Just found this thread and I guess I can share too... I have my experiences with a severe panic disorder. I guess it runs in the family (my grandmother, mother and now me..) and I got the first real symptoms when I relocated abroad. The "brutal" change probably triggered the illness and it hit me real hard. It was 8 years ago and I remember the moment when it began like it was just yesterday. The paralysis caused by unexplainable fear was so brutal that Im not able to describe it with words. I had to take a short sick leave but eventually I had to return to work.. Oh boy... Just the commute to work was like the worst nightmare, and the meetings at work and the social stuff with colleagues.. And this was going on like 2 years without a break, one panic attack after another. No social life whatsoever, hours and hours In bed totally depressed waiting for the next panic attack.
Now to the good part.. I am now panic attack - free for a very long time. I have managed to completely change my life and push those attacks out of my life. I moved to the countryside (I always wanted to live in the country!) I have changed my work (earn less but do what you enjoy) because you really wont be able to enjoy the earned money when you are hiding under the bed.. I have started to do sports - jogging and I bought a rowing machine for the winter months. This I find really important. A lot of fresh air and physical activity do a LOT of difference. I do simple meditations, especially before falling asleep. Over time I found a technique that even helps me to have only positive dreams
Funny thing is that a few years after I quit my job, I found out that my boss was suffering from the same condition at the same time like me.. It might have been a help if I had opened up about this to him or anybody at work as he was a really nice guy. So I guess that its better to share this stuff.
Last but not least, If there is anybody who feels that he needs to talk. I am here to listen Its not easy to talk about this, but it NEEDS TO BE DONE TO HEAL!

 

The appearance of a mental disorder can mask a far more dangerous but otherwise treatable condition.
My elder brother was treated for Alzheimers for years before they realized he had a tumor pressing on his brain. By then it was far too late.
My oldest friend told me of weird dreams and compulsions he was having and fearing he was going mad. I told him of my brother's case and told him to get checked out for cancer. He did and they found a cancer, not in the head but rather in the thyroid gland causing hormonal imbalances. He survived radical surgery in which they all but severed his head to get all the cancer and months of radiation treatments. Now so long as they supply him with the artificial hormones he is fine.

 

One of the worst feelings is when someone leaves the world to early because of issues they felt couldn't be shared, or would not be understood or accepted by anyone, the culture I grew up in focuses so much on self reliance, in this holiday season if you feel the need to talk don't wait call someone, and if you feel like you missed a chance to talk to someone, don't wait until the morning sometimes that's all it takes to open a broader discussion.

 

I'm very sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you & yours. Some say it only takes time to heal old wounds- not true w/ all wounds.

 

There are no words that can help but I hope that putting it down here has helped ease the pain a little.

 

Glad to hear your doing better these days. Sometimes a change of pace & job can help w/ panic attacks.

 

You should try seeing a psychiatrist, you've been through a very traumatic experience, you definitely need to talk with someone that can help you about what you've been through. Experiences like those can affect you in more than one way, not only psychologically but it can also affect your health.

 

Precisely well translated. Impeccable! @dsio

 

Very important post, thanks for sharing and keep on, head up, stay strong. And when sad or depressed... Grab a watch admire its details and beauty. Enjoy life.
All the best

 

Meant to post this for a while...

For anyone needing bereavement support in the UK, Cruse can help provide counsellors who specialise in this. I'm sure any counselling will help but their people are experts in dealing with the anger and depression that can result from loss:

https://www.cruse.org.uk/bereavement-services/get-help

Should any of you be unfortunate enough to lose a baby before or after birth, Sands have some good material and support as well:

https://www.sands.org.uk/support/bereavement-support

Both are groups worthy of donation for those who wish to give to a good cause.

 

Thank you for this thread. I hope to share/add to this thread soon

 

A schoolfriend, Mark, set up a charity called Dancing with The Black Dog, and a campaign, "It's OK to say..."

http://www.itsoktosay.org/

He published a free online book detailing his own experiences with anxiety and depression and how he managed to handle them:
https://www.dancingwiththeblackdog.com/

There are lots and lots of great resources out there already, but if Mark's work can help anyone who needs it, then please share.

 

Hugs... I hope you’re still hanging in there.
Runs in my family as well.. takes a significant amount of effort to try to keep ‘the black dog’ at bay.

My grandfather shot himself in the head when I was 14...among a couple others...it is no easy thing indeed... :-/

My heart is with you.

 

Thank you for the share! The world is with you.
Best wishes!

 

I’m not a particularly religious person but I do believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Bad things happen to good people and I truly believe that the Lord put us here and left us to our own devices. Faith and fate.

With that in mind, I’ll say a sincere prayer for little James as well as his loving family which was left with far too heavy a cross to bear.

 

Although little James wasn’t with us long, he lived a fuller life than many of the lost souls I’ve met in my life. And, that’s the truth.

 

@Mathlar Since I lost my dad, and seen death up close, I can't help and cry in the thought of the pain someone goes through in such situations...and since I became a dad myself you can multiply the sadness inside me when children are involved!! So, so sorry my friend

My view about medication and mental illness...
My wife, about 15 years ago, before we get married, but in a relation nevertheless, had a night from hell (her description) learning the following days she had Bipolar disorder...She was lucky, and I mean this, that she was introduced to the best psychiatrist in Greece. The medication she is having allows her to have a normal and balanced life!! At one point she stopped one of the two medicines she was taking and she started to have ups and lows again, so the doctor told her to get them back in her daily mix...From what I've seen and learnt all those years, it is essential to follow your medication but to be lucky too and meet a good, professional and experienced doctor!!

Excuse my English everyone

 

Thanks for sharing. A close family member suffers from depression and I can agree it can take a toll not only on yourself but the loved ones as well. Stay strong !

 

I’ve had my battles but worked sixteen years in the mental beauty felid. It was great seeing people improve bad when I had two attack me one with a butchers knife. I switched careers a few years back when I was transferred to counsel sex offenders. It became too much and I needed a change. I switched to industrial mechanics where I have been out on comp when I broke part of my hand and blew out my shoulder snapping every ligament in my right shoulder.

Anyaway it was a good career my specialty was schizophrenia and I was fulfilled going home, I was able to provide assistance to many. Didn’t pay the greatest which is why my watches are lacking a bit