I have never posted on this site, but I have read many of your blogs. A little bit about myself. I have panic attacks. You wouldn't know it though. I'm a sucessful college student. I don't have any social anxiety. I have tons of friends and am never akward during social situations. I also have a girlfriend and have had many successful relationships. I am not depressed and I love my life. Anyway, I realized today something that I believe from this point is going to help me and I wanted to share it. My father is a former drug abuser (two years clean) and I went with him to a NA meeting. One of the people at the meeting "shared" a story about himself dealing with drugs that I believe relates to all of the disorders on this site. He siad:

"I'm a successful doctor who has three kids and beautiful wife. I am a drug addict. There was a time when I realized something and I want to share it with you.  It was during the summer and I was going to florida with my family for two weeks on paid vacation. The night before we left I was packing my suitcase and I went to check my "stash" and I realized that I wasn't going to have enough "stuff" to last me through the vacation. I then realized that my vacation was going to suck. I didn't even want to go anymore! I thought to myself how the hell am I going to last 2 weeks without being high? Then I realized something. I asked myself: forget the next two weeks...how am I going to get enough "stuff" to keep myself high for the rest of my life! I will never have enough! One pill is too much and 1000 is not enough..."

Today I realized what importance this drug abuser's story has to us. See I'm always worried about having a panic attack. I was prescribed Xanax although I rarely use it.  I worry from day to day whether or not I'm going to have a panic attack and freak out. I always think ahead, if I can just get through this week things will be less stressful and I probabaly won't have one. Then I get through the week and I'm worried about the next week. I'm always looking ahead for a "better time" where I won't have panic attacks. What I realized is that there is never going to be a time where it's going to be easy. I might be able to get through this week without having one, and maybe the next week. But then what? Then what about the rest of my life? I'm tired of being a slave to these attacks! I refuse to go through my whole life having them! I want to enjoy my life! I'm 20 years old I have so much time left on this planet! There is always going to be something that could trigger my attacks. Avoidence will only temprorly help solve the probelm! I need to attack the panic head on. We are normal humans! WE CAN live a fullfilling life without Anxiety or PANIC. Thoughts cause feelings. Attitudes affect our body.

Do you want life or panic?

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dreammessenger said:

Re: Life or Panic Attacks? Hello my fellow male sufferer of Panic Attacks. I can relate to your concerns of having a life of Panic Attacks. I started having them when I was 24 years old. Now at the age of 40 I presently suffer from them once again. I call them rounds of panic attacks. For instance, I got on Prozac when I was 25. The treatment lasted 6 months. Stopped having panic attacks. Then they came back and I went back on Prozac. They went away until I was 30. Went on Paxil for about 2 years. This time the panic attacks went away until I was 37. Ok, I'm sure you see where I'm going with this. I'm not taking the meds now. I'm doing it naturally. Why? Because the meds were only a short term solution for a life long problem of panic attacks. Nothing works forever.

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April 23, 2009
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mama03 said:

... Good point dreammessenger. I have been dealing with these bouts for about 12 years now and I have never been on any anit-depressants but I m wondering if I should. I know they aren't getting to the root of the issues so I am hesitant to become reliant on them. I will then be afraid to get off if they do help. Will I have to take them the rest of my life? I know that our minds play a major role in this disorder. I am fighting everyday to have a LIFE!

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May 13, 2009
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dreammessenger said:

... Hi mama03, welcome to PS. Yes you might have to take AD (SSRI's) or anti-anxiety meds (Benzodiazapines) for the rest of your life perhaps. If you've survived 12 years without these meds you might just continue to do what it is you do to overcome them. I'm doing research now that suggests that people who have Lyme Disease suffer from anxiety & panic disorders. These sufferers are not aware they have Lyme Disease and therefore are not treating the "Root Issue". More about this later. Take Care To ALL. Peace...

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May 13, 2009
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panicqueenvictoria said:

	i cant do this anymore The sites called panic survivor but i am too tired from my whole life at 56 and still struggling and getting nothing out of my life anymore. I think there should be a section called I cant take it and Im in serious shape. I am literally at the end of this struggle. I am so unhappy with how this life has turned out. Why me? Why not.
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July 31, 2009
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