For the past month or so I have been suffering from what can only be described as acute anxiety. I have had repeated chest pains, palpitations, dizziness impending doom etc. Source
It has definatly had an adverse effect on my life, I now find it very difficult to do even simple tasks, though in my defense I have done most what I have needed to do.
I have seen doctors so this is not an attempt at eliciting medical advise, just checking if any other dopers have had similar situations?
Yes, I went through a phase of this. I took Paxil and it basically completed fixed it. I still take a low dose.
Been there starting 2000. Same set of symptoms, ended up several times in ER until someone caught on to it. Fortunately have not needed meds for last 8 yrs, but I can still recall the feeling. Ugh. Here’s wishing for succesful outcome.
Did it start when India won the World Cup?
I have suffered with panic attacks in the past. Ativan made my life so much better. I only take 1/4 of a tablet these days and I haven’t had an attack in quite some time now. They can certainly be life altering. I hope you can find a solution. I would not wish this condition on anyone.
I’ve had generalized anxiety since childhood. I’m on medications for it, which help. I did mindfulness therapy while I was between jobs, and that also helped.
I don’t have panic disorder, but I’ve had a couple of panic attacks, and they suck.
Benzodiazepines (such as Ativan) don’t really work for me. I tried taking Ativan before a dentist appointment once, and it didn’t really help. There are other medications that do help me, though.
A doctor shouldn’t give anyone a prescription for anti-anxiety medication without a strong recommendation that you also start some Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Medications help short-term, but they don’t teach you any better habits and coping skills.
My credentials - 14 years with an anxiety disorder treated by medication, seven years medication free and recovered from my anxiety disorder after learning there was another level to treatment than just taking medication. Currently co-running an anxiety disorder support group.
I did it, went on Paxil and started seeing a therapist. I am no longer on Paxil, but still seeing the therapist. I am much better now, I do not have full blown panic attacks. Every now and then I can feel the anxiety creep in, but I can identify the early triggers and take steps to prevent a panic attack.
It sucks, I felt like I was in a constant state of hyper-arousal. I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t sleep, I could only muddle through the work day the best I could. I would go home and hole myself up in the bedroom and not come out until I had to.
The straw that broke the camel’s back was going into work one day and finding out a co-worker had attempted suicide. I remember three of us talking about what happened and me thinking that what he did was a sane, valid and perfectly logical choice. Then I realized what I had thought and decided I needed some help. My first session, I think I just sat there and cried.
It will get better.
I agree that therapy is an important element as well. I was taught some things to help me talk myself down when in a panic attack. One trick that used to help me was popping a rubber band against my wrist to break the mental cycle I would get into. Breathing deeply and lying down and remembering that the last attack did not last forever were all things that I used. But the Ativan, which I could probably almost stop at this point, was a good first step. I needed to be calm enough to hear the other messages.
Been there.
Is certain situations causing the attacks ? For myself I had attacks where I would be considered stuck for a period of time. I.E. Bus to work, line in a bank, restaurant etc.
What I realized latter I was setting myself up with worry, anticipatory anxiety. In the morning I’d think about whether or not I’d have an attack on the bus all morning. First step is to stop the worrying. Second step when you feel an attack coming on your fight or flight mode will kick in. Don’t fight nor flight just say to yourself oh ya here’s another one and just ride it through it only lasts a couple of minutes anyways. I know it’s easier said than done but that’s how It eventually stopped for me.
I thought of going the medication route. But you can be setting yourself up for a set of other problems down the road and you will have to take them for life. Lower sex drive was the side effect that scared me away from them. I’m not saying take meds for anxiety attacks is wrong just try another route first if you can.
What I also did was get up early in the morning and go for a jog before work, and run your brains out. Your body will release natural endorphins that’s the equivilant of muscle relaxants. Have a good breakfast and off to work. If you drink alcohol cut back if not quite out right, for me booze made it worse.
Good luck to you.
I’ve suffered from severe anxiety for eleven years or it could be twelve, because I was a child I didn’t receive the help that was needed at that exact time, I reckon. Then came OCD and depression and was a catalyst for all. It’s like it takes it in turns, sometimes depression will be at the forefront and anxiety is quietened for a bit then anxiety comes back and depression just murmurs behind. They’re not attacks for me just a prolonged existence.
I much prefer it when depression is the prominent problem because with that feeling, I just don’t care and it’s a great numbing relief from the fear.
So it’s all become such a mess, I don’t really know what my personality is anymore.
Anxiety is terrible, I’m sorry you’re suffering.
When my Grandmother died.
Thanks to everyone. It is a truly truly awful place to be. Would not wish it on anyone.
And the thing is I am a lawyer, I have been doing public speaking since I was 6. I should not get it.
Its like I am going to die when in the throes of an attack.
You probably have anticpatory thoughts of an attack going over and over in your head before your about to speak right ?
It’s hard to do at first but try not to think about that. At all. Your setting yourself up for an attack.
And when it does come just say fuck it, ride it through. I got so tired of them I didn’t have the strenght to get worked up over them after a certain point they eventually subsided.
Some things are normal to be anxious about. For my job very little public speaking to large audiences is involved. But when I do have to do them I get anxious. I know since I don’t do this every day this is normal anxiety and try not to think about it until I get to the podium. I usually feel anxious for a few seconds, say fuck it to myself and get into it.
I have (had?) generalized anxiety disorder for a long time before having my first panic attack while during boot camp. What got to me was probably stress - I had to assemble a M16 and I was uncoordinated and clumsy. Having to do it under time limit and pressure freaked me out and I started hyperventilating and soon felt nothing but numbness in my body.
The next time that happened was not due to any events. I just felt light-headed and numb throughout my entire body and find it hard to breath for a couple of days.
Then there was once I was so panicky that I cried for 3 days.
They are horrific. I consider myself a very logical person and was super opposed to any medication.
I started therapy for cutting and while the cutting stopped, the panic attacks started. not sure exactly how to describe mine, and not sure if they’re the same for everyone, but for me, it’s a subconscious feeling. I am able to concentrate on whatever I’m doing, but I feel this nervous shaky feeling in the back of my head. it continues to get worse and worse regardless of what I think of. Eventually it gets to the point to where I’m physically shaking, stuttering, breathing quickly, etc…
I conceded to start on medication (Zoloft) which got increased three times over 2 weeks. Then Buspirone was added daily (and increased) and Xanax for the one offs. At the worst it was happening 8 times a day. Now, it’s usually once or twice a day…
I’m up to 3 times a week for therapy and see my GP monthly to check on the drugs.
I’m still trying to figure out what my trigger is… hopefully one day it’ll be easier… (:
Here’s to mental health. Trust in your doctors…
You would be surprised at how many very competent, professional people come to our support group. Anybody can get disordered anxiety, over anything. There’s a lot more going on with you than just these upsetting feelings - part of the therapy that works so well with anxiety disorders is figuring out what is causing you to use anxiety as a coping skill, and develop healthier methods of coping.
Yes, I’ve dealt with anxiety in some way, shape or form most of my life. I used to have severe PTSD, which was resolved once I was treated with exposure therapy, but generalized anxiety and social anxiety remained. I tried treatment with CBT and currently ACT. Sometimes I am blindsided by a sense that something horrible is about to happen, and I can’t calm my body down, as if I’ve just ingested a pot of coffee.
I’ve been taking a low dose of Risperdal for about three weeks now and the difference is incredible. Despite a number of very stressful things going on, my anxiety has been far lower than normal. I also use Atavan to treat the attacks, but have only used it once in the past three weeks, such is the difference in how I feel. I’m on quite a drug cocktail at the moment, but damned if I don’t feel great.
Wow. I feel less alone.
I have been suffering from generalized anxiety for the past 18 months or so.
The trigger was my wife’s declining health.
Ativan helps some.
I probably should consider counseling.
You’re far from alone - I believe that somewhere around 30% of North Americans suffer from anxiety disorders.
Whether or not you use meds is a personal choice. I look at it like this, if you have a headache you can sit in a room with an ice bag and have a lay down. In a couple hours your headache is gone.
Or you can take a Tylenol and in 20 minutes your headache is gone.
There is an excellent book called Stop Running Scared. It’s out of print but you can get it on Amazon used. Another great book is an oldie but goodie called, How To Stop Worrying And Start Living by Dale Carnegie, your library probably has it.
I am not one for self-help books but these are excellent.
Paxil worked for me within a day. It’s cheap too. Walmart has 90 days for $10.00. Getting a script for it can be hard unless you have a doctor. Imipramine works equally as well but has annoying side effects like dry mouth and constipation. But it’s an older drug.
I had panic attacks so bad, I would be embarrassed to tell anyone about them. I had them before anyone knew what they were in the early 80s. I remember my first job was in the ER at the reception desk overnight in an Osteopathic Hospital. I would be gabbing with a nurse or doctor and suddenly out of no where I’d get one.
I’d have half the hospital staff running over, like 'WOW!! You gotta see this, I’ve never seen anything like it before, he was totally calm 30 seconds ago and now he’s freaking out." No one in the hospital new what it was. But that was 1981, I mean people knew what they were but it wasn’t common knowledge like today.