I sat down with one of my daughters adult coloring books (apparently they are the new thing to do) over the weekend, and I gotta say, it is super relaxing. I didn't have to think, I just kind of zoned out and enjoyed the quiet while I colored.
I'm just wondering, how many of y'all are taking anti depressants or anxiety meds. And which have worked best for your, which have not. I've probably tried at least 10 different anti depressants in my life, currently on lexapro, but it doesn't seem to be working as well as before. I feel I may have to switch to a new one. I also take a Xanax each night for sleep for the last couple years, and my tolerance keeps building with them. I was hooked on them in my twenties, pretty much popped one every time I felt the least bit anxious. When I finally decided to come off of them, it wasn't pretty. Worse withdrawals ever. I was very hesitant to start them again a couple years ago when I was going through divorce. But I have a phobia of meds, and will only take what I know won't give me more anxiety. I would love to be able to wean off the Xanax, and go back to sleeping without meds. Any similar experiences?
Had my first panic attack while driving over 20 years ago. Since then, driving has probably been my biggest fear. I actually went several years without driving. I still have to stay in my "safe zone". Take the same routes everyday, always thinking, who can I call that's nearby if I panic. This is the biggest obstacle that I want to overcome. I'd love to be able to jump in the car and take off anywhere without all the negative thoughts.
So, I tried the chamomile tea, and the mint made my tongue tingle, which put me in a state of panic. I seriously have a problem ingesting any new things. I calmed myself down pretty quickly, but disappointed that I let the negative thoughts get to me that fast.
Hi looking for support, it is uncanny how similar our situations are. I'm in the exact same place that your in. Years of on and off panic attacks, but had a pretty stressful few months, had an attack back in the fall, and I'm finding myself constantly dwelling on having another now. It's very frustrating. But I've made an appointment with my counselor, started this program and have begun journaling again. That's always helped me. I write down how I'm feeling, then I can go back and see that although I felt like I was dieing, it was only panic. I even go back and read through my journals from the past, when I was positive I was having heart attack, had cancer, everything I could have wrong, I thought I had. And here I am, years later, still alive lol. If u need someone to talk to I'm here. Hope u r feeling better today.
Same for me today. Not sure where you live, but here, its cold and dreary, which always makes me feel down. Not to mention have more aches and pains and tiredness, which leads to more anxiety. Some days it feels like a never ending cycle...
This morning, my drive to work was white knuckled and sweaty palms. I'm already getting the negative thoughts of not making it through the day without panic or at least high level of anxiety. At my doctor appointment Wednesday, my bp was high, which I know is due to nerves, because once I got home and took it, it was normal.
Definitely. I have had episodes of anxiety and depression on and off for 20 years. When you're in the midst of it, it seems you'll never feel better, but you will. I've had great success with anti depressants and counseling. Is there anything specific that causes you to have problems? Or does it come on for no apparent reason?
I spoke with my counselor today and she is really good at helping to ground me, and encourage me during times of anxiety. She reminded me of how far I've came from ten years ago when she first met with me. My agoraphobia was so bad, that she, as a crisis interventionist, had to come counsel me in my home. She helped me remember the coping skills that I'd learned and just in general made me feel ten times stronger. It really boosted my confidence.
