Feeling crazy today - Panic Disorders Message Board

Butterfly623 · 08-15-2002, 09:30 AM

Hi everyone, my name is Diane, I'm 41yrs old, and I've been struggling with anxiety for about 5yrs now. I only recently got help, and I've been on Zoloft for one month now. I guess I feel better some days, but most days I still feel very anxious. It helps being able to share what I'm feeling with other people that understand. I am so grateful for this board. I constantly feel like I'm going to go crazy, or get so dizzy I'm going to pass out somewhere. I find myself staying at home, more and more, and it's driving me nuts. I've tried to go school shopping for my son, 3 times now, and havent been able to stay in the store that long, so I rush home. I look around me, and it seems like everyone else is normal, and not feeling the constant fear I have 24-7. I dont even remember what its like to feel normal anymore, I feel crazy most of the time.
I would appreciate any advice on how to deal with all of this, and is it ever going to stop????

spotty · 08-15-2002, 02:19 PM

I have been there. Sometimes just walking into a store can set me off. I know how hard it is but I make myself do things because I am afraid of being housebound. I just tell myself to try and if I cant do it then I try again when I feel better. Its funny because I am so proud of myself when I do the simplest things now like driving to pick up my kids from school without freaking out or walking to the school. Things that have never bothered me before. I have read alot about anxiety and panic attacks and that has helped me so much. I try not to be afraid of the weird feelings I have but sometimes they get the best of me. I dont know if this helped much because I am still trying to figure things out myself. Hope you feel better soon. Let me know how you are.

panicman · 08-15-2002, 02:51 PM

I've just recently had my first panic attack a month ago, and my psychiatrist put me on zoloft also, becuase after the panic attack i didn't feel normal. Everything seemed out of place, I guess it's because of depersonalization I also felt anxious constantly and couldn't sit still. It's been 4 weeks and It's still hard for me to go outside. Everyday is a strugle but i look at it this way, it can only get better. It's been 2 weeks on zoloft, and I guess just today I felt maybe 20% better then how i felt for the past 4 weeks... look at it this way it can only get better.

lexzander · 08-19-2002, 07:48 PM

Hi I was actualy browsing this site to get some info about something unrelated. I just wanted to say that about 20 yrs ago I went through a real tough time. I didn't know what was happening to me. I was at the end of my rope one day and I decided that I was going to ether die in my bedroom or beleive and fight and every day do a little more than I did the day before.Whatever I thought I couldn't do I made sure I did it even just a little. It took a couple of years but it stopped. about ten years after that I discovered I had had a severe Panic Disorder. I haven't had any more symptoms since.I think for me it was the day I somehow realized that the fear and dizziness and depersonalized feelings ect. couldn't actualy stop me from living my life. It felt like hell but I would have to say that every day got a tiny bit brighter and I stopped worrying if it would return because it didn't matter . I WAS GOING TO LIVE MY LIFE AND IT COULDN'T KILL ME AND IT COULDN'T MAKE ME CRAZY!
now I am married with 5 boys (unless that makes me seem crazy) and I love living and traveling which is something I thought I would never ever be able to do. P.S. don't be affraid to do a little therapy either.hang in there IT IS POSSIBLE.

Butterfly623 · 08-20-2002, 04:56 AM

Thanks for sharing stories, and advice. It's very comforting knowing you all understand. I try to explain what I'm feeling to my family, and all I end up sounding like is a hypochondriac (that cant possibly be spelled right) Anyway, sometimes I even get tired of hearing myself, and how many symptoms I seem to have in one day. I'm trying to just take one day at a time, but this is one rollercoaster ride, I wish would end soon.
Hmmm...being able to travel...it must feel so good, to be able to do that. I do hope I get to that point again, because right now, Im lucky if I go 10 miles away from home without rushing back. Unfortunately my family lives 2hrs away from me, and it's already been over a month since I've driven there, when I used to go there once a week.
I haven't been feeling as crazy as I did, which I guess is a good sign, and my breathing has improved a lot. My latest problem has been giving up caffeine, because I read that caffeine makes anxiety worse. However I ended up with a migraine for one week straight, and had enough of that, and ran for the coffee. Guess I'm not ready for that yet! Anyway thanks for listening (or reading) and giving me the support I need to get through this terrible time. I hope everyone has a great day!