Developed Panic/Anxiety disorder

Question

Hi, my daughter is already 1 yr 6 mths old and recently, I developed anxiety-panic attacks and I found out more through internet when doctors told me it was anxiety, which at first I thought was asthma.

A friend told me she noticed that I had a post natal depression but I didn't do anything about it and it could be due to that. Right now, I have trouble working and has quit my recent job due to the panic attacks. I felt nervous all the time especially when going out and out of breath when under pressure. I am at home most of the time cause I don't enjoy going out anymore, will sure have panic attacks. I should be seeing a psychiatrist soon, referred by my GP but find it unnecessary as I assume I am able to overcome this myself. But I do wish that I can go back working as normal people without having to excuse myself to the toilet when I felt panic or anxiety.

But I need 2nd opinion, does anyone ever go through this? Will I be normal again? Can I go through this without psychiatrict help? I wish to know more about this panic disorder if anyone knows.. Thks!

Answer 1

Hi, I am the author of http://panicattackresearch.blogspot.com

Do not worry, I am not spamming my site - my site don't sell products or anything. My site is solely dedicated to panic-attacks or people whom have anxiety. I give tips on how to sleep even if you have anxiety.

Please do visit and post any questions there or here so that I can help you further.

I have been a sufferer for 12-years and am doing well. My blog is dedicated to help. I will be updating my blog every 5-7 days on new ways to cope anxiety. I have just made few good entries on coping - I hope it will help you.

I started out taking prozac 20mg daily.. then it dropped to 10mg and now I am just taking 5mg and still doing very well. I might be considering taking medication off my life.

And most importantly, I am here to help you because I know how it feels to have anxiety or panic attacks.

The reason why you have "developed" attacks is because you just kept thinking about it - thus, it became a habit.  You need to break that habit!

I have put a few good links on controling or handling your attacks.  And also, a few good items to download to help you.

All the best,

Seng

Answer 2

Yes, you can and will be normal again! But it's very likely you won't be able to overcome it by yourself, so please do consider taking the medical help that's offered you. You wouldn't limp around on a broken leg without getting medical treatment - well, your case is no different.

Therapy can be hugely beneficial and so can antidepressants - please don't turn either down on principle! I had both when I had serious prenatal depression and was in a permanent anxiety state, and I would really recommend CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) in particular. Check it out on wikipedia.

CBT is very logical and extremely effective - it makes you take an active part in your own "cure", which is so much better than just taking pills and sitting there waiting for them to work. Which isn't to say that some pills aren't useful - they certainly can be, prescribed correctly. Either way your psychiatrist will know best.

I was in the deepest depression just before my daughter was born and I also thought I was going crazy and would never be normal again - yet only a month later I was well on the road to recovery. (The whole process took about a year.) This type of depression (hormonal - related in this case to pregnancy) is very common and very treatable, but you do need medical help as well as the love and support of your friends and family, if you are lucky enough to have this too. Sorry to repeat myself but please do take ALL the help that's offered you! And good luck to you!

Answer 3

I used to feel the same way. Please take this into consideration. It worked for me, although I am not you.

I had overwhelming anxiety. It turned out to be my use of Splenda. Yup Splenda. How could something that taste so good, be so bad?



I like to say sucralose, not Splenda, because that is what Splenda is. And it is in a lot of stuff. Sadly, the package doesn't have to say Splenda or diet to have sucralose in it. You have to read labels. So, you might be using it and don't even know it!



Sucralose is poison. It ruined five years of my life. I had a laundry list of medical problems while taking it, including overwhelming anxiety, depression, mood swings, insomnia, gastrointestinal issues and more.

Go ahead, google: anxiety splenda or anxiety sucralose or insomnia splenda or insomnia sucralose



The slogan, "Made from sugar..." is very misleading. Splenda might be made from sugar, but it is far from sugar. The resulting chemical is an organochloride (chlorocarbon). Organochlorides are typically poisons.



carbon monoxide - made from oxygen so its like a breath of fresh air

Answer 4

Take a hot shower.  Relax.  Enjoy your child.  She won't be this little very long.  Take deep breaths.  When you drink water or eat anything, treat it as a "treat" and eat it slowly.  Get a yoga book.  Do yoga with your child.  This can and will be a great time with your child.  Get associated with a social congregation of some kind, because you need a "day out" once a week, to remain sane.

Take deep breaths.  Every minute.  If you have some food, water, and your are in good health, the rest is pretty minor, really.  Some people in this world don't have that much.  Think about that and be appreciative of that.  

I'm no doctor, so if this helps, great.  If it doesn't help, at least know I care and I tried.    Don't feel so scared.  That's what ALL the advertising does.  Sales people tell you to be scared.  Government tells you to be scared.  You have to be NOT SCARED in spite of it all.  

You are not crazy.  You have been taking all the sales scares, and government scares WAAAAY tooo seriously.  Chill.