I know that I don’t have a host of fans out there but I do have some friends and family and a few new online friends that are pretty diligent readers and I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate the comments, love, support, and feedback from everyone. I love getting comments and knowing that there are people that are benefiting from my blogging. It really makes it all worth it. If I can help anyone either struggling with their own anxiety or to better understand a loved one going through it than that is a huge bonus for me. Blogging wouldn’t be half as much fun if no one read it, so I just want to let you all know how awesome you are! If there are any questions about a topic that you are more interested in or would like me to mention just let me know and I will do my best :)
Thanks again to all!
10 comments:
I stumbled across your blog today and started reading it with great interest. I was diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder about 4 years ago (although I had been ignoring the symptoms for about 2 years before that). I've been fortunate enough to be able to control things pretty well thanks to my wife, my friends, and medication...but despite this success, the possibility is always in the back of my mind.
I found it especially funny to read that you thought that you were "allergic to certain foods". The first time I talked to my doctor about this, I asked if it was possible that I was allergic to beer...I was just finishing college at the time, so this was a HUGE concern for me!
Haha thats hilarious, thanks mp :) I think a lot of people with Social Anxiety use alcohol to loosen them up a bit at social events and for some its probably their only medication. If you don't mind me asking, what medication are you taking? What are your symptoms or phobias? I looked at your fatherhood blog and your little boy is so darling. I love your post on all his little quirks. He sounds adorable. It sounds like you are in a good place in life and I congratulate you for figuring out how to get there. Thanks again!
My physical symptoms generally start with an empty stomach feeling, followed by chills, uncontrollable shaking (usually in the legs), and ends with vomiting. During an attack, my thoughts range from; "I wish my wife didn't have to put up with this" to "How can I regain control of my body". As I had more attacks, I found that distracting myself from having negative thoughts worked pretty well. My anxiety always seems to start when I'm eating with friends or family (weddings and holiday meals are always the worst). Food is not my phobia, it's more the social setting and the feeling that all eyes are on me. While the anxiety starts in the social setting, the attacks don't usually start until after I've gone to bed. I now approach potential anxiety-inducing situations as challenges. This helps me keep a better mental inventory of my successes, rather than focusing too much on my experiences that have been ruined by my attacks.
As far as medication goes, I take Paroxetine. I was reluctant to start medication because I was afraid that I would become some kind of zombie. Thankfully, this has not been the case. My personality and demeanor are the same as they have always been.
I think that your self-awareness will definitely lead you to beat this. Although you appear to already have a plethora of resources at your disposal, I would be more than happy to provide any advice that I can.
-mike
Wow first of all let me say that while its not nice that you have to deal with it, it is nice to hear of someone with the same symptoms as me. For awhile I thought I was the only one that had these kind of problems. I agree, I am not afraid of food itself, but more of just eating around people in a formal setting, like restaurants and such. Again I agree, holidays are THE worst! Especially Thanksgiving where its expected that everyone stuff their face and go back for seconds and thirds.
I am sooo glad to have met you in that online way because if you can beat it and be happy with a family than I know I can too.
Hi Aimée, your sister referred me to your blog, and I must say, it's very well done. Love the theme pictures, and the header. And reading about your journey to recovery really helps me feel better.
I just took a Clonazepam for the first time. It helps, but I hate the light-headed feeling.
Welcome Hélène! I am glad that you like the blog :) I remember when I first started taking Clonazepam the light headed feeling I would get. It might just be your body getting used to it, or the dosage might be too high. My prescription says to take 1/2 to a full pill once or two times a day as needed. Thats a lot of wiggle room. It took me a long time to figure out what was right for me. I am little so I only take a half a pill when needed and if I am really nervous, a full pill. If I take too much then I get tired and drowsy and act a little drunk hehe. But thats really embarrassing for me at social situations! I don't know if your dosage is flexible or not but it might be worth looking into a lighter amount. I know its perfect when I take it and I don't have any side effects and I am "normal" or not anxious. Good luck! Let me know how it works out for you!
Hi Aimée,
I have been prescribed only 10 pills of 0.5 mg because I'm going through a rough patch. It is to take as needed. I'm also on Celexa 60 mg. My anxiety is usually very manageable, but I had a difficult conversation with my boyfriend a week ago, and even thought things are looking up, my worry is a bit over the scale.
What I hate is that I get better on the evening and when I wake up, I'm anxious again, like all progress has been erased. So I took a pill this morning, even though the anxiety was already lower than yesterday.
I'm on a 2 weeks sick leave, but we'll see how that goes, I might go back before. It's not like tis is a permanent condition, I was fully functional before the conversation.
I suffer from generalized anxiety, but it's usually more of a high stress, that I keep all inside. People who don't know me well don't even know I'm stressed. In the last two years, it's gotten to the point that I developed psoriasis on the scalp, elbows, and in patches on my arms and hips.
I can't wait for it to subside though.
I had problems with food about two years ago. I'm quite overweight, and I had trouble figuring out what to eat. I would end up in tears, feeling ashamed and guilty of eating! That subsided, I can't remember how.
Ever heard of the "Art of living"? It's an world wide organization, they have courses that show you how to breathe and meditate. When I did the course two years ago, it helped tremendously, except I stopped doing the exercises :(. I might take the class again.
http://us.artofliving.org/
If you like yoga, you'll like this.
Hélène,
I know exactly how you feel about waking up and feeling like you have to start all over and how hard it is just to start the day. I've written a couple posts on this subject including todays (which you inspired me to do so thank you) as well as one on overgeneralization (http://anxiousnomore.blogspot.com/2007/06/cracking-code-of-overgeneralization.html)
When you overgeneralize you think that because you are anxious many times in the morning, you will always be anxious in the morning. Another post that you should check out is this one on Becoming the Master of your mind instead of Victim. (http://anxiousnomore.blogspot.com/2007/06/master-rather-than-victim-of-my-mind.html) I wish I could add links in these comments argh! I hope some of these help you out.
P.S. Thanks for the link to the Art of Living- it looks very cool.
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