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...
Hello, I'm new here but have already benefitted so much from reading through posts this evening.
I had my first panic attack in 2017. At the time, I believed it to be out of the blue, but with therapy and self reflection I had come to realize it had been building up for a long time, as I have dealt with anxiety since childhood but believed I had it under control. After that first panic attack though, they began to spiral, (fear of fear, fear of going insane, hypochondria) bringing along the depression that comes with feeling stuck in such a state. It took months, but with weekly therapy, 20mg of celexa, and .5mg Kolonipen as needed, it had nearly vanished for 4 years.
Fastfoward to June of this year. I was writing on my laptop when I had the strange sensation of pressure in my forhead and a quick snap of blurred vision for only a second. At the same time, sheer panic flooded my chest. Immediately I spiraled again with thoughts like 'it's happening again' and 'I'm going crazy'. I could not sleep that night and struggled for many after, dreading trying to fall asleep and waking up with fire in my chest.
I went back to my doctor 3 days after that initial panic relapse and got switched from the Celexa 20mg to Zoloft 50mg. Tried it for a month before being upped to 100mg Zoloft about 4 weeks ago due to no real change. At 100mg Zoloft I notice that the darkness that comes along with recurring anxiety has lifted a bit, turning the panic into a more manageable general anxiety, but I am still struggling so much with physical symptoms and the racing thoughts they bring with them. My physical symtoms seem to change everyday, from headaches and eye pain, to stomach cramps that last all day, head pressure, chills and heart pounding, etc.
Mentally it's different this time too. In 2017 I was naive and thought that a pill was the cure and that I was 'free,' but now I know this is a battle I will be fighting for a long time. There are good days, but mostly I've been feeling beat down and exhausted. I have also faced a lot of stigma from doctors in my search for a new kolonipen perscription, as my previous doctor isn't in my new insurance plan. It has gotten to the point where I feel a sense of shame for needing it occasionally, as there have been a few times where it was the only thing that kept me out of the hospital.
I am seeing a therapist, do a lot of self help reading and am doing everything I can to stop the spiral. This is my first time really trying to put what I'm going through in words and I guess I am looking for people who can relate and support. Anxiety makes me feel so alone and broken and I hate feeling this way. Some questions I have are:
Is 4 weeks not enough time for Zoloft to fully kick in? Has anyone here struggled to get the anti anxiety meds they need due to the stigma around them? What are your go to coping mechanisms?
Also, if you struggle with anxiety please know you are so strong in my eyes and reading some of the smiliar stories on this board has helped me so much already. Much love.
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I did the dumbest thing today. I charged my earbuds, unplugged the block and put the block in my little bag instead of the earbuds. I wasn't happy about that when I got to the gym. What a dummy!
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Ever since I stopped doing therapy because of insurance, I've been feeling that old tense and irritable sense of anxiety and stress. I hate that. I was making so many strides and changes during therapy, my therapist would acknowledge all of my progress and accomplishments, and I miss that reassurance. Today I thought about it, and I made those changes! She would always tell me that I chose to...
You've taken the important first step in writing it out.
With zoloft, it's so, so important to stay hydrated! Zoloft is so effective in reducing physical sensations and symptoms quickly in the moment, which sets up the next layer of anxiety sensations and symptoms to exposure,
Anxiety is a natural helper. When it becomes overwhelming, it seems as if it's everywhere, and being aware that it is everywhere makes it a challenge to know that every single piece you work on helps to build the toolkit for everyday use as you find the better balance in the moment.
Depression anxiety is often relieved through even breathing, gentle motion/movement, and when the sensation/symptom is gone, it takes a moment to realize that 'calm' is happening.
Best wishes as you find your better balance.
My own anxiety is a lifelong condition and seems to have had as many phases and stages as the rest of my natural life. It changes as continually as my physical self and the life circumstances in which I find myself.
Meds have not worked well for me. Some, but my anxiety always manages to break through whatever med/cocktail I have tried. Is that because of my personal prejudices or the severity of my case? Proof unavailable for either theory. Personally, I just let it be okay that meds don't work for me. The judges may judge however *they* choose.
I use a HUGE box of psychotherapy tools to manage my anxiety holistically. The first tool out of my box is always breathing exercises. The brain works better when well-oxygenated.
But that is me and every case is unique.
Gentle support while you sort your own case. Welcome aboard. You are not alone.
Sort freely. Sort often.
Medication alone is not the only answer. It helps stabilize the chemicals in my brain, but my behavior, my thoughts, and how I handle situations still needs to be worked on. I call it a journey instead of battle. I have found when I look at things in a more positive direction and try to replace negative thoughts and emotions I do better. Also, awareness of what my mind and body needs. I tend to take on too much and then get overwhelmed because I want to do everything perfectly and the is not a realistic expectation. That causes me both emotional and physical pain as you mentioned.
Here a some techniques that have helped me. I hope you might find them useful too.
1) Tell myself healing comes from the inside out. It starts with letting go of the things of the past, forgiving and changing our focus and behavior. Becoming aware of what you need through self-care and personal nourishment. Take time for yourself - you are worth it. Like taking walks, baths, massages, mani/pedi/, listening to uplifting music/sermons and anything that makes you feel refreshed and renewed.
2) The 557 breathing technique is take 5 deep breaths in while thinking good thoughts about yourself like I matter, I am special, I am strong and then hold the breaths for the count of 7 focusing on those words about yourself, then let out the breath slowly for 5 seconds letting go of any anxious, self-defeating, unhealthy thoughts. I do this one to three times a sitting.
3)The gratitude journal is writing down something good every morning and night something that went well in the day, or something I appreciate about myself. Taking our focus off of the anxiety and depression and focusing on positive uplifting things really helps. What you think is what you believe. So thinking uplifting things you believe those things but the reverse is true - thinking negative self-defeating things, you will believe those.
4) Emotional Freedom Tapping - Look up the actual pressure points that you use, but you tap on those points while you repeat positive uplifting things to yourself.
I will be praying for you. Feel free to pm me if you'd like to chat. Hugs and God Bless
Arfie, Yes I am building up my own tool box and focused breathing helps so much! You are very strong and I appreciate your humor.
Caring2018, your prayers and offer to chat mean so much to me. Thank you so much for the tips and reassurance.
Tripocaloo, I'm so glad you've found some tools that help you. It's nice to know I'm not alone an anxiety can make you feel sometimes.
You are all so amazing.