Recovered Chronic Anxiety Sufferer
Posted , 71 users are following.
Hi everyone.
I'm new to this, but wanted to share my story/experience/knowledge with you all and help in any way I can.
I know from my experience with anxiety that success stories are somewhat hard to come by. The reason for this, I believe is twofold. Firstly, once people 'recover' from this ilness, they carry on with their lives as normal, often without much of a thought as to how they were before. Also, I believe that for people who have a sucess story to tell, the thought of going on forums such as this to share their experience can be quite a daunting one. Oftentimes, people want to leave that chapter of their life behind, and not be reminded of it. I know this because I have been guilty of both of these reasons. This is worth bareing in mind; my point being that a lack of success stories isn't because they are rare, but because of the reasons detailed above.
It's hard to say specifically when I 'recovered' from experiencing chronic anxiety. If I were to give a rough idea, I would say that I have been 'anxiety free' for around 2 years. Previous to that, I had experienced chronic, debilitating anxiety for roughly a 2 year period. I, like everyone else, considered myself the worst case - beyond help. I experienced all manner of symptoms; you name it, I experienced it. I was diagnosed with Panic Disorder and GAD. I saw a therapist, attended group sessions with other sufferers, but to no avail. I frequented forums such as this one and read post after post, all the while feeling more anxious and more dispondent (probably due the lack of success stories.)
I will mention now that I am in no position to advise on medication issues. As bad as I thought I was, I refused to go down the route of medication. This is not to say that medication is a bad approach, but it was one that I chose not to take, and thus feel insufficiently experienced to advise on this specific topic.
I will keep this first post brief. I would like to think I have been where you have been, and came out the other side. Recovery is not a linear path whatsoever, one of the reasons why I cannot name a specific point on my journey where I was rid of anxiety and its symptoms.
My 'recovery' was down to multiple factors. Predominantly, educating myself tirelessly on every nuance of this illness. I have a degree in Microbiology and Biochemistry, so understanding how things worked at a biological level really helped me. I combined this knowledge with a new (read: fairly basic) understanding of Psychology, plus several self-rationalized 'a-ha!' moments to gradually alter my mindset over time.
I am not a special case. There is not a rare combination of factors that meant I could achieve recovery and you cannot. I am here to attempt to answer questions you may have (not medication related, apologies) and hopefully help you along your own journey. I work a 9-5 job, and have several hobbies, so I will attempt to respond to anyone between these times, but I may not be able to answer all questions.
If you do not want to ask a question, then please take this post as a tiny bit of inspiration to push you along your journey to recovery. You CAN and WILL be rid of your anxiety disorder, that I can promise you.
To your success,
Matt
19 likes, 112 replies
vickylou anxiousless
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ellebi vickylou
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alejandro02321 anxiousless
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Hello, ¿Did you experience dp and derealization disorder as well? I've made some progress on my anxiety, but still feel a world away from total recovery, and was just wondering...
fiona87270 anxiousless
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I am sitting at work and am just coming out of an hour of anxiety, racing heart, chest pain, breathless, heat followed my chills and shakes. I have suffered (operative word) with panic and anxiety in one shape or form since I was 13 years old and am 56 years now. I can recover for 3-4 years and then a combination of life events will trigger it once more. I have had 'every' treatment possible with CBT rendering the best results. I agree 100% with everything you say in your post. Education and more education is the only solution. I get anxious in work at the same time 'every' day. I have not flown on an airplane in 10 years because I am claustrophobic. It has permeated every aspect of my life and is very destructive in terms of your long term health, relationships and general happiness. If all of the above sounds terrible, then all I can say id that I know I must identify in the past what broke the link in the past , so that I recovered. I strongly feel that physical exercise to burn off excess tension is very important. Following that socialization and occupation are important. Learning to separate mentally your misbehaving body and your thoughts would be helpful. Its all a personal journey and possibly learning to not overload your life with terrible distress, learning to react differently and learning to find an alternative view finder is key. I accept now that this is something that I will always have and yes it may go away hopefully and perhaps with the right skills, I will learn to keep it at bay. Thank you for the great post above.
ellebi fiona87270
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mimibrenda ellebi
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ellebi mimibrenda
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fiona87270 anxiousless
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My own theory is that it is partly genetic, partly behaviors learned in childhood and a little part of our brain called the Amygdala which is not functioning properly. All of this ensures heaps of negative thoughts. Quite simply read, read, read. Educate yourself in terms of what is happening to you at a physical and Psychological level. Here is a hint. Yesterday I had my usual anxiety from 2.30 to 3.30. It never happens when I am at home at the same time. Only when I am in work. Many people who have anxiety and panic will have a trigger that is the bus, train, motorway, church, queue in the supermarket. For me the trigger is both a place and a time e.g.. in work at 2.30. My brain remembers and sets me up. The only way to fight (yes I mean fight) with this is to say "do your worst because I know I am not having a heart attack, I know this is horrible but it will subside. Its my fear that is keeping it going. Break the cycle. I find getting up out of my seat and walking in cold air with some water allows it to pass. If I have someone to talk to occupy my mind, this helps to. I have been fine all day today. I broke the 2.30 myth. I called its bluff. I have many other challenges. Next is the lift.... I hope to fly in an airplane in 2018.
sania01971 anxiousless
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I am glad to hear that u recovered from anxiety....because that's the toughest thing to over come ... I am also going through this ...
I wanna talk to u ... Plz help me
rob09294 anxiousless
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Hi, I've suffered from depression and anxiety for 45 years with some years better than others. I'm now exhausted from the struggle. Any ideas how to get away from it and not be consumed by it 24 hours a day?
yuliana08124 anxiousless
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Hi matt !
Im glad to read that you've overcome this what i called horrible experience. If i could ever do anything so more people dont go through this i would. I have 3 months like this and its been very hard on me what gets to me are my physical syptoms i get a lot of tension heachaches i wake up feeling like if i was hungover everday i feel breathless my stomache n sides hurt i feel tired all the time n i can go on and on i as well decided not to take the medication route but i just dont seem to get any better i guess i jist have to stop ignoring my physical symptoms.
yuliana08124 anxiousless
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Hi matt !
Im glad to read that you've overcome this what i call a horrible experience. If i could ever do anything so more people dont go through this i would. I have 3 months like this and its been very hard on me what gets to me are my physical syptoms i get a lot of tension heachaches i wake up feeling like if i was hungover everday i feel breathless my stomache n sides hurt i feel tired all the time n i can go on and on i as well decided not to take the medication route but i just dont seem to get any better i guess i just have to stop ignoring my physical symptoms.
Guest yuliana08124
Posted
Hi Yuliana,
I got an alert on my e-mail for this topic and I thought I could share with you a few things.
Anxiety hit me from nowhere, took pills for 6 months and went to a therapist for 7-8 months. The point is that you can try one of these options or both, but I can assure you that you can overcome this step by step by reading some materials and make some connections.
First of all, I know how horrible the physical symptomps can get and that they can stick with you everyday, but as you realize that they are not dangerous they start to fade. I was terrified that I cannot breathe and at some point my respiratoy system will shut down. This will never happen if you don't have a medical condition that is affecting your respiratory system because breathing is an authomatic reflex and it will not stop even though you feel like it. Your heart can beat fast, but no harm will be done to your heart.
Your arms may feel like pins and needles, your throat and chest may feel tight, but if you hold still instead of going back and forth and try breathing slowly from your abdomen, these will start to fade away. Even if you feel like that you have a constant tension and this feelings are endless, it will stop and give you time to gather your strength. The brain is designed to pull the break and access the parasympathetic system to reestablish equilibrium.
Secondly, the what ifs and the concern about your health, life, family, etc. These concerns can be debunked by finding alternative rational thoughts and writing them down. You can imagine the worst case scenario and ask yourself how this will affect you. Remember, 99% of our worries will not happen.
I recommend you read Panic Away, I bought the program, but you can find a free version of the book online I think and I also watched a lot of The Anxiety Guy videos on youtube. Pills didn't do much for me and therapy helped me to a certain point but I always felt that the person in front of me doesn t understand exactly how I feel.
The support of my husband was a big part of my process and I hope your family supports you vecause this is very important.
Bottom line, yes, you may feel hopeless, yes, you may feel overwhelmed by emotions and symptoms, but things will get a lot better and eventually you will overcome this, I promise you. Don't get discouraged by the setbacks and continue to trust your body and your mind. The setbacks were my stepping stones because no one told me these can happen frequently and I thought I am hopeless.
I went from not going outside, not seeing my friends and family, constantly fearing and sleepless nights to really enjoying my life again. I'm not 100% recovered because some thoughts still stick with me, but I'm getting there.
I'm sorry for the long message. One more thing, run a full medical check up for own peace, including thyroid, hormones and vitamines. Give up coffee for a while if u drink coffee, eat a lot of seeds and vegetables, drink plenty of water and teas. Try to work out as soon as you feel a little better, don t be scared about your heart rate.
I am sure I omitted a lot of things, but I'm here if you have any questions.
Heads up and have faith!
Ps: I remembered meditation or visualization of certain situations will help you and a change in your daily routine.
r29908 anxiousless
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Hi Matt!
It was good to read your message.
I am wondering if you have any advice for me. I have suffered from Anxiety and panice disorder for over 50 yrs. I have been to a lot of conselors, have done quite a bit of reading, and I am still experiencing the anxiety off and on. I am so discouraged. I don't know why I contiue to feel the way I do.
R. Schenck