[HighlandLassie]

I am anxious ALL the time. Even in the safety of my home,i'm uptight & jumpy. My jaw aches because i constantly clench my teeth. I have diazepam but try not to take them at all. Last night i ended up having to take some because of a situation that caused me great distress.I hardly leave the house these days. Maybe once a week,i will venture out to get shopping,but being around people makes me so tense. I hate it.Supermarkets are dreadful.I always get a panic attack in them.I want to get better but i don't think it's possible.xxx

[shezbut]

(((HighlandLassie)))

I know that the panic can feel incredibly overwhelming at times. I been there too. It is hard!

1.) See a doctor and have physical causes ruled out.
2.) Work with a Therapist. They really help a lot with putting life into perspective, so life doesn't feel so overwhelming and miserable.
3.) Try general anxiety medicine, or go without. I'm not one to be on meds if I don't have to be. I recommend meds that are taken in generally low dosages to bring a better sense of calm.
4.) Whenever you feel yourself clenching your teeth: relax your jaw. Open your mouth a few times and move to relax. Close your mouth, but don't allow your teeth to clench again. (That's on ongoing habit that I sometimes struggle with. I've also known a few people who developed TMJ, which is very painful & surgery isn't real helpful in treating it. So, I'm kind of **** about not allowing myself to ever clench my teeth! )
5.) It IS possible to overcome the panic disorder. Years ago, I thought that I was doomed to a life of personal misery. But I was wrong. It's been 10 years or so since I overcame the panic.

Try to give yourself a little more slack. Yes, we all get scared sometimes. Some of us more than others, but that anxiety will go away again (just like it always does). And we can't just sit around on our thumbs afraid of the next time it hits. We just can't do that anymore! We have to get up, off our buns, and push ourselves to keep going in life. We may have a panic attack here & there, but it wouldn't be the first time, would it??! We made it through those other ones just fine (minus our self-esteem). We shouldn't let this anxiety have so much power over our lives. It doesn't deserve it!

Just print those words out and read them to yourself often. I seriously believe every one of those words. And THAT is exactly how I finally overcame my 3 year fight with panic disorder. It wasn't easy, no. But, as time passed, I became more and more angry with my disorder. Therefore, I was willing to put up with more and more anxiety to prove that it wasn't going to have the upper hand with me anymore. I couldn't let it.

I honestly wish you the best. Don't give in to your anxiety anymore. It will take everything away from you, if you let it.