Hi guys, I am not a regular on this kind of forums but i have read some of your stories and I think i might help a little. I have gone through very similar situation with anxiety subsequently a panic disorder. The thing that really helped me is a book i found on the internet , its called 'At last a life' by Paul David. It beyond anything else clarified for me that in order to get better you have to stop trying to get better. Think about it your get these physical sensations and terifying thoughts of course you can not help but to notice and constantly think about it. By reading this book i realised that by placing all my focus on these physical and metal sensations i was infact doing myself more hard then good. I thought i was resolving it but in fact what i was doing was keeping in stronger because i was continually worried. The answer is do NOTHING bout it. They are just sensations and thoughts, they can not harm you. Acknowlege them when they come and then FOCUS on what ever else you were doing. The less time you spend focusing on the axiety or panic, the less it will impact you. Your body needs rest from all the worry, give it that break.
I am still not 100% over it but the quality of my life in the last year has improved dramatically, not that much bothers me anymore and if it does i know that i dont have to think about it, because i know that its ok to feel what i feel and i just move on with work, friends or whatever. That is not to say that stoping worring is so easy, because it become a habit, but the more you practice focusing on the right things the better you will feel. If anyone needs anymore feedback im more than happy to help!!! Oh and fyi even at the worst of it i have never even considered medication, i know it might help some people but i really believe that is not the way to go!!!
Hi Sam, I have just finished reading this book and found it a great help 
xx
I will get that Friday on payday thanks Sam. Someone else on here also mentioned 'the Mood Cure'. I am awake now about an hour and not anxious. Normally I wake up severly anxious, I get it mostly in my stomach (severe butterflies, nervous stomach) worrying about everything especially relationships and people that have hurt me.
Not drinking since Christmas is a great help.I have learned that alcohol makes anxiety more severe next few days, especially after a heavy binge.
It's not like I am afraid to go out of get anxious getting on a train. I can be at home sitting watching TV or making dinner or simply doing nothing and it comes. Than I take valium which I hate depending on. I took 3 yesterday throughout the day (5mg) and today feel fine. I don't get it, strange illness.
Thanks for the advice Sam and good morning from Kingston London
im glad it helped you as well...for me it took alot of the worry away because i knew it was normal stress symptoms...all the best
HI Walter,
Yes i think alcohol and too much coffee definely makes it worse...my condition begun when i was drinking too much when i was stressed over something....having said that life is meant to be enjoyed ...as a rule i try to have drinks with friends once a week ( as a rule lol) and only one small coffee a day...
you mentioned that you wake up worring about relationships and people that have hurt you....i think what you have to understand formost is that what ever the problems is ie worring about worring or panic or real life problems like what you worry about they are just THOUGHTS.... they will come and go if you let them... you shouldnt try to block them because that doesnt work, and you shouldnt just to solve them as i imagine you are probably doing.... just let them come and be like whatever, next focus on the broueakfast you are eating...this way your mind doesnt have to work as hard therefore not creating as much sensations...
the idea is that you just want to live a normal life and focus on everything normal ....so try to do that ....and it will become habit as oppose to the habit you have now...try not to worry about the symptoms they are normal ... when you will read the book you will understand... all the best in your recovery .... i was like you worried and trying to solve stuff all the time and then i found the book and now i can say at least 70% better and you really notice the difference....you will get there i promise just get busy with thing that you have to get on with start cleaning your house or something that makes you focus on that thing eventhough it seems hard and that anxiety demands so much attention... also EXERCISE....it is amazing .....alll the best in your recovery...u will get there!!!!
thanks for the reccomendation! i will definitely be trying this book.. i do try to think like that most times but even if i have a book to read means taking my mind off things.. i will never consider medication because me too i think that the best way you can help yourself is to think positively and not think about anxiety as much.
Sam how long did you suffer for. Dud you take meds. I have panic disorder but with derealisation did you have that aswell
Hi Tanya I suffer from derealisation and depersonalisation also