The Knowledge Board:
Anxiety
Welcome to the latest blog from The Patients Voice
Have you experienced an anxiety disorder? Are phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders, (OCD) Panic Attacks, General Anxiety Disorders (GAD) familiar? You are not alone! it is said that just over 10% of the population will suffer a form of anxiety at some point in their life.
Anxiety is a feeling of unease. Everybody experiences a kind of apprehension when faced with a stressful situation, for example before an exam, or during a worrying time such as illness. It is normal to feel anxious when facing something difficult or dangerous, and mild anxiety can be a positive experience.
However, anxiety may be a symptom of other mental health problems, such as depression or alcohol or caffeine dependence. It can also be caused by the withdrawal from long-term drugs like tranquillisers.
Sometimes anxiety can be associated with a physical illness, such as thyroid disorder. Reaction disorders are caused by some sort of stressful life event, such as Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Here you can discuss the different forms of anxiety and treatment options. In particular we are interested in your expedience of the condition or living with a family member who does so.
This allows you to tell your story and you can help us learn about the issues that are most important to you.
We are particularly interested in the following questions:
This is only a guide – so please feel free to bring up any pertinent issues that seem important to you.
Remember, a blog is really like having a conversation with lots of people at the same time and so please check back on the blog to see what others have said so that if you feel like adding to their thoughts you can. It's a conversation and a chance to learn and share!
As with all our projects, of which this ResBlog is one example, the responses of people who participate are anonymous. This in line with market research codes of conduct. To participate all you need to do is scroll down to the comments area, type a nickname of your choice and then put your comments into the box. To find out more about what we do both in terms of work for our clients and our patient communities and resources please feel free to explore our web site further if you have not already done so?
We look forward to reading your comments and, of course, thank you very much for your input. Finally can I ask you to bear in mind when you blog that you comments will not just be read by other bloggers and The Patients Voice team but also the clients for whom we work. If you need more information on this or any other issues please feel free to get in touch with me at belinda.shale@healthcarelandscape.com.
Don’t Mind Me is also the name of the mental health group on the icarecafe. This is a space for you to discuss in more detail the issues raised in this ResBlog. It will also allow you to initiate discussions of your won and meeting with people like yourself.
To have a look please go to
http://www.icarecafe.com/?page_id=1107&group_id=9
Thanks for all your help
Belinda
steph says:
“I have just got over a terrible period of panic attacks which are triggered with any kind of stress. It is so frightening not being able to deal with things. The first time I got very bad panic attacks was when I had a lump in my breast which somehow I knew was cancer although I had to wait weeks for the appoinment and diagnosis. Once the cancer was diagnosed and the operation done the worst attacks stopped That was in 1992. Ten years ago I had huge problems . I was left in a lot of debt in another country and had to deal with other things to do with the person who had caused it and had run off to leave me to deal with it. I did not even know that there was a problem until the person left me alone in the country. Since then I have not been able to cope with any stress at all. Doctor gave me Fluoxetine but I don't know if they will help yet as I have not been taking them for long.I have just passed through a couple of big problems ( Sorry I do not want to say what they were in detail but one was bankruptsy) and my heart has stopped pounding all the time and the panic had nearly disappeared. I do not think the tablets have had enough time to work yet and the anxiety has only gone since the actual problems disappeared.It so hard to realise that I cannot cope with anything at all without going to pieces.
Loretta says:
“Drugs are usually prescribed for panic attacks, which I think hides the problem. Panic attacks are associated with a change in life. We all grow from one stage to another and if the change happens without us knowing panic attacks can ensue. Time spent in solitude,Faith is a geat support for panic attacks.
Lynsey says:
“10 Years ago i had a bad experience with food poisoning and it scared the hell out of me, for 2 weeks i couldnt eat anything without feeling really nauseous. i developed a phobia of vomiting and i was always scared of getting food poisoning again so i would eat only very simple foods that i felt wouldn't harm me. over the years things became much worse, i suffered from insomnia and thats when the panic attacks started. i felt like i was going to die, i had no idea what was happening to me, i couldn't think straight, my heart pounded through my chest, i was dizzy and shaking uncontrollably this would last and hour or so and when it calmed down all i could do was sleep. this happened to me every day, i was constantly on edge and i started pulling my hair out. i never went to see a doctor and i never told anyone, i hoped it would go away and that i would be able to rid my life of the monster, that never happened it got to the point i was scared of catching the common cold id panic if someone coughed or sneezed, id clean my house daily in a panicked frenzy and evenually i didnt want to leave my house and i wished for death, thats when i went to the doctor. i was diagnosed with OCD and i was referred to a therapist but i had to suffer for another year before i got an appointment. i refused medication as i was scared they would make me sick. but the wait paid off i have not had a panic attack in over 3 months and my way of thinking has changed considerably i only wish i had not let it get so far.
Sandra D says:
“I did not realise I suffered panic attacks but it eventually got so bad I found it difficult to actually breathe such was the extent of my undiagnosed panic attacks that is until I saw my GP as a renal failure patient I never seem to have the time to go to the doctor as if I was not resting I was at the renal unit but did see my GP who gave me medication and inhalers to take in the event of an attack which has helped but needless to say its a terribly frightening experience and I would not wish this on anyone.
Susie says:
“I've got many anxiety related problems - the main one currently being that I can't face exercising or interacting with my dogs although I love them as much as ever; I have to rely on my husband to do 100% for them.
It's associated w ith my Bi-Polar II diagnosis, and goes along with social phobia and general agitation, none of which are comfortable.
I take Rispiridone to help control the nastier times, but find it all very stressful and depressing.
My husband is wonderful, but it's a real burden on him, as he has to accompany me wherever I want to go, and do all the work that 18 dogs create (keeping them clean, comfortable and healthy isn't just a little job) plus cope with my gibbering when it all gets too much.
Sometimes, I just wake up and do my best to get through the day til I can go back to bed at 7pm or 8 pm.
I hate it. I pray to be well again someday.
The Patients Voice The Patients Voice is one of the many patient-focused services from Healthcare Landscape. Healthcare Landscape is a medical and healthcare research company, which conducts interviews with all the different kinds of people involved in the healthcare process. They range from patients and their carers, to medical professionals like nurses, pharmacists, physicians and academics. Our mission is to find out what they think and what their experiences have been.
We can interview over the web, at home or at a special research facility; depending on what type of study it is, the choice is often yours. We also run patient diaries and blogs, so you can air your views as honestly and informally as you like. We want to ensure that you have access to the best research experience, and in turn, our clients will learn from your story. Our clients are quite diverse. They range from pharmaceutical or medical device companies, to charities and government bodies. The Patients Voice is open to anyone in the world who wants to give an opinion and would like to try to make a difference. This forum gives you power by allowing you to get YOUR VOICE HEARD.
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