Hello

[chocolatexoxo]

Hi everyone. My name is Jeannie. I am new to this forum. I have suffered with major anxiety for years and to an avail I still do. I take xanax .5 mg 4 times a day. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I have an awful fear of driving alone or long distance and it takes away my independence from things I enjoy doing. I have tried antidepressants but I can't deal with all the side effects so I stop taking them. I am hoping to find some support on here from people that understand what I am going through. I am so tired of being told it's all in my head.

[Carla]

Hello Jeannie! :)
Welcome to the forum. I have only been here since September but already I have found it to be a really great board, that has helped me a lot. It is a good place to turn to when you feel that others in your life just dont understand what you are going through. A lot of people on here are very helpful and friendly. We are all going through similar issues and therefore able to relate to one another. I am sorry to hear that you have had anxiety for years. It is horrible isnt it and I have only suffered with it for a very short while. I dont take medication so can't comment on what Xanax is like. I agree that it is tiring to be told that anxiety is all in ones head. A lot of people I find who have never experienced just how debilitating anxiety is, dont understand. I really believe like with a lot of other conditions that the only people who can truly understand are those who have been through or are going through the same thing. Comments like 'snap out of it' or 'its all in your head' are just not worth listening to! If only it was that easy! Before I had anxiety, I used to say Oh I am stressed out, and that was over little stupid issues. I thought that was what anxiety and stress was, until I suddenly became really ill with anxiety in April of this year and I never realised just how ill anxiety can make a person feel and how it can affect your whole life. I really feel for and can relate to others now who have anxiety or depression. You will get a lot of support on here so please keep posting! :)