Phobias, Anxiety, Panic

[franjelico]

A little over a year ago, a friend of a friend handed me a drink they claimed they bought me from the bar, in reality they swiped it from someone in the toilets (yes they are no longer acquaintances!) The drink was chock full of amphetamines. Since then I have suffered, really suffered. I developed daily panic attacks, a generalised anxiety disorder and depersonalisation. I have irrational phobias about drugs being put in my food and drink and a larger phobia of inhaling other people's marijuana smoke (I say larger because of the reaction I have to it and how I often avoid going out at all in case I do). I've tried CBT and absolutely cannot afford private therapy. Im looking for DIY remedies, books, self help plans etc. All suggestions welcome PS. I haven't touched alcohol or any drugs (including prescription) since this happened due to fear.

Hi I suffer from anxiety disorder this developed into health anxiety. I was constantly believing I was going to die mostly from cancer I would have aches and pains all over my abdomen and found depersonalisation very disorientating. I tried medication, CBT and counselling none of it worked I sometimes felt like their help was being read from a script. I then decided I was going to join a gym, now if anyone had told me that the gym would fix me I’d have laughed in their face well i tell you what the first morning after my first gym session all the symptoms stopped and my anxiety with each visit decreased I could not believe it. May not work for everyone but it did for me I would highly recommend. Good luck I hope you find what works for you.

If the gym is not practical for you I’d recommend some form of exercise even if it’s dancing, swimming or an exercise dvd.