Crippling anxiety - I need help

[Anonymous]

I always had a somewhat anxious personality, but it would be more towards the normal range. But almost two years ago my husband went through a pretty bad time at his employment and for months I was scared he would lose his job. Things eventually settled down but that cloud kept hanging on our heads. He is finally changing jobs, but since that happen near 2 years ago I changed so much.

Often I had anxiety episodes, more than usual and would get worried about things and play out all these awful scenarios in my mind.

But since January or so it has become so much worse. Almost everyday, I worry about something different, or go back to old worries to a point of feeling a knot on my chest, an awful sensation of being completely overwhelmed.

Some of the things I worry about are potentially serious, but I worry and my body reacts as if we are living the worst scenario possibly. Others are things that may happen or not, but aren't things normal people would feel anxious about in the abstract.

I haven't been able to sleep well because my mind is always on, thinking and churning.

I have two young children and that is affecting how I relate to them and treat them. I am being more short and yelling more often.

I am seeing my pcp this Friday and will ask for some meds, but in the long run I think I need to see an specialist.

If you have suffered this, what kind of meds helped you?

I feel like I am just spiraling into a black hole and things are getting worse.

[Anonymous]

OP again. I just want to add that I think that all this stress/anxiety is starting to show on my body. My periods are being late by an average of 3 days, my skin is AWFUL. It used to be great, even after I had the baby. But now I had all these pimples that never go away (not only during pre-period time) on my neck and jaw line - when I say awful, I really mean it.

Plus as of lately, I am having headaches daily.

[Anonymous]

I can only speak personally, but medication really helped my anxiety and improved my quality of life. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can only speak personally, but medication really helped my anxiety and improved my quality of life. Good luck!

What medication did you take? For how long? Or is it something to take for the rest of your life?

[Anonymous]

you really need to see what works best for you. antidepressants worked best for me.

[Anonymous]

You need to see a doctor, he will probably prescribe something along the lines of Zoloft and Klonopin. You can try to read about anxiety and some home remedies to cure. One natural thing which is super awesome is magnesium, Natural Calm, this particular supplement is highly rated and will do you a world of good along with other things. Also, sunshine and exercise. Good luck and stay strong, learn some deep breathing exercise too, they saved me.

[Anonymous]

I did cognitive behavioral therapy- I spent a whole month not sleeping at night worried about stuff and I was a wreck. I did not need meds personally for my situation. The therapy worked.

I was always worried about SOMETHING. It was worse at night. And when I got rid of one worry, something else took its place.

The therapy helped me cope much better. In addition to the therapy, my husband and I have had kind of a rough time the past few years - we've gotten through some pretty bad things that I wouldn't have imagined, and seeing how I can be fine after the worst happening, has kind of steeled my resolve in the face of other worries.

[Anonymous]

Obviously, you first need to rule out something medical going on. Just in case, I would ask your doctor to test your thyroid function (TSH, T3, T4).

In terms of medication, I've found that an SSRI antidepressant (e.g., Celexa, Zoloft) can help, but it's not a cure all. I take one pill daily and plan to do so forever - or until something better comes along. People like to refer to antidepressants as "happy pills". They are not. They help relieve depressive symptoms and enable you to cope better with day to day stresses. Personally, I would avoid the older benzodiazepam antidepressants (e.g., Xanax). They are highly addictive and can have nasty side effects (sleepiness, paradoxical anxiety and anger..).

You should also see a therapist - a psychologist, licensed clinical counselor, or family counselor. Psychologytoday.com has a comprehensive list of local providers with profiles of each. Be aware that many - but not all - do not accept insurance. Unlike you have a serious mental health issue (e.g., bipolar) you don't need to see a psychiatrist; they are not therapists. Their expertise is in medication.

Hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did cognitive behavioral therapy- I spent a whole month not sleeping at night worried about stuff and I was a wreck. I did not need meds personally for my situation. The therapy worked.

I was always worried about SOMETHING. It was worse at night. And when I got rid of one worry, something else took its place.

The therapy helped me cope much better. In addition to the therapy, my husband and I have had kind of a rough time the past few years - we've gotten through some pretty bad things that I wouldn't have imagined, and seeing how I can be fine after the worst happening, has kind of steeled my resolve in the face of other worries.

Op here. That is EXACTLY what I have been going through. It is crippling and I hate bent like this. Do you live in NoVA by any chance? Who did you use for your therapy? How much did it cost?

[Anonymous]

Medication helped me far more than therapy has for my general anxiety and depression. I disagree with the PP above about a psychiatrist only being necessary if you have a "serious" mental health issue. I've found the guidance that my psychiatrist has given me in finding the right antidepressant to be invaluable. Therapy has been helpful in developing coping skills, but I wasn't able to get the most out of therapy until I was helped by medication.

The first time I went on medication the combo that worked for me was Zoloft, klonipin and trazodone. Trazodone is an old school antidepressant that in low doses is an awesome sleep aid. Sleeplessness and panic attacks while asleep was a big problem for me and 1/2 a klonipin and a trazodone before bed made all the difference. Just being able to get some sleep in those couple of weeks while we waited for the Zoloft to kick in was so helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did cognitive behavioral therapy- I spent a whole month not sleeping at night worried about stuff and I was a wreck. I did not need meds personally for my situation. The therapy worked.

I was always worried about SOMETHING. It was worse at night. And when I got rid of one worry, something else took its place.

The therapy helped me cope much better. In addition to the therapy, my husband and I have had kind of a rough time the past few years - we've gotten through some pretty bad things that I wouldn't have imagined, and seeing how I can be fine after the worst happening, has kind of steeled my resolve in the face of other worries.

Op here. That is EXACTLY what I have been going through. It is crippling and I hate bent like this. Do you live in NoVA by any chance? Who did you use for your therapy? How much did it cost?

I do not- live in MD, and not close-in either...

Honestly, fit is important. Sometimes unfortunately it takes a few therapists to click with. I threw myself into the stuff mine had me do, even though I thought it was stupid at the time. For example, one of the things I ruminated on was screwing up a work project. She would give me affirmations to take home and repeat to myself. "I try not to make mistakes, but I am human and I will. When I make a mistake, I'll do my best to make it right. Its ok when I and others make mistakes."

Probably went weekly about 4 times and then bi weekly maybe another 4. I wouldn't say after I was a NEW WOMAN, but I would say I had more tools to talk myself down during freak outs.

I think the other thing that helped me is unfortunately I had a lot of things go wrong personally in the ensuing years. Some pretty significant stuff. I basically had a lot of time to "practice", and as a result of the therapy and all my practice (however unwanted), I am now pretty zen about stuff. Its really hard to get me too worked up. And that is huge for me.

So unfortunately, I don't attribute all my progress to CBT - much of it is seeing that the worse can happen, and I can still deal with it. In CBT, sometimes my therapist would ask me, well whats the worst that can happen? So, you'll deal with it.

Re: cost, for me it was 120/session and I don't think it was reimbursed by insurance. My family members have also been to therapy. Unfortunately I think you'll find the good ones tend to be out of network. Try to think of it as an investment. I'll try to remember the book my therapist suggested. I think it was out of print...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Medication helped me far more than therapy has for my general anxiety and depression. I disagree with the PP above about a psychiatrist only being necessary if you have a "serious" mental health issue. I've found the guidance that my psychiatrist has given me in finding the right antidepressant to be invaluable. Therapy has been helpful in developing coping skills, but I wasn't able to get the most out of therapy until I was helped by medication.

The first time I went on medication the combo that worked for me was Zoloft, klonipin and trazodone. Trazodone is an old school antidepressant that in low doses is an awesome sleep aid. Sleeplessness and panic attacks while asleep was a big problem for me and 1/2 a klonipin and a trazodone before bed made all the difference. Just being able to get some sleep in those couple of weeks while we waited for the Zoloft to kick in was so helpful.

CBT poster back - I think this PP makes a good point - everyone is different. Meds might help you. You don't know what tools will be the best fit until you consult with an expert. I think using meds without attempting to compliment with CBT for your issue would be only attacking half the problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Obviously, you first need to rule out something medical going on. Just in case, I would ask your doctor to test your thyroid function (TSH, T3, T4).

In terms of medication, I've found that an SSRI antidepressant (e.g., Celexa, Zoloft) can help, but it's not a cure all. I take one pill daily and plan to do so forever - or until something better comes along. People like to refer to antidepressants as "happy pills". They are not. They help relieve depressive symptoms and enable you to cope better with day to day stresses. Personally, I would avoid the older benzodiazepam antidepressants (e.g., Xanax). They are highly addictive and can have nasty side effects (sleepiness, paradoxical anxiety and anger..).

You should also see a therapist - a psychologist, licensed clinical counselor, or family counselor. Psychologytoday.com has a comprehensive list of local providers with profiles of each. Be aware that many - but not all - do not accept insurance. Unlike you have a serious mental health issue (e.g., bipolar) you don't need to see a psychiatrist; they are not therapists. Their expertise is in medication.

Hope this helps.

.

Thanks so much for this. It gives me a path to discuss with my doctor. I had a baby near a year ago and these feelings have robbed me of the pure delight and joy I felt when I had my first born. Which brings guilty feelings in return... I had asked my pcp for some anxiety meds before, back in Feb., but someone talked me out of it saying it was an American thing to turn to medicine for everything.... I should have taken it and now maybe it wouldn't be so worse.

Op here btw.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Obviously, you first need to rule out something medical going on. Just in case, I would ask your doctor to test your thyroid function (TSH, T3, T4).

In terms of medication, I've found that an SSRI antidepressant (e.g., Celexa, Zoloft) can help, but it's not a cure all. I take one pill daily and plan to do so forever - or until something better comes along. People like to refer to antidepressants as "happy pills". They are not. They help relieve depressive symptoms and enable you to cope better with day to day stresses. Personally, I would avoid the older benzodiazepam antidepressants (e.g., Xanax). They are highly addictive and can have nasty side effects (sleepiness, paradoxical anxiety and anger..).

You should also see a therapist - a psychologist, licensed clinical counselor, or family counselor. Psychologytoday.com has a comprehensive list of local providers with profiles of each. Be aware that many - but not all - do not accept insurance. Unlike you have a serious mental health issue (e.g., bipolar) you don't need to see a psychiatrist; they are not therapists. Their expertise is in medication.

Hope this helps.

.

Thanks so much for this. It gives me a path to discuss with my doctor. I had a baby near a year ago and these feelings have robbed me of the pure delight and joy I felt when I had my first born. Which brings guilty feelings in return... I had asked my pcp for some anxiety meds before, back in Feb., but someone talked me out of it saying it was an American thing to turn to medicine for everything.... I should have taken it and now maybe it wouldn't be so worse.

Op here btw.

Thanks for the feedback! A few points of clarification...

- Hyperthyroidism can present as severe anxiety, among other symptoms. MIL and SIL have Graves Disease (autoimmune hyperthyroidism); I have hypothyroidism.
- To the best of my knowledge, the most current antidepressants are the SSRIs (e.g., Celexa), SNRIs (e.g., Cymbalta), and NDRIs (e.g., Wellbutrin). They each work on different neurotransmitters in the brain. You can have a very different reaction to each of these drugs, even within the same family. I tried Prozac (the first SSRI) when it first came out, and had panic attacks within a couple of days. Tried a couple more times, with the same reaction. I Then tried Wellbutrin (NDRI) - nothing. Several years later I tried Celexa (SSRI) and found that this drug was perfect for me. You may have to try several medications to find one that works for you. This is very common.
- Benzos scare the c*** out of me. My son had a paradoxical reaction and punched numerous holes in our drywall when he was put on them.
- The PP was right that a psychiatrist can be helpful if you have a complex problem that may require a variety of medications.

Please keep us posted. Hopefully, we can all learn from each other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Obviously, you first need to rule out something medical going on. Just in case, I would ask your doctor to test your thyroid function (TSH, T3, T4).

In terms of medication, I've found that an SSRI antidepressant (e.g., Celexa, Zoloft) can help, but it's not a cure all. I take one pill daily and plan to do so forever - or until something better comes along. People like to refer to antidepressants as "happy pills". They are not. They help relieve depressive symptoms and enable you to cope better with day to day stresses. Personally, I would avoid the older benzodiazepam antidepressants (e.g., Xanax). They are highly addictive and can have nasty side effects (sleepiness, paradoxical anxiety and anger..).

You should also see a therapist - a psychologist, licensed clinical counselor, or family counselor. Psychologytoday.com has a comprehensive list of local providers with profiles of each. Be aware that many - but not all - do not accept insurance. Unlike you have a serious mental health issue (e.g., bipolar) you don't need to see a psychiatrist; they are not therapists. Their expertise is in medication.

Hope this helps.

.

Thanks so much for this. It gives me a path to discuss with my doctor. I had a baby near a year ago and these feelings have robbed me of the pure delight and joy I felt when I had my first born. Which brings guilty feelings in return... I had asked my pcp for some anxiety meds before, back in Feb., but someone talked me out of it saying it was an American thing to turn to medicine for everything.... I should have taken it and now maybe it wouldn't be so worse.

It sounds like you may have post partinaire depression as well. There is a great support group in Alexandria...Google it. You will find there are other moms feeling just like you. Depression/anxiety are real. Please don't listen to people who rag on medication...talk to your dr. And if she isn't receptive go to another dr!! It is worth trying meds. Can be life changing. And Cog Behavioral therapy is also really helpful. Don't give up. So many suffer in silence and don't know there are others feeling the same way!

Op here btw.