I'm scared that I might not have a normal future.

[fedup_emet]

When I have an attack, I go downstairs to my parents room and sleep in their bed. I'm seventeen years old and this has been happening since I was 3-4 years old. If I was ever sleeping over a friend's house and I had an attack, I would have to call my mother and have her come pick me up.

I'm scared that I'm never gonna be able to live on my own when I want to, or have kids someday like I dream of doing. Does anyone else have this problem/fear?

[LKARALIS]

I know exactly how you feel. Last year was my first year at school and I didn't know how I was going to handle it. My mom is like magic, just being at home with her makes me feel so much better. I had my moments at school where I got really anxious and wished so bad I could just be at home with her. I did V* once from something odd at school and my dad came and got me and just brought me home (about an hour drive). Now I am living in my own apartment, just started seeing a doctor for this phobia. I am doing pretty well on my own, your new home becomes comforting to you too, maybe not as much as home with your parents, but it's not bad. You will be okay, you have to just have the right thinking.

[love_and_truthiness]

I'm 18, and I've definitely felt the way you have. I still do sometimes. It's much easier to be scared at home. Even though it's still difficult. I think you know what I mean, lol.

Anyway, I keep pushing myself to do little things. Things that aren't necessarily scary, but that make me nervous because they lead to scary things. Like, for example, if I am invited to go with some friends to a theme park, it might make me a little nervous, you know? But, I'll push myself to go, even if I don't ride the biggest, scariest rides.

I've been doing these little things for a while, and I DO see improvement. My anxiety has lessened so much in social situations because of this. Sometimes it does seem pretty bleak, but the best thing, as cheesy as it may sound, is to never give up. I really feel like I'm improving. I feel like I'm becoming more independent.

Right now, I live with my parents, but I go to school. I want to study abroad sometime in the next few years. It sounds intimidating sometimes, but I want to see the world so bad. That's kind of my goal, to be able to study abroad somewhere, and not go crazy with anxiety. I believe it's achievable, if I work at it.

I hope you can overcome your anxiety, too.

[olschesky]

yes, it certainly is possible to have an "almost" normal life as an emet......i'm 58 years old, married, have my own business. there are still really bad panic times in my life........but i try and push myself through.....most times it works.....sometimes i just have to go to bed for the day.

i think what has kept me going is the fact that i knew i had to take care of myself........i needed to work to pay bills, have my own house, etc. i would set goals for myself when i was not feeling well.......like, go to work for an hour and see how you feel......then stay another hour....pretty soon the work day was done and i was fine.

i haven't been fortunate to find a therapist that deals with emet......my regular dr put me on prozac several years ago and it really has helped me get over the 24/7 obseession of v.........i'm not saying it's gone.....but it's alot less and makes pushing myself forward easier....\

just push yourself a little further each day....make your comfort zone bigger....... enjoy your life.....so much out there for you

[olschesky]

sorry, i forgot to add that when i am in a bad panic distractions are my best medicine.......something that totally takes your mind somewhere else.....i knit, i play trivia online in a chat room.....you really have to concentrate in there.....do crossword puzzles, etc. movies and tv not so much for me....my mind tends to wander back to the emet........just sayin

[fedup_emet]

thanks, good to hear that it is possible for me to have a somewhat normal future