My Struggle with Anxiety (Need help)

[Kevin Nolan]

Hello there,

Back in December of 2014, I was diagnosed with Panic Disorder. Prior to my diagnoses, I would have severe panic attacks where I would hyperventilate and nearly faint. Now I am on 20mg of Celexa to lessen the severity of my panic attacks. While they are not as severe as they used to be, I still have minor panic attacks here and there. These panic attacks are a little different. I sometimes have the feeling of just general anxiety and I become very irritable and lash out on people who are near me. The slightest things could set me off in an uncontrollable rage. When they get bad, I'd just rather be dead. I now think about suicide after these attacks.

I go to West Chester University and have tried group therapy through the school since my tuition covers therapy. The group therapy was not in any way helpful to me. I felt like i wasn't being helped and my anxiety wasn't getting better and found myself having more bad days than good. I quit and was put on the waiting list for one on one therapy. The first day of the semester is today and I'm still on the waiting list and have been since last semester. I FINALLY found a therapist in the area that my insurance covers. I am seeing her tomorrow afternoon.

Right now, as I sit in the cafe at school typing this thing, I feel as though I am drowning in my anxiety. Any input on how to deal with this terrible illness would be greatly appreciated. I feel alone.

[Boo Bass]

Hi Kevin

Everyone here will know how you feel. You are not alone.

Firstly, I would ask for a change from Celexa to another medication of which there are many SSRI types also SNRI.

You should find help here too for things you can do to help yourself. swimming is very beneficial. Yoga and meditatiN also if you are not too anxious to get motivated.

You will need to be patient and strong but you'll be ok.

On the net, I like the advice of the Anxiety Coach, worth having a look at.

[virtualhope]

I can totally understand how you must be feeling having to deal with this on top of school and life in general. Anxiety is something that is awfully hard to cope with and panic attacks can come on without much warning. Beyond medication, group and individual therapy, some people have found noticeable relief through journaling.

I don't know if you'd be willing to give writing a try, but there have been many studies done and this basic activity has been shown to be therapeutic not only for anxiety but also for depression and stress management. You might check some articles related to journaling when you have time. I came across one on the University of Rochester Medical Center's website but there are tons of others on the web. Also, I'd encourage you to continue seeing a professional counselor or therapist just to make sure everything stays under control and doesn't get any worse. I hope you can obtain some management over your panic disorder very soon, so you can begin to take your life back. You have a great future ahead of you. Wishing you all the best. :)

[CWPanic]

I have suffered from panic attacks for several years, and it inspired me to use panic attacks as a basis for research for one of my classes in my clinical Psychology PhD program. My study has been designed to assess the relationship between panic attacks and any residual/lingering symptoms or impairment immediately after the panic attack itself has abated (referred to as “post-attack symptoms”). For those of you who experience panic attacks and have had one in the last 30 days, I want to invite you to participate in my research study as part of a course requirement for my PhD program at Alliant International University, Los Angeles. Your participation is completely anonymous and confidential. Please click on my link below to be directed to my survey. Also, please forward this link and description and tell your friends! I am very passionate about my study because I have had post-panic attack symptoms that no one seems to address in the medical and psychological field. I want to change that. I want people to know that panic attacks are more than the attacks themselves. It's the residua effects that can be difficult to deal with as well. My goal is to raise awareness to this phenomena and help others cope with the problems that come with it.
Thank you!

https://
alliant.qualtrics.
com/SE/?SID=SV_7VyzYJNzkGVp80Z