ChrisR
27-10-08, 10:36
Hello all,
My name's Chris, from Toronto, Canada. I'm 26 years old and have had a panic disorder for as long as I can remember. When I was a 14 or so, I experemented with a few recreational drugs, all had created situations of panic so for years I thought that I had destroyed my brain. I dealt with the condition for 12 years on my own through avoidance and alcohol.
About 4 years ago, the attacks got worse, and I found myself becoming stuck at home and unable to go out, and about 2 years ago, I finally decided to see a psychologist after I kept convincing myself I was going crazy (even to the point of fearing my own inner monologue telling myself I was schitzophrenic).
First off, I told the psychologist I didn't want any medication, because I'm deathly afraid of drugs (he later prescribed me Ativan which I still haven't taken). It didn't work out because I found it relying on emotional factors, while I try to be a rational person, and becaue I could only get appointments once a month, and if I missed one, had to wait 3 months before I could get another one (anyone with panic disorder knows when you need help, you need it right then, not in 3 months).
So basically, now I'm just trying to deal with this on my own for now. I have a full time job, and the panic attacks are fairly controlled as long as I don't try to leave town, and stay out of wide open spaces.
I figured I'd introduce myself, my problem, and look around the site for tips with dealing with panic. I'm also willing to help anyone in anyway I can with coping. I can vouch that panic attacks will never kill you, as I've probably had thousands over the last 12 years.
Thanks for reading,
Chris.
My name's Chris, from Toronto, Canada. I'm 26 years old and have had a panic disorder for as long as I can remember. When I was a 14 or so, I experemented with a few recreational drugs, all had created situations of panic so for years I thought that I had destroyed my brain. I dealt with the condition for 12 years on my own through avoidance and alcohol.
About 4 years ago, the attacks got worse, and I found myself becoming stuck at home and unable to go out, and about 2 years ago, I finally decided to see a psychologist after I kept convincing myself I was going crazy (even to the point of fearing my own inner monologue telling myself I was schitzophrenic).
First off, I told the psychologist I didn't want any medication, because I'm deathly afraid of drugs (he later prescribed me Ativan which I still haven't taken). It didn't work out because I found it relying on emotional factors, while I try to be a rational person, and becaue I could only get appointments once a month, and if I missed one, had to wait 3 months before I could get another one (anyone with panic disorder knows when you need help, you need it right then, not in 3 months).
So basically, now I'm just trying to deal with this on my own for now. I have a full time job, and the panic attacks are fairly controlled as long as I don't try to leave town, and stay out of wide open spaces.
I figured I'd introduce myself, my problem, and look around the site for tips with dealing with panic. I'm also willing to help anyone in anyway I can with coping. I can vouch that panic attacks will never kill you, as I've probably had thousands over the last 12 years.
Thanks for reading,
Chris.