ENcourage Connection

Posted by Tk27 on July 30, 2009 at 23:15:34:

I've been reading on here for about a half hour now, built up the courage to join and post something, cause honestly I don't wanna feel alone in this anymore. I've always had some sort of anxiety as far back as 12 yrs old ( 27 yrs old now). I remember my 1st panick attack @ 12 yrs old, never thought much about it after that, then in my early 20's it hit mildly, and now about 4 months ago it struck! Full on anxiety 24/7, I had to take a leave from work, and have been back about 2 weeks now, no support there, they don't get it, they expect me back in 100 % tip top shape, which as you all know isn't possible when your body is adjusting to a new med , prozac in my case. I guess I don't really even know how to cope right now, but I know I need to leave this job, which is giving me even more anxiety. I'm a 27 year old guy, and I'm in constant fear, I was diagnosed with GAD. I'm scared to sleep some nights that's how bad it gets. I want to enjoy life again. I've only been on the prozac about 3 wks, I'm not expecting a miracle, I just want people to understand that this was out of my hands, that I can't control this unbearable anxiety that's been ruining me. Some say 'just get over it' and its not that easy. I'm seeing a great psych, but everyday is still a struggle, some days I feel like I'm dying for no reason. Wow that took alot for me to write that, I'm a healthy 27 year old guy with great family/friends.....why is this happening to me? :(

• I second all of the advice... 07:44:42 08/02/2009 meg (2)
  • Re: I second all of the advice... 10:24:42 08/02/2009 Tk27 (1)
    • Re: I second all of the advice... 12:27:53 08/02/2009 meg (0)
• Glad to have you join us... 17:17:29 08/01/2009 Pat at ENcourage (0)
• WELCOME : ) .......................(m) 12:27:37 07/31/2009 Debbie IN California (0)
• Thank you for posting your story...(more) 07:00:56 07/31/2009 Kate_1 (1)
  • Re: Thank you for posting your story...(more) 14:17:22 07/31/2009 Tk27 (0)
• Welcome.............. 04:10:27 07/31/2009 firedancer (1)
  • Re: Welcome.............. 12:29:10 08/02/2009 meg (0)

Posted by meg on August 02, 2009 at 07:44:42:

In Reply to: Hardest time posted by Tk27 on July 30, 2009 at 23:15:34:

And I also take Prozac.
I have been taking it for years.
It took about a month and a half to work for me...but it did finally work.

Keep coming here.
It helps enormously.

Posted by Tk27 on August 02, 2009 at 10:24:42:

In Reply to: I second all of the advice... posted by meg on August 02, 2009 at 07:44:42:

What were some of the early side effects for prozac for you? I have headache, sluggishness, irritability, tired

Posted by meg on August 02, 2009 at 12:27:53:

In Reply to: Re: I second all of the advice... posted by Tk27 on August 02, 2009 at 10:24:42:

Yes, I had the same symptoms. But they went away after about a month.
If they don't, talk to your doctor..but try not to worry because although you don't need anything on top of the anxiety you are experiencing, they are normal side effects.

I also had a little heartburn, which still reoccurs on occassion if I don't take them with enough water.

Hang in there. Wonderful that you walked out of a job that was intensifying your anxiety.
Take care.

Posted by Pat at ENcourage on August 01, 2009 at 17:17:29:

In Reply to: Hardest time posted by Tk27 on July 30, 2009 at 23:15:34:

Like you, I had a first panic attack around age 12, and then at 20 the poop hit the fan. LOL I'm living proof that it doesn't have to last forever.

I hope you'll poke around the website at articles I'd written plus book recommendations, etc.

And, trust me, there's lots of males with panic/agoraphobia.

It's great that you had the courage to write. There's tons of good info and help available these days...

Be ENcouraged!
Pat (aka - Mrs. ENcourage)

Posted by Debbie IN California on July 31, 2009 at 12:27:37:

In Reply to: Hardest time posted by Tk27 on July 30, 2009 at 23:15:34:

You are in a mix of people who *Get It*. We understand.

I was a total basket case when I joined the group many years ago. I thought for certain I would be the *one* that no one could relate to, and I would just end up feeling worse. Just the opposite happened. I read one post after another post, and almost all of them mirrored what I was feeling.

There were members within the group from all different stages, and all were willing to share their life stories, and what made them better, and what things made them worse.

The *KEY* to my remission came from a guy name Rocky (still a member) and others who joined in when he told me that I had to *embrace* whatever I was feeling. To stop running from the fear. At the time I thought he/ they were nuts... That they really didn't fully understand the severity of my panic attacks. : ) I didn't want to EMBRACE panic.... far from it. Panic was destroying my life. But I listened to them, and then I took the necessary baby steps that lead to my inter peace.

Long story short.... I finally did *get* what they were trying to tell me, using CBT, and though the years I have developed this using mediation
/ mind training. Yep, I will always have GAD/ PAD, or any other group of initials that would label my disorder. (But there again.... I don't really believe in labeling, and I do *Believe* with all my heart, soul, and mind, that we can have peace even when we feel that those days are long over.

I highly recommend learning to meditate as a source of mind training. Capturing those wild thoughts, and EMBRACING them so that the fear of those emotions no longer have control.

To start with .....Jack Cornfield has a great CD on Beginning to meditate.

You have NOTHING to lose and everything to gain, but in order for it to work YOU have to work at it, and you have to want change in your life so badly that you have to be willing to release.

Here's a link to that CD.

P.S.
I am not a Buddhist, but I do believe in their method of teaching meditation. (It's the best... they have been doing it for centuries.)

• Click HERE

Posted by Kate_1 on July 31, 2009 at 07:00:56:

In Reply to: Hardest time posted by Tk27 on July 30, 2009 at 23:15:34:

Hi!

I'm Kate, happy to meet you. I too at around the 20 year old mark with a stressful high powered job - panic sneaked in and got me, so I can really relate. Back then, there wasn't the info there is now so you are so lucky in that sense.

You are doing things right, a good therapist and meds as needed and getting to know what your triggers are - so you can congratulate yourself on that, it's a positive thing since you want to help yourself.

A few things, give the meds another 3 weeks to kick in, and don't go overboard with wanting others to absolutely understand what you are going through - Even the most kind hearted soul who wants to understand cannot. You will waste a lot of energy on trying to "make yourself okay" for other people's judgements. It our own judgements to ourselves that are harsh. The "just get over it" people or the "calm down" people are no help, so why we bother even paying attention to those words? I think it's because we say it to ourselves as well so practicing being more kind to ourselves is good.

Other things that help, EXERCIZE, avoidance of caffein, reading books about panic disorder (there are several suggested readings at the top lefthand of this page from Amazon), rational/positive self talk (do I really panic 24 hours in a day?), DEEP BREATHING TECHNIQUES...

It's a step by step process. And no, you are not alone, with panic attacks we do feel like we are going to die - we never do, but fear it anyway until we practice not fearing it!

Come back and post and good luck!

Posted by Tk27 on July 31, 2009 at 14:17:22:

In Reply to: Thank you for posting your story...(more) posted by Kate_1 on July 31, 2009 at 07:00:56:

I made a huge step today and left a very hostile work environment, this will be so good for me. Although the aspect of that chapter being over and a new beginning starting, I do feel anxious , but also at peace about it

Posted by firedancer on July 31, 2009 at 04:10:27:

In Reply to: Hardest time posted by Tk27 on July 30, 2009 at 23:15:34:

I'm glad that you built the courage to post. That I think is the hardest part - putting yourself out there.

But this group is great. There are many people here in different stages and different degrees of anxiety.

I do not take any meds but I know that some folks here do and can help you with how long it takes to feel "normal".

You are on the right way to help yourself - you are seeing a psych, you are on medicine. Just remember that this takes time. Some people may never understand and don't worry about them. Take care of yourself which is what you are doing.

There are many books you can read too - I suggest Claire Weekes or Lucinda Basset (sp?). Claire Weekes is really good - she makes you understand what is going on with you and how to help you move on to another stage in your life.

I'm kind of rambling on. I know there are others who can share their wise wisdom.

-Jill

Posted by meg on August 02, 2009 at 12:29:10:

In Reply to: Welcome.............. posted by firedancer on July 31, 2009 at 04:10:27:

I think the Claire Weekes book is the most informative and applicable.
I return to that book often.