u4ea
09-10-2014, 10:36 AM
It’s been a while…
Anxiety works in mysterious ways – I’ve had episodes of anxiety, or rather anxious tendencies since childhood; then, starting February 2013, anxiety took on a whole new dynamic for me.
I wrote all about the initial, severe (to me) episode on this forum (which you can refer back to since it’s a long thread).
For a while, I enjoyed posting and expressing thoughts via threads and posts on the forum – it honestly helped me cope with anxiety. Then, I guess the severity of my anxiety simply diminished, and I was able to go on with my daily routine without obsessing over anxiety, its symptoms and others experiences with anxiety.
Over the past ~ 19 months, I rarely, if ever, logged onto the forum.
I randomly thought about the AnxietyForum last weekend and decided to check out the latest and greatest posts.
I came across several posts regarding a topic I often thought about and even wrote about on this forum.
Do you really ever beat anxiety?
I’ve made several threads/posts about the exact same topic in the past, but here is my opinion on anxiety from a prognostic point of view.
First, as stated above, I’ve had anxious tendencies throughout my life (red flag); but generally, any episode would be very brief, and I would recover completely – I can honestly say I had a healthy, happy life.
Fast forward to 33 years old – after months of stressful life events, anxiety took on a whole new sinister form for me. I had what I’d consider my first panic attack and began experiencing the physical manifestations of anxiety.
Went to the doctors, extensive blood work, EKG – the usual battery of tests you see many endure here.
I was prescribed Ativan, Toprol XL and Setraline – I took none other than Ativan to cope with the frequent panic episodes. I took Ativan as needed from February 2013 – early July 2013, then stopped cold turkey; and haven’t touched it since.
I currently take no medication.
For me, over the past 12 plus months of taking NO anti-anxiety medication, I believe you never really beat anxiety, you just become more and more efficient at coping/coping techniques, so the effects of anxiety are a lot less debilitating.
Peaks and valleys, ebb and flows, crests and troughs.
I can positively say that I’m nowhere near as functional as I was prior to the severe episode in Feb 2013.
Prior, I could travel alone (both aircraft and car), I’d SCUBA dive alone, and now I doubt I could do any without panic.
For me, in order to maintain some sense of normalcy, I’m kept in “check” by my anxiety – I can drive locally with nearly zero, or very minimal anxiety; but if someone told me I had to drive 500 miles alone, I’d freak, and a ride like that used to excite me!
Same with air travel.
I’ve noticed my world has become very small.
Anxiety still sets the boundaries on what I’m comfortable with – flirt outside of that comfort zone, and I feel like I’ll be sent back into a tailspin, back into the darkness of panic; so in essence, anxiety still controls my life, just less noticeably, less obvious to friends and family.
Wow – I drew this out way too long, sorry : )
Anxiety works in mysterious ways – I’ve had episodes of anxiety, or rather anxious tendencies since childhood; then, starting February 2013, anxiety took on a whole new dynamic for me.
I wrote all about the initial, severe (to me) episode on this forum (which you can refer back to since it’s a long thread).
For a while, I enjoyed posting and expressing thoughts via threads and posts on the forum – it honestly helped me cope with anxiety. Then, I guess the severity of my anxiety simply diminished, and I was able to go on with my daily routine without obsessing over anxiety, its symptoms and others experiences with anxiety.
Over the past ~ 19 months, I rarely, if ever, logged onto the forum.
I randomly thought about the AnxietyForum last weekend and decided to check out the latest and greatest posts.
I came across several posts regarding a topic I often thought about and even wrote about on this forum.
Do you really ever beat anxiety?
I’ve made several threads/posts about the exact same topic in the past, but here is my opinion on anxiety from a prognostic point of view.
First, as stated above, I’ve had anxious tendencies throughout my life (red flag); but generally, any episode would be very brief, and I would recover completely – I can honestly say I had a healthy, happy life.
Fast forward to 33 years old – after months of stressful life events, anxiety took on a whole new sinister form for me. I had what I’d consider my first panic attack and began experiencing the physical manifestations of anxiety.
Went to the doctors, extensive blood work, EKG – the usual battery of tests you see many endure here.
I was prescribed Ativan, Toprol XL and Setraline – I took none other than Ativan to cope with the frequent panic episodes. I took Ativan as needed from February 2013 – early July 2013, then stopped cold turkey; and haven’t touched it since.
I currently take no medication.
For me, over the past 12 plus months of taking NO anti-anxiety medication, I believe you never really beat anxiety, you just become more and more efficient at coping/coping techniques, so the effects of anxiety are a lot less debilitating.
Peaks and valleys, ebb and flows, crests and troughs.
I can positively say that I’m nowhere near as functional as I was prior to the severe episode in Feb 2013.
Prior, I could travel alone (both aircraft and car), I’d SCUBA dive alone, and now I doubt I could do any without panic.
For me, in order to maintain some sense of normalcy, I’m kept in “check” by my anxiety – I can drive locally with nearly zero, or very minimal anxiety; but if someone told me I had to drive 500 miles alone, I’d freak, and a ride like that used to excite me!
Same with air travel.
I’ve noticed my world has become very small.
Anxiety still sets the boundaries on what I’m comfortable with – flirt outside of that comfort zone, and I feel like I’ll be sent back into a tailspin, back into the darkness of panic; so in essence, anxiety still controls my life, just less noticeably, less obvious to friends and family.
Wow – I drew this out way too long, sorry : )