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...

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Thought I was improving...

Mike1975
Mike1975
I was a mess yesterday on my way to my psychiatrist, so bad my Mother accompanied me. I explained the intense anxiety and fear of losing friends, paranoia they didn't want to be around me,etc. He upped my Effexor form 75 to 150mg and prescribed 1mg Klonopin every 12 hours to control my racing/illogical thoughts(he said I should start feeling better quickly after taking the klonopin). I'd taken it twice in the past day but worked overnight last night so was hoping I'd be feeling normal again when I woke up this afternoon. Instead I woke up nervous, but without the worry. Shortly after, the worry over friends and social interactions returned even after taking the Klonopin again. I'm just at a loss because I felt normal for a short while yesterday before today's anxiety and worry started again. I've calmed a bit tonight but I usually do in the evening and went for a long jog. The psychiatrist said my effexor should keep me level at most times when there might be a peak or valley and the klonopin would help with deep drops. Am I just expecting everything to be fine too soon? My mind just seems to change course on it's own and I can't reign it in. I will be seeing a therapist about helping with self esteem but we were trying to calm this crisis before I could begin working on strategies. I was so hoping the klonopin would settle my racing/untrue thoughts.
rskb3
rskb3
I am sorry that you are struggling right now but just remember there is life at the end of the tunnel. It is so hard to live with anxiety but with the help of medication and using coping skills, which hopefully you and your dr. can figure out together, it is manageable don't get me wrong some days are easier to get through than others but you can do it. Don't think about tomorrow just live in the moment. Not all medications work for everyone, it is not a one size fits all, maybe you will have to be on a different medication? Also it will take a while for the higher dosage of the Effexor to build up in your system, so just try to hang in there and tell yourself that you will get through this and be proud of all of your accomplishments because for people like us who struggle with just living, any accomplishments we make are a big deal compared to people who don't have anxiety because we work harder for them. Keep your chin up.
Mike1975
Mike1975
I continue to try. I just go through these bouts for a few weeks quite rarely and then after I'm fine. This one continues to linger though which scares me. I should feel happy that I don't deal with it every day for years like some of the people have to which is terrible. But in the midst of an episode, not much makes you feel better. I'd probably trade the anxiety just to not have the racing paranoid thoughts. I will be starting counseling soon, but need my medication to calm me down before any therapy will be helpful. Thanks for your advice rskb3.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Mike, hang in there, I know you'll make it through. Remember, too, that the irrational fears fuel the anxiety and the anxiety fuels the state of mind that produces the irrational thoughts. Don't necessarily resist the thoughts, which will feed the fight or flight, but don't let them pile up on you either...my counselor says that defusing rising anxiety almost always demands moving. Move to another room, turn on the tv, do something to dissipate the negative energy. I know all of this is work, and definitely easier said than done, but I know what you are going through...trust me. Praying that this will dissipate soon!
Mike1975
Mike1975
Thank you Quicksilver. I'd give anything for it to disappear again. You just feel if you are thinking something for long enough, even a few weeks, you will continue to think it even if it is illogical. That is what I definitely don't want to happen.
Erica71
Erica71
You mention that you don't deal with this daily for long stretches. I'll bet that's why it does seem so intense when you do experience it. Lots of us have a great deal of anxiety....much of the time and as dumb as this may sound...I think we kinda get used to it. So...I can see how only having it ever so often might be more of a jolt to the system. Not more alarming, dangerous or anything like that....just more of a jolt. =)
hyperpgal
hyperpgal
my psychatrist told me to wait 5 days for the full effect of the klonopin--I did get calmer right away-but the physical symptoms continued for pretty much 5 or 6 days (legs twitching and bouncing around and these jittery attacks) antidepressants can take up to 6 weeks to do their thing---and anxiety can be a side effect---hang in there! I hope you get relief soon----
deleted_user
deleted_user
Mike, I wish I had some answers or good advice for you. Just wanted to let you know I understand, I know exactly what you are going through. I often can't control the course of my own thoughts either and it is distressing. I hope your meds soon bring you relief.
celticnoel
celticnoel
Hey Mike some great advice on here especially the moving distraction technique, dont try a get rid of the unwanted thoughts I for one have learned that just doesnt work at all and your mind will only make the unwanted/intrusive thought feel more 'real' and distressing. Very difficult to do though as im still struggling every day but at one point I had convinced myself I was actually dead and 'living' in hell, sorry if I missed it but are you getting professional help? I'm working with a pyschologist now as well as a pyschiatrist and CPN and they have helped a great deal, keep well :-)
Community LeaderMid
Mid
As you move through the process with medication, one symptom goes away, another pops in for a visit, and just keep on moving, giving yourself the positive pep talk that you're doing fine, and keep going.

It takes time to process the changes in thinking patterns, which then relates directly to the physical patterns.

Best wishes. You are not alone.
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