Introducing myself

Hi. This is my firstpost in this forum. I hve suffered panic attacks, anxiety and depression for the last 5 -6 years under my doctors help. It all started with a hostage taking event at the Bank where I worked, but remembering way back, I realize that I had this problem for many years and not knowing what it was. MNeds help, and without them, would be a basket case. But my goal is to get off the meds and learn how to control them myself (even tho I know what the routine is, when one hits, you don't really have the mental power to concentrate enough to keep it under control. Not many where I have lost control, but have come close.I have a problem with sleeping, and winter depression. Now that seems to be more often. Nuf for now. Just wanted to introduce myself, and so glad to see that Anne-Marie is in our courner. She's the best. LUV, SUZY.

Introducing myself

Hi, LadyDweez...I am from the quit smoking program next door, under suzy, qwuit for over 3 months and blew it. Not exactly a newbie, but will be starting again soon, and carrying on with my quit. Wanted to try this forum as I explained, been on meds for over 5 years, after over a year of trying to balance the ones I could handle. Sone if them made me worse, some of them kept me on a 'high' like taking speed. Not too many panic attacks now, but still get clostrophobic and depressed. So mad that I blew my quit!!!!! I felt sooo goooood for so long after getting rid of that ol nicodemon. But right now I want to concentrate on getting off some of these meds. Also lose some weight that I gained with my (blown) quit. Keep posting. Its good to hear from someone familiar, and I noted that there are others here from the smokers forums that is good to see. How you hanging in? Good, I hope. You'll find my info and e-mail in the list from the quitters list in the buddie system. Bye for now,but don't be a stranger. LUV, SUZY. :( :)smiles for you!!!

Welcome to new members!

Hi, Kim. I posted with you in the quit smoking forums and was glsd to get your e-,mail as well. I just joined this sight s well, and its so good to hear from familiar faces with the same problems.I've been on meds for almost 6 years now, and have them balanced pretty well, but can't seem to shake the depression. My hubby even had a sun room built onto the house so I'd get lots of light, but I'd really like to get off the meds. I know I can't stop taking Nardil, which is an older med that worked for me better than anything. Over a year of changing and blancing to get what was good for me. I want to get back to my carving and rock polishing, but can't seem to get the inscentive to do so. Its been so hot lately, we had to go out and get an airconitioner for the sunroom. Nowhere to excape it, except the campground, which we haven't been back to at the ocean for a week now. Have things to take care of here. One thing you hve to remember is to make sure you draw an invisible wall around you and DO NO let anyone to enter YOUR SPACE. That is sacred. One thing I had to do, which was one of the hardest things to do, was to be an enabler for my son, who is a cocaine addict. He was eating my life away, and I was trying to help him.But I came to realize that HE can only do that and I had to back off. We still talk on the phone, but he is NOT allowed to say,'I need' to me. We bet along better this way, he is in a group home and working full time, and is now paying me back some of the money he took. Not all, because he'd be in the poorhouse forever,; but is much more responsible now. With that porblem gone, I thought I could relax and lower my meds, but I guess that is not the root of my depression. I hope I find ways here to help with that. Well, enough for now. I posted under introducing myself for more infor about me if youy wish, but so glad to see you here. LUV for now, and hugs to you. ;)

Introducing myself

LadyD..you're right-- one thing and one day at a time. I'm going to set a new quit date and probably go thru the Road steps, which I didn't do before. It seems to be in the mind-set, which has to be extablished before anything succeeds, do you think? I hope that helps me.This is what I gave up by blowing my quit, and stil trying to figure out why..I felt so good. Three months, three weeks, five days, 22 hours, 31 minutes and 0 seconds. 2378 cigarettes not smoked, saving $725.27. Life saved: 1 week, 1 day, 6 hours, 10 minutes. ***can you belive this?????? :(

hello

Hello everyone. I have posted under introducing myself and ansered some posts here already. I just want to introduce myself under this topic and say hello to everyone here. See some familiar faces, but hope to hear from someone who has been around here for awhile to help me get thru the ropes. Good luck to everyone. I hope this helps me. I need a support group so much!! Must be looking for validation, eh? LUV SUZY. (surob).

Introducing myself

Thanks, Lady. I needed that affirmation. LUV, SUZY.

Introducing myself

Amanda. I hve sent you an e-mail, and if that works for you, thts great, or you can post to me anytime. Let me know a little more about your attacks and if you are under care or meds, o.k? LUV, Ssuzy. :quest:

anger??

Hi, Lady...I don't think I have had an anger response to any of the panic attacks I've had, and haven't heard too many that have. I may be an Anger management problem as you suggested, but I couldn't tell you for sure. In the therapy I've taken, this has not come up. Its ususally depression that sets in for me after one, and being very drained and tired. My daughter-in-law has an anger management problem, and has taken workshops on the subject. Improved for a time and then it returned; whether set off by some spacific thing or not, I can't be sure. Hope someone that has had the same results as you can enlighten you better than I. It is an interesting subject to bring up. Good luck, and hang in there. LUV, SUZY. :confuse:

Where to find the Doc?

kIM. pANIC DISORDER IS JUST THAT. a DISSORDER. And the best place to get help is thru a mental Health organization. Your own Doctor should be able to put uou in tuch with such an organization, or therapist for panic attacks and anxiety. The two go together. When your btain cana't cope with certain situations, that is where you have to look for the solutions. It is certainly nothing to be ashamed of as it is an illness. You really have to take a positive attitude toward your problem and be not afraid to call it what it is, or you will not be able to deal with it. I found many contacts in the West (Victoria BC) where there are medical groups, therapists, and groups that help a great deal with understanding and coping skills. Once you have a true understanding of what is happening to your body and brain, you have won half the battle. Don't be afraid to ask for help anywhereyou can get it. It means so much in the battle. Good luck. Even the crisis centre has help with contacts for you. And about the idea of self-medication - never do that. Always refer to your Doctor for advise. There are too many drugs out there ( over the counter) that can just manke matters worse, and many people turn to drinking to ease the anxiety; and then you are battleing more problems. I've seen that ruin a lost of lives that way, too. Its simply a medical problem that needs tending to by the professionals that understand your problem. If your doctor doesn't know too much about them, then see another one that does. My Doctor didn't know anything about them until I went to him about it, and he did some reseaarch and reading and now is well versed on the subject and just talking with him has helped me greatly. Good luck in your quest, and learn to relax when you feel the signs of one coming on. Breath, relax, and let it take its coarse and it will pass. LUV, SUZY. ;)

Pets and Weather???

Beth...I think thathaving a pet is a wonderful idea. We have a cat (teenager) who takes a lot of attention, butstill likes to act independant. They are a great sense of relief and pleasure. If you are depressed or anxious, just petting or playing with them really helps to relax you and gives you something to concentrate on. They DO have a sosrt of sixth ssense and seem to know when you are not feeling yourself and stayvery near you. Many hospitals and senior homes have people volunteer to bring in their pets to visit the elderly and it gives them a real sense of love and needing. Something that is lacking in their lives is filled with the company of a dog or cat. I have wanted to get a puppy to train and take with me on walks and camping for company and protection, but haven't got to the stage yeat to take on that responsibility of commitment it takes to be in charge of one yet. Cats are more independent and easier to own, and are always there for you to love. The last one we had ws 18 before we had to send it to his resting place near the lilac trees, and it took a year before we could replace him. Our new female is so audible, she announces her presence every time she comes in and tells us of all her adventures, has something to eat, and away she goes again. Quite the hunter. But if I am feeling low, she stays very near. As for the humidity, I can'ttolerate it at all. Can't accomplish anything, and find it depressing. Thank gosh we finally got an air-conditioner for the sunroom and makes it heavenly, and also have it in our Van. Its very similar to winter blues and lack of sunlight then. I suffer from that too, so we had a large, bright sun-room built; but if there is no sun, it can be very dreary. I love thunder storms and when it gets veryclose, a good thunder storm can break the air pressure and we can all breath again. Mother nature is wonderful. If it gets close, take a walk near the ocean or a lake where there is a breeze to release the pressure you feel, or take a cool shower. That really works well. Hope I've been alble to help in some way. I know how you feel. Post often so we can chat more. ***LUV, SUZY.