New around here? Or old timer? Please READ

[JSGeare]

One thing we've always wanted is a sort of "welcome center" for folks who have recently joined, are thinking about it, or who are just observing for now. Please be good enough to respond to this post and just briefly introduce yourself: a name or nic-name, age, where from, what brought you here, what you hope to learn, have to offer, etc. Just a couple of lines. Don't worry, we won't bite!

If you are already a member, please check here every so often to greet new arrivals and visitors. Who knows, maybe a long-lost friend or family member may drop in. One of MINE did -no kidding!

JSGeare and Greenlydia are your "Community Leaders" (CL, for short) and our job is to make this place as helpful and comfortable as we can. You'll see little purple whirrly-gigs by our names to assist you in locating us if you have questions about how the forum works.

Enough said for right now -so please introduce yourself or say "Glad you're here" to a newcomer.

Thanks!

Greenlydia
JSGeare

[Kev259]

Hi my name is Kevin and ime from a small town called Stoke-on Trent in the UK and i dont think any of you will of heard of it but we make wedgewood pottery among others. I have had anxiety and panic attacks for 7 years with remisions in between. It was not until recentley i discovered what really was wrong with me. I am so happy to have found this site and to realise i am not crazy and not alone. Like princess Diana said ,please have courage in you own problems and compassion for other peoples. I believe we will get through this together and get better, and at the same time learn and make good friendships. Godbless you all. Ps by the way ime male, not that there are many females called Kevin, if your are out there send me a mail :)

[msanxiety]

Hi Im CJ from Nevada i go by msanxiety because i have had anxiety since 1990.It has got worse over the past year.Have been on several medications was doing great for awhile and  agot a new dr and she stopped my meds and i havent been able to get back to halfway normal yet.I have always been very funloving and happy,now im also suffering depression and can find no medicine to work.i constantly worry Inm having heart trouble.last year i was in Er like 19 times in 2 months.So when i get these pains i think its my heart i just pray its not..as im afraid to go to these drs. I was on xanax for 17 years up till last year and i stopped it and ended up in a hospital.After that i did ok for awhile then the change in the meds again. Anyways Im a mother of 3 boys.recently remarried to the man of my dreams and i just want to get better.Have evert reason to but cant seen to stop the constant worry anxiety and depression.........its nice to find a place to hopefully makes some friends and learn from each other..

[Isaiah4110]

I'm Isaiah4110, a 35yo female. My situation & reason/s for joining this forum & community is a little different from everyone else's. I do not suffer from AD, but have a friend who does, and I wanted to learn more about the symptoms, esp. with regards to finding out 1st hand from other sufferers what they actually go through on a daily basis, what it feels like, and how they've learnt (or are learning) to overcome it and manage the painful symptoms. My friend confided in me about his condition about 3mths ago, and I promised him that I will keep it in strictest confidence and be absolutely discreet about it. So I hope you can understand my need for keeping my true identity confidential, as I do not want to betray his trust. I think this forum & community is absolutely amazing, and I couldn't have found it at a more perfect time! I am currently going through some struggles of my own, questioning myself daily, whether it's ultimately worth it for me to keep offering my support to my friend, when it's stressing me out & putting a strain on our friendship. However, at the end of the day, the alternative (ie. to walk away from him) seems more painful for me in the long-term, because I know it's just something I cannot live with and it's just not in my nature at all. So far I've received such a warm welcome and amazing advice & insight from some of you, of which I am so so grateful for! I do hope to introduce my friend to this forum some time soon, and when I do, I know he will feel the same warmth as I do, and that he realises finally that he's not alone in this and that there IS hope and that he WILL beat the condition.

[surfergirl10]

my nickname is surfergirl. I am 37, married, with two children 11 & 3. I am hypervigilant, I am a busy bee, enjoy athletics, and traveling. Howver, I have had attacks inthe past while I am driving. It scares me to death. I haven't had one in awhile, but yesterday I had a huge one. I felt I put my kids in danger and was losing control.  It scared me. Scared me so bad I am seeking out a therapist.  I cary ativan, but I took it during the attack and it didn't work. plus I do not want to drive with it. Nonetheless, I had to call my husband and a friend to pick me up.  I was truly embarrassed and crying etc.  In addition, where I parked was by a mall at a timeof day when people start shopping, so that didn't make matters better.  I tried to go into the mall but freaked out. I got physically sick, but was trying to be incontrol I didn't scare my kids. This took place for 3 hours.  Once I got home, I was exhausted. Now the next day, I feel like I had a melt down and am in recovery-weird. Itoo am a teacher of spec needs kids...have high energy really fun and go go go. I appreciate this part of me and really do not want to be on meds to change any of this. What kind of therpaist shall I seek out? I am really scared and sad.  But I need to face reality

[waspman1]

hi, my name is cheryl im 26 and i live in scotland. I've been using the site for a good few months now and find it really helps with my anxiety,i had a really bad panic attack months ago and i have suffered with anxiety and panic attacks since. i do not take any medication as i dont like taking pills and try to deal with it myself. i find this forum very helpful when i am feeling partcularly anxious and would like to say thanks to all those who have replied to my past posts:)

[nervous15]

I am relatively new to this forum.  My name is Carole, I am 59 years old, and live in Illinois.  I have a severe problem with anxiety, especially regarding medical stuff.  I have met the absolutely greatest, compassionate, wonderful people on this forum.  If it wasnt for their support, expertise, and generosity I really dont know what I would have done or be doing for that matter.  If you have anxiety related issues or suffer from PA, depression or any other emotionally debilitating condition, you have come to the right place.  The people here  have EXPERIENCED what you feel, therefore have the knowledge to REALLY help you, (unlike someone with "paper" that is not really familiar with what you are going through).  I am so blessed that I was directed here by my higher power, I will be on this site regularly.

Peace and love to all that enter