Unless you have suffered panic attacks, anxiety disorder or
anxiety and depression, you know that no-one can even attempt
to empathise. Being told to ‘pull yourself together’, or, ‘just
don’t think about it’, (yes, don’t think about being trapped in an
airtight bean can 30,000 feet up over the ocean), is just so
unhelpful. My doctor even tried to tell me I was over-sensitive and
should snap out of it! These people should really keep their
opinions and ignorance to themselves while we panic attack
sufferers are left alone to find a way to deal with our anxieties,
thanks so much!
As a lifelong panic attack sufferer, every day had
become an ordeal
My existence had become an ordeal of avoiding panic attacks and
anxious situations where something could ‘go badly wrong’. I
couldn’t travel on the subway, get into a lift or a plane. Life
for someone with anxiety disorder is not very exciting, I
have to say. My worst experience was collapsing in a
hyperventilating state outside the doors to a plane about to take
me and my partner on a rare and well-earned holiday to the sun. My
anxiety symptoms made my hands clench up, my mind spun around and
all I could think of was dying – anything to avoid being locked in
that plane for three hours. Needless to say I didn’t get on the
plane and never had that holiday. It had cost me a lot of money
too! I was desperate to find a cure for anxiety.
Gripping the handrail of the escalator on the tube was another
memorable one. My legs had given way and I was again
hyperventilating after being stuck on the platform at Holborn
station during rush-hour. Again, death would have been preferable.
I had to get out and into the fresh air and I scrambled over other
commuters to get up the escalator. No-one offered to help – all I
recall was a sea of blank faces as stumbled past drenched in sweat,
hyperventilating and thinking it was all over for me. My anxiety
disorder was ruining my life by this stage.
Current treatments were very hit and miss…
I have tried a concoction of herbal and prescription medication
to conquer my fears and combat panic attacks. Some worked, most
didn’t. The ones that did only gave me memory loss and a strange
fuzzy mind that couldn’t function properly at all.
Helpful understanding professionals sent to assist us are even
more annoying. Being counselled by someone who has never had a
panic attack is a very patronising process. Being hypnotised by a
strange man in a dark room – even more disconcerting!
Joe Barry’s Panicaway was, for me, a very different
and far more effective way of dealing with my anxiety
disorder……..
to visit
their website and take a look, click here.
I have to say that Panicaway has been something that I would
happily recommend to my fellow phobics and panic-attack sufferers.
As a last resort I thought I would give it a go but really It has
provided a means of relief from my anxiety that has helped me get
on with my life. I am now able to use elevators, even though I have
to really think about what is going on and concentrate on the whole
process. I can travel on the tube and even went to Greece last year
which was no mean feat –in fact I actually enjoyed the flight,
including the excitement of the airline meal. This year I am going
to fly again and attempt to get even further towards the sun! It
really is so liberating to find a cure for my anxiety
disorder and actually live without a panic attack.
Make way for the woman in the big floppy hat and
flip-flops!