lilly-lou
27-03-11, 08:19
I just wanted to share with you how things have been going for me. I've suffered from panic atacks, anxiety and depression since I was a teenager which developed into agoraphobia where I was housebound for over 18 months. I've tried every form of therapy from relaxation to cbt, hypnotherapy and accupuncture all of which help for a short while.
Last year in July things got really bad for me and I decided I needed to visit the G.P. after not going for over 7yrs to see one and talk about the meds route. I was given citalopram which I was so scared to take. It took me about a month to get up to the 20mg dose that I needed to be on and a gazillion anxiety attacks due to my fear of them but finally I began to get some relief from the dreaded fear of going out.
I've been on the meds for 8 months now and the change in me is great. I can drive again without panic, go shopping (although sometimes I still need somebody with me when I'm jittery) manage days out, the school runs and my confidence although not great is better than it was.
I was as low as you can get, couldn't even shower, sit in the garden, hang my washing out at one point without having a massive anxiety attack but now I feel like I have some control over it.
The G.P. and I have decided that I really need the meds long term and I've got no problems now in staying on them, I jsut treat it like any other illness that needs meds to stabilise it, I no longer look at being on anti-depressants as a bad thing, I tried by myself to combat it and just kept hitting a brick wall.
I'm not 100% yet but I'm ok with that as long as things carry on the way they are. I still have bad days, ok days and good days but the bad days are manageable.
I hope this gives some hope for others who are suffering or those who are scared of taking the meds that things can get easier.
Last year in July things got really bad for me and I decided I needed to visit the G.P. after not going for over 7yrs to see one and talk about the meds route. I was given citalopram which I was so scared to take. It took me about a month to get up to the 20mg dose that I needed to be on and a gazillion anxiety attacks due to my fear of them but finally I began to get some relief from the dreaded fear of going out.
I've been on the meds for 8 months now and the change in me is great. I can drive again without panic, go shopping (although sometimes I still need somebody with me when I'm jittery) manage days out, the school runs and my confidence although not great is better than it was.
I was as low as you can get, couldn't even shower, sit in the garden, hang my washing out at one point without having a massive anxiety attack but now I feel like I have some control over it.
The G.P. and I have decided that I really need the meds long term and I've got no problems now in staying on them, I jsut treat it like any other illness that needs meds to stabilise it, I no longer look at being on anti-depressants as a bad thing, I tried by myself to combat it and just kept hitting a brick wall.
I'm not 100% yet but I'm ok with that as long as things carry on the way they are. I still have bad days, ok days and good days but the bad days are manageable.
I hope this gives some hope for others who are suffering or those who are scared of taking the meds that things can get easier.