Question for those who have trouble with anxiety

[KimR]

I'm wondering if anyone else has been able to successfully overcome anxiety problems and if you find medication helpful. I've about decided I'm fed up with this and I'm considering going to the doctor and seeing if there's anything he can prescribe for me. The thing is, since my anxiety only occurs in specific situations, I don't want to have to take medication on a daily basis, I'd rather have something I can take only as needed, especially since I wouldn't need it too often.

The problem is, I'm very apprenensive about going to the doctor about this. I feel like a freak, like I'm weird or defective or neurotic, or that I have some character or personality flaw. It's not as if I have a legitimate reason for anxiety...nothing particularly stressful going on in my life....at least nothing that's not typical for a busy working mom of 3! It's just that I cannot function in crowds...I totally freak out.

Today was the last straw...I had to leave preschool orientation so now I'm totally clueless about what's going on when class starts on Tuesday. I'm angry at myself and somewhat embarassed because I got so flustered and I know the ladies at the reception desk think I'm a nutcase. I was shaking even after I got home...took me about an hour to calm down...and just because of the noise, crowds, and chaos. I know it sounds totally ridiculous....that's why I'm reluctant to go to the doctor, but if he could give me something that could help me deal with this...that could enable me to function in these situations...well, that would be almost too good to be true and I think I could risk him thinking I'm a neurotic idiot. Can't be worse than what people think of me now when I freak out.

Kim

 

[newmousecateer]

Hi

I went through years (I am talking more than 30 yrs) of horrible anxiety. There were times I would get in the car and not be able to go 2 blocks from home. For the last 5 years it had started getting so bad I would not even attempt to leave the house. I would find any excuse not to.

Just didn't want to live like that any more. The doctor put me on Zoloft. That medicine changed my whole life, and I am very serious when I say that. I go shopping, go get hair cuts, don't even think about getting into the car and taking off for fun. Haven't conquered the expressways yet (haven't driven on them in 20 yrs), but I am sure I will some day.

DO NOT feel like a freak. You have no idea how many people suffer from anxiety.

Feel free to PM me. Best of luck. GO TO THE DOCTOR.

 

[hoosll]

Hi Kim - I have always had some social anxiety and it has gotten worse now that I am pre-menopausal.

I thought I was going crazy this past winter and spring, then i was faced with my daughter's wedding approaching in August. I was a mess in May, so I sat down and wrote out how I was feeling. Then I invented an excuse (funny looking mole) to see my new doctor (had only seen her once! - very scared of her). After she looked at the mole and dismissed it, she asked if there was anything else. I gave her the paper I had written. It was the only way I could voice how I was feeling.

She was just great - gave me three options: therapy, anti-depressants, birth control pills for my hormones. I told her I needed a "quick fix" for the wedding so I went on an anti-depressant - very low dosage (75 mg instead of 225) I've been on it 3+ months and I am so much happier. The wedding was wonderful. It has not solved all my problems, but I am much calmer most days and I think I can now recognize when my reaction is irrational. If I took the full dose my moods might stabilize more.

I understand that you don't want to be tied to a daily drug. I hope to take this for 6 months and see how I am doing.

Bottom line: You must find some way to communicate with your doctor that you need help! Please get some help. I don't know if it's your hormones or what - brain chemicals are pretty amazing.

Caveat: The first week the side effects are quite noticeable but they do go away.

 

[Buckalew]

Our anxieties sound quite similar. Mine seems to be social & heightened by certain places or situations. I have a VERY hard time going out to eat and restuarants these days seem so very loud to me. I have had a doctor tell me that some people are more sensitive to sound and loud noises than others.

I take xanax when I need to. I don't want to take it but it makes a huge difference if I take it. Thankfully, I don't have to take something every day but I suppose I would if I had to and it really helped. For now, I take 1/2 or 1/4 of 1 milligram. I have never take the whole pill and am shocked by how normal I feel after taking 1/4 of a pill. It makes a difference in whether I can go to the mall on a bad day or be in a crowd. Big places, crowded places and lines really bother me. Buses, planes, minivans etc. freak me out. I dreaded our first trip to WDW when DD was 5yo (now she is 8yo) because I was going to have to get on a plane, take the Meares bus, ride the WDW buses, stand in line to get on a roller coaster etc. I really didn't want to go to WDW! I took my 1/4 of a pill and did just fine. We have returned 4 times since & I'm planning to go again.

Just know you are not going crazy and that meds. &/or positive self talk can help. You may just need to do like I do and just take something in certain situations.
Anxiety and panic is an awful problem to have. You are not alone and you can beat it!

 

[Kermit]

I'm like you in that only certain situations bother me. For me, being in a car by myself is a huge problem. I've been able to "fix" part of the problem by finding ways to make myself less nervous. But I just can't drive very far by myself. It's not that limiting, since I live in the city. But I could never accept a job that was more than 15-20 miles from my house, especially if it involved driving through the country.

I wouldn't be concerned about talking to your doctor. You're not alone. There are lots of other people in the same situation, and I'm sure your doctor has treated many other people like you.

If you want to try other things besides meds, there are things you can do. It may be necessary to get a therapist or psychiatrist. What I've done is find things that distract me from my fears, and I've found encouraging words I can say to myself when I start to get anxious. Some are Bible verses, and others are just thoughts that help me make it through it. Like if I have to drive down a big expanse of Interstate in the middle of nowhere, I'll compare the distance I have to go with a similar distance I drive all the time on city roads that doesn't make me anxious.

Controlling your breathing is absolutely critical. Once you start to hyperventalate, you'll start to feel really bad. Explore ways to regulate your breathing. Since I have problems in the car, I pray, sing along with the radio, or argue with talkshow hosts. Obviously, mine all involve talking in some way to take my mind off breathing and just do it naturally. You may have to think of some other ways, based on the situations that trigger your symptoms. Any kind of distraction should help to some extent. Sometimes I plan my dream vacation to WDW.

Good luck! You will be able to overcome this. Don't feel like you're odd or in a unique situation, because there are many other people who have been in the same place. Talk to your doctor, and don't give up until you've found the right solution for your particular problem.

 

[Teejay32]

Originally posted by KimR
The problem is, I'm very apprenensive about going to the doctor about this. I feel like a freak, like I'm weird or defective or neurotic, or that I have some character or personality flaw. It's not as if I have a legitimate reason for anxiety...

Bah! Lots of people have this and you don't need a reason for it.

March right in to the MD and say "I'm having trouble with anxiety, I've been getting really nervous in crowds" and if he or she hasn't heard it a hundred times before I'd be surprised. The advice here is good, good luck.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Your description here is a good one. I wouldn't hesitate mentioning it to your doctor. Tell exactly when you feel the anxiety. What kind of situations you're in, etc. I also didn't want something all the time. My doc was more than happy to prescribe something as needed. And the good news is I haven't needed it in quite a long time. But it's good to know it's there if needed. Good luck! I hope you feel better soon!!

 

[KimRaye]

Don't be silly. Get some help. I also suffer under various circumstances that even I don't know why sometimes. Mine started hormonally, I believe but, once you get one or two, they seem to pop-up whenever. I initially was taking low dose Lorazepam (which my Mom also takes) every day. Now I just save the pills I have for when a real attack comes on (or if I can't relax myself outta the feeling). Breathing techniques have helped to subside the little ones.

Here's a shocker, the last time I felt one coming on was Friday, driving home with Dan Murphy, BriSully and Dopeygirl. I don't think they even noticed. I just got quiet for a few minutes (THAT should've tipped them off but!!!LOL) and, I relaxed myself through it.

Good Luck to you. There's plenty of help available.