My story extreme Anxiety and back again - Hope this helps

Posted , 3 users are following.

Im a 31 years old male, was a proffessional athlete, happy go lucky, good health, socialble, loved life until the end of January this year my world came crashing down in flames to a feeling of extreme dread and adrenalin constantly running around my body.

I couldnt sleep, i was shaking, i was scared of evrything and all my normal rational thoughts had been reversed into worst case scenario.

I avoided my work like the plaque and became very irratated in social situations and just wanted to run away.

I would constantly sweat and became totally infactuated with the question 'what is wrong with me'

I would spend hours a day trying to find out a miracle cure, the world i was in was becoming desperate to survive.

It was the worst thing that has ever happened to me and i wouldnt wish this feeling on the worst people to live on this planet.

Its now November and where am i now.... I 99% Anxiety free, I live my life very differently , I have exelled at my job and since taken on more responsibilities, I am alot ore aware of the importance of taking a steop back and prioritising myself over what other people want me to do.

I have started to appreciate the small things in life and feel much stronger than i did before my Anxiety.

The middle bit...... I went to the doctors thinking i was going to die ... he gave me beta blockers ..... made me dizzy... i went to another doctors he gave me Sertraline..... made me really sick.... went to another doctor he gave me Pregablin with something else ..... slept like a baby but became suicidal....really suicidal , horrible place to be feeling like thats the easy answer , its not!!! ....... Went to the doctor again... this time Citralapram 10mg took the edge of a bit but not much.

In this time of need my parents became my rock and i became much more open with people , i was surprised how many people suffer from different forms of anxiety but do not communicate this with others.

After 6 months of hell just out of the blue i woke up 1 morning and said to myself 'i cant live like this anymore im wasting my life in fear'

I madse a quick decision to stop Citralapram immediately - which doctors did not advise.

I started to make snap decisions, changed my job , started training more in the gym and giving myself small goals for the future and achievig things that excite me.

Suddenly a few bits of luck i started to progress and became my more confident self again on and off, i became alot more aware of feeling stressed and just took a step back.

I just want other people to understand you will get through your struggles but it takes time there is no miracle cure.

I look back at my anxiety with a thank you nowadays as i believe it was a wake up call for me to start making decsions in my life.

Anxiety is different for everybody and has all sorts of triggers, something that hepled me out was to think of it as a seperate person inside my head and when i felt bad i would try just to ignore it - a bit like that bleach advert where the monster pops out of the toilet.

I would very much recommend talking to a therapist if you have access to them , the nhs do 6 week sessions for free , which to be honest are pretty slow, but if you can afford privately i would as some of them are excellent.

I had 10 sessions and i really believe it made a big difference.......be patient though there will be a lot of personal questions and unravelleing at the start that can be a bit awkward, this is normal.

Anyway i hope this helps and gives you the courage to defeat your anxiety, but take your time with it , it will get easier slowly.

Dan  

 

1 like, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Posted

    Very good post Dan the beginning of your story almost mimics mine to a T, thank you for taking the time to right this as it helps someone in my situation a little bit and also to others feeling crappy as well but the bit about it being two different people in your head is so spot on, your feeling at the start sounds like a panic attack to me as that is how mine started, with a random panic attack for no reason just felt the chest tightening up

    And that it was it, it's been my life ever since

    Again, thanks for your time and good luck in your continued fight

    • Posted

      Hey,

      Yes i think it was i was having like 5 or 6 a day at the start and dint sleep for 3 days at a time, im not sure of your situation but i believe it will get easier for you, its amazing how the brain works.

      Defo keep talking though and dont be too hard on yourself !! 

      Try to keep positive and attack each day step by step one day it will just click .

      Dan

      Dan 

    • Posted

      Thanks for positive words, each day is slowly slowly getting easier I hope anyway as maybe the meds are starting to get in my system now

      Thanks again and take care

  • Posted

    Hello I m suffering from anxiety right now how did u got better since 2012 to now I been suffering ;(
    • Posted

      Hi Ana,

      Sorry to hear this.

      It ttok me time to get better a combinations of a therapist and changing my lifestyle.

      I started getting really fit in the gym and started to work towards a new career.

      Im not sure what your situation is but have you taken any medication or seen a therapist ?

      It does take time but in my case i needed to make changes before i started to improve mentally.

      Stay strong its only thoughts and they are completely un realistic.

      Dan 

    • Posted

      Hello yes I have apt next month to see a therapist but for now I m doing therapy myself feel better sometimes but sometimes it come back just trying to stay strong hope all this is gone soon ;(

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