MatthewH
13-01-10, 22:56
Well, it has been a while since ive been on these forums!
For those of you who dont know me (Surely the very vast majority), im Mat, im 23, and i have suffered from terrible anxiety and panic attacks.
These went on for a while, starting with a panic attack. They gradually got worse and worse, until it got to a point where i did not dare venture out for nights out, but bizarely i could go to work! I used to get stressed, raised heart rate, palpatations, sweating and dizzy spells going to the supermarket. My girlfriend at the time didnt really believe me either. She thought i was using it as an excuse to leave her.
Over time, i gradually told myself to get on with my life. I never consulted my GP. I couldnt bear the shame. I work in a very Alpha male environment, and the thought of saying i wasnt like everybody else worried me.
Now, i know first hand how horrible it is to be in these situations. I remember one time, on my girlfriends birthday, i felt fine. Until about half an hour before due to go out that was. Just 10 minutes before due to go out, i was being sick, crying, miserable, and guilty id spoilt her big night out.
And here i am now. I can eat in restaurants again. Not all the time, as i do someimes have episodes where ill have a few fork fulls of food then be sick. But compared to where i was a year ago, ivecome a long way. I can go out, i can socialise, i can go for a coffee with friends without having those terrible feelings. I can watch films, and i can go out with my now fiance!
I know sometimes it feels like your whole world is collapsing around you. Ive been there myself! But trust me, it does get better! It will get better! You just have to believe it, and work at it. Its not the end of the world, and despite this being a terrible time in your life, you cannot let it get to you. Take it from somebody who couldnt drink a coffee with friends without feeling nervous and sick. It does get better.
And thank you to all those people on here who helped me out during my dark times!
For those of you who dont know me (Surely the very vast majority), im Mat, im 23, and i have suffered from terrible anxiety and panic attacks.
These went on for a while, starting with a panic attack. They gradually got worse and worse, until it got to a point where i did not dare venture out for nights out, but bizarely i could go to work! I used to get stressed, raised heart rate, palpatations, sweating and dizzy spells going to the supermarket. My girlfriend at the time didnt really believe me either. She thought i was using it as an excuse to leave her.
Over time, i gradually told myself to get on with my life. I never consulted my GP. I couldnt bear the shame. I work in a very Alpha male environment, and the thought of saying i wasnt like everybody else worried me.
Now, i know first hand how horrible it is to be in these situations. I remember one time, on my girlfriends birthday, i felt fine. Until about half an hour before due to go out that was. Just 10 minutes before due to go out, i was being sick, crying, miserable, and guilty id spoilt her big night out.
And here i am now. I can eat in restaurants again. Not all the time, as i do someimes have episodes where ill have a few fork fulls of food then be sick. But compared to where i was a year ago, ivecome a long way. I can go out, i can socialise, i can go for a coffee with friends without having those terrible feelings. I can watch films, and i can go out with my now fiance!
I know sometimes it feels like your whole world is collapsing around you. Ive been there myself! But trust me, it does get better! It will get better! You just have to believe it, and work at it. Its not the end of the world, and despite this being a terrible time in your life, you cannot let it get to you. Take it from somebody who couldnt drink a coffee with friends without feeling nervous and sick. It does get better.
And thank you to all those people on here who helped me out during my dark times!