Question:
<gently snipped :: I was hoping to ::find a good online support group that meets and chats real time, does ::anyone know of any? Here is a good one…… http://www.drrhodes.org/anxpan/index.html Jackie ~*~Put on Your Big Girl Panties and Deal with it~*~ 
— The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
Hi — Many of us have been where you are right now. Being overwhelmed is not a sign of weakness. I hope you will tell your doctor about all this and ask for a referral to a psychiatrist right away. It sounds as if you could benefit from medication(s) as well as some psychotherapy, preferably cognitive behavioral therapy. Please seek professional help and let us know how you’re doing. xxoo Anne — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello.. and welcome to ASAPM, You will find many kind and supportive people here who know all too well what it is like to live with the things you describe in your post. Please don’t give up hope! I’m 55 years old… male… and had my first panic attack at age 15. Waaaaaaay back then, there was little known about panic disorder and agoraphobia… and I, quite literally, thought I was going crazy. Since that time, there have been many ups and downs. At one point, I was becoming more and more homebound… but I kept working on it, found a good therapist, used meds, and eventually began to see improvement. What are the things I would suggest to you? Not knowing anything other than what you have written, I would urge you to do the following: 1. Find a good therapist who is familiar with working with patients with PD and agoraphobia. Just as in any profession, there are good ones …. and not so good. Search until you find someone you trust and who you feel can really help you. Cognigive Behavioral Therapy is known to work well with PD and agoraphobia… so a therapist who uses CBT would be great! 2. Read, read, read….. everything you can find…. about these disorders. The more you know…. and understand the symptoms…. the better you will be able to deal with them. The symptoms may not disappear…. but knowledge can help to take away some of the fear! 3. Lastly…. rely on support of family, friends, and others who have *been there*. Use this group as a resource. You will find a lot of knowledge here…. and people who can sympathize with the feelings you are having! Please hang in there…. and keep writing and sharing! It *CAN* get better! I’m living proof!! As I said in the beginning, don’t give up hope! As a good friend of mine says, you are not alone! Best wishes! MikeH
Mike is right. To be honest, I’ve gotten better since I found this group about 5 months ago. Just being able to talk about it is a tremendous help. I still don’t want to leave my house, I still don’t have good feeling about myself, I still wake up to night sweats, heart palpitations, stomach flutters, mind racing, etc., but since I’ve been able to talk about it here, it hasn’t happened as frequently. In fact (and those of you who sort of the block, but I was thrilled to be able to do so. Maybe in a while I’ll be able to get the courage to get a driver’s license. :~) I have all of you to thank for that. So, yeah, hang in there. We’re right there with you. kili — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
Hi. Talk to a few different docs, try a few different methods (med & non-med). Keep in mind there is a bit of trial & error because everyone seems to respond differently to certain prescriptions. Keep an open mind and don’t give up. Years ago when I was in my own mental seventh circle of hell, I thought there was no escape. But over time there was. There are an awful lot of people that have similar problems. So battle in best you can and find a doc that keeps your best interest in mind! -z-
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, As much as I dread writing this, I know that my declining slide into this abyss of emotional destruction will not fix itself, and I must Find help. I’m a 45 year old female with multiple issues, they are getting worse by the day and I have no clue how to halt this or find help that will be of benefit. I suffer from extreme anxiety, agoraphobia, depression, (I’m told bi-polar, but I have my doubts, I think it’s pure depression, at least with bi-polar I’d have an "UP" once in a while", Night terrors, What self esteem I had has been decimated. I cannot stop my thought about myself from constantly turning negative. This all began about 18 months ago, over that time I have had 3 significant traumatic events occur in my life. I believe I would have been able to withstand one of them and have been fine, but the three consecutive events together, created a mess and destroyed the person I had worked so hard to become. I have overcome so much in my life, I’m not a weak person, not one to deny my responsibility for my actions, or my responsibilty for my recovery. I don’t like to blame others for events in my life, and I hate feeling as though I have no control, which is where I find myself at the moment. first of all I see that when I feel threatened my subconcious has a defense mode it falls into. I seem to tear myself to shred and destroy myself every way conceivable to make me invisible and unlovable, as apparently I have lost the ability to love myself. I am so saddened that I can be so compassionate with anyone else, but so hard on myself. If there is anyone who knows somewhere that would be helpful for me, I would truly appreciate their input. If knowing the details of the events that have transpired are important, please ask me, and I’ll have no problem boring you to death with them. At this point, I’ve lost hope, purpose, meaning and probably reason. I’m a prisoner in my home, For reasons I cannot fathom, my mind is constantly pointing out every mistake I have ever made and my internal voice is insisting I’m a horrible person. I know from past experiences, that our thoughts are very powerful, and while I can rationalize or try to prevent myself from allowing those thought to overtake me, i’m not winning. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
Hi, Kili, There was a period of time I couldn’t drive my car when it was parked in front of the garage INTO the garage…ugh! smiles, Elise
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, Kili, Way to go! Get your license, come to Ohio and help me with my fear of driving…<g smiles, Elise Ack! It was only around the block! :~) kili — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – :: In fact (and those of you who sort of around ::the block, but I was thrilled to be able to do so. Maybe in a while I’ll be ::able to get the courage to get a driver’s license. :~) I have all of you ::to thank for that. Dear Kili, Wonderful, wonderful news! Don’t minimize your accomplishment by saying it was ‘just’ around the block. That block probably felt like around the world for you (((((Kili)))))
Thanks, it did feel pretty good. :~) kili — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
Hi, Kili, Way to go! Get your license, come to Ohio and help me with my fear of driving…<g smiles, Elise Ack! It was only around the block! :~)
Hey Kili, you could drive wherever you like a block at a time! Well done, keep driving that block! A license would give you more independence, I’d want to get one myself but here in .nl you need driving lessons and exams which are really *very* expensive. — Vashti — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
Hi, Kili, Way to go! Get your license, come to Ohio and help me with my fear of driving…<g smiles, Elise Ack! It was only around the block! :~) kili
According to the proverb, each journey starts with a single step!! — Ron P What? Me worry??? hahahaha Yah right!! — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
Thank you so much to everyone who responded, it really means a lot to me to know I am not alone out here in the world of isolation. I know I need a good therapist, but I also know I’m not ready; I was hoping to find a good online support group that meets and chats real time, does anyone know of any? not that I would know what to say, but just being in the presence of others who understand is comforting. thanks, Stina – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, As much as I dread writing this, I know that my declining slide into this abyss of emotional destruction will not fix itself, and I must Find help. I’m a 45 year old female with multiple issues, they are getting worse by the day and I have no clue how to halt this or find help that will be of benefit. I suffer from extreme anxiety, agoraphobia, depression, (I’m told bi-polar, but I have my doubts, I think it’s pure depression, at least with bi-polar I’d have an "UP" once in a while", Night terrors, What self esteem I had has been decimated. I cannot stop my thought about myself from constantly turning negative. This all began about 18 months ago, over that time I have had 3 significant traumatic events occur in my life. I believe I would have been able to withstand one of them and have been fine, but the three consecutive events together, created a mess and destroyed the person I had worked so hard to become. I have overcome so much in my life, I’m not a weak person, not one to deny my responsibility for my actions, or my responsibilty for my recovery. I don’t like to blame others for events in my life, and I hate feeling as though I have no control, which is where I find myself at the moment. first of all I see that when I feel threatened my subconcious has a defense mode it falls into. I seem to tear myself to shred and destroy myself every way conceivable to make me invisible and unlovable, as apparently I have lost the ability to love myself. I am so saddened that I can be so compassionate with anyone else, but so hard on myself. If there is anyone who knows somewhere that would be helpful for me, I would truly appreciate their input. If knowing the details of the events that have transpired are important, please ask me, and I’ll have no problem boring you to death with them. At this point, I’ve lost hope, purpose, meaning and probably reason. I’m a prisoner in my home, For reasons I cannot fathom, my mind is constantly pointing out every mistake I have ever made and my internal voice is insisting I’m a horrible person. I know from past experiences, that our thoughts are very powerful, and while I can rationalize or try to prevent myself from allowing those thought to overtake me, i’m not winning. —
– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
:: In fact (and those of you who sort of ::the block, but I was thrilled to be able to do so. Maybe in a while I’ll be ::able to get the courage to get a driver’s license. :~) I have all of you ::to thank for that. Dear Kili, Wonderful, wonderful news! Don’t minimize your accomplishment by saying it was ‘just’ around the block. That block probably felt like around the world for you (((((Kili))))) Jackie ~*~Time heals all wounds, unless you pick at them~*~ ~~Shawn Alexander — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
Hi, Kili, Way to go! Get your license, come to Ohio and help me with my fear of driving…<g smiles, Elise
Ack! It was only around the block! :~) kili — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – In fact (and those of you who sort of around the block, but I was thrilled to be able to do so. Maybe in a while I’ll be able to get the courage to get a driver’s license. :~) I have all of you to thank for that. On, no, Kili!! You did that all by yourself! Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!! )) Hope you are still patting yourself on the back! One block today….. two blocks the next time…. then three, four….. ) Take care! Congrats! MikeH
Thanks! It felt GLORIOUS! kili — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
Hi, Kili, Way to go! Get your license, come to Ohio and help me with my fear of driving…<g smiles, Elise – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – On, no, Kili!! You did that all by yourself! Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!! )) Hope you are still patting yourself on the back! One block today….. two blocks the next time…. then three, four….. ) Take care! Congrats! MikeH Thanks! It felt GLORIOUS! kili — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
In fact (and those of you who sort of the block, but I was thrilled to be able to do so. Maybe in a while I’ll be able to get the courage to get a driver’s license. :~) I have all of you to thank for that.
On, no, Kili!! You did that all by yourself! Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!! )) Hope you are still patting yourself on the back! One block today….. two blocks the next time…. then three, four….. ) Take care! Congrats! MikeH . — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
Hi, Welcome to ASAPM! Mike H. has written much of what I would say. I suffer/have suffered with anxiety, agoraphobia and depression myself and know how difficult life can be. Seeing a therapist and/or pdoc can really help. I always believe in nipping anxiety in the bud. The longer it goes on untreated the worse it can get. smiles, Elise
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, As much as I dread writing this, I know that my declining slide into this abyss of emotional destruction will not fix itself, and I must Find help. I’m a 45 year old female with multiple issues, they are getting worse by the day and I have no clue how to halt this or find help that will be of benefit. I suffer from extreme anxiety, agoraphobia, depression, (I’m told bi-polar, but I have my doubts, I think it’s pure depression, at least with bi-polar I’d have an "UP" once in a while", Night terrors, What self esteem I had has been decimated. I cannot stop my thought about myself from constantly turning negative. This all began about 18 months ago, over that time I have had 3 significant traumatic events occur in my life. I believe I would have been able to withstand one of them and have been fine, but the three consecutive events together, created a mess and destroyed the person I had worked so hard to become. I have overcome so much in my life, I’m not a weak person, not one to deny my responsibility for my actions, or my responsibilty for my recovery. I don’t like to blame others for events in my life, and I hate feeling as though I have no control, which is where I find myself at the moment. first of all I see that when I feel threatened my subconcious has a defense mode it falls into. I seem to tear myself to shred and destroy myself every way conceivable to make me invisible and unlovable, as apparently I have lost the ability to love myself. I am so saddened that I can be so compassionate with anyone else, but so hard on myself. If there is anyone who knows somewhere that would be helpful for me, I would truly appreciate their input. If knowing the details of the events that have transpired are important, please ask me, and I’ll have no problem boring you to death with them. At this point, I’ve lost hope, purpose, meaning and probably reason. I’m a prisoner in my home, For reasons I cannot fathom, my mind is constantly pointing out every mistake I have ever made and my internal voice is insisting I’m a horrible person. I know from past experiences, that our thoughts are very powerful, and while I can rationalize or try to prevent myself from allowing those thought to overtake me, i’m not winning. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
Hi, As much as I dread writing this, I know that my declining slide into this abyss of emotional destruction will not fix itself, and I must Find help.
<snipped The others who posted before me have said all I would have said, and more. I just want to welcome you to ASAP-M. This group has helped me through some awful times, and I’m so glad to be a part of it. These are wonderful people. Sending you a hug if you want one, Deirdre — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
Hi, As much as I dread writing this, I know that my declining slide into this abyss of emotional destruction will not fix itself, and I must Find help. I’m a 45 year old female with multiple issues, they are getting worse by the day and I have no clue how to halt this or find help that will be of benefit. I suffer from extreme anxiety, agoraphobia, depression, (I’m told bi-polar, but I have my doubts, I think it’s pure depression, at least with bi-polar I’d have an "UP" once in a while", Night terrors, What self esteem I had has been decimated. I cannot stop my thought about myself from constantly turning negative. This all began about 18 months ago, over that time I have had 3 significant traumatic events occur in my life. I believe I would have been able to withstand one of them and have been fine, but the three consecutive events together, created a mess and destroyed the person I had worked so hard to become. I have overcome so much in my life, I’m not a weak person, not one to deny my responsibility for my actions, or my responsibilty for my recovery. I don’t like to blame others for events in my life, and I hate feeling as though I have no control, which is where I find myself at the moment. first of all I see that when I feel threatened my subconcious has a defense mode it falls into. I seem to tear myself to shred and destroy myself every way conceivable to make me invisible and unlovable, as apparently I have lost the ability to love myself. I am so saddened that I can be so compassionate with anyone else, but so hard on myself. If there is anyone who knows somewhere that would be helpful for me, I would truly appreciate their input. If knowing the details of the events that have transpired are important, please ask me, and I’ll have no problem boring you to death with them. At this point, I’ve lost hope, purpose, meaning and probably reason. I’m a prisoner in my home, For reasons I cannot fathom, my mind is constantly pointing out every mistake I have ever made and my internal voice is insisting I’m a horrible person. I know from past experiences, that our thoughts are very powerful, and while I can rationalize or try to prevent myself from allowing those thought to overtake me, i’m not winning. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
Hello.. and welcome to ASAPM, You will find many kind and supportive people here who know all too well what it is like to live with the things you describe in your post. Please don’t give up hope! I’m 55 years old… male… and had my first panic attack at age 15. Waaaaaaay back then, there was little known about panic disorder and agoraphobia… and I, quite literally, thought I was going crazy. Since that time, there have been many ups and downs. At one point, I was becoming more and more homebound… but I kept working on it, found a good therapist, used meds, and eventually began to see improvement. What are the things I would suggest to you? Not knowing anything other than what you have written, I would urge you to do the following: 1. Find a good therapist who is familiar with working with patients with PD and agoraphobia. Just as in any profession, there are good ones …. and not so good. Search until you find someone you trust and who you feel can really help you. Cognigive Behavioral Therapy is known to work well with PD and agoraphobia… so a therapist who uses CBT would be great! 2. Read, read, read….. everything you can find…. about these disorders. The more you know…. and understand the symptoms…. the better you will be able to deal with them. The symptoms may not disappear…. but knowledge can help to take away some of the fear! 3. Lastly…. rely on support of family, friends, and others who have *been there*. Use this group as a resource. You will find a lot of knowledge here…. and people who can sympathize with the feelings you are having! Please hang in there…. and keep writing and sharing! It *CAN* get better! I’m living proof!! As I said in the beginning, don’t give up hope! As a good friend of mine says, you are not alone! Best wishes! MikeH
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, As much as I dread writing this, I know that my declining slide into this abyss of emotional destruction will not fix itself, and I must Find help. I’m a 45 year old female with multiple issues, they are getting worse by the day and I have no clue how to halt this or find help that will be of benefit. I suffer from extreme anxiety, agoraphobia, depression, (I’m told bi-polar, but I have my doubts, I think it’s pure depression, at least with bi-polar I’d have an "UP" once in a while", Night terrors, What self esteem I had has been decimated. I cannot stop my thought about myself from constantly turning negative. This all began about 18 months ago, over that time I have had 3 significant traumatic events occur in my life. I believe I would have been able to withstand one of them and have been fine, but the three consecutive events together, created a mess and destroyed the person I had worked so hard to become. I have overcome so much in my life, I’m not a weak person, not one to deny my responsibility for my actions, or my responsibilty for my recovery. I don’t like to blame others for events in my life, and I hate feeling as though I have no control, which is where I find myself at the moment. first of all I see that when I feel threatened my subconcious has a defense mode it falls into. I seem to tear myself to shred and destroy myself every way conceivable to make me invisible and unlovable, as apparently I have lost the ability to love myself. I am so saddened that I can be so compassionate with anyone else, but so hard on myself. If there is anyone who knows somewhere that would be helpful for me, I would truly appreciate their input. If knowing the details of the events that have transpired are important, please ask me, and I’ll have no problem boring you to death with them. At this point, I’ve lost hope, purpose, meaning and probably reason. I’m a prisoner in my home, For reasons I cannot fathom, my mind is constantly pointing out every mistake I have ever made and my internal voice is insisting I’m a horrible person. I know from past experiences, that our thoughts are very powerful, and while I can rationalize or try to prevent myself from allowing those thought to overtake me, i’m not winning.
. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
If you like this post and would like to receive updates from this blog, please subscribe our feed.