Anxiety..cant take it anymore

[mackerelsandwich]

This is my first post.

I've been struggling with anxiety/ panic attacks for last 4 months and it's getting worse and worse, I feel so low with everything becoming a trigger...

I've been to GP who gave me sleeping tablets and suggested ADs but I'm scared of taking them but I can't go on like this.

Don't really know why I'm posting other than I've no one to talk to who understands

Hi there,
I'm struggling with anxiety too, I know how you feel. There's a fab anxiety support thread on here which has really helped me to read through.
I was also terrified of starting anti depressants but after seeing my gp last week I've been unable to cope and have been taking them for the last few days. It took a lot for me to trust the doctor and give them a go but I'm at the point where I'm struggling to leave the house.
Also I think you can self refer to talk therapy, I'm currently on the waiting list for CBT.
Please do look for that thread, there's lots of people going through the same thing and it's a great support.

Please try the ADs. I was very like you after a very sudden bereavement. I waited over a year before taking them, I wish I hadn't as they were so helpful. They changed my life.

They really are worth trying for a few weeks. If you absolutely hate them then you can stop, but I really think they will help.x

I have also suffered with anxiety and pannic attacks and understand how debilitating they can be. I've used ADs several times to get through bad patches and they have literally saved my life in the past. I now ask to go on them at the first signs of a bad patch. I would also highly recommend pushing your GP for a referal to talking therapies, councelling or cbt as these can really help tackle the route of the anxiety.

I also found exercise , meditation and mindfulness helped a lot. Theres a really good app called headspace that talks you through meditation and mindfulness.

Thank you for your posts. I went through anxiety 2 years ago ended up on citropram but whilst the anxiety went I suffered side effects which altered my personality. I came off them and vowed never again.

I can't believe that I'm here again, I'm devastated. I feel such a failure for my family, I hate myself for this. I feel worse than ever. I've run out of sleeping tablets and all I want is to take them so I can sleep and not wake up all night

I have really struggled with anxiety and I am at the end of a course of CBT

It has absolutely been a life saver. The anxiety is still there in the very back of my mind / base of my stomach but I can absolutely deal with it now and no longer suffer with anxiety attacks

Please get referred, it would really help you

Hi sandwich, sorry to hear you are going through such a tough patch. I agree with others re CBT/ referral from GO to primary mental health team for assessment and talking therapies.
Please join us on the anxiety thread if you wish to share ideas , check in etc

I've been referred to someone by GP letter came when I was on holiday last week. Only came home yesterday and panic attacks started up almost straight away. I think it's mental health team, need to read letter. Sorry I know I've been vague but I just can't think straight

Ah yes that sounds right. In this area, they send a letter arranging for a telephone assessment when they go through things and take it from there.
I know what you mean about poor concentration. I had an awful few days especially yesterday and couldn't concentrate at all on Tv, read etc.
despite feeling terrible though , and as if I would feel like that forever, it did pass and I feel much better today.

Hi Mackerel, how are you feeling today?

Hi, thank you for your message. I'm Ok thanks, been up and down. Been to gp and I've got seraltine and more sleeping tablets.. not sure if I'm gonna take yet. Got appointment with mental health team next week. I just want to be normal again

ADs are not there as a cure,they are there to create a moment of pause so that you can gather your thoughts and powers to address the issue from within.

May i recommend a great book? i know there are tons of self help books out there but this is a really good one.

Brilliant CBT by Dr Stephen Briars.

The thoughts you are having are irrational but listen up and look in the bathroom mirror,,you are looking at the person who is primarily responsible for addressing and fixing the problem

I know. And that is my reluctance to take them. I know my thoughts are not rational, but I can't stop the feelings of panic. Thing is to outside world I function, i go to work albeit part time, I take care of my kids and take them out like I did today. Take them to their appointments etc. Deal with housework, cook clean etc. But inside I'm in a state of anxiety with thoughts ruminating over and over about my perceived failings and it's relentless. I know it's irrational but I can't stop the physical symptoms of the panic attack/ adrenaline rush at the thoughts... it's even the thought of it that causes it now. Then it's a vicious circle of going over thoughts to try and alleviate panic symptoms. I don't know if this makes sense. I will take a look at book, I've been to gym tonight which has helped a lot. Thank you for taking time to reply

Hi Mackerel I hope you are feeling ok this morning. I just wanted to reassure you that I've been in your position but am 100 times better now. Even though I have been dealing with a difficult situation at home my anxiety is still under control so it can get better.

I did take ADs for around 6 months along with seeing a therapist for CBT. I also found some books helpful. Hope and help for your nerves by Dr Claire Weekes and the Overcoming low self esteem which is like a CBT workbook.

Exercise definitely helps and trying to get 10 mins a day to practice mindfulness (although I appreciate it is hard to do when your thoughts are racing, so even just a short walk where you "notice" what's around you helps.) I have found attending my church v helpful too. I do hope you can chat to someone in rl or keep chatting to us on here but it will improve.

Thank you for reassurance.

Tonight is not good, bad panic attacks, I feel horrific, taken sleeping tablets to try and escape and shut off. Dreading waking up.

Hi mackerel just want to say your not alone. My gad playing up big time at the moment. I'm finding it so bloody hard to paint on a smile & leave the house. It's even worse as it's school holidays & I'm desperately trying to act normal for the kids & I don't think my partner can take me having a mini breakdown again. It all makes me want to close the door & cry every day. My chest feels tight all the time at the moment. I'm really in a bad lonely place. I came on here hoping to find some other stratagies to help cope & to feel less alone. So I'm glad I've found this thread.

Hi I have anxiety too. It sounds like youre being pretty harsh on yourself. Theres a range of anxiety medication so dont write yourself off adter trying one.
What works for me is exercise (30 mins r times a week) mindfulness n prayer.
The exercise is the last thing i want to do when i feel grim but i notice when im not disciplined that my intrusive thoughts come back insomnia and racing heart come back. If im disciplined the horrible feelings get quieter and i feel so much better. I hopw you find what works for you this is a tough condition you can get through this awful time.
Cbt helped me too you can usually self refer :)

Hey allthingsred sorry you're feeling this way too. How are you today?

Thank you ohlittlepea...

Well I've just taken first sertraline, I can't go on like this... I don't know what to say I'm gutted I'm back having to take meds, hate myself for it. But I'm doing it for my family as I can't have this effect my family and let them down anymore than I have already.

Hiya,

I've been where you are, I had awful anxiety and panic attacks for around 12 months. Anti depressants didn't work for me, I just couldn't cope with the side effects which exacerbated all of my symptoms.

I started therapy and it really did save me. I needed to talk, cry, confront my illness and understand my triggers and all that was going wrong in my life and inside my head.

I'm 8 months into therapy now and my anxiety has almost gone. I understand myself so much better and also those around me. However I can feel the anxiety creeping back in if I have a stressful day or something happens that pushes my emotions. I had a few minor panic attacks last week but they were really insignificant compared to what they were.