Welcome Inspire,

You have come to the right place. We can help you get a handle on this. Anxiety as scary as it is is actually a very managable disorder. The program here is based on CBT techniques which is one of the best treatments for anxiety. It takes quite a bit of work but you should begin to see results within the first few sessions. Take your time with the program but be consistent with doing the homework.

I'm looking forward to reading more from you.

Looks like you have classic agoraphobia. I had it and know all the symptoms and have been through all you are going through. It might surprise you to learn it is due to a feeling of not having control and taking back control is the key not fighting or forcing yourself to do what your mind doesn't want to.

More on this later if you are interested.

Davit

Hi, Welcome Inspire!

 

I'm new here too and I found this site through the EAP service my company offers.

 

I really believe this site will help, everyone has been really nice and helpful.

 

I would offer the suggestion of finding a therapist. Some people will recommend a therapist or shrink. Some will say this program works alone. Some might suggestion herbal or anti-depressants. In the end, you will see what works for you.

 

I hope in the end, the program and us here can help.

I wanted to take a few moments to introduce myself.  Inspire will be my name used for this forum.  I have been suffering from panic and anxiety disorder for over a year now.  I feel the experiences are quite detrimental to my well being and hinder me from enjoying life.  I am always afraid that I will have an attack at any time.  Once I experienced my first panic attack it really frightened me.  I was driving to the grocery store and just out of the blue felt all of the emotions and symptoms as described in the first section of this program.  I found The Panic Center while doing research tonight on my insurance coverage's website and boy am I glad I did.  I am hoping and praying that this will give me some relief or at least help me learn how to avoid or cope with it.  It has gotten to the point that I have stopped driving my car altogether, and it's been almost a year since I last drove.  I find it difficult to go to the grocery store or anywhere in public for that matter for the fear of passing out or embarrassing myself should it happen while there.  I feel safe at home but only when someone is here with me; when I'm alone, I really start to feel panicky and then the heart starts racing and then I'm fearful that I may pass out when no one is here to help me.  I cannot pinpoint what triggers my attacks but I sure hope to try with this program and am positive about learning about the illness and symptoms and ways to avoid it from happening.  I tend to depend on my children for most everything - I send them to the store, they take me where I need to go, etc...it's just not fair to them so I want to learn to manage and basically feel better and have a more enjoyable life and relieve them of having to take care of me all the time.  This past weekend I spent in the hospital because I thought I was having a heart attack; I could not breathe and my chest felt so heavy (although I did not have chest pain), it felt like there was a brick on my chest squeezing me...so as a precaution, I went to the ER and they did admit me for observation to be sure it wasn't my heart.  In my mind, I didn't think it was but the attack scared me that bad...luckily it wasn't a heart attack, but simply anxiety and panic.  It is definitely not a fun illness and I pray to God that this program helps.  I am ready to attack the panic full force instead of it attacking me and move on with my life.  I have so much more to do and live for and am not giving up, ever!  I look forward to sharing and learning ideas and helpful tips in this session.

 

To all of you that are in my shoes, I pray that you, too, can conquer this horrid nightmare.  Best wishes all.

 

Inspire