Chloelouise22
22-11-2014, 12:09 AM
Sweaty palms, heart palpitations, dizziness, nausea, shaking, loss of control and concentration...panic. Nobody likes a panic attack. I'm 22 years old, soon to be 23, and I've suffered from anxiety and panic attacks since before I can remember. My anxiety developed more and more, I developed medical anxiety - I cant take tablets that I may need, like antibiotics, for the fear that I may be allergic. I cant enjoy new foods, incase I am allergic to any ingredients. I have forever avoided situations where the atmosphere is not relaxed, where Id feel if I panicked, people would notice and I dont want to make a scene. Everywhere I go, I scan the room so I know my exits incase I need to leave. I cannot be in a situation where I cannot leave when I please, as it makes me panic more. I have constant panic attacks. All day, every day. I've been to councelling, psychology, been on numerous medications (propanalol beta blockers, citalopram, amitryptaline, fluoxetine), ive been on courses to learn more about controlling my panic attacks. Ive even tried seeing a hypnotherapist - he said he could not perform hypnotherapy on me as I was too negative, and it may cause problems. Ive tried everything, and nothing has worked. Counselling and psychology were okay. I got to talk to someone about how I felt but I felt as if they just said what they thought I wanted to hear. The medication...more than anything it was the placebo effect that helped me, i became reliant on them which wasn't healthy. Courses were very interesting in the sense that I got to learn more about myself but they didn't help me. My honest advice, if you want to beat anxiety, you've got to believe that you will. Everyone has anxiety. Everyone has that part of their mind that tells you something is wrong, that there's something you should avoid. When you're used to focussing on the negatives of everything, that's the part of your brain that will be most active. That's what you will be focusing on. You just need to know how to control it. I know more than anyone how easy it is to say "just do it, don't let your anxiety get to you".. and i know how hard it is to do so. But please, try it. If you have an event, or small get together coming up - something you would normally avoid, go for it. Try it. Whats the worst that could happen? Youre in a relaxed environment, you can get out of the situation if you need to - there is no harm in trying. Do all the little things you avoid usually - let them build up to bigger things over time. You can beat your anxiety if you really do put your mind to it. I did this. Every time you get through one horrible situation you will feel so amazing afterwards. The sense of pride and self confidence, it will get you buzzed to do the next thing! After a while of doing this, I went from being homeless and avoiding getting a job like the plague (due to my panic attacks)... now i am working in a private bank, attending training and meetings... yes, i still panic from time to time, but nowhere near as much as I did. Think about it. What are you really panicking about? i realised myself, that I panic over the fear or panicking! Sit yourself down and really think about what it is you worry about. Maybe type yourself up a lil panic log - whenever you do panic, write in it. You can look back on them and self analyse. Once you have found out whats triggering it, once you come to terms with your anxiety and understand it, you can control it. I hope this helped anyone out there who suffers like me, I really do hope it works for you too! Please let me know how you get on. Big love!! :kiss: