Free Yourself from Anxiety Read Free Page A

or form.’
M ARGARET
    ‘The medication that my GP had initially prescribed were giving me horrible side effects, they were actually making my symptoms feel worse, not better. Within a short time I was returning to see my GP once more as I was now experiencing the constant sensation of adrenaline rushing round my body almost every second of the day.’
N ORMAN
    ‘I’ve tried prescribed medication, herbal remedies, homeopathy, hypnosis, CBT, counselling, relaxation, meditation, graded exposure and breathing exercises. Recently I’ve found yoga very helpful, specially the breathing.’
P EN
    ‘I was admitted to hospital when I was 16 after taking an overdose. This was the first of many, in adult and adolescent units in different parts of the country, following suicide attempts and episodes of self-harm (cutting, burning, solvent abuse, periods of dehydration ( sel-finflicted ) and also periods of starvation.) I had some CBT but I wasn’t then in the right mindset to use it. I’ve had various treatments in different hospitals.’
S ARAH
    ‘I took an overdose. I suffered from depressive/anxiety bouts off and on through several years of my marriage (I have three children, 13, 15 and 24). I participated in a study for long-term depression, I think it was cognitive therapy, approximately 8 sessions. I was on Prozac, which appeared to help. But I started to feel that my emotions were numbed. It seemed to bring out aggressive tendencies.’
T ERESA
    ‘I was on Valium for years, and I had counselling and hypnosis. Coming off Valium, I had six weeks in hospital, although I went home at weekends, but I largely did it myself, just by leaving it longer and longer before I took the next one. I haven’t had a Valium since 1984.’
W ENDY

4
Anxiety Disorders
    This is a brief overview so don’t worry if your particular phobia or obsession isn’t mentioned here. As you work through this book you will learn more about the various types of Anxiety disorder, and you will be able to apply the principles of recovery to your own situation. There are more details in Extra Information 4.
Panic attacks
    A panic attack is a sudden surge of Anxiety, usually short-lived but very intense. The surge causes physical sensations that increase dramatically as the attack progresses. It is fuelled by a sudden release of adrenalin into the body.
    They vary from person to person but doctors use the following list – if you experience four or more of these sensations in the space of a few seconds then you are probably having a panic attack:
    • shortness of breath
    • a choking sensation
    • rapid or irregular heartbeat
    • chest pains
    • tension in muscles
    • trembling or shaking
    • numbness
    • intense sweating
    • dizziness
    • nausea
    • urgent need to go to the toilet.
    After the attack, you are left with feelings of exhaustion, shakiness and bewilderment.
    For many people, panic attacks are the foundation that their Anxiety disorder is built on. For them, life becomes a question of doing anything to avoid another panic attack. And yet other Anxiety sufferers have never experienced a panic attack, and never will.
Phobias
    Phobias encompass both a fear of something specific and more generalised, but still focused, fears.
Agoraphobia and claustrophobia
    These are both about a fear of being trapped and unable to get help or reach a safe place. They are really a cluster of phobias which can include open spaces, closed spaces, crowded spaces, queues, lifts, public transport, crossing bridges, the hairdresser, restaurants, theatres and cinemas.
Monophobia
    This is a fear of being alone.
Social phobia
    This is another cluster, connected with other people. It is more than just being shy or self-conscious and can include speaking, eating or drinking in public, using public lavatories, preparing food or drink or writing while being watched. Social phobics often worry that they will give themselves away if they blush, sweat or stammer, and