I need help with anxiety medication

[alltoomuchforme]

Name changed for this.

I have a doctors appointment later today.
I have suffered with extreme anxiety my whole life and just kept quiet and let it take over everything. How on earth I have managed to get a partner, hold down a job, and have 2 children (8 months and 3) I will never know.

I need help now. This corona virus stuff has sent me over the edge. I want to ask for medication , as my relationship has fallen apart, and even my family relationships are starting to crack.

What I want to know is, are there any medications that will help with this? Or do medications just help with anxiety that is not really caused by anything particular.

There are medications that can help, but they don’t take effect immediately. Medication works best alongside therapy, or self help strategies. Have you been able to look online at any self help materials? It’s totally understandable that the corona stuff is impacting, it is a frightening time.
Limit your exposure to news about it, and check out the positive mental health corona thread. Remember, this is not forever.

And the fact that you have managed all this time tells me you are a strong person who has lots of coping strategies already! Be kind to yourself.

@SRK16 thank you so much for your kind reply.
I didn't think to look online , I will do that. Just desperate for a quick fix but I know that's not realistic at all.

Thank you

These are quite good as a starting point www.selfhelpguides.ntw.nhs.uk/penninecare/leaflets/selfhelp/Anxiety.pdf

www.selfhelpguides.ntw.nhs.uk/penninecare/leaflets/selfhelp/Health%20Anxiety.pdf

And this www.getselfhelp.co.uk/anxiety.htm

But as I say it’s normal to be worried and anxious about corona as it is scary. Just try to remember that it’s not forever, things will change. Sorry if I’m repeating myself!

Oh I didn't change my name back lol. Never mind.
Thanks so much. I could literally tick all of them things on the checklists.

I will have a proper read when kids are asleep.

The doctor was really nice but she said it was just the panic from coronavirus and I got anxious and agreed and left.. would you believe it! Ha! Idiot

Thanks for the great help

Not to worry. Sorry doctor appointment wasn’t that helpful- see how you get on and go back if it gets worse.

Also, I just found this which may be good to look at

drive.google.com/file/d/1_O8grFdwMDuGVIE_RvdRfhHhf6xf3tY8/view

Hope not overloading you with links but maybe someone else will also find it helpful if they see this :)

Don't apologise, I have actual been overwhelmed with your kindness (maybe I read to much"AIBU" haha)

(You didn't apologise; I mean, your not overloading me)

I think you have to be firm with your doctor. You don't have to put up with feeling this way. I have suffered with anxiety for a long time and medication makes it bearable. Yes there is cbt and counselling and alongside medication can also help. However these are not always easy to access straightaway on the NHS and in the meantime medication will help alleviate your symptoms.
You are a strong person to carry on life when feeling rubbish. Be kind to yourself .

I’ve just been given Citalopram this week. I’ve had an awful few months and Monday I had a complete breakdown. I’ve started the medication and I feel absolutely terrible. My head is thrashing, appetite gone and stomach upset. The worst is the weird dizziness and tiredness. I was warned it would be like this.
I’m a single parent with my toddler now home everyday and I can’t go to work. I k ow things will get better but things are really tough right now.
Keep strong and if you get medication, make sure you have some support as the side effects are tough going x

Thank you @baggies I remember going to my doctor when I was 16 and he almost laughed at me. I was told I was depressed for years and now I realise that all along it's been anxiety, not depression. I hope you are coping in this madness

@MummyGoingItAlone so sorry you are going through this. I am scared that feeling that unwell will make things harder. Since I wrote this post I became ill with tonsillitis and it took me to a whole new level of stress!
I do have a partner but he is useless in times of need and not understanding about MH.
I hope you feel well and you get through it

I am feeling better today actually 😊

@MummyGoingItAlone lovely to hear that

@novacaneforthepain I was in your position a few days ago. Literally could have written your post, had anxiety since being a child, been ignoring / living with it for years. Gotten a lot worse lately and having panic attacks. I went to doctors 3 days ago and got citalopram prescribed, not doing a lot yet but I’ve heard it takes weeks to kick in properly. Also deactivated my Facebook tonight as it’s making me feel worse. I’m terrified constantly. My cheeks are currently burning but my temp is normal, still making me panic I have the virus. Worrying I’ll die from it, crying daily. My DH thinks we will be fine, I’m convinced I’m going to die. I’m 30 and no underlying problems that I know of, but always convinced I have heart problems and bmi is 33 so I’m not healthy particularly. Hope you’re okay. Feel free to message me and we can try to support each other. Xx

@AliBear90 thanks for the message , sorry you are feeling like this too.
I am finding that the calmer my OH is , the worse its making me !
Yes me too, i am convinced I am going to die! I am generally healthy, but seem to always get ill especially throat related stuff. My OH has a BMI of 42 and still not taking it seriously.
Please let me know how the medication helps over the next few weeks. I will stay in touch ,

Will do, I do seem to feel a little calmer but I’m not sure if it’s the medication or deactivating my Facebook and consciously trying to make my thoughts on it more positive. I agree that the calmer DH is the worse it makes me, I think part of that is worrying they’re not taking it seriously and then worrying that if they don’t take it seriously they won’t take proper precautions and could bring it back to us. If you keep feeling worse I would go back to the doctors and make it clear it’s been happening for a long time. I did tell the practice nurse who I saw that it had been happening since a child but not as badly. Hope you feel better soon. Xx