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Anxiety-Not sure what to do...

1 reply

Ballyxxx · 12/03/2011 09:19

Hi,

Ive been suffering with anxiety since last summer. I had two babies very close together in 2009 and i think it was all a bit too much for me. It started off as just a mild fear that something will happen to me and my babies will grow up without a mother. Its gotten a lot worse and now most days i am anxious for 50% of the day and i have panic attacks every maybe 2 days. I dont feel depressed nor do i get that 'dreading the day ahead' feeling. I am just so petrified of the panic attacks that i am always on edge wondering when the next one will kick off. lots of things cam trigger them, for example, if i feel a bit unwell, even just a bit of diarrheoa ill go into a panic that something is wrong with me, or if i am on a train or anywhere enclosed ill panic thats im going to panic!!

I went to doc last summer after my first attack and she prescribed me xanex and lexapro and cbt. I started to feel a bit better after i saw her so i didnt get any of these. It got very bad over christmas so i booked into cbt and i have had two sessions so far. I have also got the xanex just to have as a safety net for really bad attacks. i dotn knwo what it is about ADs but im scared of them...I dont know whether to take them or not. im scared ill never come off them and il need them to get by forever :( I have got rescue remedy which helps and i ave started to burn essential oils for anxiety around the house which helps a little. I also read the dr claire weekes book 'self help for your nerves' which is great but i find it hard to put it to use when the panic has gotten out of control. Please someone tell me what to do!!! Im so confused..

OP posts:
madmouse · 12/03/2011 09:29

You describe it so well: The frustrating thing is that you panic because you fear the panic.

But the panic is nothing, however bad it feels it is hot air really - pretty much all the symptoms are caused by you breathing in too fast and too deeply. And then you end up feeling awful and out of control.

Not sure that in your shoes I would take anti-depressants, although a low dose can really help with anxiety (10mg of citalopram did miracles for dh), but then I've dealt with panic attacks for a long time. The trick is to recognise them early and stop them in their tracks, and eventually to learn what triggers them. CBT is very good for that.

I had some very early CBT at uni almost 20 years ago and I physically through practice learne ot hold my breath, which is counter intuitive, but it works, although it is crude. It helps in about 80% of attacks. The rest go full blown, but it is only panic and it does pass.

Stick with the CBT but don't be too scared of meds - they can help you and are not forever.

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