Hello all.
My name is Kaylee. I'm 27 years old, female, living in New Orleans. I was first diagnosed with GAD when I was 10 years old. Throughout the years, I've seen 5 counselors (on number 6 now) and had varying bouts with panic attacks. When I finally graduated college in December of 2008, I thought everything was going to be great, but as soon as the New Year approached, I got plunged into an episode of panic like I haven't known since I was 10. It's still going on. For the first time, I was prescribed medication--I've been taking 10mg of Lexapro for about 3 weeks now. I feel like I lost the month of January entirely--I missed a lot of work and didn't get much of anything done except lying on the couch trying to still my racing heart. I've been going to counseling again for about a month. Joined on here to try to help myself, and am looking for a real-time support group in my area.
I really feel like I've been flailing this time and it scares me. I've never had an episode so severe, so prolonged. And though I haven't had a panic attack in about a week and a half and my anxiety level is pretty low on a daily basis (and has been for about a week), I'm still dealing with secondary symptoms--insomnia, stomach problems, lack of energy, and a general mental fogginess. My family and friends have been incredibly supporting and understanding, but I feel like I'm wearing them down, that all I can talk about is this. I'm crying as I type this because I just want my life back. I want to feel like my happy, energetic, productive self again. I want to stop burdening my friends and family.
I'm sorry for such a maudlin introduction post, and I'm glad I found this site. I hope it helps.
