You're not alone, cool. I was diagnosed with a crippling case of Generalized Anxiety Disorder about 8 years ago, and I still live with the condition, in a less severe form, to this day. It was a spin off of the SEVERE post partum depression I suffered for months after my daughter was born. At it's worst, I had panic attacks equivelant in pain and difficulty breathing to that of having a heart attack. I could not even leave my house for a few months when the condition peaked.
I still get panic attacks to this day...especially when in social situations, or situations which upset me. For the most part I can keep them to myself and I am usually the only one who knows I'm having it. I've lived with them so long now that I've learned to adapt my own reactions and behavior to it.
The good news is there IS help. Mild anti-anxiety meds can be taken to decrease the length, frequency, and severity of the attacks, and they are mild enough to cause no side effects at all aside from relaxation. Small doses of anti-depressants can be used too, alone or in combination with anti-anxieties. In many cases, the underlying cause of it is a chemical imbalance in the brain, which is what is at the root of mine. It's hereditary, and it's been passed on through several generations in my family on my mothers side. Almost every single person in the family on my mothers side suffers some form of mental illness...suicide attempts, nervous breakdowns, self mutilation, depression, paranoia...I could go on and on, but I won't. Chances are if anyone else in your family suffers from any form of depression or anxiety that it IS a chemical imbalance, and it's been passed through the family genes.
If it's effecting your life enough to concern you, please make an appt with your doctor. You DON'T need to live with it. Trust me.
Mimi
