Finally got a formal diagnosis

[Cammy]

I knew all my life that I had an anxiety disorder, but never has anyone told me what kind it was. In the meantime I tried all sorts of meds, did CBT, and saw psychologists that specialized in anxiety issues. I FINALLY saw this really kind and excellent psychiatrist who put a name to my pain. I've had anxiety issues since a small child and these would come out of nowhere for no reason. The past few years I would wake up from panic attacks that had started in my sleep. Last winter I was up for 2 weeks - no sleep - in a high panic state. I thought I was going to have a major cardiovascular incident from the major adrenalin and cortisol levels. TWO WEEKS!!! So I found out that I am one of those people in which the primitive part of my brain that signals the fight/flight response, just misfires whenever. Misfires ... then I get to live in a state of terror and panic. The psychiatrist said there is no cure, no meds other than benzos for acute episodes, and definitely no therapy that's going to do a darn thing for this.

Would you believe that bad as this sounds I actually felt better? Knowing that I understood what was happening to me made a world of difference. All this because this psychiatrist decided to LISTEN and spend a little TIME figuring out what was wrong with me. Amazing, isn't it, when you can hook up with a good T or P?