Hello

[luna_blue_cloud]

Hi, I'm 25 years old and I suffered from my first panic attack when I was about 8. I haven't had a full panic attack for ages because I avoid the situations in which I think they will occur. As I've got older I feel I've become more anxious and it is ruining my life. Last year I gave up my job to go to university as I hoped it would boost my low self esteem and increase my confidence but everything seems to have become worse. I find social situations difficult and feel I have made very few friends. I'm even finding it difficult to socialise with my old friends. My head is often empty, my memory is terrible and I easily become confused. I have exams coming up which I am worried about on top of everything else. Sometimes I feel so alone and often sit in my room and cry. It would be good to hear from anyone who understands how I feel and can offer any advice.

[jackie]

i can tell you that you are not alone and have come to the right place. we all come here from similar or different places but with one thing in common. a deep desire to find another way to live

i hope we can all help you feel less isolated

jackie

[giddy]

Welcome - you'll find lots of support and reasurance here.
Love Helen

[nomorepanic]

Hi there and a warm welcome aboard and lovely to see you here.

Hope we can be of some help.

Nicola

[Karen]

Hi luna_blue_cloud

Welcome to the forum.

Have you sought any help for these difficulties? Some therapy in the form of CBT could be beneficial for you.

I understand the avoidance, as I did this for years because I have social phobia and it makes the situation worse. As hard as it is, gradually and very slowly facing the fears and starting to socialise with people again will help.

You might find the following information helpful:

First Steps (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/default.asp?t=cms&c=firststeps)

Symptoms (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/default.asp?t=cms&c=symptoms)

Links post: Links to posts about Common Problems (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7784)

Welcome to the forum.

You might find the following information helpful:

First Steps (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/default.asp?t=cms&c=firststeps)

Symptoms (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/default.asp?t=cms&c=symptoms)

Health Anxiety (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/default.asp?t=cms&c=healthanxiety)

Links post: Links to posts about Common Problems (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7784)

You will find a lot of help and support here.


You will find a lot of help and support here.


Karen



Happiness is not a state to arrive at but a manner of travelling.

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough ~ Christine Cagney, Cagney & Lacey

[sueiamnew]

Hi Luna, welcome to the site.

[lisarose]

Hi Luna, welcome to the forum. You will get lots of great advice and support here from people who know what you are going through and you will make some new friends.
Take care
Love Lisax

[trac67]

Hi,

Welcome to the forum, you will get a lot of good advice here and make some new friends.

Take care

Trac xx

'Live your life with arms wide open, today is where your book begins, the rest is still unwritten'

[luna_blue_cloud]

Hi. Thanks for the replies. Its great to know that there are people out there who understand and can empathise with the way I feel.:D This site has been a great help already. Karen, to answer your question, I have tried CBT but unfortunately I found it only worked in the short term. I've also tried medication and although it calmed me down all the worries were still there so I decided to stop taking them. Recently I went to see the councellor at uni. She has suggested I read some self help books. It takes me a long time to read anything, often it doesn't sink in and I have a lot of reading for my course. I'm very willing to give this a go but I'm looking for a book which is easy to read. Any suggestions?

[jackie]

http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/default.asp?t=cms&c=reading

have a look in here. but my personal book that i feel people with anxiety shouldnt be without is claire weekes " self help for your nerves and " essential help for your nerves"

yuo can buy both these books together from the above site and they are not expensive. they are a godsend i promise and a peace of cake to read

jackie

[Alexandra]

Hi Luna

Welcome to the forum.

You will find lots of help & support on here.

Take Care

Alex

Many People Will Walk
In & Out Of Your Life
But Only True Friends
Will Leave Footprints
In Your Heart

[Jodieg]

Hi Luna,

Welcome to the forum

I hope you are ok.

I read 'How to break free from the anxiety trap' by Terri Conley, Which is a good book. It is very easy to understand, and explains all of how we feel. She wrote it from her own personal experiences after suffering anxiety/panic attacks for about 20 years. It also suggests ways to help you learn about what is happening and how to try and deal with it and get your life back on track.

I ordered it from a freephone panic site, which is easily accessed from any search engine of the internet or nhsdirect website.

Goodluck, Take care
Love Jodie xx

[tammyg]

Hi and welcome.

Maybe just read around here if that is all you can manage at the moment. Reading other peoples experiences will help you feel less alone and you will also pick up some more tips on how to deal with this.

Any of the books on the reading pages are helpful but some of them can be tough going! I do believe they are worth it though. I have got several, including 'essential help for your nerves' and have found them to be very helpful if you can stick with them.

I hope you find one to suit you.

Tammy x

[luna_blue_cloud]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm feeling much more positive about everything. :D