choccocat
16-02-05, 15:05
Hi all,
I have been suffering with anxiety and panic since 1994.
I had a total breakdown and found I couldn't leave the house. I, like many others thought I was going mad. I had anxiety night and day, couldn't sleep and couldn't stand noise or too much of any thing really. I went to the doctors, which as you can imagine was horrendous with total full on panic the whole time.
She was over an hour late calling me into the office then she had to rush off after only 5 mins to an emergency call out.
I made another appointment a few days later and went through the anxiety all over again.
She prescribed me beta blockers.
Between me and my partner we decided to go it without the prescription. He has been fantastic. Total support.
I used 'first steps to freedom' where I did a phone support group to actually get me out of the house. This worked for me and I was able to get out and about with my partner. I started by going to the end of my street, about 100 yards and so on from there. All I can say I am so glad I can drive, it boosted the distances I can go and I am still totally dependant on it.
I have managed so much in this time and I appreciate the support I have been given by people.
I attended a short course using computers five years ago (I already had one at home) and they kind of discovered me! They gave me work delivering the course for them. They have been my saviours and I cannot thank them enough.
I am now able to go on holiday, which was a real boost to all of the family. I started small, going to our local camp site. Then worked my way up to being able to go further afield like Devon. I want to be able to go to France for a couple of days but the ferry is worrying me. In pursuit of this I mananged to go to Isle of Wight for a long weekend. I was really proud of myself.
Now the thing I need to tackle most is my fear of stairs (biggest fear right now although there is others) and new places. It is controlling me as I totally avoid certain types of stairs. Usually the ones where the sides are open or you can see through them.
I want to do this as it is stopping me from going to job interviews (another thing altogether!!) and going to restaurants and shops. I generally avoid going upstairs anywhere other than my house as I tend to see it as being further from escape.
I only travel in my local area by myself my partner always comes with me if I go further than around 10 - 15 miles. So a long journey for me to go yet.
So I am here to try to stop this from happening, gain support for myself and hopefully give a little support to others.
Sorry that was such an epic, found it easier to get it out all in one go.
Cheers Alison.
I have been suffering with anxiety and panic since 1994.
I had a total breakdown and found I couldn't leave the house. I, like many others thought I was going mad. I had anxiety night and day, couldn't sleep and couldn't stand noise or too much of any thing really. I went to the doctors, which as you can imagine was horrendous with total full on panic the whole time.
She was over an hour late calling me into the office then she had to rush off after only 5 mins to an emergency call out.
I made another appointment a few days later and went through the anxiety all over again.
She prescribed me beta blockers.
Between me and my partner we decided to go it without the prescription. He has been fantastic. Total support.
I used 'first steps to freedom' where I did a phone support group to actually get me out of the house. This worked for me and I was able to get out and about with my partner. I started by going to the end of my street, about 100 yards and so on from there. All I can say I am so glad I can drive, it boosted the distances I can go and I am still totally dependant on it.
I have managed so much in this time and I appreciate the support I have been given by people.
I attended a short course using computers five years ago (I already had one at home) and they kind of discovered me! They gave me work delivering the course for them. They have been my saviours and I cannot thank them enough.
I am now able to go on holiday, which was a real boost to all of the family. I started small, going to our local camp site. Then worked my way up to being able to go further afield like Devon. I want to be able to go to France for a couple of days but the ferry is worrying me. In pursuit of this I mananged to go to Isle of Wight for a long weekend. I was really proud of myself.
Now the thing I need to tackle most is my fear of stairs (biggest fear right now although there is others) and new places. It is controlling me as I totally avoid certain types of stairs. Usually the ones where the sides are open or you can see through them.
I want to do this as it is stopping me from going to job interviews (another thing altogether!!) and going to restaurants and shops. I generally avoid going upstairs anywhere other than my house as I tend to see it as being further from escape.
I only travel in my local area by myself my partner always comes with me if I go further than around 10 - 15 miles. So a long journey for me to go yet.
So I am here to try to stop this from happening, gain support for myself and hopefully give a little support to others.
Sorry that was such an epic, found it easier to get it out all in one go.
Cheers Alison.