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I am telling my story, because if it means that it brings hope to just one person who lives with Social Anxiety Disorder, that recovery is possible, then it is worth it. I will start by sharing with you some of my experiences of living with Social Anxiety Disorder. I will then go on to explain to you how I believe I developed this illness, its symptoms, the effect it had on all facets of my life, the coping mechanisms I used, as well as explaining how the disorder was never recognised or treated for twenty years, and resulted in the development of more complexRead More →

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Hi ! I am Roz and thought I would share some of my own experiences of living with agoraphobia with you. I am in my 40’s and have suffered from anxiety since I was age 13, when I started suffering a school phobia and the cause was emitaphobia. With struggling for a couple of years I managed to get back to schooling and although continued to suffer from anxiety and panic attacks got through school and college ok. I started work and it wasn’t until I started work that they became a problem. I got through till I was about 30 with managing to doRead More →

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“What If” thinking is how I would refer to anticipatory anxiety. An anxiety which is experienced with an initial thought of doing something. Example: Assume that you have an important meeting arranged for next week, and you also know that you have no option, but to attend this meeting. During the lead up to this important meeting, you will no doubt experience anxiety. You will often find yourself asking yourself the “What If” questions. What if I have a panic attack? What if I have to leave the room? What if I pass out?Read More →

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Around my freshman year in high school, I received a diagnosis I frequently refer to as “the trifecta” — depression, anxiety and OCD. Depression was without a doubt the main diagnosis, but I found out over time that these three individual illnesses play off each other. Sometimes it was hard to tell where the symptoms of one illness ended and another one began.Read More →

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A Guide To Understanding Paranoid Disorder How to Cope with Paranoia Living with someone who has been diagnosed with paranoia requires patience, compassion, and strong personal boundaries. The following tips can help you provide the necessary support and assistance to help him in his struggle to overcome paranoia. Encourage compliance with treatment – His mistrust may interfere with his willingness to take prescribed medications or attend therapy sessions. This occurs commonly in people being treated for paranoia and slows their recovery significantly. Encourage him to follow his treatment program.Read More →

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Sometimes I’d wake up in the morning, wondering how the bed could hold the weight of it all. I felt stuck and stupid for not knowing how not to be afraid. There were days that I’d struggle with simple things, even just going to the store, because they seemed like asking for trouble. I’d fret and fidget, and do just about anything to avoid thinking about next time. That’s anticipatory anxiety, and it’s common to most every single person with an anxiety disorder. The funny thing? Anticipatory anxiety can mean you’re trying too hard. Yes, you heard that right. It’s counter-intuitive, but sometimes the bestRead More →

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Most everyone engages in conversation daily. From talking to the members of our household, to answering the phone, to ordering our coffees in the morning – talking to those around us occurs often. One doesn’t need to have an anxiety disorder to know that certain conversations provoke a sense of discomfort or even dread. Arguing with a loved one, consoling someone at a funeral, or even telling someone “no” can cause anyone anxiety. This, of course, makes us wonder: if it is reasonable that certain conversations or subjects cause most people anxiety, what does it do to a person with an anxiety disorder?Read More →

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Is work important? Being able to work is important to many people, although this might be for a variety of reasons. The right to meaningful employment is a fundamental component of life in a healthy and democratic community. Working for a living can bring a sense of dignity and self-worth. Having a job provides a feeling of contributing to, and belonging to, the community. When we go to work, we have opportunities to meet and socialize with others, such as co-workers, those we share transportation with, those we meet while having a lunch or coffee break. By understanding your own motivation for work, you canRead More →

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When Laura returned to work after eight weeks on leave after a severe depression, she found that very little had changed; not the pace, nor the lack of control over her work environment, and certainly not the responsibilities or expectations. According to Laura, “the hours were out of control and for someone who’s experiencing mental illness, working long hours is very unhealthy.”Read More →