Introducing myself

[MereAliMac]

Hi all, I'm a young mother of three children who has suffered on and off from panic attacks and anxiety problems for 14 years. I am against being medicated for my personal situation and have continued to try and fight it in my own mind. i havnt had a panic attack in 13 years but my anxiety is worse across the board id say for never really having a major outlet or release of the emotions. i suffer from being very suggestive and my anxiety generally relates to a flavour of the month type deal but once im over that particular topic i dont relapse in to it again ifrhat makes sense to anyone? I have physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, dizziness, light headedness, shaking, vision problems and some pretty extreme fatigue, but also insomnia and some intrusive thoughts. This is the first time I've ever taken the step to talk to anyone about my struggles so I guess I'm looking for anyone who's interested in chatting about anxiety and life in general who can relate to me and would like someone to connect with when times are tough. I have more good days than bad days now after years of retraining my brain not to react to the initial feelings and physical symptoms but it is a tough battle to fight, a very tiring one and a very isolating one and I've decided it's time to reach out. Looking forward to hearing from some of you and good luck on your own personal journeys.

[Lynnster]

Hi there. I am the mother of two small children myself. I've been struggling with anxiety my whole life, but it really peaked when I was pregnant the second time. I constantly had panic attacks throughout the pregnancy. When I finally gave birth they started me right away on medication. I've struggled on and off until this year when it got really unbearable. I was hospitalized twice this year. After that experience, I am still struggling to get myself together. It's really hard because the smallest simplest things cause me to panic. At this point I can't even make out a grocery list. My husband has been really patient and supportive but I can tell I am wearing on his nerves at this point. I give you a lot of credit for choosing to fight this without medication...maybe you could give me some advice as to how you train your brain not to panic. I am currently in counseling and they are trying to teach me this, but I'm still having a difficult time.

[alankay]

Yeah at times I have gotten anxious over something new basically after I was able to rationally calm my anxiety on a given topic. Then later I get anxious a bit over something else/new and have read and realized it was just the inner tension below psychologically and it would find a "release" in some other way causing a new anxiety "topic" for lack of a better term. Just part of the way it works and is kind of normal for an anxious person. Sucks, eh? Alankay

[Lin]

It sounds like you have been struggling with post natal depression. It is a hormone imbalance which causes depression and anxiety. I have had it many times over my 28 years of marriage and been in hospital in 1996 and in 2011. I get suicidal with mine. They can usually help with an anti depressant but this time they have struggled to find one my body will accept because it is the menopause now so hormone imbalance different and longer. I also take regular diazepam during the day to help stay calm from anxiety.
My first post natal depression after my son in 1990 I refused anti depressants, but the next time after a miscarriage I accepted them and it made the long black tunnel much easier to get through.
I also try alternatives such as meditation which is brilliant on your own or in a group to calm you down and help, and reflexology which really works if you find the right person for you.