CharlotteHughes
07-26-2011, 01:13 PM
Hi, i'm 21 years old and have just completed a degree in Psychology (ironic right?). I've joined this forum as I think I can see some benefits from talking with people who have suffered with anxiety. Also I hope that telling my story may even help others. :)
Well.. I have suffered with 'nervousness' for as long as I can remember, but it has only been the last 2 years where this nervousness has resulted in panic. The first time I had a panic attack I was just sat watching TV with my mum, the next thing I knew I couldn't breathe and thought my heart was about to explode out of my chest - I thought I was dying. It seemed the more I tried to stop it the stronger the feelings came on until after about half an hour I felt as if I had returned to my body (if that makes sense?). I knew then that I had just had a panic attack - although as this attack appeared to have come on from nowhere I now fear the attacks themselves.
In my final year exams for my degree I was sat in a 3 hour exam, I had just began to answer one of the questions and although I wasn't struggling with the exam itself, the panic hit me. Before I knew it I was outside the exam hall surrounded by people feeling mortified.
There have been many situations when I have suffered the attacks, but now I spend my days carrying around anxiety from the moment I wake up until the moment I go to bed - worrying about having another attack. I feel as if I am losing the qualities I used to really like about myself and now it is only anxiety that remains. It has even got to the stage where I can no longer get in my car, in fear that I will have a panic attack behind the wheel - yet I am too embarrassed to tell my friends this and so continually cancel plans with lame excuses.
I would really like my life back but don't know where to begin. I just want to see a way out of living in fear. I have recently turned 21 and want to feel like a 21 year old, not like a little girl who is constantly afraid.
If anyone could reply to my post that would be a start. I am interested to learn of other peoples experiences with anxiety and how they ultimately overcame them (or not!) Thank you very much for reading.
Well.. I have suffered with 'nervousness' for as long as I can remember, but it has only been the last 2 years where this nervousness has resulted in panic. The first time I had a panic attack I was just sat watching TV with my mum, the next thing I knew I couldn't breathe and thought my heart was about to explode out of my chest - I thought I was dying. It seemed the more I tried to stop it the stronger the feelings came on until after about half an hour I felt as if I had returned to my body (if that makes sense?). I knew then that I had just had a panic attack - although as this attack appeared to have come on from nowhere I now fear the attacks themselves.
In my final year exams for my degree I was sat in a 3 hour exam, I had just began to answer one of the questions and although I wasn't struggling with the exam itself, the panic hit me. Before I knew it I was outside the exam hall surrounded by people feeling mortified.
There have been many situations when I have suffered the attacks, but now I spend my days carrying around anxiety from the moment I wake up until the moment I go to bed - worrying about having another attack. I feel as if I am losing the qualities I used to really like about myself and now it is only anxiety that remains. It has even got to the stage where I can no longer get in my car, in fear that I will have a panic attack behind the wheel - yet I am too embarrassed to tell my friends this and so continually cancel plans with lame excuses.
I would really like my life back but don't know where to begin. I just want to see a way out of living in fear. I have recently turned 21 and want to feel like a 21 year old, not like a little girl who is constantly afraid.
If anyone could reply to my post that would be a start. I am interested to learn of other peoples experiences with anxiety and how they ultimately overcame them (or not!) Thank you very much for reading.