Hi SInCity,
from what I have worked out about myself (and I am doing really well
now compared to 3 months ago), panic disorder for me at least has
been about high anxiety levels, getting depressed about them, being
weak and in a low point do to the depression and anxiety, and not
being able to "fight" the panic attacks when they come. Or more to the
point, actualyl escalating my own anxiety into panic because I was too
weak to think positive and deal with my own emotions and problems
etc.
Getting in the road to recovery for me has meant:
- learning to feel good about myself
- changing my environment which was a major stressor (my job was
too stressful for me and I wasnt happy in it, now in a new job, much
happier)
- seeing a clinical psychologist and undergoing cognitive behavioural
therapy
- learning about the condition, how it works, how it effects me and
what i need to do to get better
- taking meds (SSRI antidepressants are working wonders for me, and
initially for a couple of months i needed xanax, a benzo also)
You probably need to learn that the answers are within you. Many of
us with PD are really good hearted people, which is why we are prone
to anxiety because we spend a lot of time caring about other people
and trying to be a good person, and not enough time caring about our
own hearts, minds and perhaps bodies.
One of the hardest things is getting to the point where you can start to
help yourself to get better. For me it took anti-depressants, therapy,
environmental changes and a lot of positive thinking and proactive
action to get to that point.
1) Dont be afraid to get help. Getting help is empowering yourself.
See a professional, normally a GP first, and then referral to a
psychologist and or psychiatrist if necessary. Make sure you get
diagnosed properly. A lot of people avoid this and it makes it hard to
get better later on. Without treatment, anxiety disorders tend to get
worse over time.
2) Meds can be integral to recovery, do not be afraid to go on them.
Therpay is really important too. I hear a lot of people saying that
therapy is a luxury. I know its expensive but even a couple of sessions
can really help.
3) there is so much you can do to help
