panic....

[christina122]

Hallo...My name is Cristina.I have a question,hope someone could help.Sorry about my english, im from Croatia! 2 years ago i started to have panic attacks,mostly at school,and they werent so hard to handle.Today ,i think my panic disorder has grown into a severe problem,because i gave up high school .I just couldnt handle the panic any more .It started to controll my life.I dont know why i get panic attacks..Sometimes i get anxious because my stomach growls and makes an embarrasing sound.Im so sad and depressed because i couldnt help myself..every time i sat in classroom i got a severe panic attack , my hands get numb,i feel dizzy ,faint...i suppose panic is a reason of my arythmias.My parents think  im lazy and irresponcible,but thats not true,they dont understand...Every day in school was a torture for me.I stopped going out with my friends,havent been out for  six months.Im so sad right now because i quit school but i know if i go back ill get more panic attacks.They are ruenning my life..can someone PLEASE tell me what should i do,i want to go back to school and finish it,but i cant.I dont want to use any medications ..im a hypohondric , i feel  scared and frightened when i take a pill..i dont know why.please, tell me what to do, how can i get over the panic?im 20 years old ......thanks..

[Caitlin77]

Your experience echos so much of mine.  You have so much courage to be asking for help and putting yourself out there.  Although I can't give you a magic cure, I can give you support.  If possible I think it would be great help for you to find a good therapist to guide you through the anxiety.  I know you said pills bother you, and at first they did me too.  If you are prescribed any, I hope you are able to take them since they have helped me tremendously.  I think of it as the chemicals in my brain just need help being at normal levels.  The most saddening part I think is that your parents don't understand your struggle.  It is so important that you know none of this is your fault, and that you have a communitty of people going through anxiety and depression with you.  If your parents don't understand, we do, and although that doesn't fix it, I hope it helps even a small amount.  Good luck.  =)

[29sillygirl]

I'm sorry you have given up high school.  I hope you can see a therapist soon and talk about your fears.  It would be nice to get your degree.

None of us are qualified to give you medical advice; only share our experiences with anxiety.

Hope you get the help you need soon.