... my name is Sean and I'm 43-years old. I have been suffering from anxiety and panic attacks for the last eleven years ever since my younger brother died of colon cancer at 26. My first major panic attack hit me about 6-months after his death and landed me in the emergency room for the night. Since then I have been on anxiety medications with fairly good results; however, in the past year the anxiety and panic attacks have increased, resulting in two changes to my medications in an effort to help with the symptoms.

In truth I have no reservations using medications to help me with my problem and I am quite content to continue using them under my doctor's advisement. I also have begun seeing a therapist weekly to help me through. My goal with the plan is to learn better how to deal with and handle my anxiety, and to eliminate the panic attacks completely. I can tell that medication and therapy are not enough for me - I still feel anxious a great deal and fear the possible onset of a panic attack. I realize that I need to learn how to handle these things to better protect myself from reoccurances. That is my goal.

Sean,
First of all, I am so sorry about your brother. Many people begin having anxiety after the death of a loved one so your situation is not unusual. As far as meds, I am on an anti-anxiety med and do not feel ready to go off yet. I am finishing week four of the program and have indeed seen some positive changes. I, like you, can still feel anxiety even on the meds so I know what you mean about needing some more skills and tools. I don't want to continue feeling anxious and worried and afraid to do things because of my panic. I want to be free and live life to the fullest because we never know how long we have. I work for hospice so am around death all of the time and sometimes I just get downright scared hearing so much about terminal illness and listening to people's grief and sadness. But I think it has also made me a stronger person and I know the program is teaching me how to cope with these feelings of anxiety and it will help you too. Take care and hang in there.

Hi Sean. I'm so sorry about your loss. I know exactly what your going through, since I have lost a sister to cancer 15 years ago, and my Dad also 2 years ago. It's the hardest thing to go through indeed. You are on the right track in knowing what you want, setting a goal, and getting more help. I too am on meds, seeing a therapist, and doing the program. By doing all three things, it enables me to heal even more fully, and to further educate myself on anxiety and depression. I know it will work for you as well. Please keep posting and doing the program. There is nothing wrong with meds, as long as it's not the only outlet we use for our issues. You are on the right track. Meds work better with therapy, this program etc.......... My therapist is doing the program along with me as well, as part of my therapy. Hang in there, you will feel yourself again.

Hi Sean,
I am also sorry for the loss of yoiur brother.
I too have been dealing with my problem, more depression, for a long time. It became more intense after a surgery about 15 years ago, and keeps getting more intense. I've just started week 2 and do see some improvement. The relaxation exerxises are helping alot. If I improve this much every week maybe I will one day be able to stop the antidepression meds.