[Blessings2You]

To the general public I mean, and most friends and family members. People seem to think anxiety is a mood, like crabby or sad or chipper or silly.

They seem to think that anxiety is being hyper about a date or nervous about a test.

They seem to think that one could "just not worry about it". What is "it"? As if anxiety were focused on some little problem that, once solved, POOF! the anxiety disappears.

I probably thought that once. Until I first started having panic attacks, and a random EKG to make sure it was "just" anxiety.

No, I don't much talk about it, because people don't really want to know that anxiety is there on some level all the time, like a clinging mass of seaweed that sometimes gives me a break and only strangles loosely.

I don't talk about it because some people (not all) think that taking "a pill" for anxiety is a weakness...once again, one should simply not get worked up, not fret, not think about those things. Have more faith. Get a hobby. Cheer up.

If they only knew. But I don't talk about it, except here where it's safe.

[Jules A]

Thank you for sharing your experience. As a psych nurse I encounter many patients with anxiety and it is a tough one to understand as well as treat.

I'm a big fan of psychiatric medications but unfortunately most of the anxiety meds are difficult for me to embrace especially for long term use which is often desperately needed by my patients.

Have you found any value in things like deep breathing exercises or meditation in addition to medication?

[Debbie D]

I am guilty of thinking like an "outsider" where anxiety is concerned...
In my family, it's all about being "strong", of not giving in".
I beat myself up when I am "weak" in the face of anxiety. I don't like to blame MS for the high levels I experience...which, I guess makes the anxiety worse...

You're right...it's nice to be able to come here where people understand...

[SallyC]

I know, first hand, whatchu talking 'bout.

And a "little pill" is all that saved me from a life of hell, with anxiety....Thank you Lord.

Peeps who don't suffer from GAD (general anxiety disorder), don't undestand and yet they are always trying to one up you on it. Like, "I know, I get anxious too"..

[mrsD]

I've had anxiety all my life. I am sure it is one reason I have high blood pressure. My childhood, was frightful, and once I put that behind me I thought I'd be free. No such luck. It hounds me sometimes more than others, but it is still there.

I keep busy, to keep it at bay. I often do things that arouse it for me, in steps, little steps. That way I get most things done, only a bit more slowly. I don't take tranquilizers, but I do have a small amount of Xanax for airplane trips or the dentist. 1/2 of a .25 is plenty for me.

I have also found in my old age, that tryptophan helps me. I take 500mg at night during flare ups, and after a week or so, things get better. People using antidepressants cannot do tryptophan, but for others it is an option to try.

[Dejibo]

I find that unless someone else has actually had the "panic attack" that they simply cant understand. its like trying to explain blue to a blind woman. They simply cant grasp the idea until someone drags them to it kicking and screaming.

I pray no one else will ever have to suffer anxiety or panic, and that the world will be rid of it once and for all, but we all know that isnt gonna happen.

now and again, I hear from a friend who had one and they all say "OMG! I had no idea! how do you learn to live with that?!"

Its not about courage, I have plenty of courage. Its not about not wanting to do something and looking for an excuse. I am a big girl and can say "no! i dont want to." its about being sick, and not being able to control it. you just cant explain it, unless someone else has lived it too.

[soxmom]

Im sorry you deal with anxiety B2U. I guess its hard to understand
anything until you have gone thru it. But why cant people
just be compassionate? or just kind?

I sometimes awaken in the middle of night with panic attacks. I really
think Im going to die. I try to explain to my dh how awful it is and sadly
he doesnt get it.

Big hugs to you B2U

[FaithS]

Anxiety, or a panic disorder is simply an illness, like MS, diabetes, cancer or depression.

There is absolutely no shame in taking meds for any of those. Some ppl may need to be reminded.

~ Faith

[Debbie D]

Quite a few years ago I had a panic attack-I absolutely could not breathe. I wasn't sure if I was having a heart attack (this was my first panic attack), so my boys called the emts, and as they were taking me into the ambulance, my little DD started crying. Not because I was being taken away on a gurney...she yelled, "You were supposed to take me to the pool. Now who's going to take me?" Thank God that never happened again...that scared the heck out of me...not the DD, the panic attack

[Twinkletoes]

I've only had a couple of anxiety attacks, but I remember having absolutely no control over them, so I do understand a bit what you mean.

My good girlfriend sees a therapist regularly for nerves/anxiety. I hadn't realized how bad it was for her, until she said how much she wanted to go see her sister in New Orleans. I thought it was b/c of money reasons that she didn't go.

Turns out that she's not afraid to fly, but it absolutely overwhelms her to think of parking her car at the airport, taking a shuttle, then finding the right places to go. She's sure she won't remember where she parked her car and she can't even conceive of finding her way around inside the terminal.

A couple of days ago I offered to drive her to the airport and usher her around. I do hope she's able to wrap her mind around that idea. A person needs to visit her sister every now and again.

BTW, her poor sister was away from her house when Katrina struck, and came home to find it destroyed/unlivable. I think she suffers from the same type of nerve/anxiety issues, so can't imagine what she's been through.