I think life would be easier to just give up trying

@Former-Member

Thank you for providing that information and it sounds not only horrible but an exhausting recovery after it has happened. I love camping, and we have turned it into more of a lifestyle for us so i can certainly relate, as we have ditched all debt, there's not much house work and with less space, we work together more to get stuff done.

Can i ask you about what you meant by guilt and is there pressure on you to do your housework by anyone else but yourself? Is it a bit of a cycle where you get anxiety, it slows you down and then you don't get more stuff down and then you get overwhelmed and shut down? I am just wondering if there is a way for you to focus on the opposites, rather than guilt, focus on your generosity, rather than housework, focus on how you are providing a good environment etc...

I do feel like you have quite a journey in front of you but with the right support, you can get there. Have you seen this search engine to find relevent support?

https://waamh.org.au/support

I

Hello Dimity, essence of camping would be wonderful! My husband is my rock, but also I want to be able to go to things by myself, to know he doesn't trust me to go on my own 'just Incase' I have a panic attack is I believe stressful for both of us.

The medical centre I attend is large and not at all given a chance to ask questions as it's always busy.

I do the grounding where you press your feet down on the ground, look around and see how many off certain colours, shapes etc and try doing the square breathing. The problem is that when I start to realise I am hyperventilating and try concentrate on deep breathing I become worse as it can trigger more panic in my stupid brain.

To say you can just stop taking the meds when I had just explained my problems in trying to stop just shocked me, it states not to stop straight away. Oh well, I'll see how I go. Take care and thank you @Dimity 💞

Hi @Former-Member ,

I'm really sorry you are suffering. I had disassociation as a teenager. I had an out of body experience which made it difficult for me putting one step in front of another as I was looking down on myself from above my head. At other times my whole body went numb. Whilst you might not have those symptoms I understand the physical difficulties surrounding them let alone the psychological suffering associated with it. I haven't had panic attacks as such but I have felt claustrophobic before and started to panic with it. My nephew also suffers from disassociation and panic attacks. What we have found is that there are certain psychiatrists who specialise in the field. It is something that is very hard to fix and will probably take years but it is not impossible. I would try asking to see a psychiatrist or at least work out if it is an option for you. I understand the treatment may include medication. Personally I would prefer an expert to work out the medication side as well as the psychological side of things. I don't know what is available in WA but there should be an agency which could probably point you in the right direction. As a last resort you could probably get a second opinion from another GP. Don't give up!! There is likely to be help out there.

lost9

Hello @AussieRecharger

The guilt comes from me alone. I like things to be clean and look nice a bit of a perfectionist, yes, get overwhelmed if not on top of things. We have a Campervan. It's our only vehicle. A fiat Ducato ex long wheelbase which my husband as fully fitted it out with everything being 12volt for off grid. Very professional done ex mechanical R&D engineer...Lol I would love to just travel. Such a simpler life.

Thank you and @Jynx for the link's and information, I have a lot to read through, much appreciated . Take care 💞

Hi @Lost9 nice to meet you, I am sorry you have had the out of body experience it must very scary for you. Thank you for your comments. I have been under a mental health clinic but I was told that therapy wasn't suitable for me. I have had quite a bit of bad experiences with medical professionals unfortunately. This is why I have had enough. I just can't handle anymore rejection/stigma maybe it could be due to my age I am 61 they might think it doesn't matter now, not worth the investment...who knows?

what do you think @HenryX @Appleblossom 🤔

Take care my friend 💞

I hear you @Former-Member

Giving up on the Mental Health Department - perhaps that is a really good idea

Dec

Hello @Former-Member and

CC: @Jynx , @AussieRecharger , @Snowie , @Owlunar , @Lost9 , @Historylover , @Arizona , @LostAngel

❤The links in this post are accessible directly from this page and open in a new web page❤

You've given a clear description of the panic attacks about which you have spoken. It sounds, from your description, given in response to @AussieRecharger , that you have been dealing with this situation for quite sometime.

I remember your previous comment, some time ago, about being told that “therapy wasn't suitable for me.” Though, I don't recall who gave you that information.

Age, is not, in the general sense, an issue. It does seem, that if I were in the same position that you are, I would be looking for another GP, just based on your thoughts and feelings that age may be, in any way, a consideration regarding quality of service and treatment. If the same GP was the one who told you that therapy was not suitable, that adds weight to the need for a change, if any more were required.

Support Groups can be helpful. Certainly people share information about the type of attention that they have been offered and have received. In any medical or psychology based service, I believe, it is essential to be confident that the service you are being offered is as good as you would want and expect. Even when referring to psychologists and psychiatrists, people are advised, that If they do not feel comfortable in a personal or treatment situation, ask for the current person to refer you on to someone who better meets your requirements. If you do not feel comfortable asking the current person, go back to the referring GP or agency, or make your own alternative arrangements.

Where I live is a 2 hour drive to see the GP with whom I speak. That was because there was a high turnover in GP's where I live, so I decided to go back to the person I had previously been with in Geraldton where I used to live. The same person saw my mother and cared for her, both professionally and pleasantly, till she passed away at 92. There was never any indication that she should be cared for less than any other patient/client, of any age.

Recently, I arranged to see a counsellor, to address historical issues, that had been compounded by a cyclone, and there has been absolutely no indication that my age (10+ on yours) should in any way determine, or diminish the level of care provided.

The positives of self-help modules and books is that you can work on them independently, or with support from family. When working with a professional adviser, counsellor or therapist, I would be inclined to discuss any such material and books, with which I was working, or in which I was interested.

@Jynx has mentioned the Victorian ARCV Anxiety Recovery Centre of Victoria that is a nationally provided site

and the Western Australian website:

https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself/Panic

The 10 Module Self Help CCI Workbook can be downloaded from the following link, as the full 10 module workbook, or from the website above, in each of the 10 individual modules.

Download the entire workbook (all 10 modules)

The following Introduction is an extract from the the CCI website:

Home Resources Looking After Yourself

“Many people experience some mild sensations when they feel anxious about something, but a panic attack is much more intense than usual. A panic attack can be very frightening and you may feel a strong desire to escape the situation or to seek emergency assistance.

Panic disorder is used to describe the condition where panic attacks seem to happen unexpectedly rather than always in predictable situations. Importantly, someone with panic disorder has a persistent fear of having another attack or worries about the consequences of the attack. Many people change their behaviour to try to prevent panic attacks. Some people are affected so much that they try to avoid any place where it might be difficult to get help or to escape from. When this avoidance is severe it is called agoraphobia.”

@AussieRecharger asked, what I also believe is the relevant question, to which you have responded:

“Do you mind if we work backwards? What is a panic attack for you, what are the physical and mental components that make it up and do you get a warning that one is coming? What is it about camping that gives you the recharge you need to go forwards?”

@AussieRecharger also suggested another Western Australian website with many useful links:

https://waamh.org.au/support

With Best Wishes

@HenryX

Thanks @HenryX - That was a good summarising post.

@Former-Member I don't know your history on these forums and I hope I am not being too forward, but was there any trauma involved when you were younger that could be linked to this?

@Former-Member

You are same age as I, and we still deserve respect, however in this current world, we are given far less than in previous times. We are also able to see through the superficial things, and if we are treated poorly by med prof, and we are their bread and butter, then we have good reason to be wary.

I love @Owlunar 's brief response.

Yes @AussieRecharger trauma / abuse of all different sorts, not something I want to discuss even with a therapist....including one being my elder sister put in a children's home. No one how ever helpful can change what happend. You can't erase the memories, you can only put it in storage. I try to be a positive person and look to the future and make a better life for my loved ones. I just have to become stronger now.

💞