Anxiety Disorders Support Group

Hi all,

I'm a 22-year-old young woman who has been dealing with anxiety since I was 11 (puberty). I need support because I have none from my family. I have one friend who truly understands, but she lives in a different state now.

I deal with OCD, panic attacks and all the physical manifestations of anxiety. I also deal with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which is likely exasperating these issues but I'm in the process of finding out more about that.

I just need some friends who know what I'm going through because having this can be really lonely.

I've sort of swept my anxiety under the rug for years. Became a perfectionist to cover it up--but now I know it has to be dealt with. Absolutely has to be.

I'm going to be starting Buspar soon, recently started seeing a psychiatrist. There's a lot more to my history -- but just know it's a bunch of pain...I'll talk about it later.

I just want to live a healthy, full life where I am independent, can travel and be in a relationship. Seems like a pipe dream but I want it really badly.

Thanks for reading...take care of yourselves.

Welcome.

Hi jazzyskye! I think Buspar is a good med to try before trying anything stronger like benzodiazepines which will work for anxiety and panic but carry some risk with them like dependence and possible tolerance if these meds are used longterm for management. Buspar is not addictive from what I have read and many people respond well to it if your issues are mild to moderate provided that the patient has never been on benzodiazepines before like xanax for example.

You are 22 so you are young and healthy otherwise. I was in my mid 20s when I was DX with anxiety and panic. Things like breathing techniques and meditation do work for anxiety and panic if you practice them regularly and I encourage you to seriously consider these things. Even if you decide on the buspar or different meds if the buspar does not give you enough anxiety relief satisfaction, you should still be doing the mindbody self relaxation things and trying to exercise aerobically (mild to moderate only) if you can. By doing these other things, many people who don't like the idea of taking meds but must can often keep the meds and dosages to a min and possibly come off the meds at a later date if you wish. I wish I had known about the possible benefits of meditation when I was DX'ed at age 25 but I did not and went straight for strong anti-anxiety meds. Nothing wrong with taking meds but I personally would do everything in my power non-med things that might also help you.

The buspar might take a while like the SSRIs before a positive benefit is realized, so don't give up too early if you don't see any immediate anti-anxiety results.

Hi guys, thanks for answering.

LostinCyberspace12, thanks for your input. I appreciate that. For the past week, I've been doing Claire Weekes' method of "floating," which is probably a synonym for meditation. I didn't think of doing it regularly, but that's very wise.

I didn't want to take meds but I'm taking this route because I keep getting unexpected painful anxiety attacks. Furthermore, I've been in both one-on-one counseling and in group therapy sessions for a year and it wasn't really enough. Prior to that, I took Zoloft and Prozac (on separate occasions) in 2009-2010. During that time, I was also in counseling.

But you definitely hit the nail on the head when you said I should still be doing mind/body relaxation things...I'm learning that that's VERY important and has an impact. Also, tea helps -- I tried this amazing chamomile/lavender tea yesterday...it kept me calm for hours.

Thanks for sharing your wisdom and thanks for the encouragement.

Post edited by: jazzyskye, at: 06/28/2012 01:19 PM

jazzyskye, anxiety disorders are actually the most common mental health disorders so don't feel like you are the only one who is plagued by these things. Everyone in this group suffers with the same things. It is good to talk and share with others in groups like these. It lets you know you are not alone and you share a common bond with others who are just like you. There is something very therapeutic in knowing that others are struggling just as you are. By sharing, you help others and others help you by sharing back so we all benefit.

Hi Jazzy

welcome to the anxiety support group.

we do anxiety right.

oh and remind me to go over a geat diet for hashimoto's - I am on it.

hugs, Raoul

Hi, Raoul! Is it the gluten-free diet? Please share...how's it working for you?

Jazzyskye: Sort of - I am on the paleo diet and it is as close as any diet can get for hashimoto's, at least according to my daughter.

@jazzyskye, you seem like you have a very good plan to tackle your anxiety issues. All the IT stuff today makes info. so much more easily available. When I was DXed, the internet was in its infancy and very few people had PCs. I had to rely on my local public library plus there was really no good way to connect and dialogue with others who were suffering as I was.

I think you will do great. For years, all I did was rely on anti-anxiety drugs and now I have become tolerant to them and have had to endure many painful Rx drug withdrawals in my life. I have had a dramatic reduction in the amount of drugs I take as I slowly learn and practice natural coping strategies. I just wish I had done these things many years ago when I was around your age. I think my life would have had a different, better outcome.