feeling anxious and worried constantly can't eat or sleep

Were are you from?

I am from sioux falls south dakota in the united states.

First off you are going to have to talk with a doctor immediately about whats going on.if i had any bad feelings like that i would get to the doctor right away and make sure they fix it.

Do you know what has caused the panic attacks - they are often a result of high levels of stress, which results in an overloading of the Autonomic nervous System (ANS); this can cause your breathing to alter - you start to hyperventilate and painc attacks result.

Other symptoms include an increased heart rate, feelings of anxiety, poor sleep patterns and poor appetite and feelings of disorientation and like you're going a bit mad !  You may be able to ease these symptoms by looking at you breathing; there is a fantstic book, written by a New Zealand Physiotherapist, called Dinah Bradley. The book is called Hyperventilation Syndrome; breathing pattern disorder and is a non-medical jargon book, it's well worth purchasing a copy. Google it to have a look and to understand the connection between how we breathe and our wellness.

You may need to seek additional help from a respiratory specialist who treats Hyperventilation - in the UK this is treated by some respiratoy Physiotherapists, with an interest in Hyperventilation.

It isn't well recognised by Doctors however, so your Doctor may be disinterested in the possibility of hypeventilation causing your symptoms.

And of course, there may be something else causing your symptoms, but over breathing (which is what hyperventilating is) can cause all the symptoms that you mention, so is definitely worth looking at.

Good luck

Hi

I thought that too when I was first ill many years ago!

Everyone has different different stories that lead them to panic attacks, but whatever has caused your anxiety, you'll find that Citralopram will help immensely.  Please note though that your symptoms might get worse before they get better - they'll be side effects of the medication only and are common with the medication initially, but they do wear off - takes a few weeks.  Don't make the mistake of upping the dose because you feel dreadful, as it's only side effects and upping the dose will prolong them.  If you need to up the dose, wait til the first lot of side effects calm.

Slowly you'll recover and your appetite and sleep will return in time.  It's quite tough isn't it.

A lot of patience is needed on this medication too.  You can't hurry recovery - it'll come to you if you wait.

Ive been recovered many years now, and was once in exactly the same place you were.  This medication helped me get back my life.

Try not worry, you're not alone and people are here to support you.

K xx

Hi Lynne, I've been on 20mg citalopram for five weeks and my panic attacks are more frequent too. My heart races and I can't rest, running on adrenalin. I've been back to the Doctor and she tells me to stick with it, it will get better. Have yor tried the herbal remedy Kalms, they seem to take the edge of for me. Hope that helps xo

Hi Lynne,

I totally understand how you are feeling, if you cannot eat you have no energy. I have now been taking Citalopram for 4 weeks and have had many ups & downs. Today is a better day but still have no appetite but feeling more positive. It just seems such a long while for meds to kick in but everyone on the forum is very reassuring that we will feel the benefits eventually.

xx

Hi Lynne

I know the heart racing bit is horrible and you feel like you are having a heart or something. It's definitely one of the side effects of the medication. I'm one day short of six weeks on the meds and thank God am starting to have normal periods. I even managed to go to a concert one evening. Yesterday I had a great day, putting up decorations and cooking, the normal life I want back. A bit panicky this morning but starting to come around. The deep breathing I was shown in yoga helps to slow down my heart and I've started to read the books Kate recommended. They say that instead of fighting against the panicky feelings, you go with them and reassure yourself they are normal reactions and are doing you no harm or lasting damage. Bear with it, it will get better xo