sometimes it is hard to live in the present, just takes focus and care.
I still have some problems eating, sometimes I feel sick to the thought of eating. Its mostly in the morning when I feel like this but it usually passes throughout the day. I just think about how I felt when I couldnt eat, how weak I was and it helps me to eat even if I dont feel like it.
My biggest motivation to get better is my 17 month old son. I dont want to miss anything in his life and I dont want him to grow up around me feeling anxious. I want him to have a good life, better than mine. My parents fought so much when I was young and I remember alot of it. I thank god everyday that my relationship is good and that my son is here and that I am alive. My fiance is good to me and our son and he is very supportive of me. He beleives that I will get better. He knows when I am stressed and finds ways to help.
Well I hope that my thread has been some help to some of you. I wish everyone the best in conquering their anxiety.
Liann C~