Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Keep Going!

Hey all,
I thought that I would try to make sense of what I (and we are going through)...I wanted to reference a quote, by J.C. Penny...."I am grateful for all my problems. After each one was overcome, I become stronger and more able to meet those that were still to come.I grew in all my difficulties."

I have spent so much time trying to make sense of what is going on, and I believe we tend to get bogged down in the "why me?" or "will I ever get through this?"  We become depressed and wonder why we cannot overcome this sometimes.  Well, I think J.C. is right in a way, going through this 3 years ago made me a much more caring and patient person and even though I am terrified this time around, it has given me the knowledge to fight it yet again.

In the short time I have been on this forum, I have seen such determination and grit that it amazes me.  People with this disorder, often view themselves as weak, but just to let you know, I believe I have met some of the strongest individuals in this forum.

I know this is not a question, but I just wanted to ensure that everyone keeps there heads held high and are proud of themselves.  As JS said, this forum is not about any one of us, it is about all of us getting through this together.  Thanks for everyone's help! (I'm gonna need it).

7 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
299912 tn?1341623100
Yes, it can take years; however, the sooner you start on a path of healing, the better. And one thing that was left out is that even though it takes years sometimes, it gets progrssively better and you get "conditioned" to it as each day goes by. So it will not be the way it is now for years until one day *poof* it is all gone. Once you face the fact that you have anxiety and face your fears, in a couple of months, you will be able to cope with it a lot better, making it not as "scary" as it is. Will the feelings still suck? YOu better believe it, but by then you will realize that it is something that can be healed. Just like a torn muscle (which hurts like hell!) - it will be very painful at first, but each day it will get better until one day it is no longer front and center in your life.

And your last posts sums up what I would guess was 99% of everyone's feelings when they first started having anxiety and panic attacks. When I first started having them (and months later) I was convinced I was going crazy and that I would never get better and I was so hopeless. Now, I realize how completely wrong I was. Once I stopped feeling sullen and sorry for myself, I decided I was in control and that I was going to get better - and I did! You can too, I know it doesn't seem like it now, but you can.

My BEST advice I can give you right now is to get a book by Dr. Claire Weekes called "Hope and Help for your Nerves" This book will give you so much hope and realize that there is a road to healing with this thing. Also, visit this site and listen to this guys story - it is very inspiring as well http://www.controllinganxiety.com/dsp_downloads.php.

Good Luck

Mike
Helpful - 0
431685 tn?1324337598
Omg see..?
It takes like years for you guys to overcome..
I'm already tired having this for a month...but for 12 years??
Omg i'd rather die..
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yes, it can be overcome....many have, yet many are still stuck in the grips.  It is all what  do with it.  I had severe panic over 12 years ago...a virtual mental breakdown that I never thought I would get out of.  It took me a good 6 months to start to feel somewhat normal and somewhat back to my life.  It took me to realize that it was depression/anxiety and not something medical.  I had to find a good therapist and I had to get on medication (that was my personal choice).  Here I am 12 years later.  Am I 100% better?  My answer is "no", however looking back I don't think I was ever 100%.  I find that many of the anxieties that I feel and fear were there even before, I just recognize it now.  I do have my full life back and very few setbacks.  However, I know now how to deal with it and how to overcome it each time.  Yes, it makes us smarter and wiser.  You will make it through and will feel like yourself once again...Just take it one day at a time!
Helpful - 0
431685 tn?1324337598
Hey guys ,can I ask you something..?
I'm very terrified that some of you say that you've been having anxiety for years..
I mean.. YEARS??
Can GAD stop for only months..?
I have this for 3-4weeks now...and I'm really scared that it's going to attack you for the rest of your life.
This can be stopped..right?
Please don't say no ..I'm going to panic if you say so...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for the words.  I am holing on today until I see my psychologist this afternoon.  Have probably just lost my job because of this and am really am in a mood this morning.  The good words help some.  Thanks
Helpful - 0
366811 tn?1217422672
JC Penney help with panic?! Who woulda thunk it?!

And you know what the JC Penney ad says today?

"Its all inside."

EXACTLY.

Panic people weak? NOT. They may feel weak, but just as cj and others will tell you, the greatest acts or heroism in combat are NOT performed by people whose courage is defined as some fearless confrontation with destiny (or some idiot with an RPG launcher). No, those heroes are people who well know abject terror and fear -and press ahead anyway, realizing that the option to attempt survival or even triumph has as great a chance of success after the dust settles, as the option of giving up all hope without even trying -which is a guarantee of failure.

Which brings us to the good folks who haunt these hallowed halls. Tired, frightened, desparate -and working to get through it, and working TOGETHER.

I am indeed in the company of heroes and heroines, and honored to be here.

-JSGeare (just to let you know I AM still around here)
Helpful - 0
299912 tn?1341623100
Good point that you have made here. And it is perfectly okay that you are not asking a question here. Any good words of encouragement/observations, etc. need to be stated.

As far as the point you made, you are so right. I remember when I first had my anxiety and panic (when I had it really bad) I always thought "this sucks" "this is not like me at all" "What happened to my life" "I am going crazy", etc. This is normal and should be a very beginning part to the path of recovery for you are are facing the fact that you have "something". However, it was not until I realized that SO many others had this (making it not "just me") and began to realize that taking medicine alone and treating the symptoms only was not going to get rid of this anxiety that I started feeling better.

Now, I am glad to say that my illness is more of an annoyance than anything else. This is a far cry from a devastating keep-me-in-the-house-and-not-doing-anything "thing".

And EXCELLENT point about the fact that we are stonger than most people who do not have this. It is so true and in fact my doctor put it best when he stated that if there was ever a war, he would want to be on my team (and others like me) because we are so much stronger and more aware of everything. (Most of the times this is inconvenient and unneccessary though).

Although, if I may point out to you specifically - I think that you need to apply your own logic here to yourself. I think that you are selling yourself short, especially for someone who is as healthy as you are and one who has beaten this once before. You have already won the first battle and this one shouldbe no different. I realize that this is harder said than done; however, you can do it regardless. Good Luck.

Mike
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Anxiety Community

Top Anxiety Answerers
Avatar universal
Arlington, VA
370181 tn?1595629445
Arlington, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out what can trigger a panic attack – and what to do if you have one.
A guide to 10 common phobias.
Take control of tension today.
These simple pick-me-ups squash stress.
Don’t let the winter chill send your smile into deep hibernation. Try these 10 mood-boosting tips to get your happy back
Want to wake up rested and refreshed?