Anxiety attacks

Hello everybody. My name is Jaera and have been suffering from anxiety attacks as long as I can remember. Now I am 32 years old, so that's a long time. All my life doctors have been treating the symptoms like the heart problems and the dizzyness. I desperately need help. But I am afraid that I am not being taken seriously anymore.
Thanks...

Hi Jaera,
This forum takes you seriously. What do you mean when you say you are not taken seriously any more?
Lisa

Hi Jaera, welcome to the forum!

I wonder if you mean that the physicians aren't taking you seriously anymore? As Lisa said, we all take this seriously, and are here to support and help you in any way that we can.

A lot of doctors discount anxiety as a mental shortcoming, and don't believe that the symptoms are real. They are---a lot of us have them, and know what you're going through.

Have you tried seeing a therapist or psychiatrist for the anxiety? They can offer a lot of options with coping with the problem. There are also other methods that have worked for other people on this forum, if you browse the threads, I think you'll find a lot of useful information.

We're willing to help you with any questions or concerns you may have; you'll find this is a very supportive community.

Hope to hear some more from you.

Hello Lisa, hello Swingy,

first of I have to thank you guys for your fast replies to my message and I have to admit I already feel a whole lot better. Actually I already feel very much understood!! Thank you!
Since my native language is German, not English I may not always be able to express myself the way I want to, but I am just gonna start:
I feel like the doctors aren't taking me seriously anymore , because they always treat my symptoms and not the course. They don't even want to know what triggers my anxiety attacks. I think my mistake was that I didn't describe my problem correctly when I first went to see my doctor, because for a long time I didn't even know I was suffering from anxiety.
I also can't share this with my friends. It seems as if it scares them what I am going through, and it also seems as if they don't understand me either,because they can't relate to this. So I sometimes get to the point where I don't even let them know anymore when "IT" happens. I just make up a quick excuse -understandable for them- and take off.

I can't go to huge stores I have never been to before. And even if I am going to stores I usually shop at, I make sure I go right before they close, so I won't have to stand in a long check out line.
I can just hope that I won't get to the point where I can't even go to work anymore.
And the weird thing is, that I get these attacks in certain situations I had an attack in before, -just because I am afraid of an attack. I know this sounds strange, but please let me know if anyone can relate to these situations.

I went to see a neurologist and he gave me this medication I am supposed to take in case of an attack. This medicine helps me true enoughin an acute situation, but it is not the answer. I need to cure the course.

Perhaps the doctors over here in Germany are not very familiar with this, because I don't know anyone with the same problem. I didn't know how many people suffer from anxiety until I found this site.

Thanks for taking the time to find out what I had to say.

Jaera

Hello Lisa, hello Swingy,

first of I have to thank you guys for your fast replies to my message and I have to admit I already feel a whole lot better. Actually I already feel very much understood!! Thank you!
Since my native language is German, not English I may not always be able to express myself the way I want to, but I am just gonna start:
I feel like the doctors aren't taking me seriously anymore , because they always treat my symptoms and not the course. They don't even want to know what triggers my anxiety attacks. I think my mistake was that I didn't describe my problem correctly when I first went to see my doctor, because for a long time I didn't even know I was suffering from anxiety.
I also can't share this with my friends. It seems as if it scares them what I am going through, and it also seems as if they don't understand me either,because they can't relate to this. So I sometimes get to the point where I don't even let them know anymore when "IT" happens. I just make up a quick excuse -understandable for them- and take off.

I can't go to huge stores I have never been to before. And even if I am going to stores I usually shop at, I make sure I go right before they close, so I won't have to stand in a long check out line.
I can just hope that I won't get to the point where I can't even go to work anymore.
And the weird thing is, that I get these attacks in certain situations I had an attack in before, -just because I am afraid of an attack. I know this sounds strange, but please let me know if anyone can relate to these situations.

I went to see a neurologist and he gave me this medication I am supposed to take in case of an attack. This medicine helps me true enoughin an acute situation, but it is not the answer. I need to cure the course.

Perhaps the doctors over here in Germany are not very familiar with this, because I don't know anyone with the same problem. I didn't know how many people suffer from anxiety until I found this site.

Thanks for taking the time to find out what I had to say.

Jaera

Hi Jaera,
rest assured that thousands if not a million people in germany suffer from the same thing. Doctors don't always understand it well. If your Doctor isn't on your side maybe it is time for a new Doctor.
You are right The only reason you are afraid to stand in a line-up is not because of the line but because your afraid the sensations will come back. Learn to cope with the feelings, they won't harm you, there is NO danger!! and eventually they will leave you.
The Linden Method can give you a way out of this misery.
Lisa

Hi Jaera,

What you have posted is very common in a lot of anxiety sufferers---you do become afraid of having more attacks. They call this anticipatory anxiety, and if left untreated, it could effectively limit your life. I've know people who've become agoraphobic (afraid to leave their own homes), because of the panic and anxiety.

I think one of your problems may be that you are going to medical doctors, who as you've said, treat the symtoms, and not the underlying causes. I'm sure the medical doctors have run a bunch of tests on you and found no underlying condition that would explain the anxiety. Lisa suggests the Linden Method, as do a lot of others on this forum. I'm a bit skeptical about it, but it most certainly would be worth your while to look into it, and see what you think.

My suggestion is that you consult with a psychiatrist or a therapist who specializes in anxiety disorders. I am sure that there are some specialists in Germany who deal with this disorder. I'll try to do an internet search for you tomorrow, and see what I can find that might be of assistance to you.

It is not easy to just stop the feelings, not right away, and not without some effective coping techniques. Lisa is right when she says that the feelings won't harm you, but I know it doesn't feel like it at the time it happens. It does take time to overcome the anxiety, and unfortunately, it sometimes returns.

I hope you can get some help where you won't be afraid to go places--that has happened to me and has severely limited my life.

And friends never understand anxiety attacks, the anxiety they experience is normal and stessful, but not to the point of panic. It's okay to have this disorder; you are not alone, and you are not abnormal. There is a way out of this, and I will do all I can to help you find some resources in Germany.

By the way, your English is wonderful! The only German I know is weinershnitzel, sauerbrauten, and hassenfeffer (You can tell that I love German Food--a gift from my grandfather). And, I probably misspelled all three!

Hang in there Jaera, the first step is recongnizing the problem, and once you do that, you can move on to healing.

Hugs,
Swingy

Hi,

I have never heard of the Linden Method...but I am certainly intersted in giving it a try. What is it? And where can I find it? Why are you skeptikal about it, Swingy? And thanks for doing this research for me!!!
Have you ever been to Germany? I would love to visit my friends in the USA again, but that's also one of my biggest problem. I am so afraid of flyng. They would have to knock me out before I ever get back on a plane. I am still waiting for a road being built across the Atlantic Ocean...LOL...
Guess what?! ...you guys have really motivated me to schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist this morning. Unfortunately I have to wait until June, because the waiting list is very long, but HEY... what are 5 weeks compared to a lifetime?!

Thanks a billion!!!
Jaera

Hi Swingy,
Have you read the Linden method? I have it and there is some very good information in it. It is a very good program that if followed will work.
I too was sceptical about it, at first.
For me What I have gained from it was worth the money, not only for myself but the peole I work with. I have explored other methods and have found they really lacked what I needed. That didn't mean there wasn't helpful info in them.
Over the years it was Claire Weeks books that first were instrumental in me getting through my anxiety disorder, which I did. Now the anxiety is back due to enormius stress in my life. I own many books on the subject, but they are on my shelf collecting dust.
I also believe a good therapist is invaluable. Someone who has been through this themselves. Now the Linden programme also offers online counselling which I have used a few times and it has been very helpful.
Lisa

Hi Swingy,
People are addicted to drugs prescribed by doctors. Unless you know her doctor you do not know his belief system when it comes to drugs.

Hi Lisa,

Not all doctors prescribe medications for anxiety, and not all people who are prescribed drugs for anxiety become addicted. A good doctor will closely monitor her treatment, and offer an effective course.

I believe it is up to the patient to find out as much as they can about the doctor they choose, and they can then decide if they think that medications may be the answer for them, at least temporarily.

In the interests of full disclosure, do you now, or have you in the past, worked for, or been affiliated with the Charles Linden Method?

Hi Swingy,
You would think that I am associated with Charles Linden the way I promote his program. the truth my only association with him is as a customer. I downloaded his programme March 7th. If you look through all of the postings you will see that I also advocate other sites that I have found helpful. That I promote Clair Weeks books and her tapes. I do not promote Linda Bassett as her programme did nothing for me.
I am on this site just like you are. I have struggled with this disorder for almost 50 years(Wow!!! as I wrote that, that is a long time) I have also had periods were I was symptom free. I was free for 8 years when Once again I am face with this, misery.
There are things in the Linden programme that are diffinetly working for me this time. I personally choose not to take drugs as I too believe that for some it can be overcome without drugs and therefore believe drugs are a personal choice. Just like which programme you use is a personal choice.
My comment about doctors is about personal experience as I did become addicted to prescription drugs and spent time in a rehab centre to overcome. For you to make a statement about someone's doctor not allowing them to become addicted is just wrong.
Having said that your last post is much more they way it is, therfore I agree with what you wrote concerning the patients responsiblity and that it's important for someone to know about the doctor before they choose
which doctor they will work with.
Now you have a little more knowledge about me. I hope this puts your mind at ease. I also live in Canada and not in England where Charles Linden method comes from.
Lisa

Hello Swingy,

I am so greatful for you sending me all these links. I have been doing a lot of surfing, browsing and reading. I am interested in the Linden Method, but the problem is that it isn't affordable for me at the moment. Money issues are one of my biggest problems at the moment. That could be the course of these recent massive attacks. So, if it doesn't work for me, I will be pretty much worse off. I think I have to hang in there until I have my appointment next month.
That one language "DEUTSCH" is German, so that was perfect!!! Thanks again!
I would really like to know why you are skeptical about the Linden Method. If you don't want to talk about it on here, you can e-mail me at Nico1eBoykin@aol.com.
Hope to hear from you!!!
Jaera

Hi Swingy,
You would think that I am associated with Charles Linden the way I promote his program. the truth my only association with him is as a customer. I downloaded his programme March 7th. If you look through all of the postings you will see that I also advocate other sites that I have found helpful. That I promote Clair Weeks books and her tapes. I do not promote Linda Bassett as her programme did nothing for me.
I am on this site just like you are. I have struggled with this disorder for almost 50 years(Wow!!! as I wrote that, that is a long time) I have also had periods were I was symptom free. I was free for 8 years when Once again I am face with this, misery.
There are things in the Linden programme that are diffinetly working for me this time. I personally choose not to take drugs as I too believe that for some it can be overcome without drugs and therefore believe drugs are a personal choice. Just like which programme you use is a personal choice.
My comment about doctors is about personal experience as I did become addicted to prescription drugs and spent time in a rehab centre to overcome. For you to make a statement about someone's doctor not allowing them to become addicted is just wrong.
Having said that your last post is much more they way it is, therfore I agree with what you wrote concerning the patients responsiblity and that it's important for someone to know about the doctor before they choose
which doctor they will work with.
Now you have a little more knowledge about me. I hope this puts your mind at ease. I also live in Canada and not in England where Charles Linden method comes from.
Lisa

As I posted in our PM, we've covered most of this subject. I am sorry that you became addicted to prescription drugs--most doctors do not allow that to happen. But, you are right, there are some who might hand them out like candy, hence, the importance of learning about your doctor before the first visit. It is vital to know what his beliefs are regarding meds, therapy, his accreditations, and his fellowships. Referrals are also a good thing, if you can find someone in the same situation.

I'm glad the Linden method worked for you, and am sure it will work for many others. I hope it works for you again, and helps you become symptom-free once more. Meds aren't for everyone, and I can certainly understand your hesitancy considering the history.

Hello Swingy,

I am so greatful for you sending me all these links. I have been doing a lot of surfing, browsing and reading. I am interested in the Linden Method, but the problem is that it isn't affordable for me at the moment. Money issues are one of my biggest problems at the moment. That could be the course of these recent massive attacks. So, if it doesn't work for me, I will be pretty much worse off. I think I have to hang in there until I have my appointment next month.
That one language "DEUTSCH" is German, so that was perfect!!! Thanks again!
I would really like to know why you are skeptical about the Linden Method. If you don't want to talk about it on here, you can e-mail me at Nico1eBoykin@aol.com.
Hope to hear from you!!!
Jaera

Hi Jaera, I am so happy you found those links helpful....I just love internet research, and so desparately wanted to give you a head start.

I certainly understand about money being an issue, and as being a big stressor in your life and possibly making things worse. There are some good books you could read until you get to your appointment next month, which might help a bit. One of the ones a lot of us like is by Claire Weekes. and, sorry, I forget the title (she actually has several), but stop by your local library (do you have libraries in Germany?) or bookstore, and see what you can find on anxiety, and perhaps some of the techniques in the books could help you a bit until you see your therapist. Oh, another good book is THE RELAXTION RESPONSE, by Benson (forgot his first name). He has a lot of good deep-breathing exercises in it that has helped me enormously in the past.

I didn't know Deutch was German....see, you learn something new every day! I hope you found a lot of the sites informative, and that you were able to read the English. You write English very well, so I am sure you are good at reading it too!

Take care Jaera, we are thinking and caring about you, and know you will come out this okay. We're here for you, post when you can.