Hi

Im 26 and have been dealing with anxiety for around 7 years now and only recently have I been diagnosed with panic disorder. In the past i had been diagnosed with agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder but i never really felt like this was right. i felt more like the agoraphobia and associated depression were more of a symptom rather than a cause.

After a lot of research by me (and my big sister) i realised it wasnt the situations that were making me panic, rather the fear of panicking itself, leading us to find out about panic disorder.

Im now at the stage of getting referred from my gp (who in my opinion was more concerned with prescribing me antidepressants than actually working out the cause of the problem) to a mental health professional.

i thought i'd post here just to see if anyone had any advice or treatment recommendations, even which medication has proved successful, from someone who actually understands whats going on and how im feeling.

Any help will be really appreciated,
Mark

Hi Mark

We all respond differently to medications but I have found that escitalopram helps me a lot.

Chris

Thanks. I was thinking about medication as sort of a helping hand in conjunction with other therapies, cognotive etc. Ive been on antidepressants but found that they didnt do enough for the anxiety aspect which was actually causing the depression.

With the medication does it just stop you panicking? say i was to go into a situation expecting to panic, would it just not happen?

Hi Mark,

Welcome to the forum.

So many people suffer with anxiety & depression - you are not alone. Why some do and some don't is a bit of a mystery to me. I am always asking myself why I feel like this and other people don't.

Different methods work for different people & so I think that it is just a case of trial and error to see what works best for you. I think that you certainly can't do any harm by keeping healthy - eating well, sleeping well & getting exercise & fresh air.

I find that keeping a diary helps me - I suppose it's like a form of self counselling. I record how I am feeling and try to reason with myself. I try to put things into perspective. Easier said that done though sometimes!

Try being aware of your body. I find that I tense up my shoulders. Try to relax yourself and breath steadily. When feeling panicky I breath in for 3 and out for 5 - breathing down to my stomach.

Try to keep occupied & distract your mind - reading, watching a film etc
Again easier said than done!!!

I hope that you feel better soon :-)

There are good exercises to release tension in your body (especially the muscles). Look at Thi Chi & the martial arts. I think these Eastern cultures know more about relieving stresses & worries than we do.

i think at some point i will look into relaxation and maybe some meditation. but for now i just want something to get me back on an even keel, you could count the amount of times ive been this year on one hand. im thinking medication may get me there, for now.

Hi Mark,
Welcome to the club.

What helps me is being thankful, grateful for the good things that exist in my life. And then I try to keep positive in hopes for more great things to come.
I believe I will conquer this, and you will too as long as you believe it.
I've made big steps and you can too.
I am not fully "cured" but I'm getting there.

Good Luck!;)