Hi

[QuietRose]

Hello everyone. I'm a nineteen year old girl with social anxiety as well as a naturally introverted personality. I've had anxiety for so long I can't quite remember exactly when it started, but I've only recently sought out treatment after failing out of college. High school was a horrible experience for me, especially since I refused to acknowledge my anxiety problem and forced myself to suffer through it alone. College was going to be my fresh start, only the new faces and some of my first impressions resulted in me freaking out once again. I would get so worked up that I had to skip class or risk having a panic attack, and my grades suffered because I just couldn't do group projects and presentations in front of the entire class.
Today I went to town with my mother and younger sister to go birthday shopping, and felt completely overwhelmed at the restaurant where we ate. I realized then that I had been taking my medication religiously, but I haven't made any changes to really help myself get better. So I finally decided to post something here after debating for the last month or two, at least to connect somewhat with others feeling similar to me.
I apologize for the long post.

[NixonRulz]

Hi, Rose - relatively speaking, your post is short!

I'm glad you decided to post. Just telling your story to people that have a clue what you are going through can be helpful.

Panic and restaurants were a big trigger for me. Always expecting myself to freak out. I never did even though I would get an attack. No one ever knew if I just sat there.

Medication helped me a lot to get calm enough to start trying to dive into what anxiety was, how it affected me and how to get rid of it.

It is great that you have decided to dive into things with more than just the meds. I assume you have a prescription for a benzo and a SSRI?

If you want a recommendation for a good place to start - the anxiety coach on the web is awesome and is very enlightening. It is free, Also, any book from Claire Weeks, the Godmother of breaking down anxiety, is a great start.

Don't be concerned that anxiety the way you feel it will always be like it is. It really gets sooooo much easier and better. You can feel just the way you did before all of this started, I promise.

Hope you have the best of days, today

[gypsylee]

Hi QuietRose and welcome :)

[QuietRose]

Thanks for the reply, the well wishes, and the recommendations.
It's easier to deal with the passing attacks and brief flares of panic knowing that others have gotten through it.
I hope you have a wonderful day as well.

[ALoneAndEmpty]

holla! welcome aboard! don't make yourself stranger, stick around, there are couples of us here that can answer all of your inquiries, so catch ya later! hope to hear from you soon! stay safe!

-Alone