Mental Health Anxiety Disorders MEGA thread

[Vaya]

As sort of an update I've had a tough month, so it's still hard to gauge but I do think the propranolol is working (at least somewhat) for me. I'm going to decrease my benzo intake and see how that goes. I've wanted to taper for a while, it's just a really hard jump for me to take.

Vaya, congrats on taking it on yourself to know that it's time to taper and take the initiative to do so. That's really incredibly inspiring.

Aw, thank you so much, K. It was the "A-ha!" moment - 15 years in the making 8(
I still do not know what spurred it. Divinity, of some sort?

Buspar works, for me, just not as well. But because it lacks so many of the deleterious effects of the benzodiazepines, and because I am also heading towards a better spot in my life after a YEAR of chronic, uninterrupted stress, I think that it ought to do the trick. Propranolol is definitely a viable alternative, too; I always had more success with propranolol than with atenolol, but less than with Buspar.

*sigh*
Subjectivity....

i just wish benzos weren't the only option and i am so grateful for your mentioning buspar.

My pleasure; reference spork's post above yours for yet another viable alternative, too. We can do this. All of us.

...and thank you, too, for the kind words. Again, I really never thought I'd live to see the day where I become proactive about getting off of benzos. I've made half-hearted attempts at tapers before... many half-hearted attempts, in fact... but this time, there's something within me, something real, telling me that I no longer need these chemicals in my body. Perhaps, after fifteen years, my body is just plain sick of them.

I know my MIND is!!! :D

 

[mrflowers00]

ssir such as prozac cause withdrawals

 

[FnX]

I've been on a self-improvement and health-boosting kick recently, and I woke up 3 days ago and decided to call my doctor because I am sick and tired of being a slave to the damned BZD's. I can't do it anymore. I deserve better, and so do you.

I feel very much the same, sick and tired are the exact same words I would use too. I don't think they're even helping me anymore as I've refused to up the dosage to compensate for tolerance for a long time already, it's just that continuing to take them is currently my only way of preventing a mental breakdown, I guess. I don't think I can properly learn better coping skills either while on the meds. Part of me wants to just go CT because I suck at tapers, especially with something that has a longish half-life like clonazepam. I just can't seem to get the tapers right and it feels like I'm only extending my suffering. I don't want to poison myself with BZDs anymore and I'm willing to suffer extra for that... still the mere thought of doing it scares me because last time I did that, it wasn't exactly rosy. Luckily I'm already down to ~0,5mg a day for about a year now.

 

[Vaya]

Part of me wants to just go CT because I suck at tapers, especially with something that has a longish half-life like clonazepam. I just can't seem to get the tapers right and it feels like I'm only extending my suffering. [...] Luckily I'm already down to ~0,5mg a day for about a year now.

Lol I was about to halt you in your tracks there for a second, as going cold turkey from benzos is, just never a great idea. however, being that you've only been on half a milligram for that long, CT isn't really so out of the question. Just be prepared for a few weeks of discomfort... But i know you know there's mad light to be seen and felt at the end of THAT tunnel!!

Good luck, FnX

 

[ad lib]

I've been having intense anxiety with no real triggers lately, and it's been happening about 3-4 times per day. The only way I relax is by taking benzos- and I'm building a tolerance rapidly. I don't know what gives. I don't know what my issue is. I just got sober off dilaudid so I don't want to replace one addiction with another.

I'm at a loss. I've just been going through a tough time lately I guess. :/


Edit: My doctor has given me venlafaxine which I am willing to try. However whenever I am prescribed a medication for long term anxiety treatment, I'm worried it'll cause more anxiety so I refrain from taking it really. I'm just a hopeless case it seems.

 

[Maya]

I am really confused if I have anxiety or not.. I know I had intense panic attack and anxiety on my withdrawal phase last December but nowadays the only thing I feel is this unsteadiness like I am still floating on a boat even if I am just sitting or lying down. It feels as if somethin is moving in my head. I am not even anxious about anything and I still feel it... Is this considered as anxiety as well?

 

[mrflowers00]

^ that is something you should see a doctor about it could... could be a serious medical issue

 

[Maya]

I have an appointment with a neuro next month.. I just hope I can do some MRI tests and brain scans and if he doesn't see anything then maybe try a psychologist/psychiatrist

 

[FLyLoToGo]

Hey guys.. im new here and in serious need of spilling the beans. Basically, Im being tortured by anxiety and depression. Lil about me, 19 in community college, finishing my 2nd semseter. My 1st semester I was fine, kinda depressed but not like now. I was talking, motivated and responsive. And now im the opposite of those. I have barely anymore interest for school, mind you im pretty smart and always valued courses. I was writing for my blog but its been dead for a while. I was working out, but now im not. The serious issue right now for me is that I barely talk anymore. Its like when someone comments I saw something in my head but dont feel like saying it out loud. For various reasons. The reason that makes me feel okay about doing it is that the response is so obvious it doesnt even need to be said, its assumed. Another one is that it might be a boring response. Another is that I dont know how my friends would react to it. The worst goes into questiong my own self. "would I really respond that way?" Another one is that I feel like I would sound retarded, because I flip words and say wrong things, its almost dyslexic like. And its amazing cuz I was never diagnosed or had symptoms of dyslexia, or stuttered. In fact, I was always extremely articulate, and I become so when I get really defensive, I go off on a paragraph long rebuttal as if its a response for my english class or something. God, I've lost my sense of myself and with him his joys and victories, but not his grievances. I want to shine again, I want to burst into a room like I once did with an aura so invigorating. On a similar note, Ive recently been hanging out with a hs friend that I hadnt seen for a while. I remember him as quiet andwasnt really socially adept. I also remember our relationship, he respected me and I was usually the "alpha". But now... oh how the tables have turned. He's learned well, and I've stopped caring about it all.

 

[Nikkibayos]

I've been diagnosed with PTSD. but, because of personal reasons, I cannot see a psychiatrist. I was diagnosed by my family doctor..whom advised me to see a psychiatrist and didn't prescribe me anything. I have had a few panic attacks since that appointment. (A year ago) I can't say that the attacks come out of fear, but anger. Is that normal as well? Typically they are brought on by overwhelming stress and I literally feel like like I'm on the verge of a mental breakdown when they occur. I get sweaty, my heart races, I get light headed and faint feeling. I may cry or even scream. I completely lose it. I know I'm having an attack and not scared of a heart attack or physical illness. I know what's happening at the time. It'll pass within 20 minutes. My heart rate will return to normal...but, I feel wiped out...drained. I may still cry.

I also notice that I might have a small OCD issue as well. I am very uptight and tense about certain things. Things have to be perfect. Which, doesn't reflect my laid back and fun personality. I've been like this for years. I may laugh and joke and be having fun, but god forbid one of my kids wash their hands and move my soap dispenser a little bit. It's not something I can deal with. (as ridiculous as that sounds) I have a lot of issues. I'm not sure what's wrong with me. I'm falling apart. Does this little bit that I shared sound like anxiety...or something different? Thanks!

 

[BeckyLee]

I have an awesome "secret" which has helped me tremendously with social anxiety. Funnily, this advice came from watching a dog documentary.

I always look at people in the eyes, focusing on the LEFT side of their face (or THEIR right), because that is the side of the face people generally show their true emotions on more freely.

 

[ArtVandalay]

I have GAD. I'm in therapy twice a month, on suboxone, recovering addict. Almost 2 yrs clean. I know if I get my exercise in, my anxiety will dissipate. But that last maybe 12 hours. Each day it starts again. I have trouble dealing with basic shit and it sucks. Throughout the day I get in negative thought loops. Sometimes it creeps into paranoia, where I fantasize about unlikely situations. Anyone else deal with similar anxiety?

 

[ad lib]

I have GAD. I'm in therapy twice a month, on suboxone, recovering addict. Almost 2 yrs clean. I know if I get my exercise in, my anxiety will dissipate. But that last maybe 12 hours. Each day it starts again. I have trouble dealing with basic shit and it sucks. Throughout the day I get in negative thought loops. Sometimes it creeps into paranoia, where I fantasize about unlikely situations. Anyone else deal with similar anxiety?

Yes. That's how my anxiety is. Those negative, racing thought loops. I haven't found a way yet to deal with it without medication, but soon I have an appointment with a therapist (in a few weeks). You are so not alone.

 

[monkeybutt11]

Yes! I get stuck like that for a whole day sometimes. Glad I'm not alone. Are you still on suboxen? Do you take any antideppresants?

 

[ArtVandalay]

Yes still on subs, not on any anti-depressants. Tried zoloft and prozac years ago, but they made me manic. Did not like them. Yeah sometimes I get stuck for an entire day, it's terrible.

 

[drscience]

so I've been off clonazeam for about a year and ive been really struggling with anxiety...no job, social anxiety like crazy...

on may 1 I went to a walk in clinic and told the doctor I wanted to go back to my old dose of 2mg twice a day and she gave me a script for 60 2mg clonazepam.

That week I started looking for work...did some odd jobsfrom craigslist to buy some tools (roofing nailer, toolpuoch, hammer measuring tape, chalk line, safety boots) and got a job in my trade of roofing making 20 dollars an hour. it is as if taking the anxiety meds flipped a switch and lit a fire under my ass...and that in itself really bothers me. I keep convincing myself I need drugs...wtf

 

[theantiadult]

ssris can cauze withdrawls and also can be addictive sumtimes.sumtimes otc supplements such as kava,phenibut,ect. will work entierly better than prescriptions.

 

[SilverFeniks]

Ugh, stupid HMOs / underqualified doctors ...
I'm by no means a stand-out anxiety wreck, but for years I've had no ability to relax, and often operate in panic mode to get by.
Years of self-medicating with alcohol/cannabis caused net harm, as should be obvious.

finally got my Psych to give me something other than the standard depression/bipolar/antipsychotic regimen .. first she gives me an antihistamine
Recently got a 1-time Rx for lorazepam, which has zero effect on me. Never had tried a benzo before but I don't see what the hype is about. Told my Doc it didn't do sh*t and now she's closed the door on any sort of anti-anxiety treatment for me.

My buddy says Xanax does wonders for him, he goes to a cash-only Doctor tho, I can't afford to go outside my insurance.
Unfortunately while my (major) HMO is rather terrible in my experiences, all other options are more costly. I tried finding a private Doc once with alternate insurance and got nothing in return, and my constant fears prevented me from having the courage to pick up the phone & try to find a new provider.

Luckily I've gone untreated so long that it just feels like a natural part of life, though I don't have much of one as a result.

 

[AlphaMethylPhenyl]

The benzo hate is in this thread too

I see it all over the internet

I love them; nothing else woks so well for me, and name something I haven't tried

I don't abuse them

They're safe and effective, astonishingly devoid of side effects relative to the benefits, and not even haldol can touch the extent of relief

 

[ad lib]

The benzo hate is in this thread too

I see it all over the internet

I love them; nothing else woks so well for me, and name something I haven't tried

I don't abuse them

They're safe and effective, astonishingly devoid of side effects relative to the benefits, and not even haldol can touch the extent of relief

So do I.

If it wasn't for my Xanax id be in a bad spot. I use it only as prescribed and the dependence issue does concern me, but it's the only thing at the moment that is working for my anxiety.