I suffer from anxiety and and it's killing me.

 Perhaps the therapist you saw wasn’t right for you.  This is very difficult to go through alone.  I went to several therapists before I found the right one.  

I can completely relate to how you are feeling and know how miserable it is. 

 i’ve had severe social anxiety since grade school and never spoke a word in school, I was only happy at home with my mom. I had a crippling shyness which extended through college. Don’t know how I made it through. 

 all of a sudden in my 20s I suddenly developed symptoms and I thought I had a terrible disease. I was weak, shortness of breath, numbness and tingling, dizziness, vertigo, floaters in my eyes, ringing in my ears etc. My body just couldn’t take anymore of the anxiety and stress so it broke down.  My tests were all normal which was hard to believe considering the symptoms.  Eventually the symptoms subsided a little bit but that took months, but I still got some of them when I had anxiety. I still didn’t understand what was going on. I didn’t know anyone else like me. I am now in my 50s and doing well but I  still can get very anxious with some minor symptoms but I basically ignore them.  I do go to counseling which does help because it’s good to vent to someone else who can give you ideas on how to manage this. Something else that helps me is listening to audio meditations for anxiety, depression, sleep, etc. on YouTube. I listen every night as I leave them to sleep. It helps me put everything in perspective  One thing I really stopped doing is taking life too seriously because when something affects your health it’s not worth it. I really hope you give counseling another chance. With the right person you could get some excellent help in a plan  on how to regain your peace of mind and find happiness.  

 many people on this site are reading a book called mindfulness which helps you manage anxiety, Find peace of mind, illuminate racing mind and negative thinking,  and focus on the present moment among other things. It’s definitely worth reading! Mindfulness  is taught all over the world and there are mindful meditations also on YouTube for anxiety. It’s a white book with a ball of string on the cover that you can buy online or at a bookstore. 

 A great meditation I recommend you listening to on YouTube it’s called “detachment from overthinking“ use earbuds if you have them. 

Don’t give up because life is definitely worth living. Find little things that make you laugh and smile. 😁🌸??

Hi, first of all, the problem with muscle relaxants like xanax is that their short term problem solvers. Once they wear out, the problem's back. The 'problem' being, anxiety. I've had anxiety for the past 8 years. I am now 34 years old, own 2 businesses and doing relatively well. That's not to say that anxiety doesn't surface. It does, but I'm dealing with it, same as you.

So the first year I had anxiety, I saw a doctor who first prescribed me with muscle relaxants; after that didn't help, he put me on antidepressants (prozac) for a year, even though i wasnt depressed. That really helped for that year, and the next 2-3 years. But then I had a severe panic attack and lo' and behold, anxiety was back.

He wanted to put me on meds again but I decided this is not the way to live - taxing my body with meds. I did some research and found a Psychologist who helps patients with anxiety without meds, using 2 methods. 1 is CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy which includes deep breathing, exercises and the sort). Another method is something called EMDR (http://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/). When you read that link, it sounds complicated, but it's really not. I'm not sure which country you're from, but, whichever country you're from, try doing a search for EMDR practitioners there. It changed my life. There were no side effects for me, and I only went through the EMDR therapy for the first few months. It's been 2 years since then. No meds, no EMDR; just some deep breathing in the morning and i'm able to function almost normally.

Hope this helps you. You're not alone, we're all fighting this day in day out but it gets better. Try what i've mentioned above. You really have nothing to lose. Take care.

Hi Debib, I can totally relate. I got this horrible panic and anxiety back 5 Months ago after 30 years. I am scared to leave the house though I try leaving every day because I am so nervous in the house. I can't relax, can't watch TV I am too nervous. I had to stop working and I had to stop watching my beautiful grandchildren That I love so much. I don't know what is worse the days filled with anxiety or the nights filled with anxiety dreams and night sweats. How many ANTIDEPRESSANTs have you tried? I tried for 4 months on no medication but I only got worse. I am on an antidepressant now for one month but I have to keep going up until I hopefully feel better. I think the only way out of this hell is with Medication. .. I am hoping it will work.

You need to be able to relax, the best way is Mindfulness a Relaxation Technique and Breathing Exercises.

Personally I would advise a GP appointment, make a list and explain how you feel and hopefully your GP will be able too help

BOB