Just wanted to introduce myself

[Roseline1982]

I kind of already covered some of this in a post I already made.  Sorry for the redundancy.  I'm a 30 year old who has suffered from anxiety (panic attacks, agoraphobia), a phobia of fainting, and depression off and on since I was 13.  I have been off and on drugs since I was 23, when I finally sought help and was properly diagnosed.  From 2010 to 2012 I was taking Venlafaxine and found it to be highly effective.  I am a touring musician and after returning home after a successful spring tour in 2012, I decided to wean myself off of the Venlafaxine.  A few months later, after still feeling good, I decided to move to NYC for greater music making opportunities and exposure.  Unfortunately, the panic attacks returned in full force, eventually leading to agoraphobia.  I moved back to my small town in Kansas, thinking that the hustle and bustle of the big city was causing my panic.  Wrong again.  I am now anxious almost all day, every day.  Driving is hell. Restaurants are hell. Band practice is hell.  Work is often hell.  I can't even imagine playing a show at this point, which is the most depressing thing.  Anhedonia has set in and I've tried to make positive changes in my life.  I have been in therapy for 3 months and I've recently (in the past month) started exercising, eating well, not drinking in excess, smoking less, practicing mindfulness and paced breathing exercises, but nothing seems to be working.  At a loss.  Should I get back on Venlafaxine?  I know there's no silver bullet for this thing but I'd love to hear some success stories.

[Cuchculan]

Welcome to the forum. Good to have you as a member. Here you are with like minded people. People who understand. As we all suffer from something or other. So feel free to ask any questions. Our members are always willing to help others out. Good chatroom too. 3 posts to enter the room.

Find the correct section of the forum that suits your condition and create a new topic on it. This is just a welcome section. Never really get the same amount of help in this section as you would on the other sections of the forums. So whatever one suits the questions you are asking. Get much better answers.

All users of the chatroom must be 18 years old or over. The room is off limits to anybody under the age of 18.

[KW034]

I'm no doctor, but if the meds worked well for you in the past, why not give them a shot again? Is there something stopping you from going that route?

Glad you're doing the other things (therapy, mindfulness, etc).