Just don't think about it..........Is anyone else tired

[WhatIsNormal]

Of hearing this from friends and family who don't understand. They think that anxiety and panic disorder is something my DR. made up to make me feel better or something. I feel like nobody GETS it! My mom is complainging because I don't do this or that, and I try to explain to her that I can't leave my room sometimes. She gives me that "you must just want attentionn or something look" and rolls her eyes. I want to scream. Do you think I want to be living with you, not working, getting 200$ a month to support my self from social services, and depriving my son of the best of me. Lying in my room all day, crying all the time. Why do people feel that this is self inflicted, attention seeking, behavior. I worked since the day I turned 18, it's killing me to sit home, broke. Especially when I know that the people I am living with think of me as a burden instead of trying to be supportive. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhhhh

[tooyoung99]

I totally understand where you are coming from.  Unless someone has actually had anxiety they have no idea what it is like.  For a long time I just kept it all to myself because I was afraid of what people would think of me, now talking to my family about my problems has seemed to help me.  I guess I am lucky they are willing to listen even though they really don't know what to say.  Just stick around this website and know that we are here for you and know that it's not that easy to just get over.

[Prizma]

My mom understands perfectly since she was the one that passed down these genetics to me =P

My dad has only recently begun to open his eyes about this and that it's not all in my head. Unfortunately it's because he has been experiencing it for a couple of months now. If I say to him now "I'm having an anxious moment" or "I've had an anxious morning" he now tells me to take a few deep breathes and that I'm going to be fine. I used to get "just get over it" from him.

As tooyoung suggests, stick around. At least here you have people who have gone through it, are going through it, and will probably be living with it for a very long time. Maybe find some resources on anxiety and panic disorder for family members. If they're willing to read up on it, that is...

[greenlydia]

What you are going through IS very normal for someone with a severe anxiety problem. And the reaction you are getting from those around you is also very normal, since they can't physically see anything wrong with you, and they have no idea what you are living with, they see it as simply you being lazy or seeking attention. You are so right when you state that nobody in their right mind would chose to live with this disorder.
You say you have a son, so you have the greatest motivation in the world to get yourself some help.
In my humble opinion, you need to get to your doctor for a good physical check-up to rule out anything organically wrong, then you need to have a very long and honest discussion about how you're feeling. Your doctor will be able to get you the help you need to return to a "normal" life. That help will probably consist of some medication and a good therapist to help you deal with the issues in your life that are at the root of your anxiety and/or depression.
The bottom line, my friend, is that it is now up to YOU to get out there and seek the help you need. And it IS out there.
Take the bull by the horns and get your life back!
Peace
Greenlydia    

[WhatIsNormal]

Thanks for the support. This is a great place to vent. To Green Lydia, I'm well into the "process"(dr's specialists, ect...) However, it has been a very slow one for me. And I am finding that while medication and therapy helps, it is not enough. So I am now looking into continuing day treatment programs.If anyone is familiar with them feel free to give me some feedback. I wish life imitated T.V., I would go into a plush shrinks office lay on the couch, tell him all of the traumatic memories from childhood that I have repressed. And boom, your cured,lol! Good luck to you all in your own recoveries.

[yatta07]

Hi, does anyone experience chest pain? I get this pressure right on the left side of my chest...sometimes it's accompanied by heart burn, which scares me to death...I constantly check my pulse, "like that's going to do anything", and I keep telling myself that I am going to have a heart attack soon or stroke! I'm only 25 and I was diagnosed with anxiety/panic disorder 2 months ago...I'll give anything to have my old self back, it just seems so far away :( Dr.'s tell me I'm as healthy as I can be, how is that possible? They must have missed something! I have to say I do feel a lot better than I did when I was first diagnosed but I wish it will all just pass soon. Thx for being here guys!

[TerraC]

WhatIsNormal:  Anxiety is a very lonely feeling.  In my opinion, as someone who understands exactly how you feel, one of the first steps in helping myself to feel better was to realize that I am not alone.  While friends and family may not understand, there are thousands upon thousands of others out there that are experiencing exactly what you are right now.  The reason behind it doesn't matter, and sometimes we have very different symptoms - but we are all going through this tough time.  I am not alone, and neither are you, and neither is anyone else on these forums.  Anxiety will do crazy things to your body and some things you may not even find searching the forums, but they are there and you are feeling them.  Worrying about your anxiety is only going to make it worse.  I know it sounds like what everyone may be saying, but it's the truth - it's a vicious, vicious circle that only you can stop.  Get rid of the "What ifs" and replace them with "So whats" as a helpful guide on this website stated.  Don't be afraid of how you feel.  Accept it and deal with it, and I guarantee you will start to feel better.  Stay hydrated, accept your feelings and stay positive.


Yatta07:  Absolutely! :)  Your body generally feels weakened during anxiety but you also may be having some acid reflux.  Anxiety causes acids and acids can cause anxiety - that's where the heartburn comes in.  Realizing that it's probably just acids will do wonders for calming your body down, instead of panicking and worrying that something is terribly wrong (that's what anxiety is, after all!).  Don't tell yourself you are going to have a heart attack or stroke.  If you can, don't check your pulse or feel your heart except when you are generally curious.  I've had everything from cramps to pains to palpitations with my current anxiety - I also have acid reflux and a terrible burning in my chest sometimes.  With some people, they even have aches in their armpits from the acid.  Weird, huh?  The body does crazy things.  The best thing to do is to not assume something will happen because it will only make it worse.  Stay positive and don't be afraid to Google your symptoms.  You'd be surprised at what you find and how many others are dealing with it too!

[scaredjo]

as everyones said its so hard and im sorry but no-one understands properly unless you been through it, its like living a nightmare, at least since joining this forum you can see you aint alone we all gotta see a light at the end of this long tunnel, here its hot i sit on my bed listening to all the chit chat on my street and hate it that im sat there shaking and scared to leave my house, its wrong and with the help of this forum we can all get better

[cnote]

I know exactly what you are talking about. My mom I think just has a hard time accepting that her son has an anxiety problem. I mean, what mom wants to know that their kids are suffering? And, your mom loves you I'm sure. And it's easy for someone who doesnt know what it's like to say, "just quit worrying" or "just stop it!"

"Just stop it" is the WORST thing that anyone can say! Or someone trying to figure it out for you.

I have a boss who tried telling me it was b/c I've had so much success at my work... or it's b/c I don't go out and party.

I tell them "If it were THAT easy! If I could just go out and PARTY, and that would make THIS stop, then I would!" haha.

You can't be too mad at them. They are just trying to help I guess.

I guess we just need to be happy we have friends and family. =)

Keep us posted. Are you taking any medication? Or therapy? I think this could help you a lot.