Newbie. :-D

[caseyish]

Hey, I'm new here! I joined about a couple of weeks ago, but thought it was about time I posted!

Just a little bit about me to start with. I'm Casey, I'm 19 and I'm from the UK. I had my first (and worst) major anxiety attack on Boxing Day 09, and I thought I was dying, it was so scary. I just felt I needed to keep walking around, and my arms and legs felt funny, I couldn't breath and my heart was racing. I had two more after that before I rang NHS Direct and spoke to a very nice doctor who said that it was an anxiety attack. This relieved me a lot, but I started worrying again when I started getting sharp pains in the chest. I visited the doctors the next day, and he took my blood pressure and checked my heart rate (both of which were slightly high due to being nervous) and he said that I was all fine and it was the anxiety. I'm a university student, but luckily only live a bus ride away from home, but even going back to uni was hard. I went home every weekend in the first half of my semester because I hated weekends and the thought of being stuck in the flat all day. But, with each symptom I got, I Googled it, and I really scared myself. I knew it wasn't good for me to keep checking my symptoms, but I couldn't stop myself. I am feeling a lot better now, but I still get the occasional symptom, and I keep Googling (*slaps wrist*), but a lot less than I was. My mum has been a constant source of help and comfort when I've been really bad, even though she's never seen me have a full blown anxiety attack. I still occasionally get short of breath, but it tends to be when I'm anxious or focusing on my breathing.

There have been anxiety-related problems in my family. My grandma, who unfortunately passed away last year, was admitted to a mental health unit after she had my dad (my dad was born 1964) and there are photos where she has cut her head out, but left her body. My cousin had problems when she was younger (I think, so I'm informed), but shes a lot better now. Neither of my parents have anxiety related conditions, and mine only seemed to start after a fairly bad two years (parents separating and divorcing, moving house twice, death in the family, coming to uni) and it started out of the blue.

I haven't been formally diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, but I found this site after Googling, and seeing people in the same position as me made me feel a lot better, because I didn't feel quite so alone. I don't think I would've felt the way I do now if it hadn't of been for this site and my outside support. My mum could only help me to a certain extent, because other than talking to me, she didn't know what else to do. I did feel a bit isolated because only a couple of people understood where I was coming from, but I now know theres a whole community, and I'm so thankful!

I don't take meds, and I haven't had any therapy. I've been trying self help to get through it, and I also find that exercise helps! I've been doing occasional yoga as well, and I also find being around people and talking to people helps take my mind off of it too.

I could put more, but I'm afraid of my post being really long and wordy! But, if you have read this far, thank you for taking the time to, and I hope I can (try to!!) help and keep talking to you all in the future! 

Thank you!!

[Russ]

Welcome!  Anxiety is a complex disorder and you are on the right page just by recognizing it!  See a doctor if you cannot get control of it yourself.  It sounds like life has been tough for you these past couple of years.  Spend time taking good care of yourself!  Russ

[sixpack]

Welcome!  Anxiety is a complex disorder and you are on the right page just by recognizing it!  See a doctor if you cannot get control of it yourself.  It sounds like life has been tough for you these past couple of years.  Spend time taking good care of yourself!  Russ

I agree with Russ


And wanted to say Welcome to the ZONE

[Marie1968]

Welcome.   I agree with Russ as well.

You've found the right place.   

be good to yourself,