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Thread: Hello all! Panic disorder with agoraphobia in North Bucks

  1. #1

    Hello all! Panic disorder with agoraphobia in North Bucks

    Hello everyone,

    I just found this site when researching DLA and agoraphobia, I had been looking for a forum to post on, though, as I think it might be helpful to talk to other suffers. I've never spoken to anyone who experienced the same problems as me so I look forward to coming across a few people on here.

    I've had panic disorder with agoraphobia for 10 years (since I was 15) which was triggered after having several panic attacks at school during the same year waiting for immunizations (I hate needles). This feeling of panic subsequently generalized to pretty much my whole life and I've suffered since with the occassional period where my anxiety has receeded to a point that I've lived a 'normal' life for about a year.

    I've taken escitalopram, seroxat, diazepam, alprazolam, and lorazepam for my anxiety in the past and I've seen a psychiatrist, a counsellor, and 3 psychologists. I'm currently only taking diazepam as needed but my anxiety is very accute recently and is threatening to render me housebound so I'm giving myself a few weeks to see an improvement before I go back on seroxat or similiar. I've always managed to cope with life; sitting my GCSEs and A-levels and completing a BA and MSt without having any special arrangements, but since I stopped taking seroxat- due to the side effects- my anxiety has come back full force (and even more intense) and is stopping me doing even basic things.

    My biggest issue is the feeling of being trapped, which is as prevalent in a social context as in a physical one, by which I mean that being with other people leaves me feeling trapped by social conventions (not being able to just run off etc). This has a huge impact on my social life, means I can't work, and am increasingly struggling just to get out the house.

    I am currently seeing a psychologist for CBT who I've had to see privately as I've been on a CBT NHS waiting list for several months and I decided my future was far too important to just be at the NHS's mercy. I am now considering applying for DLA to recoup some of the £70 a week I'm having to pay for my own therapy, although looking at the form I think I'll struggle since I'm able to do things alone (to an extent) but not with other people. It seems that being completely incapable of working isn't enough...

    That's rather a long introduction, I look forward to browsing the forum a bit and seeing what other people's experiences have been. I'm especially keen to find some inspiration that I will one day get better and that this isn't the beginning of the end of my life

    xxx

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Posts
    4,843
    Hi Persephone

    A huge warm welcome to nmp.

    You'll get loads of advice and support here and make some lovely friends along the way.

    Best wishes

  3. #3

    Re: Hello all! Panic disorder with agoraphobia in North Bucks

    Hi,
    Have you tried CBT before?
    My story is similar to yours and I'm able to manage things and go to work etc with the safety of my car..
    I've tried CBT twice but I havent had the balls to Just Do It and avoid the exercises which makes it impossible for the process to work...
    I would love to hear from someone who's tried CBT in a similar (desperate) situation with an outcome that opens up your world again!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    438

    Re: Hello all! Panic disorder with agoraphobia in North Bucks

    Hi, I suffer with heightened anxiety, and ptsd, but force myself to "face my fears" every day, because I know I have to at least fight it. I've recently come off venlafaxine, and the psychiatrist wants to start me on Reboxetine or Mirtazapine.. but I've decided not to go back on any ad's. I am this way, and I need to learn to deal with it, because I am really fed up yo-yoing between tablets :( I live in South Bucks by the way Take care and be strong x

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