Update: Anxiety, or something else?

[MushyMushy]

I have a pretty long history of depression. I'm really good about going and getting treated for it when I feel it becoming a problem for me.

These past 9-10 months have been really great for me. I've been doing a lot of socializing and getting out of the house like never before, got a job last fall, and things have just been overall looking great for my mental outlook!

Out of the blue last week I got hit by "something" and don't know what. Not illness. My whole body felt on edge, like I was on the verge of suspense. Then I would get these huge waves of dread and anxiety going on. It's been like that for a week now. I went out with friends last weekend and just didn't feel normal. Like I didn't want to be around people. And now I'm dreading every day having to do any kind of work at all (I work from home as a mobile therapist for kids, ironically). Once I'm with the kids, I'm okay, but I really have to force myself to make the phone calls and make my visits!

I'm giving this another week to see if it just passes, but I'm actually pretty miserable! I don't want to go to a doctor or therapist.... it's not that I'm against it, but I've just felt *so good* and so free of all that for all this time! Anyway, thanks for listening. I'd take any advice if you've got any.

 

[KimR]

I have the exact same thing happen to me occasionally. I'll be going along just fine, happily living my life, all is great and then all of a sudden it just hits me. Sometimes it's triggered by something, sometimes not. It lasts anywhere from a day to a week or more.

I've learned the best thing I can do is just keep telling myself that the anxiety will eventually go away because it always does; however, I certainly am miserable while it lasts. Telling myself that my feelings have no basis in reality, while true, does nothing to lessen the anxiety.

I take xanax on occasion when I'm having a particularly bad day or to help me sleep at night. My Dr. wanted to put me on a daily med but I see no sense in taking something everyday when I only really need something sporadically. Also, if I'm taking something every day, how would I ever know if I'd be ok without it?

 

[Magic Mom]

If it is anxiety, the doctor can give you something to diffuse it until it passes.

 

[MushyMushy]

Kim, that sounds exactly like me right now. I've never gone through this before, but everything I've read makes it sound like plain old anxiety. Not sure why it came up out of the blue like this, but I'm miserable with it.

MM, yeah, my husband keeps encouraging me to call my doctor. I hope he can give me something that's not long term, but will help get me through this!

Thanks.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Having to go with my 13yodd to therapy, I am getting quite the peak into anxiety. Here is my 2 cents.

Since things are going well for you, you are recognizing the first "sign" of what leads you to the depression path that you frequently travel. Yes, it is anxiety.

Even though you may think you have never had it before, you probably have. You are just very in tune with it because you are doing well. Does that make sense?

That is the key with my dd right now is to "catch" the triggers and recognize when you are walking down the wrong path.

As much as we talk about it, recognize it, doesn't matter, it is very easy to "slip". She had mouth surgery, got a cold and that is all it took. She was "run down" and used her old tactics out of habit. However I recognize it clearly and don't indulge the anxiety. Not easy with a 13yo girl. But got thru it and on track.

Now recognizing what the trigger is harder. There is something bugging you. It may be something as simple as needing some downtime to a certain work situation or patient.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

I'm sure you've been through all sorts of physiological tests, but I just wanted to throw this into the mix of responses here.

I was feeling increasing anxiety over a period of weeks where it culminated in my feeling consistetly edgy and irritable.

I finally spoke to my MD about it, and in conjunction with some other concerns I was referred to an endocrinologist. That resulted in tracing the anxiety response to a supplement I was taking. It spiked the amount of choline in my blood, so to speak and was the culprit.

So, all that to say, sometimes a good endocrinologist can determine exactly what metabolic factor has gone awry and is manifesting in "mental health" issues.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Yep, I agree it can be medical, thyroid being the main culprit.

 

[MushyMushy]

Having to go with my 13yodd to therapy, I am getting quite the peak into anxiety. Here is my 2 cents.

Since things are going well for you, you are recognizing the first "sign" of what leads you to the depression path that you frequently travel. Yes, it is anxiety.

Even though you may think you have never had it before, you probably have. You are just very in tune with it because you are doing well. Does that make sense?

That is the key with my dd right now is to "catch" the triggers and recognize when you are walking down the wrong path.

As much as we talk about it, recognize it, doesn't matter, it is very easy to "slip". She had mouth surgery, got a cold and that is all it took. She was "run down" and used her old tactics out of habit. However I recognize it clearly and don't indulge the anxiety. Not easy with a 13yo girl. But got thru it and on track.

Now recognizing what the trigger is harder. There is something bugging you. It may be something as simple as needing some downtime to a certain work situation or patient.

That makes perfect sense. Thanks for the insight! The feelings might seem exaggerated because I've been feeling so content and happy. It makes me feel like I'm going insane to have all this come over me when "seemingly" nothing is wrong.

I'm sure you've been through all sorts of physiological tests, but I just wanted to throw this into the mix of responses here.

I was feeling increasing anxiety over a period of weeks where it culminated in my feeling consistetly edgy and irritable.

I finally spoke to my MD about it, and in conjunction with some other concerns I was referred to an endocrinologist. That resulted in tracing the anxiety response to a supplement I was taking. It spiked the amount of choline in my blood, so to speak and was the culprit.

So, all that to say, sometimes a good endocrinologist can determine exactly what metabolic factor has gone awry and is manifesting in "mental health" issues.

What was the supplement? Just curious. I do have hypothyroidism. I just got blood workups in the past month and all seems to be going well on that front.

 

[KimR]

Also, consider whether you have experienced any traumatic events in your life in the recent past. I believe that can trigger anxiety attacks further down the road, even after you've seemingly recovered from the initial incident. I believe that is what is at the root of mine, or at least contributes to it.

 

[MushyMushy]

Just wanted to give a little update. I went to my doctor to talk to him about these issues and he put me on an antidepressant and told me he never wants me to go off it again. He also said I'm starting to develop agoraphobia, and when we went over the symptoms, boy he sure is spot on!

He brought up a good point that I agree with. I've suffered from depression off and on since I turned 20. He feels that there's no sense in me going off the meds only to suffer like this on down the line, and that taking an antidepressant would be preventative in nature, as well as a curative.

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

You have a caring and sensitive doctor. In my travels, I learned that anxiety is closely linked with depression. I am glad you are getting treatment. Your brain needs the chemicals in your antidepressant. I hope you feel "right as rain" again, and soon.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Good to hear you got some help.

 

[MushyMushy]

You have a caring and sensitive doctor. In my travels, I learned that anxiety is closely linked with depression. I am glad you are getting treatment. Your brain needs the chemicals in your antidepressant. I hope you feel "right as rain" again, and soon.

Yes, I have a very sensitive doctor! I feel so lucky to have him. People complain about the long waits in his office, but I don't mind because I know it's not because his staff overbooks, but because he's taking his time and talking to his patients, even on a personal level. I think it helps him get more insight into his patients.

I can't wait for this med to kick in. Thanks.

 

[agnes!]

Also, consider whether you have experienced any traumatic events in your life in the recent past. I believe that can trigger anxiety attacks further down the road, even after you've seemingly recovered from the initial incident. I believe that is what is at the root of mine, or at least contributes to it.

Just wanted to give a little update. I went to my doctor to talk to him about these issues and he put me on an antidepressant and told me he never wants me to go off it again. He also said I'm starting to develop agoraphobia, and when we went over the symptoms, boy he sure is spot on!

He brought up a good point that I agree with. I've suffered from depression off and on since I turned 20. He feels that there's no sense in me going off the meds only to suffer like this on down the line, and that taking an antidepressant would be preventative in nature, as well as a curative.

Yay, a good doctor story! Also, I was wondering if an anniversary of a traumatic or sad event was rolling around. Sometimes I might be feeling blue and I realize it's because the timeframe of a sad/traumatic anniversary had come around.

agnes!