Any survival stories?

Anyone here overcome anxiety enough to say get a job or leave the house alone? Is it possible to live a normal life?

Yes, it is possible.

I did not receive treatment for my anxiety disorder until about age 23. Prior to treatment, I struggled thru college with this disorder. I dealt with test and performance anxiety issues. It started with a math course. I became afraid to go to class and then afraid to even go to the building where the class was held. There were days I didn't want to leave my dorm. Although as I said, I had an untreated anxiety disorder. Once I started receiving treatment things improved. I consider it almost a miracle that I received a diploma.

Recovered enough to go from barely being able to leave the house, through being triggered to tears in simple interactions related to applying for college, to earning a college degree.

Recovered enough to survive sometimes daily flashbacks and other anxiety/ptsd symptoms to having a lot more relaxed time.

My norm doesn't necessarily match the norm of anyone else, but it works for me. I still have challenges yet I can see a lot of progress and hope.

What works for me:

<ul type="square">[*]lots of therapy[*]living a simple and stable life[*]lots of solitude balanced with some social time[*]trial and error, seeing myself as experimenting, if something doesn't work I try something else[*]good self care and being kind to myself[*]sense of humor[*]keeping my mind active and engaged[/list]

I think that I'm just about ready to get a job! I've been on Serequel for a while now, and I've been able to hand some pretty stressful situations that would have sent me to bed for weeks. I was really frightened when my dr said that he wanted me to try the Serequel alone and was not refilling my ativan. But it turns out he was right, I function much better now than when I was taking the ativan. I really hope that you're able to find the right med combo.

My anxiety is improving a lot. I no longer need to take a xanax before I go to bed every night, I just use it once and awhile. I am still on the zoloft (its only been 6 weeks) and I can say I think within a few months I will be ready to go off of Anxiety meds once and for all! Thats how much I am improving. there is hope!

I just had GAD. I did things even though they were scary and over time they'd get a little more familiar and less scary. I didn't see how I could not do something, didn't see any other way than to get a job and support myself, etc. A lot of therapy is good too, for support.

I think therepy would have been an experience, but I am succeding on my own without it. And I feel the anxiety battle is 90% over. As soon as I feel it is 100% over, I will go get my tattoo of a bird to represent finally feeling free of the anxiety.

Slowly but surely I am able to cope. I don't think it will ever be gone, but with help from the T-doc and the p-doc Things have gotten much better and will continue.
I am always pushing myself to concure this and soon I will!
It's tough and scarry, but I am glad there are some great people here.

Oh and Balish, Thereopy helps alot! I would give it a try if you can. You will be amazed by what you can accomplish and the tools you will have to overcome your battles. IMHO

Yes, you can overcome. I have GAD and I no longer take meds. I use self talking/reassuring and I take good care of myself. I exersize, eat organic only and take 340mg of Rhodelia, vitiman E, one a day Garlic, Acidolophis probiotic
and have orange juice everyday.

I don't have as many severe attacks lately. I am looking forward to never taking meds again.

my drug cocktail keeps getting smaller and smaller and even that makes me determined to get over this anxiety once and for all! I am only taking synthroid, zoloft, and the occasional xanax. WOOPIE!

My anxiety is still pretty bad - but I just push through it because I have to. I need a job, so I'm job hunting even though interviewing is hell. I find deep breathing exercises calm me down somewhat. At least I'm over the massive anxiety attacks I was having a month ago.

--splitimage

I dont remember a time when anxiety wasnt a part of my life. In recent years I have learnt new ways to lessen the severity. I have been on various drugs, but really prefer not to be. Some of the things that help me include.......breathing and mediatation, warm baths, lots and lots of walking, keeping busy, being around people who make you happy and if you feel you need to -seeing a therapist. At times the anxiety can overwhelm you, but it is controllable. I have always worked and find this to be a great help. I have also learnt that it will probably always be a part of me, and acceptance has been helpful -rather than trying to fight it constantly. Best wishes to you and good luck.........you can live a happy and productive life

*sigh

I havent worked since 2003 in any real way shape or form.

Makes me feel just rotten about myself sometimes.

Rainbowzz, that whole feeling rotten because not working is a false feeling. I didn't work and it wasn't because of anxiety and I felt that way too! There are expectations of others that we buy into that we need to cash out of!

I was first diagnosed with anxiety at age 16, almost 30 years ago. My primary doctors over the years kept me on valiue, then serax, then xanax. Ambien was added about 10 years ago.

I always had major issues going anywhere in public. I have suffered panic attacks this whole time, but I didn't know what they were. All of my doctors suggested seeing a psychologist.

After fighting this for all these years, I naturally had major depression along with the anxiety. I had a suicide attempt almost one year ago. After the 72 hours in the hospital, I began seeing the psychiatrist who treated me in the hospital. I now see his PNP on a regular basis. I went through 3 or 4 months of intensive outpatient group therapy. This was difficult because of my social anxiety, general anxiety, and panic. I was finally diagnosed as bipolar.

I am on zoloft and seroquel, in addition to the xanax and ambien. The meds help alot. I've also been on blood pressure meds since age 16. The group therapy was a difficult, but extremely helpful process. I did lose my job last August. I just started a new job early this year, and it is a mental struggle everyday.

I also still see a therapist for IT. She is one of the counselers at the group. It's a struggle each and every day. I still have panic in almost any situation, but I am trying very hard to stick with this job.