A few years ago I started getting really sick and visiing the hospital often, up until my first panic attack, when the doctor diagnosed me with anxiety. It's three years later and I'm suffering. I'm afaid to do anything, I constantly feel like I'm dying, I'm afraid to go anywhere. I was a straight A student, and I had to leave school. One of my biggest fears is fainting, I dread the idea. So when I have a panic attack I get fainty, and when I'm not having an attack, I think about fainting and it makes me have one. My life is falling apart, I've ruined every goal I ever planned on achieving. I feel like I'm going crazy. Has any one else gone through this. I need advice!

Hi.. I'm so sorry that you are feeling like this... no you are not going crazy, many people including myself suffer from similar things.

Do you take any perscribed drugs to help you relax and overcome these anxiety attacks?

Did something happen 3 years ago to trigger these attacks... it could be anything at all.

I would like you to read this book that was recommended to me by my Doctor only last week. It is called...

SELF-HELP FOR YOUR NERVES

BY DR CLAIRE WEEKES

It is world renown and an international best seller.

I have just started reading it and basically tells you how the two sets of nerves work in the body, teaching you to live without fear... sounds complicated but trust me it has opened my eyes... please read it, I know by the time you and I have finished this book both of us will have a deeper insight into how we tick.

Takecare

Thanks for the recommendation, I'll be sure to read it.

My friend had a problem like that. It got so bad she never wanted to leave her house. She read "Don't Panic Revised Edition: Taking Control of Anxiety Attacks"
By Reid Wilson and says it changed her life. She is like her old self again. You can probably get it from the library. Good luck!

Hi, jenniferroxanne!

I too, used to suffer greatly from panic and/or anxiety attacks. Having them was keeping me from going forward with my life using the abilities, education and training that I had.

But, I'm pretty much over them now... It took years, but it can be done.

Are you in any activities where you are around a lot of people?

Thanks!

Well. You guys really sound like you know what your talking about, and I really appreciate being able to openly talk about something I'm usually so embarrassed about. But is it normal to feel dizzy and scared, literally, all of the time! I'm working on getting a job, maybe being out in public a little bit would help? But also, I'm taking 75mg a day of effixor, and it's not doing anything for me. I know doctors are reluctant to give teenagers certain medication, fear of addiction and such. Is there any medcation anyone else out there found worked good ?

Xox

Hi jenn'... effixor belongs to a group of drugs called.. SSRI'S, it's largely used for anxiety conditions and everything associated with that, however there are variable side affects which I'm sure you will be aware of, as with any drug.

The problem with these drugs... although they may help the initial problems, they also create the same problem, in the side effects,so you find yourself going around in a circle.

Have you tried a herbal remedy? My doctor has suggested... VALERIAN, which he said after about 3 days, will calm me down throughout the day, leading to a more relaxed sleep when going to bed.

How wonderful just to get some sleep,I'm sure you feel the same, I'm going to try it and see.
You can buy it over the counter at any health store or chemists, which is a bonus and it doesn't cost a lot.

Getting a job I think would be a good idea, but I think you need to take baby steps at first.
Maybe just a little walk at first,see how you cope, then perhaps a trip to the shops staying out a little longer each time, don't worry if you find an attack coming on, you can always try again the next day.

Set yourself a goal each day... ONLY A VERY SMALL ONE OK...
Eventually biulding up to something bigger, it will take a while but you can do it.

Takecare

Hi again, jenniferroxanne!

Yes, being out in the public and around people can possibly help. At least doing that was the thing that helped me. I do realize that not everyone's problem with this is the same, though.

Thanks!

A friend of mine had severe panic disorder and found Paxil CR to be very effective.Perhaps this is something you could suggest to your doctor.

You may have built up a resistance to the med you are currently taking.

I am a firm believer in dual treatment .I think therapy and meds combined offers the best outcome for a long term solution.

Best of luck.Please be advised if you decide to go with a herbal remedy,there could be a conflict with prescribed meds.Arm yourself with knowledge before using any herbal remedy.

I agree with the person who suggested exercise as it is always a natural and healthy release of energy.

Hi, I lived in a torment of hell like you are talking about for many years
And was housebond most of the time. Our mind is very powerful and what we think
And believe is what we become. Changing our thought pattern and our believing
Pattern is what needs to change. I can tell you what I did to get my thinking straight
But first I would like to know if you believe in God. I ask this so I will know how
To go with this answer without affending you. I am free now and have been for over
25 yr. I want to help you. Please let me know.

Maggie 3

Hello!
If you can try some breathing exercises I think it will help you a lot... like pranayama... if you need I can tell you in details about it,its free very easy and no side effects... only conditions is you have to do it regularly
And don't worry you will come out of this surely... people who had severs depression are living a healthy life
So don't worry and keep posting all your thoughts it will also help
Regards
Sunil

It's been a very long time since I've been on here, unfortunately nothing has gotton any better. But for the last answer I received I'm hoping your still around. I have been contemplating religion for a while, I do believe, but its just not something my family really pressed on me. I do believe it might help, what are your suggestions

This brings back old memories...

I used to have a very similar level of anxiety and fear. I eventually saw a psychiatrist who gave me absolutely no answers or help and just let me answer my own questions. But for some reason rambling all my problems to him helped me a lot, haha. I realized that it works a lot like hypochondria, the more you think about it, the more you talk about it and over exaggerated your problem, the more real and exact to your description it will become.

My advice, which I swear by... MEDITATE. Even try conscious open eye meditation. Ignore your thoughts and just observe them until your thoughts quiet and slow down. You need to do as many mental relaxation exercises as you can, make it a skill to find relaxation at will. The more you do this and stop thinking or focusing on your anxiety the quicker it'll disappear. I used to get totally sick and terrified with worried to where it would be totally overwhelming and this pretty much cured me. Once you realize that its getting better, at least a little better, you'll feel more confident in yourself and stop worrying as much.