I have panic disorder that has made me agoraphobic (afraid to leave my own home), and a few months ago my doctor gave me some Klonopin. I had a really bad experience on it–it was like a panic attack, but worse, and it lasted for hours. The experience left me scarred, and since then I’ve developed a phobia of all medication–even over-the-counter stuff like Advil. I always think back to that time on Klonopin and imagine every medication will do that to me. Sometimes I psych myself out so much by reading about all the side effects, that I think I imagine getting all the symptoms listed.
A few weeks ago, I was given Xanax, since I’m still agoraphobic. I broke a pill in half and took that, because I was too scared to take the whole dose. I did fine on it, besides some general nervousness. But even though my experience was alright, I still get nervous trying to take it again. I haven’t been able to since.
I know this is all in my head, but has anyone else had this phobia, and can you offer any advice on how you got over it? I need to take my medication, but this phobia has been sabotaging my treatment.
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Filed under Phobia by on Nov 1st, 2010. Comment. 
I’ve suffered from panic/anxiety attacks for about a year now. They are brought on by aches and pain, or stress at work (I’m a retail manager). Those who have suffered from attacks before understand that even though you know you are fine, your body tells you something different and it’s so hard to calm down. I want some natural alternatives, rather than taking medication. I don’t have money to go to a pyschologist, so I’m searching for other methods of keeping calm. Any suggestions/sources, especially from those who have personal experience, would be great. I need ideas to prevent them, and ideas to treat them when I have them. Thanks for your help. Serious answers only please.
BTW- I was on lexapro for 6+ months and took klonopin when needed, but I don’t want to go that route again. I don’t want to be on medication 
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Filed under Anxiety Attacks by on Aug 16th, 2010. 20 Comments.
Every time someone hears about my attacks, I get useless and banal "advice" on overcoming them. People with no real psychological education other than reading self help books and watching Dr. Phil. My favorite is "suck it up" and "be a man." So anyone out there with panic disorder get this often or notice this? Does it bug you? How do you cope? It’s bad enough to have an illness that has you by the throat, but to endure constant ignorance is just salt in the wound.
10 years with panic disorder (agoraphobia on and off) Have been on Paxil, Lexapro, Celexa, Effexor, Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, etc.
Tested for bi-polar and manic depression..hade neither, but was given Depikote "just in case" and it reacted badly.
8 years for constant therapy, psychotherapy, CBT, meditation and relaxation techniques, feedback related techniques and very little progress with most. CBT is still current and on going.
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Filed under Panic Disorder by on Aug 12th, 2010. 3 Comments.
Im 33 years old and i have been battling anxiety/panic my whole life. I used to take Klonopin for many years. I stop taking them. Awful withdrawl. Anyway its been a year with out zero meds and now after i have had my son i have had two full panic attacks . My doc put me on klonopin just to get me to a calmer place . Anyway im just frightned this disorder will never go away.
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Filed under Panic Disorder by on Jul 3rd, 2010. 6 Comments.