Severe anxiety

[linziluv]

Hi everyone, just looking for some practical advice really...
I've been to Dr today as suffering the most horrendous anxiety due to quite traumatic family event earlier in the year and he's prescribed propanolol and citalopram so I guess my first question is can anybody share their experience of either/or/both??
Hoping to start CBT soon as my WA support worker and I have recognised it is actually all in my head (in a positive way!)...the things i think are totally irrational...although SS involved, there is really nothing I should be worrying myself over but can't stop the panic attacks when it comes to dealing with any professionals iyswim?
I've been give a phrase to repeat every morning and evening "I am safe, no matter what I love and accept myself"....I feel stupid but will give it a go...
My caffeine intake was ridiculous so have limited that for now....I want to try and help myself the best I can as I hate feeling like this...
Unfortunately I also suffer the most incapacitating PMT so am finding the two together unbearable....this week being a fine example!
Does anybody have any advice or tips I can try?? I'm open minded lol.
TIA

My point about the CBT, it's my thought process that drastically needs to be altered...I a way I like the idea that there is only I can change those thought if that makes sense?? Kind of empowering!

I have been having panic attacks now since January. It was brought on by stress and ignoring i had depression for too long. Basically exhaustion. I was given propranolol to begin with. It helped me calm down but it also wiped me out and I felt very spaced out.

I have since gone onto Fluoxtine and have some proprananolo if I need them. My PMT weeks are a living hell. I feel irrational and live in constant fear of the panic etc. I am now panicing over the lack of control of the condition has left me in and fearing the fear which actually just makes the whole cycle so much worse. I am having counselling. I have stopped work.

I have good and bad days and times of day. The first thing I have learnt is not to fight the panic but take deep breaths through it and run the mantra of I am safe, it is just a feeling it will pass. This works to a point. During ggod weeks I actually tell myself NO when I feel one coming on! I do not deserve it, I am a normal person etc etc.

Walks in the country are my saviour! Every day I try and go for a walk for at least 40 mins somewhere quite and green. I talk to friends and family and dont hide away. If I feel like I really cant cope I drop everything and go somewhere, be it with ds or on my own. I have a relaxation tape that I listen too every day. I have cut out all caffine and alcohol, I try and eat good food although some days just eating is impossible. I have baths, showers etc and each day I make sure I get out of bed do my hair and makeup and put on clean clothes (somedays its taken me over 3hrs to do this with many tears and panics in the middle).

I am getting better, its very slow but considering 4 mths ago I had to take friends to the supermarket with me and frequently left after 5mins.

You will get their, but you need to realise that you need to rest and repair.

I have written down on a piece of paper a whole load of stuff like, im worthwhile, Im a good person, I have a beautiful family, I am safe etc etc. I read this numerous times everyday in the hope that one day I will believe it and get my confidence back.

Wow....I could have wrote that myself....sorry you are going through it, but I feel better knowing I'm not the only one...
I feel like a failure, as a mum, a partner...I hate the school gates, convinced everyone looks down on me.
I broke down yesterday, crumpled on kitchen floor in hysterics.....my 4 an 1 yo came in and I'm now haunted by their little faces....looking at me as if to say "what do we do mummy?" heart wrenching.
I know I'm not depressed, although always anxious, I am normal when no PMT....this severity only happens in 2 weeks before due on.
I'm exhausted

It is so very exhausting I agree. My ds has seen me in melt down (only a once I think) and I try very hard afterwards to explain that I love him, he makes me very happy and mummy is not crying because of anything he has done. That I am just sad and it ok for people to be sad sometimes. I also really try and spend as much quality time with him on my good days and enjoy the little calm things like bathtime and bedtime story, cuddles in bed etc.

We are certainly not alone. Many people go throught this and many get better with time. But it does take time and patience, rest and being kind to yourself. Destractions are good. Housework when the wobbles come to burn off the energy and a good book to stop the mind going on overdrive. I like baking and cooking so on a good day i cook us all a nice tea and bake etc so bad days nobody starves and I dont feel as much pressure.

You will find your own way through it but remember your body is frazzled and needs time and help to fix itself.

I would never have written this 6 mths ago id have been too busy berating myself for being rubbish at everything and having to try to hard. Amazing what its taught me

oh and a few other tips. Dont let your blood sugar drop. I have small snackes throughout the day, ie a cracker and cheese or some walnuts/ almonds. Drink plenty of water and dont get too tired if you can help it.

If I dont do these things the anxiety is so much worse and becomes unmanagable!

That's another problem altogether....food....I have issues there....an eating disorder I suppose, except it's not about weight....just control. I've lost 7 stone in a year.
I get palpitations in my stomach which suppresses my appetite anyway.
I feel good having just wrote stuff down.
I want to write more but on phone so hard. Will get kids to bed and write in more detail