DH extreme anxiety

[YokoReturns]

Any responses really gratefully received!

DH has been staying with MIL while we have building work due to an episode of extreme anxiety 6 weeks ago. He's arrived home and is tearful and 'adrenaline rush-y', and keeps falling to his knees. He says he was able to cope in his own but add nearly finished building work and DCs into the mix and he's not coping.

He's been signed off work but is doing bits and bobs from home when he feels well enough to focus (GP has told work it's acid reflux, which it originally was).

He doesn't want to take ADs, he's got Kalms and I've ordered Rescue Remedy. I've also spoken to my counsellor friend about getting him some talking therapy, and we're going to download a mindfulness podcast.

How do I get him through next few weeks?? He swears he won't take ADs because they mess with his head (tried amitryptiline and one other and can't function on them). He's on his knees from lack of sleep etc.

Please help!! How does he get back up and running?? Any advice appreciated!!!

Thank you no longer

Hi everyone, thanks for your invaluable advice

I've booked DH a counselling session for Thursday so that's progress. We're also going to the GP on Monday to ask for a letter for HR suggesting a phased return to work.

He took two lots of Kalms yesterday in the run up to bedtime, slept quite well, and says he's not anxious this morning, just got a bad head and finding it tricky to function, so I've just told him to relax in front of to. He went for a run first thing. I'm happy to take charge of small DC while he gets through this.

Thanks everyone

The biggest anxiety problems I've had have been problems with concentation and memory. Those were the main things I needed support from work for, similar with my staff member, just something for you DH to consider if that an issue for him.

One of the best natural remedies for my anxiety has been lime essential oil. It releases seratonin in your brain. A little on your wrists and round your neck will do the trick 👍🏻

I think he's very lucky to have you. I do think he needs to be as proactive as he can too. Dh often tells me amidst my anxiety to just relax and watch TV etc and I know he means well but for me it really doesn't help. What helps me is being busy and focused - so having a project to focus on like something simple such as booking our holiday or decorating or learning a new skill.

Hi vogue I'm not very clued up about essential oil - how do you prepare a mixture?? Thanks!

haud thank you

I couldn't cope with the SSRI type drugs because of of the terrible side effects, so I was prescribed an old fashioned tri cyclic called Imipramine by my mental health team which was like a bloody miracle for me and saved my life. Has he asked his GP to refer him to the local mental health team? They are trained specifically in mental health and will be able to give a better diagnosis and treatment than a gp. Also could he contact MIND in your love cal area as they can also offer support for mental health issues.

I also second the pp poster who mentioned Mindfullness, this definitely a great tool to have to combat anxiety and panic. There are plenty of apps you can download with short meditations to listen to daily.

Local not Love cal!

The Dr will most likely not prescribe Diazepam as it is highly addictive and it is usually only prescribed in very short courses for a specific event such as flying or a dentist appt etc, basically something you're scared of. I would recommend avoiding them because you can end up feeling you cannot cope without them and that is a slippery slope.

shoot look at my post above... 2 weeks ago I found some tablets in an old hand bag - the remains of the prescription for diazepam I had almost 10 years ago. It was a short course to deal with a real crisis and it did its job. Diazepam is not always a one-way ticket to addiction.

We went to the GP tonight to get a note ready for his HR meeting tomorrow. He's 'signed him back in' to work gradually over the next month. He was brilliant, really helpful. DH has been feeling much more positive over the last couple of days and is coping with normal life brilliantly, thank you all for your suggestions!

Interestingly, DH says that the last appt he had with that GP was 'terrible'. Guess who was also present? MIL. She is at the root of many of his problems, I believe. She 'doesn't approve' of him having counselling.

She probably thinks the counsellor will flag her up as an issue she'd be right

I'm pretty sure my anxiety is linked with my acid reflux/GERD. There are some links with reflux and the vagus nerve which can cause anxiety-type feelings. Is his acid reflux under control? Does he normally have mental health issues?

Hi Titsy- he's under consultant care for the acid reflux, he might have to have a fundoplacation. That is such an interesting link, will Google!

Hey sorry I've not been on for a few days. You can order them from amazon or buy them from spa's no mixing required when used for anxiety xx

www.google.co.uk/amp/www.brainprotips.com/vagus-nerve-symptoms/amp/

Glad to hear things seem to be moving forward

Nolonger thank you

Thank you vogue

I'm not saying Diazepam causes addiction for everyone, that wasn't what I meant at all. I'll try to explain it better. I have been diazepam in short courses for my anxiety and panic and only used them if I was desperate, I just felt that if I took them every time I had a really bad panic attack (which used to be every day), that I would be unable to manage without them. I found the feelings of anxiety and panic so very distressing that I was tempted to pop a pill almost every day, I just wanted to share my own experiences, although I know everyone is different where medication is concerned.