Hi Kay and welcome!

You are definitely not alone. I have struggled with anxiety, panic attacks... for over 20 years. First, take a deep breath... you WILL be okay!! The Prozac will take about 4 weeks until you feel a little something, and 6 weeks until you feel it more. Make sure and update your doctor/psychiatrist on how you are doing on the medication because most likely they will want to increase the dose, however DON'T increase it, or decrease it, without asking them FIRST. Leave a message with them if you have to.... they will call you back. You do NOT have to wait until your next appointment.

Medications in conjunction with therapy will help you the most. Have you looked into therapy?

You're going to be okay.... just take one thing at a time.

I’m struggling just to get through the day . But yes I started seeing a therapist last week and it went well because I was having a good day. On my bad days I feel like nothing can get me out of those moods. I tried calling my doc yesterday but just got a hold of the doc on call and he said to wait until Tuesday to see my doctor . And that if I couldn’t calm down I could go to the ER ( which I don’t want to do )

You're doing your best, and that's all any of us can do. From having anxiety for a long time, you know there are good days and bad days, even good hours and bad hours.... it's good that you started therapy and that you can see your doctor on Tuesday.... which is only a couple days from now. You will be okay! It's hard right now, and so try your best to do something fun today and tomorrow, occupy your mind with distracting positive thoughts, do something physical, get outside, take a walk.... do what you have to do to calm yourself until Tuesday, when you can see your doctor and have another therapy appointment next week. Journaling helps too, get your thoughts out safely. Get a good night's sleep, eat healthy, drink lots of water.

I completely understand what you are going through and in my experience (20+ years), when I freak out about the "What If's" and start spiraling into catastrophic thinking, well then things just feel worse for me, and it doesn't help anything for me if I freak out. My therapist said to live in the moment, take it minute by minute if I have to.

Thank you so much for hearing me out and giving me this advice . I do feel better knowing there’s someone else going through the same thing as me . I do yoga and it helps . And I clean and that relaxes me . I spend time with family Too

Hi Kay. Welcome to DS. Sorry for what brings you here, but glad you are here.

I've lived with anxiety for all my senior life and I still have days where I need assurance from my therapy support network that I am not alone as the freakiest freakazoid on the planet. DS has become part of my therapy support network. It helps to know I am not alone. Neither are you.

There is a big variety of forums on the DS website with lots of variety for all the different challenges of life. I hope you will take the time to surf around for whatever might help soothe that anxiety, depression or whatever other psychoweird life might send your way.

Welcome aboard. Hope you find stabilizing companionship here.

Along with everyone else, welcome to the anxiety board, and know that you are not alone.

Keep hydrated. Write in a journal. Give yourself a positive image, phrase to use along with counting breathing to give yourself a calming technique you can use anywhere.

When you are already stressed, having an added stress just puts more, so you'll feel more, and knowing that it is temporary, and it will disappear fast, with gentle flowing motions will help you feel better physically.

Distraction of the usual thoughts also helps to get calmer.

The more you are able to calm yourself and it does not matter what works best, just that you know it works when you need it to, will give you strength to keep on working to find your new balance.

Best wishes!

Hi there, sorry to hear you've been out of sorts. Just wanted to tell you that confiding in someone you trust can help and also forums like this where we can definitely relate to each other. My anxiety comes and goes and it seems that during PMS it's worse or at least my fuse is shorter! Sometimes what helps me is taking 5-10 minutes of doing something physical whether cleaning or going for a short stroll. I have a 3 year old and it's important for me to not let anxiety take over and make sure I stop for a few seconds before reacting with anger when overwhelmed or dealing with a frustrating situation. I'm my experience, to decide NOT to react negatively is way better than saying or acting in a way you cannot take back so easily. And breathe in, breathe out. Sounds like you have a lot going for ya and it can be hard to try to juggle all the roles we need to play in life. Keep your chin up!I

Another thing I learned is I have to limit my use of social media especially FB. It doesn't end up making one feel any better, but sometimes more lonely or anxious.

What are the physical particulars of the job? Is the job mentally stressful?

I like to ride a bicycle. It improves my stamina to deal with whatever comes up at my job as well as levels out my depression and anxiety.

How are you feeling now?

The job consists of cutting and rolling up rubber roofing materials . The materials are heavy and you’re on your feet walking miles for 12 hours a day . There’s a lot of twisting and pulling and bending throughout the day too. My therapist thinks it’s just too much on my body. Mentally it’s not too bad but on top of anxiety it’s unbearable for me . I’ve been on short term disability for a month and not sure I’ll be able to go back . I’ve been job searching but I’m scared to start a new job and have a panic attack there too.

And I still feel very anxious right now. I didn’t sleep great last night and my back and neck are holding a lot of tension . Every day has been hard . End of the day seems easier for me because I know I can sleep and finally stop worrying about getting through the day though .

Take a moment to relax those muscles, and keep that technique close by to use in the work place. The breathing and counting help release the tension. Have to do it enough times to get it working ... well worth it to be more comfortable physically.

Best wishes!

Thank you all !!