Hello everyone. Im new to this site. And yes I am also diagnosed with panic disorder a complication from post trauma disorder. By the way my name is Shiela from the Philippines and 27 yrs of age. I was diagnosed with this illness a year ago after i prolonged my post trauma. Its started when my mom was shot to killed last 2001. After six years the symptoms started then it became full blown. I dont know wether it was triggered by the shrimp that i eat (i dont know i have allergic to this) they have to rushed me to the hospital and oxygen. Then my doctor medicated me for asthma after i go out in the hospital thats how this thing happens. I suddenly feel afraid or nervous and i feel that im going to have a heart attack or its my end.In a day i have several attacks thats why i decided to see a psychiatrist. (Do you know that in Phili panic attacks is considered nervous breakdown and its even a cliche that only people with mental disorder look for this doctor) She said it was a post trauma disorder and she let me take lexapro, xanor and rivotril. At first the medicine works for me because i feel good and I dont feel nervous at all but when the medicines takes off its started all over again and its became worser than ever. I feel like a drug addict because if i dont take this meds I tremble too much to the point that when I hold a mug full of water it spill on the floor. And it didnt end their. My weight which is used to be 60 kilos start to drop at 39 kilos in just two months can you imagined? And my stool were covered with blood plus i have bruises that as big as an apple appear everwhere in my body. I have vertigo, my eyesight blurred, i have lots of pimple and I look to pale thats y my family decided to stop this medicine and look for another doctor and I endure it for eight months. (you know after i stopped this medicines all that i mentioned start to disappear)
After i stop this medicine I could not stop my self to take the drug but when i thought about what i undergo i decided to stop. After this my new doctor give me vitamins, supraneuron ( its vit. B 1,6,12).
I also tried natural approach like reflexology every other day for one month. After this i found new changes in my body. Then I also found out that my negative thoughts are not that much. I talk everyday to my father (who with me everyday when this illness start. (Can u imagined me at 27 yrs old he have to send me to work and fetch me there? because i cant stand crowds and I can stand riding a public transpo alone?) so that he disagree with me then my thoughts change. I even used blue light threrapy where a colored blue bulb ( 100 watts please) inserted into a lamp then I centered my head below the light for twenty minutes everytime i have time or when my panic start. And you know i found that it does! It really works! ( It is teach to me by my therapist who undergo training in natural medicines) Then I eat most fish high with omega3 and DHA like tuna and makerel because its a brain food and I stayed in the sun for at least 10 to 15 minutees.
I know that it will be a long way before i returned my life because I still don't go to public places up to now but in the paniccenter I tried together with my father to combat this fear by doing my exposure work. I hope it helps and thanks guys for doing this site, its really help!
By the way, I made a strong statement for agoraphobic ( actually i just change some words to this poem and thanks by the way for the unknown author of this)
Its all in the state of mind
if you think you cant do it, then you are
If you think you cant get out of this, then yes if you wont face it
its almost in the cinch of mind
If you think you are a loser, then you really are a loser
For out in the world of agoraphobic you'll find success
begins with your determination to face it
its all in the state of mind
If you think there's no one help you, there is!
You and your determination to challenge your negative thoughts
You have to work it, not just by telling through your mouth
Before you can win the prize
Life of agoraphobic is difficult
But sooner or later the man who wins
is the man who face his fear and thinks he can!
