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Anxiety/Panic Breakdown - Help!

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thomas30861
thomas30861

Hello everyone.

I'm new to this forum and wondering if someone can help me. I am suffering from a severe bout of anxiety/panic that began about a month ago following a panic attack at the dentist. I experienced this once before, during the year of 2016. After 6-12 months of medication and therapy (through the NHS) I managed to make a full recovery and life since has been great.

Sadly, I seem to have relapsed, and this time it appears to be a lot worse. Whereas before it was more 'event' based and I felt okay at home, this time I'm having a constant extreme level anxiety/panic attacks from the moment I awaken until I finally fall asleep. This is accompanied by horrible physical symptoms as well as constant racing, dark intrusive thoughts that just will not settle. My thoughts are on loop all day of 'how am I feeling', 'i'll never get better' etc. I can't eat, work or function normally, in truth - I'm in absolute despair and just don't know where to turn. I'm spiralling into depression.

I was prescribed 10mg citalopram from my GP, which i've been taking for 2.5 weeks, and she recently increased to 20mg, which i've been taking for two days. It's all got so much worse over the last two weeks - I don't know if it's the medication or just me. She also gave me some propranolol and a few diazepam so I could get some sleep. I've referred myself to local NHS mental health services but I know the wait can be incredibly long.

I don't know if it's just me and the anxiety, or the medication, but my anxiety intensity is doubling day on day and i'm just at my wits end. I'm wondering whether I should stop taking them.

I just wondered if anyone had any comforting words of wisdom or resources you could share with me.

With my best wishes,

Thomas.

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1 Reply

  • jan34534
    jan34534 thomas30861

    Edited

    i’m sorry that you are going through this and I know how scary it can feel.

    First I would say that medication for this takes about six weeks or so to really start to make a difference. Before you think about stopping the medication, speak with your doctor first.

    And I hope you are able to get help with the NHS soon. It’s good that you are on the list though.

    The first thing to do would be to work at calming down your physical body as well as your mind.

    You need to Focus on your breath and how you are breathing. Proper breathing is the key to calming down the mind and feeling more in control. It get you out of the panic state.

    1. go on YouTube and search for a meditation for panic and anxiety . Also look for breathing exercises for anxiety and panic. When I was feeling that way I would do these at least a couple times a day. they really help to settle things down at least temporarily. find a couple that you like and use them when you start to feel panic and anxiety.
    2. you are going to be OK! Always remember that panic and anxiety are not harmful. They can be scary and weird with all the crazy dark thoughts and racing mind etc. but that’s all due to the rush of adrenaline and the state of anxiety.
    3. those thoughts that are on a loop that are negative can be reversed. really take notice of your thoughts. When you get a negative one, acknowledge it and tell yourself that you are just going to release it. Let it go. Don’t punish yourself over it just let it go calmly and replace it with a positive thought. Do this every time because it trains the brain in a positive way. I take a relaxed nonchalant attitude about those thoughts. Remember those thoughts are not a part of you so you can release them. They are not based on fact or reality. they are fleeting and don’t mean anything.
    4. take one day at a time. Get some exercise because it releases good hormone in the brain that helps you relax and feel better mentally.
    5. while you are waiting for the NHS, do you have any friends or family you could talk to? It really helps to vent feelings during a time like this. Also, while you are waiting, there are many churches that offer free counseling and other places in your community. I would also say stay away from anything with caffeine or sugar if you can. Those tend to increase anxiety.

      I will also send you a private message. Hang in there!

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