IS THERE HOPE???

[AC26]

Has anyone defeated there anxiety disorder or have come close to beating it.... I hope there is at least one person out there... I refuse to believe that there's no way to beat this... An beat this with out meds.

[cj29]

I am sorry that you are going through this right now, but I agree with nursegirl 100% here.  You cannot only deal with your anxiety you can learn to thrive with it.  I know that it is difficult to see it now, but overcoming the tough challenges during the down times are what makes the good times that much better.  If someone would have told me this when I first started experiencing anxiety and panic, I would have thought they did not have a clue what they were talking about.

It is a difficult journey, however, remember that many people here in this community have sat exactly where you are right now.  I was also vehemently against medications in the beginning because of fears and horror stories that I had heard, but remember for every bad thing you here there are literally thousands of good experiences in my opinion.  I grudgingly decided to give medication a chance and it has been very useful as part of my journey in confronting my anxiety.  They are by no means a 'cure,' but they are an extremely useful tool to have while you go through counseling to gain the knowledge to deal with you anxiety, in my experience with this.

You will get through this.  Some days are much harder than others and it does take focus and determination and for me, and I believe that this whole experience has made me a much more well rounded person and made me a better father and husband as well.  Keep your head up and keep us posted....

[AC26]

My doctor tells me I'm the healthiest sickest person he knows, I'm tried mediation, going out and doing things to get my mind off everything to only find myself having an anxiety attack. I have a constant fear of something happening to me again to where this time I won't be able to get medical attention quick. The pills, I have had 2 friends OD on prescription pills so I have a fear of that happening as well... plus I have had 5 allergic reactions to meds my doctor put me on to where I had to go to the ER. I know most of it is in my head but I just can't stop thinking about it... an I know 99.9% of its me but its that 00.1% that snow balls and gets out of control .....

[nursegirl6572]

YES!  There are plenty of us who have "won" the battle per se, with anxiety.  I'm one of those success stories.  I've been housebound with agoraphobia as a result of panic attacks in the past.  Literally not being able to go to the corner market.  

With the help of meds, therapy, and my OWN will and determination, I love as close to a normal, anxiety-free life as anyone.  Now, that's not to say I'm "cured".  I have figured out and accepted that anxiety and panic are just going to be a part of my life...with periods of anxiety-free days, and other periods, or exacerbation, where the anxiety rears its ugly head again.

Thing is...I've been down this road enough to be able to identify when my anxiety is returning...and I'm quick to reemploy my coping techniques, and do the things I need to do to get it back to a manageable level.

Why are you against meds?  Did you have a bad experience?  Or are you just omne of those who is trying to "avoid" having to take meds?  I'll tell you, meds gave me my life back a few times.  They have a very high success rate, and there is no shame in needing help with anxiety, even if that means having to take a pill every day...even if that means having to take a pill every day forever.  It's a trade off that is well worth it!

What have you tried this far in addressing the anxiety?  Therapy?  Have you been evaluated by a psychiatrist?  Told your doctor?

You've come to the right place.  You're among people who understand, who have lived it.  Please share what you've done so far.  We'll give you advice and try to help you the best we can.