For a long time I never thought I'd feel normal again. That scared me more than anything. I felt like I was going crazy! My Mom was sick and I had a hard time dealing with that, and my boyfriend didn't understand anything about what I was going through. That just made me edgy and sometimes angry with him and then I would feel guilty about that. I would just get worse after that, and that's where I would think that my anxiety and panic attacks were never going to end. I know that my attacks are just that, attacks. I know that I can control them to a certain extent. It took me a while to realize that. I feel much better in the past few months than I have in the past year; though I do feel attacks coming on now and then, I learned to control them most of the time. exoticdomestic@yahoo.com

I'm so glad you're feeling better.

I am also glad that you are feeling better. I had a similar problem recently. It took not only took my fiance' a long time to understand what I have been going through but my family as well. They can not understand why I won't take medicine for this. But you can understand.

I don't do meds either. Have been into natural stuff for over 20 years. I do herbals, homeopathics and essential oils mainly and they really do help. The biggest help though has been this program....rather than taking something to calm myself I'm learning to get to the root of the problem with the program. Glad to hear you are doing so well. Keep up the good work and don't let up on it.

Sheila, I only statedt taking medication last year. All my life i have suffered with anxiety and depression. I went into recovery at 31 yrs old alcoholism in 1993( this medicated my panic disorder) But I white knuckled it for 11 years. I had become sucidal and depressed after a strained love relationship and got hit hard this time around. I had lost weight- Peole that knew me thought I had Cancer! I got precsribed 40 mg Prozac- which helped alot. But, now I feel a little tolerant to the meds. I got the program 1 week 1/1/2 weeks ago ; and find it is doing wonders. But, I am not sure how to or if I should go off ( or wean off whatever) the meds .
I am pretty healthy and believe in supplements especially vitamin B- I eat pretty healthy to. I just cut down almost off caffeine. I always felt the need to feel stimulated! I sometimes couldn't tell the difference (still cannot sometimes) between Hyoeractive and energetic or relaxation and being tired. I am doing pretty well but sometimes take Benedryl to sleep 1/2 dose. I cannot attempt Sy John's Wort bercuase it would interfere with the SSRI"S- But once I ge toff I could try. I also drink Chamomile Tea with honey before bed. I believe I have come a long way -- but will always have a better place to go. I am a firm believer in the negative dialogue change. peace to all Rochelle

Sure does help to have this forum to learn from, eh? I believe this is an important part of the program.

Chamomile tea is very soothing. The aroma is like a summer day, too.

I'm cutting down on caffiene. Eventually, I'll be off of it. I'm anemic and have an underactive thyroid (meds for both), so sometimes I'm so weary. I do drink a large cup of coffee in the morning, so I'm alert to drive to work 26 miles away.