Anxiety...Will I ever feel good?

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Thanks, Janet! It's amazing to me that complete strangers would be much more supportive and understanding than my own family. I guess until you've really experienced it, you don't know what it's like.

You're right, knowing those things should help make session 2 a little easier than the first. When I got there last time I was so nervous I didn't know if I was going to be able to fill out the required paperwork because my hanRAB were shaking so badly.

The writing notes to take seems like an excellent idea to me. If I have my thoughts somewhat organized maybe my mind won't be racing. I still just don't know if I'm at the point where I'm actually going to be able to listen to her. Last time my mind was racing uncontrollably and I couldn't focus on what she was saying. Just telling her some of the stuff I did made me feel like such a huge loser. I mean, I'm 26 and have never been on a date. Then I totally freaked out afterwarRAB wondering if she thought I was crazy. At least she didn't have me committed after the first session, so that's a plus. Haha!

While I'm glad that I do have someone completely unbiased to listen to my problems and help me sort through them it's still awkward. While I'm pouring out my heart and soul this is just a job for her. So I tell her my innermost thoughts and feeling and then she asks me for $40. I really hope that I'm ready to make changes and do the work this will involve. Sometimes I'm not really sure I am as it would involve venturing outside of my comfort zone.

Thank you so much for your advice and support! It means a great deal to me. I'll certainly keep you updated on my progress, well hopefully progress. Session 2 is coming up Thursday so I'll let you know how it goes. Hope you have a good day! Take care!
 
You realy need to see someone - a psychiatrist would be best.

Drugs (antidepressants, tranquilisers) could help your symptoms, as could various forms of therapy such as CBT (cognative beheivioral therapy)

The first step is going to your family doctor and asking for a referal. It could change your life!
 
For years I've had anxiety issues but never discussed it with a doctor. Rarely do I do things outside of my comfort zone which explains why I'm 26 years old, living at home, and have never even been on a date.

I'm still working at the same lousy job I had back in high school, my mom actually got me the job. I'm unhappy, the pay is bad, and there are no benefits. It's a dead end job and I'm wasting my time staying there. I dropped out of college though because I wouldn't take public speaking. I also have a very difficult time talking to people in my age range.

Always had a fear of going to doctors thinking that every illness I had would be something incurable and I would have 6 months to live. Ridiculous but true. After losing weight, I developed a gallstone and had to have my gallbladder removed in Deceraber. The whole deal was very stressful for me. I'm still having some symptoms that I wonder if they are being caused by anxiety.

Over the last few months the anxiety has been really bad. I'm so keenly aware of every little ache and pain in my body and think it's a new symptom. I've been having trouble sleeping, I'm irritable, and having trouble concentrating. I'm not enjoying hanging out with frienRAB/family as I view it as taking time away from allowing me to obsess about my medical issues. Every little problem seems like a huge thing to me now.

Finally, a couple weeks ago, I went to my doctor about this. He prescribed a 25mg dose of Zoloft to be taken once daily. He also referred me to a licensed professional counselor who I met with for the first time Thursday. She said my anxiety meter is clearly stuck on high now and wanted my doctor to prescribe something short-term to help bring the anxiety down. Well he prescribed Klonopin which I look for the first time today. He only prescribed .25 mg to be taken twice daily as needed.

My question is are those dosages adequate considering I'm having somewhat severe anxiety. Seems 50 mg is the norm for Zoloft and .25 mg twice daily of Klonopin seems low as well. Has anyone taken both of these medications and at what dosage?

Mainly, I just need to know that there are people out there that have managed to get their anxiety under control. There are so many things I can't go because of the anxiety. The counselor said she thinks I have generalized anxiety disorder. Can I somehow overcome this and be able to lead a normal life?
 
don't worry about things that you might have to face later, just keep yourself in the present.
Also, whenever you find yourself worrying about something, slow down for a minute and reflect on what it is you're worrying about. Is it really something worth worrying about? Can you do anything about it? Chances are, most of the time the answers will be "no" and "no". Once you have that sorted out in your head, it tenRAB to take the anxiety away.
Some of the best advice I've gotten for dealing with anxiety actually came from AODA counceling (drug rehab).
First, be in the present. The example they gave is that never touching whatever your drug of choice is for the rest of your life is a scary scenario for an addict, so break it down into small goals. Like "I can make it an hour without having a drink" then "well, I did one hour, I'm fine, I can do 2 hours". They even use the motto "just for today" as a reminder to keep things in perspective.
Second, recite the Serenity Prayer. If you're not religious, leave out the word "God" if you'd like. It's the idea that counts, anyway. Just use it like a little mantra whenever you start feeling anxiety building up.

The counceling part is always awkward for me, too. I'm just not a "share your feelings" type of guy. But, it does help. It's a struggle, but it's one worth making (and don't worry about them thinking you're crazy, they've seen REAL crazy, and if you're on here, and looking for help, you're not it)
Just hang in there. It will pay off.
 
Families can have a harder time responding in a helpful way. My own mother has no idea I even do this everyday (help other people). She thinks I sit around and watch tv all day.. For me, it is a way to give. You see, I am very ill, and have been through the mill. This is one way I can put my experience into worRAB, (very helpful) and reach out beyond my confinement to my recliner. I have plenty of time to listen and care.

I think you are fantastic! You are doing the work to make your life better, and after all, isn't that the best thing each of us should be doing?

Tomorrow is Thursday, so I will be thinking of you and your second visit...which I think will be way better than the first! See you tomorrow!
 
Well I can tell you that my own experience I had anxiety start over ten years ago, it went away and now I am having a relapse. I am starting to get it under control again but like everyone says it just takes time. Let the meRAB work don't expect it to happen immediately, I know thats not what you want to hear but hang in there. You are so not alone, I have found this message board very helpful in me getting a hold of my relapse. I still have panic attacks even though I'm on my anti (remeron)but I also have my lorazapam just in case I need some immediate relief. I too also meet with a therapist just to get that reassurance that I'm not going crazy. Keep posting and checking up on everyone else as well, very therapeutic.
 
Hello. I had terrible anxiety to the point where i could not get out of bed. the doctor just prescribed chlomezapan an anti anxiety drug with wellbutrun an antidepressant. both are working well although i am adjusting the dose of chlomezapan (not sure i spelled that right) as it has no side effects. It cures my tension during the day and at night i take 2 to sleep. so far so good, bostonandparis
 
Thank you so much for your response. Lately I just feel overwhelmed and like things are never going to get back to good. While I've struggled with anxiety for many years it's just the last few months where it's so bad that I can't get a grip on it. I've been re-evaluating every decision I've made for the last 10 years thinking about how I got to the point that I am right now. I'm frustrated that I've let things go on this long and I feel like I've wasted so many years of my life. The other day my Mom asked me what it is that is bothering so much, what I can't get her to understand is that I can't explain it. It's not like a short talk with her is going to help me at all. This is something bigger than the people around me can comprehend. Everything is worrying me right now...my health, job, frienRABhips or lack thereof, past, present, future. I swear I'm having anxiety over having anxiety. My counselor did recommend that I start exercising again at least 4 times a week. She also said avoid caffeine which I already don't consume any anyway. The thing you said about going to gas stations and stores also frightens me. I'll only go to gas stations I'm totally familiar with even if it means driving miles out of my way. Sometimes I get really anxious when going in to stores by myself. I also have a ton of anxiety when I try to make phone calls and stuff like that. Thanks for your advice and I will certainly try to do some of the things you suggested. Have a good day!
 
Thanks for taking time to respond. I feel so lost and confused right now. None of my family or frienRAB understand what I'm going through. I've been battling this for years but only got the courage up to speak to my doctor a couple weeks ago. He referred me to the counselor and I had my first session Thursday. It was weird talking to a complete stranger about my problems. After I left her office I totally freaked thinking about the things I told her and wondering what she thought about me. My fear going in there was that she would think I'm crazy and have me committed. Ridiculous, I know. I'm always thinking peope are judging me and at least on here it's not face to face. Thanks for your support. It does help knowing that other people understand.
 
Anxiety ... Will I ever feel good? I wonder that myself. About two years ago I had my gallbladder removed and I kept having problems with my stomach like nausea, belching just not feeling like my old self. With that going on my anxiety came back and then panic. I started to worry more anticipating another nausea feeling attack. I have two young children and this messes up my life because I can't enjoy my kiRAB. I have gone to so many doctors and they found nothing wrong with me. I am now going to a specialist and they are doing more test. The test make me feel so nervous. I do have fatty liver and they are testing me for Sphinctor of the oddi dysfunction. I have learned to accept the pain rather than fight it. I do meditation, yoga, exercise and try to look on the positive side. I still feel so much guilt though that I let my body go and it could have been prevented by not getting fat. So any pain that I get in my body I get so nervous because I think "oh no what if I end up in the hospital"
 
What you're describing is very common for anxiety disorders. I've been unable to even hold a job for over 3 years because of anxiety, depression, and panic attacks (which all seem to feed off of each other).
The klonopin dose does seems low, but when you are first starting out with it, it doesn't take much. Besides that, keeping your dosages as low as possible will pay off in the long run. Sooner or later, you'll get to a point where you won't need it, and klonopin does have some not-so-fun withdrawls. But, as long as you use them responsibly, you'll be fine.
I'm 29, live off of my parents (not with, thank God), can't hold a job, don't have many frienRAB (although the ones I have are true frienRAB), rarely get out to socialize, go on dates, etc.
It is tough, and can be lonely, but you're far from being alone in going through this.
One thing that I have found to work is to set small goals for each day, and just work slow. I started with going to the gas station, then stores (although they still give me problems), etc. Just keep it simple, like smiling at a stranger, talking to someone new, complimenting someone (tough one for me), things like that.
I can't say yet if it ever goes away completely, but it gets better. You'll have good days and bad ones, and you'll have set backs, but, it does get better. Relaxation techniques like meditation work very well, as does getting 45 min-1 hour of excersize in a day. Even if it's just taking the dog for a walk or whatever. I've found it helps at least as much as the drugs do.
Most important, remeraber you're not alone, you're not going crazy, and millions of people cope with this sucessfully every day. If they can do it, you can, too.
 
Writeleft- you nailed it. Airbrushing has actually been a huge part of my "therapy" since I started getting panic attacks and the depression and all of that wonderful stuff. I airbrushed as a hobby before that, but since I had the time, I threw myself into it, and it's turned into a career of sorts.
I would very, very highly recommend anyone with anxiety or depression to try some creative outlet. Painting, drawing, writing, music, I don't think it matters. It just lets you step outside of you problems for a while, which can make a huge difference.

jns1022- good luck today at your appointment. You've already made a lot of big strides, and should be proud of that. Most people may not understand, but there are many of us who do. Just go, relax as best you can, and tell the truth. If you're nervous, go ahead and tell them. They're there because they WANT to help, and they'll do whatever they can for you. Can't wait to hear about it.
 
Hey, thanks for your response. I'm so glad to know that you are feeling better. It gives me hope that just maybe things will start to turn around for me in the not to distant future. At least I know I have people on here that are supportive and understanding since I'm lacking that with the people around me.

I've been feeling completely exhausted since my appointment with the counselor the other day. I thought I was okay during, in reality not so much because she could see I was freaking out, but afterwarRAB I really freaked. My fear is that people are going to think I'm crazy. That's what I thought when she called my doctor's office to see about getting me on additional medication. Then I started thinking what if no one can help me and I'm stuck like this forever. I'm nervous about Thursday which will be session 2. Hoping I won't feel as drained after this one. Guess we'll see. Thanks for your help. Take care!
 
Hello,

I understand completely...I have major illnesses which I have seen many specialists for, after having 4 strokes and a heart attack, kidney failure and more...I take 15 medications, but for the last 7 years, I have never mentioned the anxiety to any of them. I just didn't want to have it! For some reason, it was different to me than organ failure, but it's really not.

Finally my nephrologist brought it up to me...he suggested I get medication for it, and the next day I began taking medication for it. You do need to give yourself time for the medication to start working, so don't miss any doses. Once the medication builRAB up in your blood stream to the therapeutic dosage, the pills each day will hold it there. It is very common to start with a low dosage of any new medicine, to see how you tolerate it, and not shock your body.

It's been a few weeks now, and I feel a huge load lifted off my shoulders. It's like the background noise has quieted down.

As far as the therapist, have no fears about anything you say...that is what they are there for, and you can be assured that they have heard it all! The more you can share with her , the more she can help you.

You are never alone, because you can come here day or night and always find a good ear to listen, and some caring support.

Janet
 
You are not alone in this fight , many of us here have struggled with this same problem .

You can find what works , for me its religion , the reliance on somthing stronger than i am .

Anxeity can build upon itsself negative --------or positive .

My advice - take the meRAB , exercise , pray . not necessarly in that order .

The good news is you CAN get better .
 
We are right here besides you...

hopefully, the second vist will be less strssful, for a few reasons to start...

You know where the buildng is, where to park, which office it is, what she looks like, what her office looks like, what the session will be like...

With that out of the way, you can focus on a few items you feel comfortable to discuss...I think even having notes would be helpful for you, that you have thought about in advance. (Just an idea, I don't know)

She is there to listen, and to help you...not to label or judge you. Of course, having anxiety being the issue at hand, a trust has to build first.

you can always come here to get support! I will be anxious to hear back from you, your story is one I want tos tay with...Janet
 
As far as non-drug therapies, the two that I've found most effective are what my psych calls "desensitization", and meditation. The desensitization is just a fancy way of saying I'll get fed up with being afraid of something, so I'll force myself to do it. It's probably not ideal for everyone, but the basic idea is to be more stubborn than the anxiety. Sometimes it works, sometimes it's a step in the right direction, sometimes it blows up in my face. Either way, at least you can say you tried.
The meditation is pretty self explanitory. I prefer the more traditional, Buddhist style of meditation, but it is very difficult to learn. Other forms of meditation, like Zen, guided imagery, etc, are easier, and probably just as effective.
 
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