jessicakate

Open Agoraphobia & Social Anxiety

I go through periods of time when I have a very difficult time leaving my house. In my twenties and my thirties (I am 48 now) I wouldn't leave my house at all, unless I absolutely HAD to. And then I had to have my husband or someone else drive. Driving terrified me. While I am better now, I still go through a lot of anxiety when going out, seeing people--even good friends who I know will be loving and accepting. I will frequently cancel engagements because I am too anxious to go.

Open Anxiety

I have dealt with anxiety and panic disorder for most of my life.

Treatments

Ativan Somewhat Helpful

I like the lorazepam and feel like it does a pretty good job dealing with the anxiety symptoms. If I'm really in an anxiety/panic zone, however, even that is ineffectual.

Breathing Exercises Somewhat Helpful

helpful, but sometimes it just doesn't cut it. It really depends on how jazzed up I am.

Breathwork Somewhat Helpful

sometimes it works, sometimes not. But mostly I find it to be helpful, even if it doesn't alleviate all of my symptoms.

Klonopin Somewhat Helpful

helps me to sleep, but sometimes it feels a little too sedative. So I only use it at night.

Meditation Somewhat Helpful

Helpful if the anxiety is moderate. Otherwise it is difficult for me to remain focused. I've had the best luck with moving meditations such as TAI CHI and walking meditation.

Positive Thinking Not Working

when I'm freaking out, I'm freaking out. I don't think that sugar coating it with flowery words or happy thoughts is effective in that situation.

Open Sexual Abuse

I was sexually abused by my older brother for l4 years. He was eight years older than I was. It began when I was 4 and ended when I turned l8.

Treatments

Art Working / Worked

art works for me most of the time, but sometimes i am unable to focus

Music Somewhat Helpful

music helps if it's not too deep and heavy.

\"The Courage To Heal\" Working / Worked

the first resource that i used as i began to face the sexual abuse issue. the bible for survivors, if you ask me.

Open Smoking Addiction & Recovery

although I no longer smoke a lot, maybe 2-6 cigarettes a day, I have smoked since I was 20 years old. (I'm now 48) In the early years of my addiction, I smoked about a pack a day. I've tried to quit many times, even going for several years without a smoke. But I continue to come back to it. This time I want to quit FOREVER.

Treatments

Cold Turkey Working / Worked

hard for the first week or two, but I find that it's the best way to go.

Nicotine Gum Not Working

makes my heart do flip flops.

Nicotine Patch Not Working

have used this in the past. hated it. too much nicotine for my liking, even at 2mg. Also had weird dreams.

Willpower Working / Worked

works

Open Menopause

I'm 48 years old and have been dealing with symptoms of peri-menopause for about 3 years now.

Treatments

Progesterone Cream Not Working

I've had little change in my symptoms.

Open Panic Attacks

Treatments

Ativan Working / Worked

works really well for me. A miracle drug for when the panic gets really bad.

Effexor Not Working

did not work for me. blood pressure went up, I felt even more anxious and upset. not a good fit . T

Meditation Somewhat Helpful

CAN help, if I am not yet into a full blown panic attack. However, if I am already 'past the point of no return' I simply do not have the focus to do meditation successfully.

Patience Working / Worked

sometimes I just have to wait the panic out. not easy, but I just keep telling myself THIS TOO SHALL PASS and, eventually, it does. It's not pleasant, but it does eventually pass.

Paxil Not Working

hated this drug.. Made things worse for me.

Positive Thinking Working / Worked

I have a lot of things that I tell myself when I'm having a panic attack. I don't know if it's necessarily positive thinking as much as self soothing. I say things like: THIS EXPERIENCE IS DISTRESSING BUT NOT DEADLY. Or, EVEN JELLY LEGS WILL CARRY ME. Or THIS TOO SHALL PASS.

Psychotherapy Working / Worked

a godsend. It's time consuming, it 's expensive, it's difficult---but if you stay with it, it's life-changing. A vital part of my recovery.

Rescue Remedy Working / Worked

I absolutely love this stuff. I always carry it with me and it always helps to calm me down. Maybe not all the way down, but it certainly helps. I also use other Bach remedies and find them to be a big help.

Serzone Working / Worked

Used this drug for many years and found it to be helpful. It can cause some drowsiness, so best to take it with that in mind.

Open Celiac Disease

I have recently chosen to eliminate gluten and dairy from my diet. I've not been tested to verify that I have celiac disease, but I don't think it matters. I know that I feel SICK and HORRIBLE when I eat gluten, and really WELL when I don't. Not eating dairy is helpful as well. It seems to help in eliminating the BLOAT and the INFLAMMATION in my body.

Treatments

Avoid Certain Foods / Chemicals Working / Worked

I buy organic foods whenever possible and I avoid chemicals, preservatives and artificial ingredients. I do not eat fast food of any kind.

Dairy-Free Diet Working / Worked

Avoiding dairy--except for eggs and butter--has helped my digestion tremendously. No more painful bloat. A reduction in inflammation in entire body.

Gluten Free Diet Working / Worked

IT IS A MIRACLE!!!! I can't believe how much better I feel. I don't even MISS the wheat, because I am no longer SICK!!!!!!