Living With Anxiety at 10 Years Old - Cyber Recovery Social Network Forums

*janbear* · 08-14-2007, 07:35 PM

Living With Anxiety at 10 Years Old
From Jo

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

I was 10 years old when I had my first panic attack at my friend's sleepover. I had no idea what was going on and why I had this sudden feeling that I was going to die. It was without a doubt the most frightening experience of my life. At 10 years old, no one took me seriously when I thought I was having a heart attack.

I put it to the back of my mind and attended another sleepover about 3 months later. I had another attack, and it was worse than the first. It lasted about 2 hours with continual shaking, feeling sick, and a feeling that I couldn't get out. My mother didn't listen and thus I have had to learn to cope with it on my own.

The worst attack of my life came in the cinema when I was 12, where I blacked out on the floor from hyperventilation. To this day I have never entered another cinema.

I am 19 now and have had suffered over 50 panic attacks.

I have a very understanding boyfriend who supports me when the attacks come, as often I wake up having an attack in the night. I have taught myself breathing techniques and to know the warning signs of the attacks. Although I cope to the best of my abilities, it restricts me from eating in places other than my home, and my social life suffers as I can not go into crowded rooms.
As a teenager, it was hard to cope alone especially with exams as, in my school, they bolted the doors so you couldn't get out. I have read recently on the Web that teenagers rarely suffer, but I am evidence of being still a child when the anxiety began.

I concentrate on the good things in my life now and literally take each hour of the day as it comes. I do not let panic ruin my life. I carry things to ease my anxiety, such as carrier bags in my pockets in case I am sick, and I locate the nearest toilets in any building.

Panic attacks are a condition of the mind, but you can help yourself by recognising the signs and finding support in at least one person who understands the fear that invades your mind every minute of the day.

Created: June 2, 2006
________

strive4sober · 06-07-2008, 06:24 AM

it sounds like "cognitive behavioral therapy" (CBT) would help you out alot. i have been doing this type of therapy for a few months and i am amazed at the progress i have made. i used to have panic attacks daily. since therapy, i have had only 1. i have been dealing with anxiety and panic since i was about 16.

here is some information on CBT:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cogniti...vioral_therapy

best of luck to you

08-14-2007, 07:35 PM	#1
janbear willing servant Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 14,175	Living With Anxiety at 10 Years Old Living With Anxiety at 10 Years Old From Jo About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board I was 10 years old when I had my first panic attack at my friend's sleepover. I had no idea what was going on and why I had this sudden feeling that I was going to die. It was without a doubt the most frightening experience of my life. At 10 years old, no one took me seriously when I thought I was having a heart attack. I put it to the back of my mind and attended another sleepover about 3 months later. I had another attack, and it was worse than the first. It lasted about 2 hours with continual shaking, feeling sick, and a feeling that I couldn't get out. My mother didn't listen and thus I have had to learn to cope with it on my own. The worst attack of my life came in the cinema when I was 12, where I blacked out on the floor from hyperventilation. To this day I have never entered another cinema. I am 19 now and have had suffered over 50 panic attacks. I have a very understanding boyfriend who supports me when the attacks come, as often I wake up having an attack in the night. I have taught myself breathing techniques and to know the warning signs of the attacks. Although I cope to the best of my abilities, it restricts me from eating in places other than my home, and my social life suffers as I can not go into crowded rooms. As a teenager, it was hard to cope alone especially with exams as, in my school, they bolted the doors so you couldn't get out. I have read recently on the Web that teenagers rarely suffer, but I am evidence of being still a child when the anxiety began. I concentrate on the good things in my life now and literally take each hour of the day as it comes. I do not let panic ruin my life. I carry things to ease my anxiety, such as carrier bags in my pockets in case I am sick, and I locate the nearest toilets in any building. Panic attacks are a condition of the mind, but you can help yourself by recognising the signs and finding support in at least one person who understands the fear that invades your mind every minute of the day. Created: June 2, 2006 ________ __________________ And this above all, to thine own self be true. And it must follow as night the day, thou canst not be false to any man. -Shakespeare For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23:7

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06-07-2008, 06:24 AM	#2
strive4sober Newcomer Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: utah Posts: 1	it sounds like "cognitive behavioral therapy" (CBT) would help you out alot. i have been doing this type of therapy for a few months and i am amazed at the progress i have made. i used to have panic attacks daily. since therapy, i have had only 1. i have been dealing with anxiety and panic since i was about 16. here is some information on CBT: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cogniti...vioral_therapy best of luck to you