Do you or does someone you know suffer from anxiety?

[Gryffindorian]

Well, I do and have been on medication since 2005. I figured I was always an anxious type of person, but when I went through a depression years ago, the anxiety disorder also set in. I'm taking SSRI (Prozac), which was prescribed by my primary care physician.

Lately though, I've been feeling a little more on edge, and I don't know why. I haven't been drinking that much coffee, and even when I do, I feel fine. I tend to get overwhelmed with negative thoughts, though it's not as bad as when I first started the Prozac.

Here's a link to the National Institute of Mental Health that provides more info on anxiety disorders.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml

 

[xerxes99]

I'd suggest going to a psychiatrist (a medical doctor who specializes in such things), instead of your primary care physician. There are a lot of choices in medicines, some of which deal better with anxiety than others. They are pretty tricky, and people react differently to them, though. A specialist should be able to work with you to figure out which one would be best for you, and monitor your progress to make sure it is the right one.

I did this and was able to find a medicine that helps me with reduction of both depression and anxiety. I have been on it for about 15 months now. It is definitely making my life better, and I am doing things I wouldn't have been able to before because of anxiety.

 

[Gryffindorian]

Thanks. I've seen a behavioral therapist (he's a psychologist) a few times who recommended the medication for me. Psychologists can't prescribe medication, only physicians and psychiatrists, and seeing him has been sufficient for me. Now if it gets worse, I will definitely get a referral.

 

[xerxes99]

Best of luck- I know it is hard and frustrating to be in that situation. Even if you logically know that the the feelings are chemical, you still experience them.

Just another anecdote- my wife ended up seeing a counselor who recommended antidepressants for her, and suggested a particular type. (Note that the psychologist did make it clear that a doctor should really decide what was right). Anyway, my wife saw her primary care physician (family practice) who prescribed the antidepressant to her that my wife mentioned.

Turns out my wife is actually bipolar, and the medicine made it a lot worse. She finally went to a psychiatrist who figured it out. It took her months to get back to where she started, and has finally gotten a lot better after time. It wasn't the psychologists or primary care doctor's fault, since they went with the most likely causes, but the psychologist had the right training to figure out the details.

I find it amazing how sensitive the brain is to these small amounts of medications. Even going between manufacturers of the same medicine can cause different side effects.

Hang in there, try to remember that you used to feel differently, and that you will again.

 

[Chris3123]

I have been diagnosed with anxiety, as well as a few other things. My medication keeps it mostly in check, though.

 

[Michael Chris]

Yes. I have had anxiety disorders for as long as I can remember, thankfully it has gotten better in the last couple of years with both medication and age.

 

[Crusher Disciple]

*raises hand* Me! I have General Anxiety Disorder. I've been on meds for it, but the best thing has been studying Buddhism and doing meditation.

 

[RandyS]

Yes, I did know, and loved very much, somebody that suffered from it. It caused my mom to kill herself in 2003. She took medication for it for years, but it did no good. She would seem to improve, but when her mood swings would put her back into depression, it would get worse the older she got.

I hope you have better luck.

 

[Rÿcher]

Yes. I take Ativan and/or Vistaril.

I have mini panic attacks that can last for hours. They are "mini" because it's more of a feeling of something's wrong and I can't put my finger on it and something needs to be done about it or something dire is going to happen but I don't know what. Think "House's Head".

 

[AstroSmurf]

^ I have those too. Sometimes mine will even last for a couple of days. It is like a nightmare that won't end. And when I get like that I have to force myself to drive. Being in that small space with the seat belt over my chest is almost more than I can stand. I also don't do crowds very well either.

And yes (obviously), I am another sufferer. I also get depressed easily. But right now, thanks to a very good and determined doctor, I am on a beta blocker rather than handfuls of mental meds. We learned about five years ago that most of those medications actually make my depression worse. So instead of being anxious and nervous, I simply cry all the time and won't get out of bed. But the beta blocker has done wonders. I still have moments of nervous hysteria but they are easier to manage without all the adrenaline coursing through my body. My blood pressure and heart rate have never been better either. I also have been blessed with very few depressive moments too.

And like CD I also do meditation. Actually I try to do it every morning. I have found that it really really helps on my particularly bad days.

 

[nevermore]

My friend's cat has an anxiety disorder. He is on Prozac...

 

[Rÿcher]

ha ha

 

[nevermore]

It's true. He randomly attacks people. The Prozac seems to be helping...

 

[indranee]

I believe it.

 

[Gertch]

My oldest daughter (7) has just recently started with some anxiety attacks. So far just talking with her has helped. I'm hoping it's just a phase.

 

[Danoz]

I dated a girl for four year with bulimia/severe generalized anxiety. I used to have a very difficult time understanding this, until I went on an allergy/asthma medication about 6 months ago that caused me to have an anxiety attack from the resulting tachycardia... and it was absolutely terrifying. I went to the doctor and found that I had a reaction to the medicine that caused the "panic attack." I had never felt such a... lack of control? It took 4-5 panic attacks before I learned it was the new medication and I really thought I was losing control of myself. At the very least, the experience gave me insight into what it was like for her-- and what it's like for another person very close to me who suffers from health anxiety (hypochondria) and depression.

Anyway. She started to get a lot better when she posted on a site I found her online called http://www.anxietyzone.com. Just the ability to share her feelings and experiences in writing often was a calming practice and she enjoyed the company of both people recovering from anxiety and people far worse than her that SHE could comfort. I see this kind of interaction as a good thing, where, as you say, all boats are raised.

 

[Gryffindorian]

Thank you all. RandyS, I'm so sorry to hear about your mother. Meds are a hit-or-miss, and in some cases, certain antidepressants may worsen the feeling of depression, causing thoughts of suicide.

CD, thanks for reminding me. A very good friend of mine (with whom I don't get in touch anymore) once recommended meditation to me. She's an Asian lady who knows a great deal about meditation and Eastern philosophy, too. She's still in great shape and looks very healthy. She's probably in her late 50s now but doesn't look a day older than 40. Since I've been feeling "normal" all these years because of the medication I'm on, I haven't really had a chance to practice meditation again. I hear it does wonders to the mind.

 

[sidious618]

Anxiety disorder/OCD/Dystemic Depression/Regular Depression and at one point suicidal depression. I've been through a lot of what you're saying. It may be to your benefit to see another psychiatrist and get a second opinion.

 

[jkladis]

My oldest daughter (7) has just recently started with some anxiety attacks. So far just talking with her has helped. I'm hoping it's just a phase.

My brother went through the phase around 18. It passed for him.

 

[Kestra]

Yeah, I do. It took awhile for me to catch on to what was happening. Then even longer for me to seek treatment. I was at the point where just hearing a phone ring would set me off. Highly unpleasant.

I'm mostly okay now, with treatment. I can feel it sometimes, and I had a bit of a relapse once, but I'm optimistic about the future. Good luck and best wishes to everyone else in this thread.