Anxiety help needed...

[macaronicanelloni]

Am off work again - I was off for a few days a couple of months ago after panic attacks, then was fine. Happened again on Thursday so came home from work, and haven't been able to face going in. I got as far as getting dressed and ready to go out today, but just got far too stressed and worried. I've started CBT but only had one session so far. Bosses are getting funny about it all which is really adding to the stress. I can't work out if I should just pull myself together and if I'm just time wasting but every time I try I just start crying again.

Does anyone have anything similar and how do you get yourself out of the cycle? Any help/advice greatly appreciated.

Are you taking anything like beta blockers to stave off the panic attacks?
Can you get your gp to give you an official sicknote so you're not worried about work
have you looked at diet and exercise?
Try to rest and relax today

I can't have beta blockers as I'm asthmatic. I've been given diazepam as a veyr short-term solution and doc thinks I should try SSRIs. I don't want to treat the symptoms though, I want to treat the cause! I know I'm having irrational thoughts, and I can identify them - don't need CBT to do that for me so I'm worried it won't help. I need to stop having the irrational thoughts!

Has anyone had CBT and had results? Am I the only person like this?!

I am feeling very similar and was about to post.

I've been well the longest I've ever been [about 2 years] and almost forgot about it. Was in hospital last week [unrelated] and I seem to be very anxious, not sleeping, having all the physical symptoms and feel wretched.

I found your words comforting as I feel same about work. I have missed a couple of days now and feel so guilty [guilt seems to be big part of it too]. Had diazepam last night from walk in clinic and hoping for appointment at GP today.

I know how you feel, that you want the whole thing to go away not just the episode. But really I think its more like asthma in that it is something permemenet that we learn to treat and control. Is not just a behaviour we have choice over but a problem with chemicals in our brains.

Sorry you feel rubbish too, awful isn't it? I am so scared that I;mgoing back on tablets - even though my experience of them has been that they work really well as a bandaid while I recover and I;ve never eneded them for longer than a few months. They always make me sick, go off sex, need a few days off work [am really scared about work]... can I concieve on them or will we have to stop trying...?

However.., I am also looking forward to that poijnt about 3 weeks in when the world seems to fall back into order, is a much scarier place and I feel better..

CBT doesn't stop the irrational thoughts but it can teach you what to then do with your mind to handle them. It's a long term solution though - I guess the medications are useful in some to make you feel better and functional whilst you wait for and partake in the psychological therapy to work for you.
The best book on CBT IMHO is "Mind over Mood" - been recommended to me by a psychologist and psychiatrist and I still get it out when I feel that my thinking is getting all negative - not as soon as I should though.
As for ttc I would ask to see a MW for preconceptual advice.
Hope today feels a bit brighter for you.

I can so relate to what you are saying.
I am in the middle of having a range of blood tests and even an ECG to put my mind at rest regarding health issues. all of this is very good of my Doctor, but i no as well as she does that this is anxiety. Palpatations , dizzy spells,breathing difficulties,stomach upsets,weight loss,headaches etc etc etc just goes on and on doesnt it, but i live in hope that one day the self help books, relaxation cd,s, and all the other tools i arm myself with will win the battle. I refuse to give my sanity to this, it isnt an alien invader it is our own minds and our own minds we can overcome. We put the thoughts there, we can take them away.

Went to doctor a few days ago and am taking sertraline. These worked well to releive symptoms about 2 years ago so hoping it goes well.

Bit sad as have had to start using contraception again after trying to conceive for a while but am convinced this ids the right move.

Cannont continue feeling so wretched!!!!

Good luck folks

So good to know we are not alone with this horrible anxiety!! For me facing it head on seems to help. Knowledge is power knowing what the symptoms are (I know they can vary for everyone) and allowing yourself to experience them. Remembering that you are not going to die and they cannot hurt you.

After the birth of my second child 7 months ago my symptoms got more intense ( been on citalopram for years). Finally went back to GP who referred me back to CBT therapist. I found CBT helpful but this time she has put me on a self esteem programme as she feels my anxiety stems from low self esteem.

A resource that also helped me was a website and book called www.overpanic.com

All the best and hope this is of some use. Remember you are NOT alone!!!

Anxiety can be overcome, I'm the living proof. I suffered from severe anxiety after the birth of my first child and like puredeed said, I think facing it head on is the best, knowing that you can do something about it is the best feeling in the world.
A good website for me was "nomorepanic.co.uk" a fantastic website (which I don't even need to use anymore).
The key for me was, relaxation, acceptance, knowing about my symptoms, knowing I wasn't alone, knowing it was going to get better, keeping sense of humour.
Now I am greatful to my anxiety, it's made me who I am, it's taught me to be strong and confident because I have overcome it (well nearly).

Loved that coffeecake, overcome it well nearly. says it all doesnt it.
Dont know if i will get offered anything from my doctor seeing her today, but a friend told me to ask for CBT, but i dont know how i feel about that, when im doing ok i need nothing but when im doing bad i want everything so im probably my own worst enemy. I dont think DH or friends &family would even have been that concerned if it wasnt for the weight loss making very evident somethings going on. My anxiety has never impacted this much on my physical apperance before, so suddenly everyones opinion is that i have a problem .
good luck people.