Dear Stuff:
Just wanted to put in my 2 cents worth. I was diagnosed with anxiety disorder about 12 years ago, but only AFTER 2 years of going to the doctor for just about everything under the sun, only to have the doctor tell me nothing was wrong with me. He gave me Xanax, and told me to go home. I ended up thinking I must be "nuts" because I kept having all these "symptoms" and the doctor just kept telling me nothing was wrong. I was SERIOUSLY hypocondriac!!!! So I checked myself into the local mental health care facility. (No, I'm not joking!) I was supposed to spend 21 days there, however, after 3 days, the panel of doctors told me I needed to go home, this was not the place for me! (Actually, it's quite comical now to think about it) I was terrified to go home, because I was absolutely positive I was insane or something. It took me 5 years to get off the xanax, and to be honest, I wouldn't recommend xanax to anyone, since half my problem was because xanax is a short acting drug, and when my body would come down from the xanax, the deficit acts JUST LIKE ANXIETY!! So I never knew if it was because of the drug, or because I was anxious, the two are very similiar. However, I do take Paxil, and Clonazapam and I can honestly tell you, I feel much better.......without it I would not be able to function as well as I do. I am hoping this course is going to give me some cognitive tools so that I can start really living again. Jennifer