Anxiety Support Group
Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...
I'm having a really bad time right now, both with my anxiety and my depression. I think it could be in part because of my medications - I've been waking up sad and started crying every morning since I started taking Imipramine. I'm also on Ritalin though, and since my dose was just increased I was wondering if this has elevated my anxiety recently. At the same time though, there are a lot of stressors in my life right now.
I have an appointment with my psychiatrist tomorrow, and I'm kind of nervous about what he might say. In a way I think my meds are partly to blame, but I'm nervous about what would happen if he took me off of antidepressants. I'm also worried that he might choose to hospitalize me to observe how my meds effect me.
Has anything like this ever happened to anyone?
Have you ever had so many physical and family problems that you just feel like you can't take it anymore?
Does anyone have any advice on how I can deal with this?
I have an appointment with my psychiatrist tomorrow, and I'm kind of nervous about what he might say. In a way I think my meds are partly to blame, but I'm nervous about what would happen if he took me off of antidepressants. I'm also worried that he might choose to hospitalize me to observe how my meds effect me.
Has anything like this ever happened to anyone?
Have you ever had so many physical and family problems that you just feel like you can't take it anymore?
Does anyone have any advice on how I can deal with this?
That said, it can be a really good medication and the dreams may subside soon.
I know it is SO hard (and incredibly brave) to try new treatment options when you feel so crappy and fear the solution could make it worse.
Keep being courageous and you'll find answers.
Have you ever felt crippled by anxiety?
Have you found a way to keep negative thoughts from going through your head?
That feeling of not being able to cope anymore, I know well.... I find writing a journal helps tremendously when these feelings hit. I just scrawl it all down and for some reason feels like once its down on paper is not so bad inside my head.
I find talking about my feelings really difficult but have just started seeing a therapist on a weekly basis and even though my thoughts are so muddled half the time, find that these sessions bring some sense of relief. Do you currently have any contact with a counsellor or therapist?
I know I've not been much help but please do post again to let us know how you're doing.
With hugs, Vickyann
And yesterday I was SUPER whiny because I was jealous of my friends who, on the spur of the moment, take off for a crowded, crazy fun concert downtown at 10 pm. Freaks me out just to think about it!
I think I felt most crippled by it when I had no clue what was going on and just thought I was losing my mind. It was awful! My mom told me, "Your sister has this too. You just need to ignore it and take care of business." That did NOT help.
Just knowing what it was, learning that it is incredibly common and that there are roughly a million different approaches to treating it helped a lot. Especially helpful was a dr who told me that we WOULD find an answer together.
What helps me is realizing there are no "shoulds" and no "right" or "wrong" because expectations make me anxious.
The revelation that the only expectations that matter are my own was a huge "aha" for me. And while I may be disappointed about things I can't do nothing bad is going to happen - apart from feeling sad or limited.
I try to be mindful of how my anxiety impacts others and limit that. When I manage their expectations its a TREMENDOUS help. I used to agree to things and try to just muscle through as my mom advised me to do. It did not work at all.
Now, I tell people, "I would LOVE to join you. It sounds like so much fun. I have some limitations health-wise that may stop me from enjoying (the concert, a vacation, etc.) so I will try to make it but can't promise. If I can't come, I hope we'll be able to have lunch (or whatever I'm comfortable with) soon."
It took some time to work out, but I found medications and herbs and a lifestyle that works for me. If I can keep from being critical of myself it helps.
To help with my thinking, I try to meditate every morning with a guided imagery recording. It doesn't have to be about relieving anxiety - it's about getting into a calmer mindset.
I use propranalol to control my heart beat which prevents anxiety attacks (it also helps with migraines and hot flashes - bonus!). I also take L-Theanine which is a natural amino acid that is calming.
I stopped with sugar and cut down on caffeine and drink tea now. Instead of working at a job outside of the home, I volunteer a bit here and there and do my work from home. I've told close friends that I love to see them but I'm not big on adventures. I have a safe circle of places that feel okay to me so I meet them there. And they know if I'm having a bad day I may ask them to just drop by my place for a cup of tea. And they're good with that.
Having pets has also been incredibly calming for me.
On good days I can do a lot. On shaky days (not anxious but feeling like things could go that way) I watch documentaries, read, clean the house. That way I feel like I'm getting something done.
And when I have anxiety, which is rare these days, I realize the only goal that matters is making it through the day. So my thoughts turn to - what will help me to get through this? And I do that. That's plenty.
When people are acutely ill, they need to focus on healing and anxiety attacks are similar. For now, just take care of yourself and find answers. That is enough. You will very likely get to the point where you're feeling like you have answers to share here and help others!