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Kaya

Active member
Hi I'm new,
I was diagnosed with social phobia and panic disorder about 8 years ago. I have managed it with varying success over that time. I was happy to see alot of stuff I can relate to in the threads already posted here.
I guess I have been letting the whole thing get me down alot recently and I am hoping that joining a forum like this and meeting others with the same experiences will help me feel less alone.
 

Kaya

Active member
Thanks guys, don't know about the Bob Marley song, it's part of a name I made up in a story I wrote.
 

MrMr

Active member
Kaya said:
Hi I'm new,
I was diagnosed with social phobia and panic disorder about 8 years ago. I have managed it with varying success over that time. I was happy to see alot of stuff I can relate to in the threads already posted here.
I guess I have been letting the whole thing get me down alot recently and I am hoping that joining a forum like this and meeting others with the same experiences will help me feel less alone.

welcome.what methods,therapies,meds have you been using in this time and which worked or didn't.
 

Kaya

Active member
I was originally put on a beta blocker which blocked the symptoms but did not help much with the panic attacks. I was also sent to a psychologist who did more damage than good.
I ended up quitting my job because I could not cope and a few years later I went to another doctor who put me on an SSRI anti depressant and Xanax which was alot more successful. He also sent me off to a new psych who was far more useful than the previous one.
After a few months I stopped taking the xanax and continued on the anti depressant for about 5 years. I saw the psych on and off in that period.
I stopped taking the anti depressants about a year ago and have coped resonably well without them, although I am not working or doing anything too stressful at the moment.
I also find that regular meditation and exercise are a great help, and studying eastern philosophies like buddhism brings some comfort.
In the 5 years I was taking the SSRI I managed to get a university degree and had a part time job in a small office, so I did fairly well. However now I have become alot more withdrawn and I am feeling far more anxious. Might be time to bite the bullet and go back on the medication...
 
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