Hi there - please get in touch!!

Hi there - I'm new to this forum and would love to hear from you all. I've joined this in the hope that I can share my worries, fears, stresses and stop that feeling of "being alone"!
I experience anticipated anxiety, agoraphobia, and social anxiety - greedy, me! Quite often, the thought of doing something is worse than actually doing it, but anything new - places, people, situations, etc - freak me out big time.
Share your experiences with me - from the slight to the extreme - I would love to hear from you.

I was so glad to hear from you. I'm new here too and still trying to get the hang of this all. I have had panic disorder for 11 years now. I have gone from not being able to sleep, to not being able to leave my house alone. I am doing so much better now but still have alot of work to do. I understand the feeling of being alone. I didn't think there was anyone out there that could possible know how horrible I was feeling. No one that would understand the syptoms I was experiencing. I thought I was going crazy (still do some days). I finally realized I couldn't go through it alone. I let everyone know how I'm feeling and what helps when I'm having an attack. They still don't completely understand what is going on, but I don't feel alone anymore. I am always happy to talk to others about there experiences with this and am always willing to do anythig I can to help. I hope we can talk soon.
God Bless

Christina, it was lovely to hear from you! It's very hard feeling alone. I have a really supportive partner of nearly 3 years but there are so many opportunities that we've missed because of my fears, my worries. We haven't even had a holiday together and I do feel that I'm holding him back. But he wants to be with me, adores me for me, and although I know he finds it hard, he wants to be with me and that's the most important thing.
Anyway, drop me a line when you can and let me know how you're doing - and many happy returns for today!

You have no idea how lucky you are to have someone that loves you that much. The man I was with, my son's father, use to get mad at me if I had one. He would scream and yell and call me a stupid bitch for faking an attack. He was pissed because he would have to take me home if we were out and he had to leave his friends. I know it is not just stressful on me but whoever I'm with and around. I can't even recall one time that he tried to help me when I had one. I usually had to call my mother and have her come over when it was really bad. We were engaged and after being together seven years he left me. He moved his girlfriend in two days after I moved out.
After we broke up I was of course devestated, but quickly realized I hadn't had a single attack since he left me. Not sure of the true reason. I think it's because he was contantly stressing me out. I loved him (always will) but he made me feel horrible about myself, and we fought constantly. I think knowing I was going to come home to a peacful house really helped me. It's been almost a year now and I have only had maybe 5 or 6 attacks. I guess stress really does trigger these things.
I have now found one of the most wonderful men in the world. We have only been dating a month now and is wonderful about it. So supportive. He has looked up information online and is getting books about panic disorder. He said he wants to know what I'm going through and how to help if I have an attack when I'm with him. He's a wonderful wonderful man. Sounds like yours is too. CHERISH HIM!!! I wish the two of you the best of everything. Let his love inspire you to fight this and get well. You will be going on a holliday in no time.
BEST WISHES & GOD BLESS YOU BOTH!!!

Dear Christina,
Thank you so much for your reply and I'm sorry that I haven't replied until now. I hope you're well. How was your birthday?! Good I hope with that lovely man of yours!
Well, things have changed quite a lot for me since we last spoke - I've resigned from my stressful, full time job to move in with my man. I'm hoping that by getting away from the stress I will be able, with his help, to start to get a grip on things and improve. I don't have a job as yet and I'm hoping to start my own business, but therein lies a little confusion for myself. I've been a wedding planner for 5-6 years with hotels, which has been fine because I've stayed in one place at one venue and not had to travel. Now, I'm facing doing quite a bit of travelling whilst offering a freelance service and I'm really uncomfortable with it. I'm thinking of marketing myself as a pre-planning, web-based co-ordinator and state that I'm not going to provide an on the day service. Do you think this would work as I think this would be more true to my capabilities? I'm also scared that I will reduce my clientele if I narrow my services but I feel more comfortable. You see, I'm facing a lot of "firsts" - moving out of home away from my parents into my partners place some 140 miles away, and starting a new business. Do you think I've bitten off more than I can chew?! Let me know! Sounds like your man is very supportive - you hang onto him.

Hi Ab

Apologies for interjecting in your conversation.

I have suffered from anxiety for 7 years now and I've been acutely agoraphobic for about a year. I had to give up my job as a computer analyst when I became agoraphobic and I'm currently unemployed.

I admire you for going ahead with your business idea and I wish you every success. I would also like to say that I have quite a lot of experience in designing and developing web-sites, applications, spreadsheets, etc and I would be happy to help you out if you ever have any questions (if I can).

Best of luck
Chris

Hi Chris

Many thanks for your reply and I will certainly take you up on your kind offer!

Do you have an email address that I could note down in case I do want to pick your brains?

I think you should perhaps look at starting up your own consultancy business designing sites for people. If I had the skills, I would certainly go that route as there is such a demand and there's good money in it I would think.

Anyway, I'm actually at work at the moment so best go but do let me know your email address!

And how on EARTH did you choose your username?!

Hi ab

I have thought seriously about starting my own business but my motivation and self-belief have taken a bit of a hammering since I became agoraphobic. It's something I may do in the future.

my email is rabid.badger@ntlworld.com

The user name is just something that appeals to my sense of humour - plus it gets noticed.

Best of luck
Chris

Hey Chris

I think you've got to really go for it! Take our conversations, our meeting, as a HUGE encouragement and take my energy to inspire you. Please. I'm a strong believer in fate.

I have your email address so I shall pick your brains!

Many thanks
Amy

Thanks Amy

I look forward to hearing from you. You can pick my brains about anxiety as well if you like - I've got quite a bit of experience of that.

Chris

Hi there - I'm new to this forum and would love to hear from you all. I've joined this in the hope that I can share my worries, fears, stresses and stop that feeling of "being alone"!
I experience anticipated anxiety, agoraphobia, and social anxiety - greedy, me! Quite often, the thought of doing something is worse than actually doing it, but anything new - places, people, situations, etc - freak me out big time.
Share your experiences with me - from the slight to the extreme - I would love to hear from you.
Hi, from hopefu;;. i have been having panicattacks for 18yrs, and soo tired of this, cant go far, freaked out on yrips, no dining out/
This is pathetic, and unfair to us all., my docter just started me on klonopin. after taking xanax for 12yrs, this has helped block the panic a loy. Guess you have to do something. i am a mom of 5 oldest 34-5yrs, wow its been a long road, but nowhere for me to help myself.
You nust feel lost, how do you feel about meds, or what do you do? hopefull chat soon

I'm new also and have been reading through some of the other's messages and comments. The people fortunate to have someone to stay with you and help you, don't know how lucky you are. The one's that have been accused of faking it or not having help, I can certainly relate. I'm been having panic attacks for a number of years now. Lately, they've been worse, much worse. I have a man I've been with for 1 1/2 years. He doesn't know how to deal with me when this happens. We've separated and I don't know if he'll take me back or not. He told me this happens every few months, but lately it's been only a couple of weeks between attacks. The people who have been blessed enough to have someone stick with you, how do they do it? Can you please find out what gives them the strength? I don't know what to tell him to do to help me out. I panic that I'm losing him and start calling on the phone non-stop and I've finally made my worst fear come true. I've once again been abandoned. Any suggestions to save my relationship would mean so much to me.