Jamie, That is great news! I know you are concerned that your doctor will think it isn't serious or all in your head but like Nicole said, it is a very very common problem. Just try to push your pride and embarrassment aside, and tell him exactly how you feel. You will be very glad you did. I was completely housebound several times throughout the years and the ONLY thing that got me moving again was medication. My symptoms were so intense, so severe that I could not even open the door. The medication took a lot of that pressure off by removing some of the symptoms and sensitivity, enough for me to be able to start using some of the other techniques. Good for you! Do whatever you gotta do to get your butt there, you'll be glad you did! Danielle

Hi Jamie! I am so happy that you decided to go to the doctor! You can only get better from here. I would say you should get both trips to the doctor over with at once, but dont overwhelm yourself. You will be just fine. When I needed advice when I was going somewhere that made me nervous, someone on this website told me to visualize myself succeeding in my trip rather than panicing during it. That really helped me alot. I tried to think of how proud of myself I would be if i succeeded...and I did, and it was a great feeling. Just keep a positive outlook. I know it's hard, but you just HAVE to know....NOTHING is going to happen to you...you are going to be just fine. If you start to see yourself getting anxious before you go to the doctor just keep saying, "nothing can happen to me... I am in control of this". I have so much faith in you. You have succeeded in my eyes just by being strong enough to decide to go to the doctor. And another thing...I want you to know that the doctor will believe you. This is an actual disease...all becasue you arent bleeding on the outside doesnt mean you dont have an illness. When I went to my doctor he told me that this is an actual illness...its just like having asthma or diabetes. It's not all in your head and its not something you can control. It is a common well known illness. The doctor you are going to probably has seen so many people with the same illness. Dont worry, Jamie, you will get better. Please keep us posted with how you are doing or with any of your thoughts or fears. Your in my prayers.

Thankyou for the replys, sorry i have taken a while to respond. i know i shouldnt be embarrassed but its easier said than done sometimes. I always thought of myself as a very open person but im realising that im not as open as i once thought. Today i have felt much better with regards to the depression side as having read the replys several times i think i have resolved myself to go and see the doctor. I decided that it might be better going to the surgery as the doctor that would visit would be a total stranger and i think i would find that harder to deal with. I have an apointment for next thursday as at the same time im going to see the diabetes nurse. My thinking is that if i do both at once i only have to make the one trip ...although it maybe twice the pressure on the day. It helps to have something to aim at, i felt so desperate last night its hard to comprehend now, i just need to stay focused as i know ill talk myself out of going otherwise. My wife will be going with me, i dont remember ever going to the doctors on my own to be honest. It sounds silly but i think my biggest fear is that the doctor is going to think im making it up, a physical injury is easy to see, but i suppose thats a reflection on myself really, i was always brought up to "get on with it" so to speak. I have done the first step of the panic program and have printed out the form to show the dr., i intend to over the next few days try and do a little exposure if i can, small steps and try and resist my usual impulse of jumping in with both feet and wondering why i feel worse. I dont really have a good or bad time of the day, i suffer from insomnia on occasion (especially with the new medication) and find my ideal time is about 3am in the morning, not sure the Doctor would agree to that time though :o) I will definatly try out the breathing exercises, and try and post any progress, although it may come across as incoherent ramblings as i find it very difficult to articulate my self online sometimes, not to mention my grammar and spelling. Again i thankyou for the replys and to the makers of this website, at the risk of sounding corny you have given me hope and helped me to see what path i must tread. thankyou Jamie.

Hi there Jamie... My heart breaks for you. I know exactly what you mean. And not to worry about the site being based in another county, things like this know no boundaries. Question for you...do you not WANT to see the doctor or do you feel like you can't stand the anxiety at all if they were to come see you? I have felt both ways so I am wondering if you possibly do too. Sounds to me (and of course, I am not a doctor but a fellow sufferer) that you need some serious relief from your suffering and what you are doing isn't working. Is there anything that can help you get to a doctor? Can your wife go with you? Would having her come first thing in the morning or last thing at night be better? When are you at your best? Please don't be embarassed or ashamed of what you are going through. We DEFINITELY understand. Be very gentle with yourself...you are suffering enough right now. Have you tried to do some deep meditation or visualization? These tools really help a lot. Especially deep breathing. The techique that works best for me is breath in to a count of 4, Pause -DON't hold, breathe out for a dble count like of 8 and then pause. Try to go as slowly as you can. Do this ten times in a row. I find I can't help but slow down when I do this. Sometimes it doesn't help much...but it ALWAYS is better than what I was doing before - adding more fuel to the fire. Peace my friend, Danielle

Hi Jamie! I found this website about 5 days ago and I already feel that it has helped me so much (especially the postings). I suffer from a panic disorder and I can understand the fear you are feeling right now. I overcame a great fear today by driving 30 minutes away from my apartment (i haven't driven in about 1 month). I was convinced that I wasnt going to be able to do it(as you are convinced that are arent able to see your doctor), but I surprised myself by doing it and realizing that nothing bad is going to happen to me. You need to know that only good can come from you seeing a doctor. Things will only get better after you reach that point. Think of it this way...once the doctor comes to your house, and prescribes you medicine, the hard part for you will be over and you will be on your way to recovery. Another good thing that will come from you seeing the doctor is once you are checked out and you know what is going on with your health, then you will probably be less anxious because you will know what meds you need to be on and what you need to do to be on your way to recovery. I am so sorry that you are going through this...i know its hard. But you have to start somewhere, and by letting the doctor see you you will be starting a turning point in your life where it will only get better. I visited the doctor 3 weeks ago, he put me on anti-depressants and I feel much better. The half hour that you have to see the doctor, as uncomfortable as it may be for you, will turn into a happier, healthier life for you and your wife. You will be in my thoughts and please keep me posted with your progress.

Jamie, When we reach this point, outside help is necessary. By all means at least let the doctor come to your home, they are already aware of the situation via your wife, you wont be judged, and will be there to help. You need to be given a diagnosis with proper medication, this isnt something you try to do over the internet yourself. Books are great in CONJUCTION with seeing a doctor, therapist, but to try to medicate and be your own therapist alone is virtually impossible, if not dangerous in some aspects, you need a blood work up done to rule out thyroid problems, and your diabetes definitely needs to be checked again, its long over due. At least allow that doctor into your home, and make your start there. Keeping post, we are here for you. Also keep a diary of your daily thoughts, feelings, symptoms, what you eat, and show it to your doctor, it helps in these situations, as when we see them, its like we have 50 billion things on our minds, and forget half of what we needed to convey or inquire about. This way, they can see if as you felt it that day and can address the situation. Trish

I dont know where to start ...i feel totally embarrassed about writing this, but im not sure what else i can do. I dont have a diagnosis that i am aware of, because i cannot get to the doctors. i have managed to force myself in the past but not for about 3 years now. I have been having "problems" for about 11 years altogether which started when i lost my job due to epilepsy. But things have gradually become worse over the years, about 5 years ago i was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and i think that was the start of my decline. I was a very energetic person before this and suddenly not having the strength i used to was a big shock and i slipped into mild depression, i hate to class it as mild but compared to how i feel right now it seems that way. I stopped going outside and whenever i did i had panic attacks, i didnt think they were panic attacks as for some reason i though you HAD to hyper ventilate for it to be considered that, i felt silly discussing the situation with anyone so only my immediate family knew. My wife has had to take over everything that involves either going outside or coming into contact with strangers and although its been very unfair to burden her with everything she has never complained once . My problem is now i am unable to use the phone, i am unable to go to the dr's and i cannot even face the prospect of a dr coming to the house even though this has been offered. I decided to look online to try and find some help ..there seems to be a whole lot of books and medications you can buy online ...im very skeptical as to what is really able to help and what is only people trying to make money though. Its got to the point where i panic when someone knocks on the door when my wifes out and i have to go and hide in the bathroom, i have over the past few weeks become more and more depressed and the last few days i just cant seem to stop crying. A few weeks ago my wife went to see the dr on my behalf ..she prescribed me "Reboxetine (Edronax)" and immediatly after taking them i felt great, it only lasted 2 days though and even though im still taking them they are no longer doing anything. At the time the dr said that i would HAVE to go and see her on the next visit as she hasnt seen me for 3 years now and im supposed to have regular chec