I just wanted to say thanks for the warm welcome. I have been so quiet about my symptoms for so long. It feels good to talk about them and know that other people know where I am coming from. Thank you Isabella for sharing your story with me. I haven't heard many people discuss the "hazey" feeling and thought it might be just me and I am very comfortable talking about it now. I will be starting the 12 sessions this week (and finding a doctor that knows more about this). Thanks again!!!
Isabella, what would be a good time to chat? I can get on most afternoons and evenings and some days. let me know and we can figure out a time. also how do I get to the cb chat room that you were talking about.
Hiya Mickey,
I am sorry i don't have time to answer you better but i have to be off to take two final examinations today :(. I Just wanted to let you know you are not alone and to say welcome to the forums :)
-Diva
Mickeybeyes,
Welcome to the Panic Center!
In addition to working through our online therapy program, located in your session diary, you may find it helpful to seek out your local mental health unit. Searching the internet or calling your doctors office can help you if you don't know whether you have one or not.
With regards to medication, you have three choices. You can continue working with your doctor and keep trying medication or you can begin working through our program and then try again. Session 2 & 3 may be particularly helpful to you as they teach you how to challenge anxious thoughts. The last choice would be to go without medication in the hope that our therapy program and other outside help will help you make progress.
The decision is entirely up to you. As you can see you are not alone. This is an issue many struggle with so don't be too hard on yourself.
Keep us posted.
Danielle
____________________
The PC Support Team
Hello!! I know exactly how you are feeling and I am sure that most of us do. I started having panic attacks 3 years ago and now I am afraid of everything. I still make myself go to college and go shopping but I have panic attacks nearly every single time but I make myself stick them out. This leaves me feeling totally exhausted and fatigued daily. I also feel dizzy and like I am walking around in a haze most days. Recently I started seeing a psychologist and joined this website and I have made some progress. My family physician prescribed me lexapro but,like you, I am afraid of side effects and afraid to start the meds. I keep saying I am going to start them and then I chicken out. I worry that I will have a panic attack and attribute it to the meds and then quit when it is something that can truly help me. So I totally understand what you are going through. I hope this helps you in some way, to atleast know you are not alone.
~Isabella~
OK I am new to this and wanted to put my situation out there to see if anyone has any suggestions or ideas for me. I am 30 years old and have suffered from anxiety (mostly social) all of my life. About 10 years ago I also started feeling somewhat depressed and about 3 years ago I started having full blown panic attacks. I have always been too afraid to mention this to my doctor in fear that he may think that I am crazy. I touched on the depression issue a bit a couple of years ago and he put me on Lexapro wich worked great, but after almost a year I went off to try to deal with things on my own-mistake #1. I have had many panic attacks and now I am afraid to be home alone most of the time and avoid most social situations. I even stopped going to college and hate shopping because I am afraid I will have a panic attack and freak out or something. I am always scared that I am having a heart attack, brain tumor or going crazy. I recently tried to go back on Lexapro but after 3 days I had a severe panic attack, got scared and went off of it. I tried Effexor XR and the same thing happened. It doesn't help that I am in constant fear of side effects. I think I may send myself into these attacks when I start a medication and now am too afraid to try again. Some days I feel like I am in a "daze" I feel dizzy and just not right (if that makes any sense). I hate feeling this way and just want to feel normal. I don't really know what to do. I haven't seen any doctor except my own physician and don't know where to begin to look for help. If anyone feels similar and has any ideas I would love to listen. Thanks so much!
Hey Mel,
I just saw your message so I am sorry for the late response ;) I would love to chat with you sometime because it seems that we do have alot in common. Are you ever on the CBT Buddies? We should set up a time to meet on there and then exchange email addresses or something because our personal info. can't be put in a post. Well, get back to me on that but I would love to talk to someone who is going through much of the same things that I am. TTYL!
~Isabella~
Isabella,
That is weird, we seem to have the same problems all the way around. the dizziness, the fear of meds going to the dentist. I hate it that we have to go through this, but at the same time its nice to know your not alone and that other people feel the same way. do you ever chat on yahoo? if so would like to talk more. well I wish you the best with your dentist appt. i had a little help from xanax. I have to go back in a few weeks and have it done again Ive got some bad teeth and ive put it off for to long because of my fears. but im going to do it . did you start your lexapro? well talk to ya later hope you have a great weekend.
