It can get better

[Bus Driver]

Hey guys

So out of no where when I was 16 years old I started to get slight chest/stabby pain, this sent me into panick mode and though I was having a heart attack, from that moment on and for the next 10 years continued on and off.

I was always at the hospital getting chest xrays ECG always thinking something was wrong with my heart, couldnt go out or socialise at the time I hid it from everyone I was having several episodes on a daily basis at the time I didnt know what it was, looking back it was full blown panick attacks which to this day still get but less common and I know what they are and can deal with them.

I turned to Alchohol for a few years as when I was the anxiety would go away and I would have confidence, BUT looking back now it was actually making me worse please dont do that, you just have to accept with anxietypanick disorder in the long run Alchohol/drugs ect will only make it worse.

I was at a point for 2 years where I pretty much couldnt leave my house or talk to anyone I was in a vey dark scary place thought my life was over.

Then one day (obvs not just in a day) I decided I wanst gonna put up with this any longer!!! I stopped all stimulats i.e Alchohol caffine energy drinks smoking just anything that made my heart go faster, I started to go out jogging (at night as I hated seeing ppl) I staryed doing breathing exercises in through the nose breathing from the diaphram not the chest and slowly started cutting down my panick attacks.

This took alot of work and commitnent which I was willing to do to get my life back!!

Slowly but surely I was getting better month by month then at the age of 26 I signed up for the army all the time with my 'problem' that I could manage in secret nobody was the wiser that I was still taking the odd panick attack here and there, fitness was they key for me and breathing exercises.

I was in the army for 5 years with a 6 month tour of Afghanistan.

Please know that it can get better if find what is triggering your attacks and challenge it face on!!! Remember i went from being in the house for 2 years with up to 12-15 full blown panick attacks daily, the kind where you want to call an ambulance which I done a few times thinking I was gonna die on the spot.

I never just had a little anxiety I was ptetty much as bad as you can get.

I forgot to mention I went through a point where I had to take beta blockers to help but over time found good diet, exercise and living a clean healthy life was the answer.

Now at the age of 32 I have a beautiful daughter and currently working as a bus driver on very busy routes dealing with public for upto 11 hours a day, what im trying to say is it can get better, you need to tackle it face on and seek help dont be ashamex of it or hide it.

If anyone wants any advice just let me know I could have written alot more.

Cheers xx

---------- Post added at 21:19 ---------- Previous post was at 21:10 ----------

Should have also mentioned before I joined the army depression went along with my anxiety, was on a few different anti-depressants and underwent 6 months CBT with a mental health nurse who would set me goals and challenges to get out the house and deal with my worries head on.

[GlassPinata]

That is an inspiring story. Thank you for sharing it.

Best wishes.

[beatroon]

Thanks Busdriver. This is really encouraging!

Would you say that the army was a helpful place for you to be? If so, what was it about it that worked? I'm imagining structure and routine were good for you. I'm interested because I struggle to maintain a good solid routine but I think it would be helpful.

[Kathryn313]

Nice to read a good new story.x

[Bus Driver]

Hey beatroon

Yeah spot on, having a good structure and rountine, i.e getting up at the same time everyday eating at set times being organised n just generally having everything in a good system.

I feel if I am not organised with every aspect of my life n dont have a structure it leads to worry which leads to anxiety which leads to panicks attacks.

For me running was key, I would go jogging everyday any time I feel anxious I go for a walk or a jog, at my current state I can tell if a panick attack is coming well before it does and I can stop it, it took me a long time n alot of hard work with breathing exetcises.

Everyone is gonna be different, also each night I right a list of anything that is on my mind or worrying me like stuff like owing money going somewhere and what I do is write a solition of how I going to tackle the problem this takes all the worry out my head and lets me relax.

Theres loads of videos on youtube of people dealing with anxiety and tips on how to help, I think alot of people are embaressed to seek help until they get a bit older n realise its nothing to be ashamed about.

Ive been a worrier from the start, I can remember being 5 years old crying and worrying about what happens when you die.

You cant let anxiety rule you, Im actually thinking of doing open university to do some sort of social work to belp people suffering from anxiety/depression as I know how horrible it is I thought my life was over and thought about suicide many times.

I would recomend CBT to any one if they can get it through there GP. It really helped me.

---------- Post added at 20:22 ---------- Previous post was at 20:10 ----------

Never give up!

Always aspire to be a better father, mother, husband, wife, brother, sister or friend each day and help people, good relationships with people close to you are key in life.

Do good things and goods things will happen!

Ask yourself can I be a better person, am aye living up to my full potential.

Life is short guys.

I forgot to mention I lost my younger brother who was 29 6 months ago, this has also made me a stronger better person not wanting to waste my life as I know how valuable each day is xxx

[pulisa]

Thank you for sharing your inspirational success story, Bus Driver.

Losing your younger brother must have been devastating but all credit to you for carrying on with your recovery and staying strong when you could so easily have crumbled. Your brother would be very proud of you as you have certainly turned your life around.

[Bittersweet05]

Hi bus driver. That is such a wonderful story and to hear you did it. Took determination and courage. Keep it up.

[snowghost57]

What a lot of courage you have! I hope you do reach out and help people with anxiety. I feel that sometimes I was always classified as depressed. However, when I found this forum I was taught anxiety is FEAR. When I found out what my fear was my anxiety went away. It was nice to read your success story!