sheba2
22-02-08, 13:40
Hello everyone. I joined yesterday but didn't have a lot of time to write this and was so interested in what was happening on the forum I spent ages reading. Anyway I'm looking forward to meeting you all and it's nice to be able to chat to people who know how you feel. I suffer with agoraphobia and panic although my therapist sees these as labels but sometimes it is useful to find a hanger for your problems. I'm 52 (just), married for the second time and have 2 children in their late 20's and a 6 year old. I have struggled with major panic since my late 20's. Looking back it seems such a waste of time and energy but when you're suffering that doesn't mean too much. I have had four bouts of major panic and agoraphobia all of which have lasted for approx. 2-3 years each and am currently working my way through the worst one yet which has lasted just over 2 years. At my worst 18months ago I couldn't leave the chair I was sitting on without an attack. I had to take the phone to the loo and life was hellish. This time I have gone without any medication as although it has helped in the past I felt that I wasn't getting to the root of the problem just locking it up for a few years only for it to break out again.
I have had four lots of counselling and it too has helped especially the latest. I really feel that I am making progress at last. I definitly believe that I have learnt to deal unhealthily with life and that being scared of everything had become a way of life. Strangely I was always thought of as an extrovert. It's amazing how we can fool everyone even ourselves. Although my problem has been going on for so long I really do believe that I can overcome this. I wont bore you all with the symptoms I have here as they will be so familiar to many and I'm sure that we will get to chat about things on the other threads. The thing that surprises me most since logging on here and using other websites is the amount of people who suffer from extreme anxiety. It has reached epedemic proportions and so little is done via the nhs.
Anyway looking forward to chatting, sharing good and bad times.
I have had four lots of counselling and it too has helped especially the latest. I really feel that I am making progress at last. I definitly believe that I have learnt to deal unhealthily with life and that being scared of everything had become a way of life. Strangely I was always thought of as an extrovert. It's amazing how we can fool everyone even ourselves. Although my problem has been going on for so long I really do believe that I can overcome this. I wont bore you all with the symptoms I have here as they will be so familiar to many and I'm sure that we will get to chat about things on the other threads. The thing that surprises me most since logging on here and using other websites is the amount of people who suffer from extreme anxiety. It has reached epedemic proportions and so little is done via the nhs.
Anyway looking forward to chatting, sharing good and bad times.