Hi Everyone

[tyler87]

Hi All,

I am a 27 year old woman who has been living with panic disorder for the last 10 years. I was finally motivated enough to reach out to an online forum for anxiety after having had a series of panic attacks throughout this entire week. I have had a lot of ups and downs in terms of managing my anxiety but lately I feel as if I am losing the battle a bit. I'm determined to get back to overcoming this but I think it would be nice to be among others that suffer from similar issues while I try to do that.

Looking forward to connecting!

- tyler

[Ryker]

Hi Tyler,

Nice to meet you. Sorry to hear you've had a bad week; it does happen from time to time. I've suffered since my late teens and although I've mostly got a handle on it now there are still times when things get uglier than I'd like, so I know how it feels.

Do you know what it was that sent things in the wrong direction?

Look forward to seeing you around.

R.

[tyler87]

Hi Ryker,

Good to meet you! :) I think this week has been worse than usual due to situational factors -- I just changed jobs within the last 2 weeks and am preparing to move with my fiancee to another state by January. We have a house to sell quickly and a whole lot to prepare for in just a few short months so I think it all is causing a spike in the number of panic attacks that I am having. I just get nervous whenever I experience more panic attacks than usual because my grandmother is agoraphobic and has not left her house in 15 years and, more recently, has not left her bedroom in over 4 years. Anxiety is pretty pervasive in my family so I struggle often with the fear that I could end up like that. My goal is to seek out a really great therapist when we move; someone that I can work with to manage this on a combination of medication and behavioral therapy.

- tyler

[Ryker]

Bejesus, no wonder you're having a hard time with all that going on. I feel for you there. Moving house and changing jobs are among the most stress-inducing things you can do.

I'm sure once that's all settled, things will be much better.

Is your new boss understanding about your anxiety? I employ quite a few people and I hate it when I hear through third parties that so-and-so is struggling, or to find that someone is having time off and making up lame excuses when they could have been open about their anxiety, and saved themselves another reason to be anxious. I know not all bosses are as good as me of course :bow:, but it's something to think about. Even if they're not clued up about anxiety, honesty and openness always goes a long way.

Please don't worry about the anxiety itself - that's just worrying for worrying's sake - pick up some good books on CBT, put your feet up and just get stuck into the learning about anxiety to get to the point where you can actually enjoy mastering it, and enjoy life.

:)

[always_with_me]

Ryker's right on point! You've got a lot going on. I expect that most people, even folks without panic disorder, would be stressed and anxious about the situations you describe. I have a hard time with most of those situations alone. Ha. I also agree with Ryker that worrying about worrying only compounds issues, though we all know that's not going to stop us. Hopefully you find some good folks to connect with!