new and afraid..

[bearboy]

hi all..i'm new in here..been a sufferer for 2yrs..

[MrGreen]

Welcome aboard. First steps taken. You have joined this forum and made your first post. Next step? Maybe tell us a little bit about yourself. As in what it is you suffer from exactly. Anxiety takes on many forms. As you can see from the forum, people suffer from all sorts of symptoms. But all are brought about by anxiety. But you done good at least in making a first post.

[nursegirl6572]

Welcome to the forum!  Taking that first step is always hard.  We are all pretty much in the same boat around here, in one form or another.  

When you feel comfortable, maybe you could start by sharing some of you with us?  Whatever you are comfortable with of course.

I hope we are able to support you and make you realize that there is a LOT of hope out there.  I've been down and out a few times in my life...and honestly thought I would never recover.  But I did...and more than once.  It's not always easy...and it takes some time.  After all...we didn't become who we are overnight.

It's important to remember that WHO we are are anxious NORMAL people.  While anxiety certainly affects our lives drastically...we're still the same people.  Sometimes it just requires a little bit of digging and coping to bring that person out again.

Looking forward to seeing more of your posts...if you get a chance...I wrote a journal about panic attacks....that has always been my biggest anxiety issue.  It may not apply to you....but it's a decent read anyways.

Take care, and again, welcome.

[cj29]

Just want to echo Nursegirl and MrGreen's welcome!  You will get alot of insight on this forum.  So many of us have suffered with anxiety and panic for a long time.  Many of us have also learned to THRIVE with this; believe it or not, this does get much better.  I commend you for taking the first step on the road to dealing with this!  Do not hesitate to ask as many questions as you like!  I look foward to hearing from you!

[JSGeare]

I'm glad you are gere, my friend, and let me tell you something. A very SHORT piost often means a very LONG story. So -what's yours?

[suzi-q]

Welcome aboard!  You will like it here!  We all like to help each other!  Hope to see some posts!

JSGeare-  Learn how to spell, will ya'?  ;-)

[nursegirl6572]

I agree....short "piosts" often mean a long story.  ;0)

Sorry...I'm razzing you so early...but it's so much fun!  LOL!

[gentle51]

I too would like to welcome you to this forum. You are among people who care a lot for each other. Let us know more about you. We welcome you with PEACE..

God Bless

[bearboy]

i'm like looking at my screen now and crying..this is a little overwhelming as i've suffered in silence for 2 yrs..you lot are amazing..i will pray for all of you..God Bless

i've posted a little of my story in response to someone's mail which i thought would come in here but it's obviously somewhere else..i'm still not too sure how to navigate in here as i'm a comp idiot..please have patience as i type very slow

[Northcoast]

Hi Bearboy,  now you have me crying!  LOL!  Feels good to cry right now actually.  Everything is going to be just fine (you are not a complete idiot!!, say that to yourself 3 times fast).  ; )   Your two long years of suffering is silence are OVER.  You've taken a big step forward by posting here.  Good for you!!   Have you talked to a doctor about your anxiety issues??  I would recommend that since often just talking about it to a professional helps me to feel better.  And exercise helps too.  Just get moving!  Post more about yourself when you can.  We're all here to help each other.  Everything is going to be fine! I saw that to myself all the time when I feel anxious or down.  And it always does turn out fine!!  Good luck and hope to see you around here, posting, getting help, and helping others!  

[suzi-q]

I am glad that you are here!  And that was a good cry of release because you can just let it all go now....When you are ready, tell us about yourself (or where you posted it!)  Hang in there!

[Isaiah4110]

Hey..welcome to the forum..and congrats for taking this HUGE first step - I am sooo proud of you..you don't have to suffer in silence anymore now or be afraid any longer..as you can see so clearly from this forum, you are NOT alone, and there is SO MUCH HOPE for you, and there is no need for you to feel utter despair & hopelessness anymore..you've just echoed what I've been saying probably AT LEAST a million times the past few days - the people here are AMAZING and they are just what you need, in terms of getting the support you've probably not had the past few years..i know you can BEAT THIS, and I hope that you'll soon find the peace you've been looking all along...

God bless you too..I'm thinking of you and wishing nothing but the best for you, because you really do deserve it...

[JSGeare]

One of the beauties of a post on the forum is that it doesn't care how slow or fast you type, because nothing happens until you press the "Post Comment" button at lower right and THEN, Poof! It all hits at once!

And so, when you have a chance, just enter your response to THIS message in the "Post Comment" box. One thing at a time...what happened 2 yrs ago that started the panic?

Now, take a magic marker and write these two things on your forehead so you'll remember: 1) No matter how BAD it seems to you, most everyone here knows exactly what you're experiencing and has (or had) the same thing. Conclusion: we know what you're talking about. 2) It CAN get better -even to the point of total recovery- and reaching out for help, just as you are doing, is the way it starts.

OK?

[nursegirl6572]

I'm glad you are finding some solace in reading here.  It always is such a weight lifted when we realize how we are not alone in this.

I'm anxious to hear more about you...and you can do that on your own time...you've taken the hardest step...it's all downhill from here.

I'm so glad you're here.

[surfergirl10]

I totally relate to you.  I am finally coming to terms with this. Now that I have read this forum, it really helps me to understand how this does not discriminate. One could have a long line of traumas and then another never have any...but we are all here.  Anyway, this forum is new to me too. I love it. My psych told me to journal and I do this religiously. It is amazing what has come out. I pay attention to my anxiety, when it comes on, and what my surroundings are, events, and any other detail. it doesn't have to be pretty, but it has opened up my mind. It also feels good so that I am not repressing my thoughts. Anyhow, welcome.

[nursegirl6572]

Bump-a-roo

[JSGeare]

Just checking in with you - I see your post is drifting off the first pages -and wonder how you are doing.

[Isaiah4110]

Hey there..i understand you're feeling a little better than you were a week ago, which is really really great..nways, as you can see from here, a couple of ppl were just wondering how you've been doing since your last posting here almost a week ago..i know they're all really concerned abt you and just wanna know how you're coping & if you're ok..perhaps you'd like to check in here for a couple of mins and just update all of them? i'm sure they'd appreciate it..heh..till we hear from you again, BIG hugs from me..am thinking of you, as always.. ;)

[nursegirl6572]

I second that...how are you doing?  You seemed to have been making some progress.  Share whatever you're comfortable sharing...we'd like to learn more about you..and try to help as best we can!

Take Care!

[Isaiah4110]

bump-a-roo

[bearboy]

sorry all! oh dear, i must appear indifferent after all that support, i apologize..i just haven't checked in, no time is an excuse..but i have been a little busy, also watced this great video called 'the secret', please go watch it or read it if u guys haven't..

ok the past week i've had several scares as usual, the usual symptoms stays for a little bit, thoughts of high blood pressure, stroke, brain tumor, heart condition etc will run through my mind when the symptoms seem heavier than usual, but i always survive it and make it the next day for another round..

someday this nightmare will all end and i've started praying hard for each and everyone of you here, i'm no saint but desperation makes you think about things that one would normally disregard..

my love goes out to all here..

keep the faith..

ps
sorry if this is a little abrubt, but i have to run out for a meeting..job offers seem to be arising after a one year hiatus..i'm really scared to go back to work but i know i have to eventually..pray for me

love all serve all
bearboy

[Isaiah4110]

Hey you..it's good to finally hear from you! i'm sure everyone here feels the same way too..they were all just a little concerned & worried about you, that's all..and there was no way i could speak on your behalf..;)

I KNOW this nightmare will definitely end for you some day soon..you just need to believe it and have faith in it yourself..and yes, i've been reading the book DILIGENTLY these past 2 days..thanks for the gentle nudge last week..heh..;)

I know it's scary to go back to work after a year long hiatus..but like i said, isn't it a little bit exciting too? well, try not to worry too much about it, i'm sure when the time comes & you're well & truly ready to go back to work, you'll do great - you're a natural at what you do, you know..and when the time comes & it's still scary & difficult, i'll be there to hold your hand & offer you words of encouragement & support & whatever else you need or want..all you have to do is ask....

Well, i'm off to my reading now..do keep me updated on how that meeting went..much love from me,
Isaiah

[cj29]

Hey...glad to hear from you again!  I am glad that you are sharing your thoughts and concerns with us.  Just ensure you are giving yourself credit for dealing with this.  I believe that you have decided to confront it, and it looks like you have the right attitude to deal with this.  I know it is hard, but keep on working through it and please keep us posted!

[JSGeare]

If it is but for the want of a prayer that you will recover and enjoy life to it's fullest, then you've got the prayers on their way!

You are obviously high-functioning and self-aware; qualities which will help you get through. The job opportunity seems very exciting and may well be an avenue of recovery itself. Please let us know how all that works out.

Keep on keepin' on!

[nursegirl6572]

How did the interview go???  That is a great step, btw!  You are really grabbing the anxious bull by the horns, aren't you?  That's just super.

I don't know if you've started any sort of "official" treatment...but I hope you've given it some thought.  I don't know about YOU specifically...but some people feel that needing professional help is a sign of weakness...or involves a stigma.  It is neither.  After all...if you had high blood pressure, you would go to the doctor to treat it, right?  The term "mental illness" is a scary one for most of us starting out...but soon you'll realize that it doesn't equate with "insanity".  We're simply wired differently....and we need help to un-do all of that anxious thinking and "what-iffing".  It's a step I thank GOD for every day that I took when I was just a young lass.  ;0)

Keep us updated when you can...you have a lot of people here pulling for you and wishing you the best.  Let us support you.....and learn from each other.  Sharing our stories and experiences is the best therapy one can have!

Hope things are better for you....thinking of you!