
I wanted to share my experience with anxiety in hopes that it might help some of you that are going through a rough time and need some hope. 

[Here is my post after my first panic attack.](https://www.reddit.com/r/Anxiety/comments/ibopcs/had_a_major_panic_attack_trying_to_get_my_life/?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=ios_app&amp;utm_name=iossmf)


I’ve always had minor anxiety, but nothing that ever required me to seek help. 
Then I had a major panic attack last fall and it flipped my world upside down. I fell into a rough depression and my anxiety soared. I felt like I was losing my mind and all was hopeless. I wasn’t able to work and I was terrified to leave my apartment in case I had another panic attack. I was miserable and scared.

I got on Zoloft and began educating myself about anxiety and depression. Per the suggestion of someone from Reddit, I started watching content from Michael Norman, which helped a lot. 

I started going on daily walks. Being in public seemed to strengthen my feelings of derealization, which helped me learn how to cope with the feeling. It took about a month before I felt anything from the Zoloft. I slowly started going out more, taking small drives, intentionally getting caught in traffic, testing my anxiety. My mental state seemed to change by the hour. I’d be fine for a bit, then suddenly feel like I’m freaking out. While not as severe, I would have a panic attack every 1-2 weeks. 

After a couple months, I finally grew accustomed to derealization which was my biggest panic trigger. The days were mostly good at this point, just a few bad hours here and there, few sleepless nights. I was able to pick up normal hours at my new job.

Fast forward to today, about 5 months after that first panic attack, and things are looking great! For the first time since all of this started, I have gone 2 straight weeks in my mood tracker without an overly anxious day. Work and social life are both going well. I feel mentally stable and am hopeful about my future again. 


For those of you struggling right now, hang in there.