This is my 1st time here or on any forum
Hello all! My name is Sarah and I am 38 years old and a happily married stay-at-home mom. I woke up on my 21st bday with extreme panic for no reason and it has been a plague in my life ever since. Not sure why I have anxiety. I have tried every benzo and anti-depressant it feels like but none seem to help. I panic when I ride in the car with others, go to a crowded place, anywhere basically that is too far away from my comfort zone that doesn’t have a quick exit. I over analyze a situation before it even happens. I panic at the thought of fainting or passing out, which is absurd, because who cares right. I don’t know what is wrong with me but I wish someone would tell me or help me learn how to cope because I feel lost at how to stop it and like I am holding back my husband and kids. I am tired of anxiety and panic making me a homebody.
@Sarahski
Hey Sarah! Welcome to the forum! I hope you find it helpful :)
I'm so sorry to hear how much you are struggling, it sounds like you are feeling pretty hopeless.
Maybe these things will sound obvious, sorry if they are.... have you tried any grounding techniques when you feel yourself panicking?
This is actually my 1st time trying to talk to people (besides my husband) about anxiety. I have seen a psychiatrist, but they just prescribe meds and that’s about it. I have never tried a therapist because I don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for it lol. What is grounding?
I have also tried grounding techniques. I also would like to see a therapist but I don't feel that I can afford it currently. But I used to go to therapy and I was introduced some techniques.
One is deep and controlled breathing. I stop what I'm doing, close my eyes (if it is safe to do so), and I inhale for 5 counts, hold it for 3, and exhale for 7 counts. I do it for a minute or two. Some people prefer to breathe to different counts.
There's the 5-4-3-2-1 technique. I stop what I'm doing, mentally list and describe 5 things I can see, 4 things I can feel, 3 things I can hear, 2 things I can smell, and 1 thing I can taste. The key for this one is to be as descriptive as possible when listing the things.
There's counting backwards from 100 by 3's. Or by some other number. I have not tried this one.
Playing with Playdough can help. I bought Playdough one time to help me feel more relaxed.
Being outside or going for a walk can help.
I used to write down my thoughts when I was feeling anxious which helped me to get them out instead of keeping them in my head. I hope you can feel a bit better today! 
@Sarahski- kudos for reaching out about your anxiety, panic disorder. There are also self-help guides under "my path"- that address both of these issues. Best of luck to you. I can't believe you have spent 17 years dealing with these problems - such a long time to want help getting through panic and anxiety. There are lots of other options than medication. Again I wish you the best.
