Anyone have anxiety/panic disorder? /Cathie

[Guest guest]

>Cathie wrote:

>I have anxiety/panic disorder. I don't see too many people who have this

problem on here. Please let me know if there is. Thanks,

Hi Cathie,

I have both also. I guess people with chronic pain, and many other

disabilities, don't think as much about the mental aspects, or so much about

mentioning them.

is right, it is a hand in hand situation, you can't have pain without

depression. Anyone that is suffering, and has their daily lives and living

altered in major ways cannot help but be depressed.

So many limitations are put upon us, and side effects from medications too. For

some, it is which came first the chicken or

the egg, or in some cases like mine, the whole crate of eggs and

the coupe of chickens all at once! It was like a land slide, lol!

Before I had medical knowledge, (schooling) my panic attacks mimicked

heart attack symptoms, and hypoglycemia, and other diagnoses'.

As I walked to the mailbox one afternoon, not knowing I was having these,

blamed them on other things, my neighbor walked over, when she saw me walking,

staggering, disoriented, and holding my chest, she asked what was wrong and I

told her my symptoms, and blurred vision too. She was taking Zoloft and Zanax

at the time, she told me it sounded like anxiety and to make an appointment.

Which I did, and months (years) of therapy, psychiatrist's, biofeedback, and

medications, finally got it in some control.

I still have them now, but I know the signs, and not knowingly many people show

up in the ER thinking they are having heart attacks, because chest pains from a

panic attack can feel and look the same, in some cases.

You are far from being alone, I'd bet most chronic pain sufferers, have the

depression, and difficulties with family and friends

understanding/compassionate, and most [not understanding] make it worse by

putting more stress on us along with guilt. Then there are the physicians, the

ones who are not understanding, you get

the speech, " It's all in your head " , or " you are looking for

prescriptions " .

I too worked in the health field, and even had to explain to the physicians I

worked for that these conditions can even intensify pain, so giving them

medications will help control the pain, and depression, even giving them an RX

for sleep, can make the " fatigue " not be so bad. The person (patient) can lead a

more productive life, and certainly a better quality.

My PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) led to my panic disorder, but the more

therapy I had the more diagnoses I received too, lol, the OCD (Obsessive

Compulsive Disorder), anxiety, panic attacks,

depression, all molded in with the chronic pain, chronic fatigue, and two pages

typed of other issues. I am fortunate enough to have great doctors, just a

terrible family support, and no friends. My town has no support groups locally,

so I too, withdrew into my house as a prisoner, solitary confinement, it seems,

except for doctor appointments. But, it feels " safe " .

It is very lonely, but as some others mentioned, I have furry friends, 17 cats,

some indoors, some outdoors, but they are comforting. (smiles!)

You found a great group of people here, and as you have seen definitely not

alone!

They [panic attacks] can be minimized with education about the condition,

knowing when and what might cause a on-set, to me " avoidance " is the biggest

help, and medication maintained to help prevent, or keep them from escalating

at times.

Take care, and never feel alone, no question is a bad question, and you're never

alone! Still so many good things in life to still enjoy, my Dr. keeps telling

me to find hobbies. I'm so limited, but I did find a few, I can do in my

hospital bed, that makes me happy.

Wishing you are healing & good wishes~and a virtual hug!

Janet (SC.)