laura
10-03-04, 12:52
Hi Everyone
Well, I'm sure some of you will realise what I mean when I say that this is weird! I didnt ever think I'd be writing into a message forum let alone one about panic disorders and attacks. I suppose this is just another part of the realisation to me that this kind of illness can affect anyone and at anytime. I have been battling both depression and anxiety for some time now, although I didnt realise there was anything wrong with me. Well, I suppose thats not true, I suppose I always knew I wasn't feeling right but I think what I mean is that I just always thought it was "just me" and not that I actually was unwell. I hid it for years behind a mask of false strength and fake confidence and now that it is all open with my family, my boyfriend and my work colleagues as well as open to me to understand, things have been so much easier and I can do this, I can beat it, I can and I will. Oh how three months ago I never thought I'd say that. I have been lucky, with the support from everyone around me including my GP who referred me to a clinical psychologist I am doing great. Not 100% yet and I know it is a long and winding road to recovery but I can actually see some light at the end of the tunnel now and it feels good, at last I feel good even if it is only a little bit.
I just want to say to anyone out there, you can beat this, and you dont have to do it alone, Outwardly I was one of the most independant people you'd ever meet, young, successful, attractive and yet hiding a secret illness from everyone because I thought I could do it myself. Understanding I needed help and being able to accept it was and still is the hardest thing for me to do but I am taking the advice dished out to me. I have understood I dont have all the answers and that I need someone to help me, and they have.
Keep faith, faith in yourself, you have all got this far, when you feel down or panicky, remember the bad times, remember how bad it was at times and think to yourself, "I got through it then, I've got this far" and remind yourself if you managed it then, before, when it was really bad that you can do it again. Thats how I help myself beat the attacks when they come. I remind myself how bad I have had one before and that I'm still here so I can do it again. Hope this helps some of you.
Laura xx
Well, I'm sure some of you will realise what I mean when I say that this is weird! I didnt ever think I'd be writing into a message forum let alone one about panic disorders and attacks. I suppose this is just another part of the realisation to me that this kind of illness can affect anyone and at anytime. I have been battling both depression and anxiety for some time now, although I didnt realise there was anything wrong with me. Well, I suppose thats not true, I suppose I always knew I wasn't feeling right but I think what I mean is that I just always thought it was "just me" and not that I actually was unwell. I hid it for years behind a mask of false strength and fake confidence and now that it is all open with my family, my boyfriend and my work colleagues as well as open to me to understand, things have been so much easier and I can do this, I can beat it, I can and I will. Oh how three months ago I never thought I'd say that. I have been lucky, with the support from everyone around me including my GP who referred me to a clinical psychologist I am doing great. Not 100% yet and I know it is a long and winding road to recovery but I can actually see some light at the end of the tunnel now and it feels good, at last I feel good even if it is only a little bit.
I just want to say to anyone out there, you can beat this, and you dont have to do it alone, Outwardly I was one of the most independant people you'd ever meet, young, successful, attractive and yet hiding a secret illness from everyone because I thought I could do it myself. Understanding I needed help and being able to accept it was and still is the hardest thing for me to do but I am taking the advice dished out to me. I have understood I dont have all the answers and that I need someone to help me, and they have.
Keep faith, faith in yourself, you have all got this far, when you feel down or panicky, remember the bad times, remember how bad it was at times and think to yourself, "I got through it then, I've got this far" and remind yourself if you managed it then, before, when it was really bad that you can do it again. Thats how I help myself beat the attacks when they come. I remind myself how bad I have had one before and that I'm still here so I can do it again. Hope this helps some of you.
Laura xx