Yvonne89
03-03-10, 19:19
Hello all.
I'm new and a bit sceptical because I haven't used a forum before and am still a bit embarrassed about the whole panic thing.
I am 20 and have been suffering with anxiety and severe panic attacks since I was 16. After trying what seemed like a million different techniques (breathing techniques, herbal medicines, regular exercise and CBT) I was put on antidepressants around the time of my 18th birthday.
Anti depressants changed my life. I could sit through a class at college without having to run out and hide in the bathroom. I stopped becoming scared of busy areas and large crowds. My self confidence soared and I became really happy. The pills also concured other problems I was having. I had developed bulemia and OCD to cope with my anxiety- but the anti depressants seemed to melt all those issues and tension away and magically I felt normal!
I am now trying to face up to my problems because I don't want to be on anti depressants all my life. I have been weening myself off them for 3 and a half months now (I have gone from taking one pill a day to one a week) and I'm really really struggling. The panic attacks have returned; I am anxious all the time and I haven't been sleeping. Also my bulemia and OCD has returned. Taking all this on at once has really got to me and my doctor has signed me off work for 2 weeks. But I want to go back. Back to work and back to a sense of normality.
Part of me wants to admit defeat and go back on the drugs- because everything was so simple when I could lead a normal life. But I also realise that I've put a lot of work in spo far trying to come off them, and it would be a shame to give in now.
If there is anything that you think may help me cope with my issues without drugs I'd really appreciate that information.
Thanks,
Yvonne
I'm new and a bit sceptical because I haven't used a forum before and am still a bit embarrassed about the whole panic thing.
I am 20 and have been suffering with anxiety and severe panic attacks since I was 16. After trying what seemed like a million different techniques (breathing techniques, herbal medicines, regular exercise and CBT) I was put on antidepressants around the time of my 18th birthday.
Anti depressants changed my life. I could sit through a class at college without having to run out and hide in the bathroom. I stopped becoming scared of busy areas and large crowds. My self confidence soared and I became really happy. The pills also concured other problems I was having. I had developed bulemia and OCD to cope with my anxiety- but the anti depressants seemed to melt all those issues and tension away and magically I felt normal!
I am now trying to face up to my problems because I don't want to be on anti depressants all my life. I have been weening myself off them for 3 and a half months now (I have gone from taking one pill a day to one a week) and I'm really really struggling. The panic attacks have returned; I am anxious all the time and I haven't been sleeping. Also my bulemia and OCD has returned. Taking all this on at once has really got to me and my doctor has signed me off work for 2 weeks. But I want to go back. Back to work and back to a sense of normality.
Part of me wants to admit defeat and go back on the drugs- because everything was so simple when I could lead a normal life. But I also realise that I've put a lot of work in spo far trying to come off them, and it would be a shame to give in now.
If there is anything that you think may help me cope with my issues without drugs I'd really appreciate that information.
Thanks,
Yvonne