muckers
06-10-12, 11:20
Hi there guys - I'm new round these parts, so an introductory thread is in order!
I've been struggling with anxiety (mainly social) for a number of years and, after a lull during my time at university two years ago, it peaked and became unbearable about four months ago.
Initially, during my time at school and 6th form, my anxiety and panic attacks were isolated to exam rooms, school halls, assembalies - that sort of thing.
But at the peak recently it stretched to driving, going shopping, going to the cinema, being out on the street to the point where I wouldn't drive anywhere and was resigned to my hotel room while on holiday with my girlfriend. Horrible!
It's also gone beyond feeling unwell in social situations and has caused me serious issues with me worrying about my health. The dizzyness or headaches must be a brain tumour, the tight chest and difficulty breathing must be fluid on the lungs and I'm going to suffocate, the fast-beating heart is going to give me a heart attach etc. etc.
I'm sure those thought patterns are familiar to many of you here.
After a few sessions of one-to-one CBT with a therapist things were really picking up, to the point where I felt I could come off my medication (propranolol, 80mg, sustained release - once a day).
I'm down to standard propranolol at 40mg once a day, and soon will be on taking it every other day.
This change in meds is knocking my body around though, as I'd been on the higher dosage for several months - so some of my older symptoms and thought patterns are coming back.
So here I am! I'm very lucky with the support I have (CBT, understanding partner, friends who have been through similar/identical troubles in the past) but something that always helps me is discussing with like-minded people who do know exactly what's going on in my head!
Hopefully with all of this available to me I can knock this thing on the head once and for all and get my life back on track! Perhaps even help some people along the way, too, with my own experiences.
Well, that's enough wall of text - hi! :)
I've been struggling with anxiety (mainly social) for a number of years and, after a lull during my time at university two years ago, it peaked and became unbearable about four months ago.
Initially, during my time at school and 6th form, my anxiety and panic attacks were isolated to exam rooms, school halls, assembalies - that sort of thing.
But at the peak recently it stretched to driving, going shopping, going to the cinema, being out on the street to the point where I wouldn't drive anywhere and was resigned to my hotel room while on holiday with my girlfriend. Horrible!
It's also gone beyond feeling unwell in social situations and has caused me serious issues with me worrying about my health. The dizzyness or headaches must be a brain tumour, the tight chest and difficulty breathing must be fluid on the lungs and I'm going to suffocate, the fast-beating heart is going to give me a heart attach etc. etc.
I'm sure those thought patterns are familiar to many of you here.
After a few sessions of one-to-one CBT with a therapist things were really picking up, to the point where I felt I could come off my medication (propranolol, 80mg, sustained release - once a day).
I'm down to standard propranolol at 40mg once a day, and soon will be on taking it every other day.
This change in meds is knocking my body around though, as I'd been on the higher dosage for several months - so some of my older symptoms and thought patterns are coming back.
So here I am! I'm very lucky with the support I have (CBT, understanding partner, friends who have been through similar/identical troubles in the past) but something that always helps me is discussing with like-minded people who do know exactly what's going on in my head!
Hopefully with all of this available to me I can knock this thing on the head once and for all and get my life back on track! Perhaps even help some people along the way, too, with my own experiences.
Well, that's enough wall of text - hi! :)