I hate it when anxiety gets the best of me!

lc52820
lc52820 Posts: 76 Member
edited January 5 in Motivation and Support
Is there anyone else on here who struggles with anxiety?

It's been an ongoing problem for me over the last couple years & lately it's been unbearable. November was overall a bad month for me & I'm glad it's over! I get stuck in this cycle of not being able to relax, always feeling on edge, & obsessing over whatever I'm worrying about at the moment. It's been severe enough recently that I've been having physical side effects like heart palpitations, digestive problems, etc.

I finally made the decision to make an appointment with my doctor about it and she recommended putting me on Lexapro to see if that helps. Today is my first day taking it & I'm ok right now, but earlier I was not feeling good at all!

I haven't talked about this with anyone else other than my husband because it's embarrassing & I feel like I'm losing my mind. If anyone else feels the way I've described, you are not alone!

Replies

  • kmkgurl
    kmkgurl Posts: 321 Member
    i have super bad anxiety.. and it really sucks. i deal with it day to day.
  • jnchorn
    jnchorn Posts: 250 Member
    Boy do I understand! HUGS I take lexapro once a day and clonazepam 3 times a day. I recently had to increase to three times a day due to palpations, dizziness, muscle weakness etc. It felt like a heart attack the first time. I have severe stress at home and my doctor told me I am start to get panic attacks. It is really no fun at all. The two medications do help, and I also try to not have too much caffeine. Good luck!

    :flowerforyou:
  • IronGirlShae
    IronGirlShae Posts: 58 Member
    It might be PMDD, some birth control hormones can help regulate it. Talk to your doc about that option too. You're not alone, I have anxiety, and so do many women I know. I find Passion flower or other herbal relaxation tea and a hot lavender bath can help. When I have a manic-type anxiety cleaning the house or exercise can be a good relief. Plus exercise gives you all those happy brain chemicals.
  • hadlam83
    hadlam83 Posts: 140
    Hey, I read your post and immediately felt for you. I have struggled with anxiety practically my whole life including being diagnosed with OCD symptoms and depression. I am especially bad at rumenating (spelling sorry) and going through things (big and small) over and over to the point of insomnia and as you said feeling like I'm going insane.

    I had my latest attack a few months back when I was pregnant with my second child - I completely hit rock bottom. Unable to sleep / eat etc.I finally accepted medication (my Dr has been suggesting it for years) and I've been teamed up with a psychologist which is helping hugely. I know it will never be cured but talking about it has helped loads.

    Is there any sort of service that can be made available to you like councilling or psychologist etc?

    Anyway take care of yourself, add me if you want a friend and remember its not as uncommon as you think :)

    Helen :)
  • Rix06
    Rix06 Posts: 25
    I deal with it too. mines from social situations. the good news is its manageable. a good doctor will be able to help you. tell your close friends and family about it. it helps you if they know whats going on. with me i use to try to hide it which hinders getting better.
  • lc52820
    lc52820 Posts: 76 Member
    It's been good to be able to read about different people's experiences with anxiety and/or depression, etc. and it makes me feel hopeful. It sounds like it's really different for everyone...some are in favor of meds while others prefer natural methods or a combination of things.

    I guess I will just have to keep trying until I find what works for me. I just want to be able to appreciate the positive things in my life without feeling like my own worst enemy.

    My doctor also gave me a list of local counselors she recommends, I just need to see if any of them are covered by my insurance. Thanks for all of your feedback & support, it really does help :heart:
  • 4mydogs
    4mydogs Posts: 66 Member
    I have struggled for years with anxiety. Honestly for me the best medicine is a really hard cardio workout. I have been on everything, including lexapro, paxil, klonopin and xanax, so I do not say this lightly. I found the medicine helped but the side effects sucked for me so my Doctor also recomended excercise and a healthy diet as well, also fish oil. In addition, I went to counseling as well which helped me on how to deal with my anxiety when triggers appeared so I could work on calming myself down. Best of luck and know that whatever choice gives you relief will make things better!!
  • i_am_anas_bitch
    i_am_anas_bitch Posts: 6
    I am 15 years old and it has been a struggle since the day I was born. I obess about my grades, assignments, weight and all of that. My anxiety gave me Anorexia 2 years ago which I am now better and eat 2000kcal a day and run varsity on the cross country team. But I have been on countless medications for it and none work. My pulse also gets really fast when I have anexity and disgestive problems, don't get me started. The only medication that seemed to do anything for me is Prozac. It won't cure but I went from moderate to severe anexity everyday or other day down to twice a week mild anexity. It won't always work but it made my life easier in school. I always got straight A's but it is SO MUCH easier now. It won't make you not care abotu anything anymore but it helped me focus and worry less irrationally. And theripasts are amazing when you find the right one. Worth my mother's money
  • jessiethera
    jessiethera Posts: 14
    Lexapro definitely helps, but it does take four to six weeks to become effective. I would definitely recommend finding a cognitive behavioral therapist in your area (if finances allow). I used to be on lexapro for anxiety, but it was exacerbating my ADHD lol. With CBT, I've been able to go off the anxiety meds completely. It has helped me learn how to control my body's automatic response to stressors, and stop the cyclical thinking that leads me into a panic spiral of despair. I would seriously recommend it. =)

    Good for you for looking for help. That's always the hardest step. It can only get better from here!
  • larryc0923
    larryc0923 Posts: 557 Member
    A number of years ago I suffered from very high anxiety it almost led to a breakdown then a good friend of mine gave me Dale Carnegie's book - "How to Stop Worrying and Start Living". This changed my life. It is truly a "How to" book and an easy read. Hope that helps.
  • Derpes
    Derpes Posts: 2,033 Member
    Anxiety is more common than most think. It will get better!

    The palpitations and other issues are a result of the adrenaline and cortisol hormones that are made by your body when anxious.

    A different member mentioned cognitive behavior therapy - they are right! It is the best.

    Lexapro will help as well - another solid step.

    Another thing to consider is diaphragmatic breathing (meditation) - this helps break the cycle of anxiety by activating the parasympathetic nervous system. With anxiety, the sympathetic nervous system is overworked.

    Here is a link that might be helpful:

    http://asrcseattle.com/downloads/managingphysicalsymptoms.pdf

    Good luck!
  • NCchar130
    NCchar130 Posts: 955 Member
    I understand completely, I've struggled with it since I was a kid :flowerforyou:

    This past weekend, due to a misunderstanding with my husband, I had my first full-blown panic attack in many months starting Friday afternoon and then continuing most of Saturday. The kind where I sweat through my clothes, my heart is pounding, and I really feel like I could do just about anything, I do mean anything. I've been off all meds for over a year (my choice) and I did find some constructive ways of getting the energy out somewhat where I could manage it (HIIT on Friday night, "angry gardening" for about 4 hours on Saturday lol "GET OUT OF MY GARDEN, WEEDS!!!" :mad: ) until my husband and I could finally talk and get it all sorted out.

    It was absolutely exhausting, I went to bed at 8:00 Saturday night and I STILL feel a little run down.

    I have no advice to offer, just know you aren't alone. I hope you find a really effective way of dealing with it. :flowerforyou:
  • Smiling_Sara
    Smiling_Sara Posts: 203 Member
    Is there anyone else on here who struggles with anxiety?

    It's been an ongoing problem for me over the last couple years & lately it's been unbearable. November was overall a bad month for me & I'm glad it's over! I get stuck in this cycle of not being able to relax, always feeling on edge, & obsessing over whatever I'm worrying about at the moment. It's been severe enough recently that I've been having physical side effects like heart palpitations, digestive problems, etc.

    I finally made the decision to make an appointment with my doctor about it and she recommended putting me on Lexapro to see if that helps. Today is my first day taking it & I'm ok right now, but earlier I was not feeling good at all!

    I haven't talked about this with anyone else other than my husband because it's embarrassing & I feel like I'm losing my mind. If anyone else feels the way I've described, you are not alone!

    *waves* I have terrible, horrible, debilitating anxiety. I think most of it is social anxiety, but I suffer from overall worry anxiety as well. I don't know how to even ask for help. I don't like the idea of talking with a doctor about it. I don't like the idea of having to take meds for it. But I think it is coming to the point that if I don't I will become a very bitter, lonely person, and I really don't want that. I'm 34, never been in a relationship because it terrifies me. I don't know how to talk to the opposite sex, and when anyone has ever shown interest, I run for the hills. The reason? Who knows, other then I'm scared, but I don't know how to admit that to a professional.
  • lc52820
    lc52820 Posts: 76 Member
    *waves* I have terrible, horrible, debilitating anxiety. I think most of it is social anxiety, but I suffer from overall worry anxiety as well. I don't know how to even ask for help. I don't like the idea of talking with a doctor about it. I don't like the idea of having to take meds for it. But I think it is coming to the point that if I don't I will become a very bitter, lonely person, and I really don't want that. I'm 34, never been in a relationship because it terrifies me. I don't know how to talk to the opposite sex, and when anyone has ever shown interest, I run for the hills. The reason? Who knows, other then I'm scared, but I don't know how to admit that to a professional.

    Believe me, I was really embarrassed to talk with my doctor about it and was on the verge of tears! Fortunately, she was very sympathetic, understanding, & made me feel less apprehensive about it.

    Prior to this, I was not really wanting to take meds for it but eventually I just got to the point of desperation. Nothing else I was trying made me feel any better and I was utterly miserable since my anxiety was completely controlling my life. The other day, a close friend told me that she has been on anti-depressants for about a year and said it was one of the best choices she has made as far as trying to get better.

    I hope I will find what works for me and I hope the same for you!
  • kit_katty
    kit_katty Posts: 992 Member
    Well this topic certainly does make me feel better. I've been having issues with anxiety recently, the last few years have been tough. Personally I try and cope with logic (which doesn't work as well as it used to), running (really helps), I'm going to the gym, and honestly finding some good music to pump up my mood has also been helping. I wish you all the best.
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