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Anxiety is taking over my life. What should I do?

Posted , 5 users are following.

missyann0912
missyann0912

I don't really speak about my anxiety to anyone. No one understands at all. I've never had bad anxiety until after I gave birth to my daughter last year... I'm very anxious anymore it's interfering with my daily activities I have no energy to do anything anymore.. I don't even want to leave the house because of how many and how bad my panic attacks are.. I went to the doctor and they prescribed citalophram at first it was 10mg then they upped it to 20mg. It doesn't make it better it makes it worse. I feel like I am an embarrassment because of my attacks. What should I do? Can anyone give me advice on what I should try to do? I hate feeling like this. My legs are tingly and I constantly feel light headed. Any advice would be helpful. Thank you. 

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • michael46871
    michael46871 missyann0912

    Posted

    Hi Missyann,

    Firstly welcome to the group. Secondly you are not an embaressment, there are many, many people who suffer anxiety and you are far from alone. I've had bad anxiety and also at one point didn't want to leave the house. (Last week I took a train 300 miles, so you can recover, even if it doesn't feel like it right now). 

    Anxiety is an awful thing if you are new to it, and you can end up in that downward, self reinforcing spiral pretty easily. Regarding the symptoms - tingly legs and light headed, these are normal physiological reactions to anxiety - they are due to your body kicking in a fight or flight response. I recommend breathing exercises. Get a heavy book, or a bag of rice (e.g. 1kg), and put it on your stomach, lie down and breath. This can get you breathing right - temprorarily at least, and might help with the symptoms.

    I would talk to your doctor about alternative anxiety medications - personally I take pregabalin. I wouldn't recommend benzos, very addictive. 

    The other thing is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Find a good therapist and get engaged in this. There is lots of info you can google on it. Get involved in the worksheets, no matter how simple or obvious they seem.

    There is so much other advice I could give, but hopefully that helps.

    Best wishes,

    Michael

    • michael46871
      michael46871

      Posted

      I forgot to add regarding the breathing - your stomach should lift the weight up and down, so you breath in your stomach, and not in your chest....
  • pnw
    pnw missyann0912

    Posted

    Hi Missyann,

    I've been in your shoes. A lot of us, if not all, have at one point. We know what it's like to not want to leave the house, or not feeling great, stressed, or even having motivation somedays. 

    If the citalophram makes you feel worse, go back to your doctor as soon as you can and tell him. This is not uncommon, less than 40% of people find relief with the first prescribed medication. Even with a 2nd prescribed medication, it's still under 50%. Do not feel like an embarassment, you are a strong woman and can get through this smile Tell your doctor everything you experienced on the citalophram and he will do his best to find the one that's right for you smile

    I sincerely hope you find remission. Chat is always open with me smile

  • phil76209
    phil76209 missyann0912

    Posted

    Hi,

    See if you can join an anti-anxiety group thru your doctor. I did many moons ago. They deal with things like relaxation and mindfulness. It takes practice to tweek it so it feels right but taking some time out to close your eyes and visualise calming things or nice memories cud help.

    My problem is my mind usually wanders off into anxious thoughts automatically, but recently I've been practicing how to stop these thoughts before they go to their usual disastrous conclusion. Takes practice but that's the first step. Then try to add on a nice thought at the end of the negative thought pattern even if that nice thought isn't linked to the anxious thought.

    By doing that ur brain takes notice, 'Ah this is unusual, a nice thought interrupted this well-known negative thought patterns, what is this?'

    It's weird but ur brain is actually ur ally.

    Let me know if you try this and have any luck. It's all about getting back in control of ur thoughts.

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