Social Phobia/ Social Anxiety Disorder/ Panic Attacks/ Depression.

[emma_llew]

I live in the UK, I'm 19 and I suffer with all 4 above. I have for as far as I can remember. And I've suffered in silence too.
The panic attacks only ever happened when I was at school and because I had to leave the house every day and be in public view. I even got to a point that I began hearing voices in my head and had vertigo and dizziness, just because life in general was overwhelming.
I really cannot be in public. I Left school at 18 and since then have been a complete hermit due to being totally scared of going out and being in any social scene at all. Thing is, I can't get a job because I can't even pluck up the courage to leave my house. And I also can't pluck up the courage to sign on to receive benefit for not having a job. I'm still dependent on my mother completely.
I don't know what to do any more. I cant even pluck up the courage to go to the doctors and be diagnosed. I know my doctor is NOT sympathetic at all and I can't go private.
I wonder if anyone has any advice for what I can do.
If I did go to the doctor and he diagnosed me, would I even be entitled to any benefit???
It's got to the point where if I have to have any social life at all, I just won't want to live any more. (That's when I get depressed.)
Sorry for sounding so miserable, but I really need to talk to someone who knows.
Thank you for your help in advance.

[misslideaway]

I was 20 when I began to have these crazy attacks which took over my body and thoughts. I though I was going mad. During a bad attack at work I was taken hospital by my manager. In A&E they told me I was having a panic attack, I hadn't known what it was before then and having it diagnosed pretty much immediately helped me to calm down.

My doctor referred me to a counciler which helped to find what issues were at the source of my attacks and I realised I was actually suffering from depression.

It took a while to learn how to control the panic attacks and get out of my depression but I could not have done it on my own. You need to see a doctor and even better you need to talk things over with a trained professional who can help you understand yourself and why you are reacting this way to social scenarios.

Please go to the Doc. If you dont feel comfortable to see your own doc- ask for another doctor within the practice.

Good luck.

[bellieeeee]

Emma

I too have suffered with Depression etc for a very long time. I have also attempted suicide on more than one occasion. It is a dibilitating illness and very understated. Now I don't know if you have noticed but there are even adverts on the TV about the illness....that is exactly what it is and you shouldn't feel so isolated and alone.

My advice firstly would be to pluck up the strength to change your Dr. It is very easy to do and your own dr doesn't need to know. There are so many different ways to treat the symptoms now and so much advice out there and help if you will take it. I totally understand that it is really difficult to get the courage to do anything but if you can just make that first step by changing your dr your on your way to getting the help you rightly deserve.

There are benefits out there for people who want to try and get help for themselves, and to provide counselling and forward thinking groups. I have managed to keep a job having had many serious bouts but was given help. The benefits aren't great but will help support you to get on your feet. Just be strong sweetheart and make that first step. You are not alone in this .... I promise you that.

Lots of Hugs your way!!!

:o)

[McMouse]

I don't have all the answers but suggest you start off developing some "coping strategies". For example, before you approach any situation like going into a shop, work out exactly what you want. Then you ask the assistant for the item and then if they dont have it, and start offering you alternatives that might fluster you, just smile and say thank you and walk away. There are lots of us who suffer this sort of issue.........keep your your chin up!

[emma_llew]

Ahhh guys it's so great that there are people like you in the world.
As you can imagine, it's taken me AGES to even admit it to myself... let alone write it on a website to try and get help!
I get so frustrated with myself with how long it takes me to make decisions. To ACTUALLY step outside and do something it could take weeks of planning. Like McMouse said. It's like every tiny detail needs to be magnified... and by that point you end up going out of your mind with even more anxiety!
Misslideaway - I've never been admitted to A&E or anything because I think I may have only ever gotten that bad once or twice. I'd wake up in the night thinking I was having a heart attack. But of course, to avoid that ever happening again, I just avoided any stressful situations. (It's the wrong way to go about it, I know)
bellieeeee - you're a little star! For about the past 4 months I've been bracing myself to get out to the Doctor. I know that I'll do it, but I'm scared it'll take me actually wanting to die to actually step up and go.
I don't know whether any of you agree (I think you may very well) but suffering with depression makes you an INCREDIBLY deep person. I think so much that it drives me insane.... philosophy, art, poetry, everything. It seems it's the intelligent ones who suffer with excruciating depression most. Over analysing turns to worrying, turns to panic attacks and then depression.
I hope I manage to get the strength to do this... and soon, too.
Thank you all so much *hugs*

[tamborine]

sorted

[tamborine]

don't give up....there are many others like you finding it difficult to face the world.

Start with tiny steps....set yourself a new small challenge each day. Can you answer a knock on the door? If not, start there.

[emma_llew]

You're right about answering a knock at the door! I can't do it!
But I see exactly what you mean. It's funny you don't realise MOST of the things you can't do!

[doomey!]

You might be able to claim incapacity benefit.
I would speak to your doctor be honest and open about it.