I need a support system! How many times do I have to hear "Its all in my head"???

Everybody around me, constantly tells me my physical symptoms, of anxiety or whatever this may be is "All in my head"  Well its a mental illness, yes I know its all in my head, and I guess what people dont understand is whether or not it is in my head or not, I am still feeling the physical symptoms, and if I could change them I would!!! Who wouldnt.  I need you people...I need a support system, people who understand.  

[kcdem]

I wrote you the below response a couple days ago; I dont know if you read it. The response has to do with some of the aswers you received on your last post. I think the title was; is this really anxiety? We are here for you. Time to take action. This forum is a good start. I hope this helps. I think it still applys.



Gosh I wish the breathing exercises and the 4 hour prayer sessions, and the THERAPY sessions helped me during my 3 week non stop panic attack. The unfortunate truth is they did nothing for me. After I had some severe (in my opinion) trauma occur in my life, it simply put me over the edge. No relaxation tape or "one step method" or fox hole prayer would even put a small dent in the endless panic, pacing, thinking it was all over thing I was experiencing.

I have had panic attacks all my life and was able to work through them with THERAPY and reaching out to others, taking action, eliminating procrastination and so on. I fought taking any meds for years. I spent so many years fighting this on my own that I had forgotten what or who I even was. I was a bitter non tolerant person.

I finally relented and started a medication. It was a revelation; a PROFOUND change. I finally felt real again not consumed with self centered fear and anger. I had been in THERAPY off an on for many years, and succesfully, but there was always still a void that made me feel alone and unique (in a bad way). I am on one medication and go to AA and THERAPY. I have stated above how inneffective, and in my opinion dangerous it was for me to just try to HANG IN THERE, or go to THERAPY were I was told to think happy thoughts and listen to soothing music. I have nothing against THERAPY but I am glad I took the appropriate medical action. I have no desire to remain on an SSRI for the rest of my life; but it took that med to clear my mind and remove the paralyzing fear.THERAPY is fine but certainly not the answer for every situation. Panic, depression and addiction are like snowflakes every one is different. Normal panic attack = breathing and hanging in there. 3 week life flashing before your eyes, pacing, shaking = ER and screaming at the top of your lungs for HELP.

After all the THERAPY and THERAPIST I have seen over the years I am very thankful I finally took care of the chemical problem. My goal is certainly not to be on a med forever , but I dont have to worry about that right now, I need it all, and want it all.

I am very happy for those who have used only THERAPY. I am happy for those who can drink socially, but for this snowflake, I finally took action and did what I needed to do.

Go to an M.D. or D.O. or cancel list Psychiatrist and tell all, get the meds straight; then and only then... Breath in the calm and breath out the fear. Get off of the XANAX (under Dr supervision) now!!! I hope you can find THERAPY that cost less than $180 per hour. I have been through some great THERAPY the best being "inner child" by Bradshaw. It did not help though during the crushing 3 week panic, nor did praying.

I wish you the best and please dont wait until June. Go to a good D.O. or M.D or call a Psychiatrist and explain the circumstances... and tell all.

Sincerely
kcdem

[greenlydia]

I hear you about being told "it's all in your head!" Like, duh, of COURSE it's in our head you moron! But WHY is it in our heads? That's why you need to get yourself in front of a good therapist and get to the root of what's hanging around in your noodle! I spent way too many years...........like 20, going from doctor to doctor telling me that "it was my period making me nervous," I was an "anxious annie," I was a "nervous nellie." I even had one doctor tell me that if I went to church more often, I wouldn't feel the way I do. In the 60's and 70's, the term "panic disorder" didn't even exist, at least, not in any doctors office I went to. It wasn't until the mid 80's that I stumbled on a doctor/therapist who knew immediately what I had. For the first time in over 20 years I actually began to believe I wasn't crazy, because none of my friends could relate to what I was feeling and my family was ready to lock me in the attic. Things are so much better for you now. There are entire clinics devoted to this disorder. And just about every doctor has some knowledge of it and some doctors have a great deal of knowldege about it. Find yourself one of those!
So, I suggest you seek out a good therapist/psychiatrist who specializes in anxiety disorders and you've always got us! We may be floating about in a leaky canoe, but with all of us paddling like mad, we manage to stay afloat! Bring your water wings, there's always room for one more!
Peace
Greenlydia        

[lonewolf07]

Hi

Whether what you are feeling is "all in your head" or not is, to SOME extent, irrelevant.   If you hurt, you hurt. If you are in pain, you are in pain.

My suggestion would be to go to a dr, if you already haven't done so to make sure everything in the body is fine.  If it is, then maybe find a therapist you trust and feel safe with and talk about what you are feeling.  You might need meds but that is for you  and your therapist to decide.

It seems like you have already received two messages from people who have experience with what you are going through.  This forum has been a good support system but sometimes a person needs more.  I really hope you come back and just say whatever you want.  It takes a lot of courage to reach out for help.

lonewolf

[spade22]

I disagree that anxiety is "all in your head".  The unpleasant symptoms of anxiety are REAL and are CAUSED by release of certain chemicals at "inappropriate times".  In many cases, the trigger for the release of those chemicals in the first place is nothing we have control over.  So...... if anxiety symptoms are the physical manifestation of chemicals released by the body in response to a "trigger" that you may not have anycontrol over, how is this possibly in your head?

[MrGreen]

Yeah maybe so. But we have to face up to it. Meds can help us some of the way. But going on where it hurts us most is the only way we can fully fight the problem. Oh it is not easy. I am not saying that it is. The symptoms are real. They are there. You will go through the works. But the more you put yourself out there the lesser the anxiety is said to become. That is the theory at least. To let it happen. No matter how bad it is. And trust me I have been through the worst of it all. None the worse for going out and facing my worse fears. I had to do it some day. We can run forever. Never easy though. When we are down it is a lot harder. Easier to fall. Harder to climb back up. But a bit of belief in our ability won't hurt us. Best of luck to you fighting back. You can do it. Even if meds are needed to get you going. Never stop believing.