Hello from Southern Illinois, USA

Hi, I'm Aimee. I'm 39 years old and live in southern Illinois with my husband of 19 years and our 2 Boston Terriers, Brogan and Ringo.
I love to crochet when I can focus, I love to read, and I love fishing. I have suffered with anxiety disorder since I was a child. It started around 13 when I had a panic attack and then just escalated. I have had some periods of time where I was in a remission of sorts. I also have developed agoraphobia (that's what is on the med records). I can not stay at home alone or drive/be anywhere alone. I am thankful to the good Lord that my mother in law lives with my husband and I. Sure, we have had our differences but she is always there for me and is very helpful. We (her, my husband, and I) have all been through a lot together..good and bad.

So..that is my intro. I am very happy to have found this forum and I hope it's active.

AiThink said:

Hi, i to suffer from severe anxiety. Ever since I was 19. Im 37 now. I also went through agoraphobia for about a year. Luckily the meds (effexor) i was prescribed helped me get over that. Now i have a family of my own. I been off the meds for 5 years. I wish i could say I was anxiety free but im not. It never left me really. But i remain positive and might go back on meds soon. Im starting to avoid certain people and activities. And i really don't want to miss out on my childs life. So that makes my decision to go back on meds a bit easier. If i were single, i probably take the long road and dedicate more time on myself but i have a family who depend on me so. Best of luck to you.

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Hello and thank you so much for your reply. I'm sorry you deal with the anxiety as well. It's awful for sure. Effexor helped me but it was so hard to come off of..whew. I tried going med free but sadly I couldn't do it. I do not have any children but hope to some day. I know I'm a bit "old" to start a family but we are trying. Thank you so much for the well wishes! Same to you.

triceps said:

Hi Aimee and AiThink. I too have agoraphobic tendencies along with my GAD and panic disorders. Fotunately it didn't get too disabling until near the end of my career and had to go on disability. I'm ok with driving short distances and am also fine with being alone for a day or two. I'm on lexapro and klonopin which generally help but get a physical jolt if I find out I have to or really should attend something. Then I agonize until the time I have to leave my property but am generally fairly comfortable once I get there. I have a great, supportive wife and being retired/disabled greatly helps with the agoraphobia. My best to both of you with your struggles.

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Hello triceps.
I also had to end my career as well and applied for disability. I was 27 when that came through. I am thankful that I have it but I do miss working a lot. I even tried at home customer service and failed at that due to the anxiety. My husband is a good support system as well. We are Christians and so we pray when I get anxious..my mother in law lives with us and she prays for me as well when I get the attacks. I'm so glad you have a supportive wife..that is very important. I also agonize over certain things but once I get to where I am going then it usually is fine as well. Thanks again and best wishes to you too!

cheer_mom said:

Hello.....I have health anxiety and GAD. I amfrom Southern Indiana and happily married to my high school sweetheart. We have 2 kids. Luckily i hace a huge support system bexause otherwise i coukd not get through thjs anxiety. So e days i cant be left alone. Other days i hate the idea of being around people. It's a horrible cycle. This forum has helped me so much!! Best of luck to ya

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Hello cheer_mom,
thank you for your reply! I'm sorry you have a hard time too with health and general anxiety. I'm so glad this forum has helped you. It's good to be here. Thanks again!

triceps said:

Hi daughteroftheKing. I could tell from your username that you were quite religious. I'm 66 now but made it to my late 50's before my anxiety didn't allow me to function in the workplace. And that's with my being the owner/manager. It got to where I was vomiting before the weekly staff meeting which I ran and I liked everyone who attended. Can I ask if you had any trouble getting on disability? There are others on the forum who have been denied and I had so little difficulty that I thought I must be crazier than I thought.

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Good afternoon! I'm sorry you had to go through that. I know that is rough. I was a waitress but it was something I planned on doing for the long haul as I enjoyed it immensely. But I started spending a lot of time in the back freaking out and it just didn't work out for me anymore..regardless of what medication I took..and then the driving issue was getting difficult. So I applied for SSA. I was denied I believe 3 times before finally getting approved. I had to have a lawyer to help win my case. Nah, you aren't crazy..you just had a good judge!