I am going crazy. I have been having panic attacks for 2 years. They started because I was in a bad situation with an ex-boyfriend and my parents both lived in different states and I felt very alone. I just started a good job 8 months ago and I have been seeing a therapist for about 6 months. I go back and forth with the possibility of medication. No matter what happens in my life it seems like the panic attacks will not go away no matter how happy I am. I don't know if I was depressed first and then devolped an anxiety disorder or what. It always seems like the doctors don't know what the hell they are talking about. I know this must sounds really strange but I constanly feel like I am going to go insane. I don't want to kill myself I just think that I know I don't want to live the rest of my life this way. I'm only 20 years old and it seems like I have all this time left and I have to live it in misery. So my question is does medication really work. I am so scared to get on it because I dont' want to have to take it forever but I think I'll never be happy without it.

Someone please help. :(

Hi Princesscol. :wave: I have had panic attacks before, they didn't last me very long because i had a very good therapist who helped me "train my brain" to deal with the situations and anticipate certain situations that would trigger an attack. It took me close to a year before i could go about my life without attacks. I didn't need medication, and i believe that not all disorders need medication either. Sometimes all you need is a good doctor who knows what he/she is doing!! :) Have you thought of switching doctors? Because my personal opinion is if you are not feeling somewhat better, and you have been in therapy for 6 months....something is wrong. Breathing techniques and cognitive therapy is really helpful. ALthough, you may need to take some medication to deal with the anxiety that is happening right now, just to help you out. Hope this helps a little. Hang in there, there is light at the end of the tunnel!! ;)

Thank you so much. It's nice to know I'm not the only one out there ya know. I just hate the feeling it brings. I feel like I'm gonna die when I have them. It's just a really hard time right now because I don't feel like myself at all. I used to be the life of the party (so to speak) and always have fun and always be up for almost anything. Now I have these weird fears. Like when I first had attacks I used to not go to the movies. I don't know why I was clostrofophi or something. Also, I never really liked scary movies but now I feel if I watch something scary or bloody or just plain weird that it will like make things worse. I know it totally sounds nuts but this is what I mean it's like I can't be me anymore. I also think you are right about finding a new doctor but right now I just don't have the money. The therapist I'm seeing is only $10 a session because it is kind of a non-profit thing. I just don't know where to go.

It always does seem like you are the only one out there when things are happening to you....completely agree. As for where to go, i am not sure of where your are from, but see if you can contact the Mental Health Association in your city. They are there to help you out.
I understand about the $ too...good therapists can get expensive sometimes. :rolleyes: Avoiding the situations where you fell panicky might seem like the right thing to do for now, but it is only a band-aid solution. Talk to your doc and ask him/her for other options...who knows...might help!

Take care :bouncing: (i love this bouncy thing!!! :D )

Thanks again. I really like this chat thing. Sometimes I feel like I'm going crazy and it's nice to talk to someone. If anyone ever needs someone to talk to they can always call on me. :wave:

hello princesscol! :wave:

i can totally relate to your situation. so first thing, know that you are not alone! i felt the same way you did. and as just like you i am 23. i am happily married, but i have always been depressed with myself. i also suffer from eating disorder, but the depression makes it worse. i seen therapists as well, and never wanted to start meds in fear that i would gain weight, and its like you said, i dotnt want to have to rely on a pill to make me feel normal or happy. it feels like thats no way to live.

then, i just couldnt take it anymore. i would lay in bed all day, couldnt barely do anything. so after months of debating, and husband begging me to try the meds, i just started taking lexapro,10mg about 5 days ago. i had to take a leap of faith. and i realized that depression and anxiety is a disease. and the way to not live is actually being depressed. i have to say, i do feel alot better. it does take 1-6 wks to fully kick in, but everyone is different. i have barely any side effects, and its just like a night and day difference.
please dont give up!!!! and know you are not alone. if you need to talk, im usually on this board everyday! hope i helped some!

stay strong!!!! :angel:

hello again!

one more thing i forgot to mention: i know you said you have panic attacks. i know that lexapro is for depression and gad(generalized anxiety disorder) which i believe is what panic attacks are. so you may want to keep that in mind. sorry!! :bouncing: