Anxiety

[pompomcat]

AIBU to ask you all for coping tips?
Posting in AIBU for traffic as would be so grateful for your wisdom.

I have had the worst 24 hours. I previously suffered with depression for 10+ years, but sessions with a wonderful counsellor were really helpful last year and I was able to come off all meds about 9 months ago. This is my first experience of anxiety.

Last night following an ill-advised horror film at home I felt dreadful. Terrified, panicky, feeling sick and clinging to DH, shaking and crying whilst feeling utterly pathetic. He was sympathetic and was trying to distract me-anyway, I didnt sleep at all last night and got up today feeling even worse, couldnt breathe. I felt (feel) really stupid because it is just a stupid film, I know nothing in it can actually hurt me, I am not usually like this at all, but I can't stop thinking about it and feeling dreadful, frightened and sick. As things didnt resolve in the morning I called in sick and went to the GP, who diagnosed an a reaction rather than a panic attack (a v intense prolonged period at work has led me to overreact, he thinks). He wouldnt give me anything as we have been TTC, just told me to get some exercise (and to come back in a couple of weeks (!) for meds if I def wasnt pregnant.

I would be so grateful for your tips on how to cope-I am a little better than this time yesterday, but still so unsettled. I'd give anything not to feel like this-it feels relentless and I am so scared.

Hi, I hugely sympathise. I had PTSD 18 months ago and the final straw that sent me off sick was a horror film. I've just gone off sick with anxiety and this time the final straw seems to have been a dentists appointment!

Anxiety really does suck, I find that meditation, mindfulness (check out an app called headspace) exercise and counceĺing helpful. But have also needed medication.

I am also TTC at the moment and whilst my GP is reluctant regarding medication, he is willing to put me on antidepressants whilst TTC if necessary. I have done a lot of research into this and although the general recommendation seems to be to avoid if possible, this should be balanced against the mental health of the mother. There was some research that suggested antidepressants in early pregnancy could increase the risk of heart defects, however the research is poor quality and the increased risk very small, there is a more recent pair matched study that found that this increase is likely to be a result of lifestyle factors associated with depression and not the antidepressants themselves. There is an increased risk of breathing problems in the baby if antidepressants are taken In the 3rd trimester though. The Bumps (best use of medicine in pregnancy) website has been useful to me.

I've decided to try therapy first, but I will be going onto antidepressants whilst TTC if that doesn't work. I only came off them 3 months ago and obviously am not coping without them!

Hi All. Thanks so much for sharing your personal stories and for your helpful advice.
I did manage to get some sleep last night following use of some of the apps & sites you mentioned (plus about a pint of Rescue Remedy and some Nytol) and felt OK so went into work today. All fine til about an hour ago when I started feeling a bit panicky-am currently walking up and down a park near to the office. I really hope it will pass soon-this sucks, I feel a shadow of the person I was on Saturday! I hope that you will all be OK too.