Feb 06 2010
My Anxiety
I have recently been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. I have been suffering with the symptoms for about 18 months. I have been on and off anti-depressants over the past year and I am now having cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). I suffer with panic attacks as a result of the anxiety which are exhausting. It has changed my life in many different ways, from social life, work and relationships with my family.
There are many different triggers to my panic attacks and things that cause anxiety within me. It as always been related to health issues, for example, I suffered many panic attacks when swine flu came into the country. I was convinced I would catch it and die. If the stroke awareness advert comes on the TV, I spend the next 3 days thinking I have had or having a stroke. If any family member are ill, it heightens my anxiety. In fact, there isn’t one day that I don’t feel anxious about health. If I have a headache, I believe I have a tumor or hemorrhage. If I have a stomach ache, It goes through my head that I have bowel cancer.
I would like to share my experiences during my therapy and I know that I will come out the other end without this life changing disorder.
I have had two therapy sessions alrready. The first was an assessment to find the level of anxiety I had and the other was a full on CBT session. I have also been given some self CBT to work through.
8 responses so far
healthanxiety
Anxiety!
start by searching http://www.george-eby-reasearch.com
It’s primarly a depression advice site and recomendng using a form of magnesium as the stabiliser.
Anxiety and panic attacks do come under the depression heading.
it’a a very bad expierence while you are suffering from anxiety disorder ,i would like to know about your mentally thinking and expierence at that time.
My son suffers from severe anxieties and has been undergoing CBT therapy for about 6 months. What a difference it has made in him. I wish we had discovered this therapy 10 years ago. Believe me, it will make all the difference in the world if you work it.
Hi,
I believe that I have anxiety difficulties. I have anxiety attacks regularly, and it feels as though the smallest thing can set them off. My anxiety attacks feel as though I am having a heart attack. Like you, once I feel that tightness, I believe that I actually AM having a heart attack, which makes my anxiety that much worse. I have developed a new habit to combat my anxiety – I compulsively pick my scalp and I can’t stop. I get headaches in social situations and I’m ruining my life.
I just want to know HOW to get help. I know I need it…. But I’m anxious about getting it. How do I overcome the anxiety and get help. How did you do it?
My life is ruled by health anxiety and it’s horrible. It literally prevents me from living fully. I suffer from OCD so the ruminations never end.
Hi Kate,
Unfortunately, it’s been a long road for me. I had my first panic attack in Sep 08 and only a few weeks ago it has been diagnosed as an anxiety disorder. My GP arranged the therapy for me because the anti-depressants were not working as well as they did the first time I took them. They take the edge off, but don’t seem to stop the anxiety.
Don’t be anxious about getting help, have you been to your GP? Check out different Facebook pages too (there’s a link on my blog) there are many people with anxiety so don’t feel as your alone, and chatting to others with anxiety has been a huge help to me.
I’m really looking forward to having more therapy sessions because i’ve only had two and I know it will help. Please feel free to mail me if you want to chat.
I’m sorry to hear your story and wish you all the very best of luck. Writing your thoughts and feelings down is a very good way to organise them and try to control what you are feeling… keep blogging.
Your thoughts on it could serve many people and thanks for sharing with all of us. please share if you know anything more.