Sudden horrific anxiety

[Phyllis321]

For the last 4 days I’ve plunged into complete panic. I am wound like a spring, can barely eat or sleep. Had to contact the weekend GP yesterday for some Diazapam so I could get a little relief from the stress.
I am really scared that I can’t work like this and will have to be signed off.
Has anyone experienced anything similar? It’s like the world has just crashed on my head.

@rainbowninja, if you e never had it treated, please do. The CBT was also critical. Thoughts lead to feelings. So be careful what you allow into your thoughts. I use that a lot. I think people misunderstand that mental health is about the mind but it's actually a very physical illness. You must treat it as with any illness. Good luck.

@WishingHopingThinkingPraying had CBT for many years and it did work for a while but I think I've got underlying issues. I've actually been diagnosed with complex PTSD. Hoping CBT will become useful again once I've had trauma therapy.

Sorry to hijack your thread @Phyllis321 hope the anxiety calms down, horrible when it feels like it's stuck switched on no
matter what you do xxx

I'm so sorry. Anxiety is a horrendous disorder. Very glad you felt able to reach out to your GP.

There is an app I have used called MindShift CBT which is based on some CBT principles and helps you label some of your disordered thoughts. It might be useful when you're past the most severe crisis point.

I’ve had this. I took a couple of weeks of work and Started anti anxiety meds which take a while to work, with beta blockers for immediate bit of relief. I have ongoing talking therapy for anxiety but this was like a massive attack - Exactly like you say a bug but for your mind - and prescription needed. Went back to work, am alright now, not perfect but a million times better.

Exactly the same thing happened to me between xmas & NY. Awful, I upped my AD's but I can feel it sniffing around again.

Just wondered if any of you suffering are in your 40's? If so it could be perimenopause.

I could of wrote this myself
The beginning of december I had acute stress so went to my gp who prescribed sertraline day 2 of them i started having panic attacks and havent been right since I'm still suffering now I've contacted the gp over the weekend in the hope that we can find an antidepressant that i can tolerate
I have no appetite and a constant nausea feeling it just sits there
It came from nowhere christmas was ruined (i have 3 children) I've been prescribed propranolol which does take the edge off the panic attacks but doesnt make me feel better if that makes sense
I keep having nightmares about family getting covid I cant remember the last time I had a full nights sleep
Sending hugs to all

I’ve rung in sick and made a doctor’s appointment

I hope they get back to you today
I've always been an anxious annie but this is something else and showing no signs of leaving anytime soon 6 weeks now so I need to do something the worst is when people have a go at you and tell you to sort your head out and it's all in your mind 😭 I wish there was a switch to turn it off

Feeling so low- like a failure. I don’t want to be like this.

@Phyllis321 I felt just like that. I was scared and couldn't believe it was happening to me. Like any illness, you can treat it. Hope GP is good. Mine was an absolute gift, he really took me seriously and kindly encouraged me.

@Phyllis321 you are certainly not a failure. I’m also off work and it’s not easy but you have put your health first and that a positive thing x

@Umbongo1 good point. Happened to be the case with me. Also found a text kit in boots which confirmed it. Since I started taking supplements, my anxiety levels have dropped.

@ViewsAreMine that's interesting what was the kit?

I had no idea that our hormones can cause such horrendous mental health problems.

OP it may be worth tracking your cycle and seeing if there are times of the month when it's better and worse. Going on the pill improved my anxiety a bit.

I had this a few years ago. I think mine was perimenopause combined with low iron (heavy periods made me anaemic).

Now I take oestrogen, and hsve a Mirena coil, and am so much better.

@Umbongo1 I used this one -> www.boots.com/flourish-menopause-test-kit-two-pack-10274837 (I don't have any affiliations with the product or retailer.

I actually stumbled on it whilst going to pick up medication for my daughter. There are others on the market of course. Do you suspect you're approaching menopause?

@ViewsAreMine I think so, I'm 45 and have had hideous anxiety for the last few years, came out of nowhere. Was always worse at the end of my cycle.

Periods now erratic too.

It would explain a lot - I've had god knows how many antidepressants and CBT but nothing has really worked - there are no triggers for it, which is what got me thinking

Can I ask about the menopause kit. Does that diagnose if you are starting perimenopause or that you have gone through the menopause? Thanks.

@Orangeblossom77777 it tests if you have rising FSH hormones. You need a urine sample to do it; similar to how you'd do a pregnancy test.

@Umbongo1 mine kicked off at 45. No harm in checking. It's not conclusive but there are arguments that if you had fertility treatment in your younger years, then it speeds up the onset of menopause.

@ViewsAreMine mine started when I was 40 so maybe I am too young for it to be cause by perimenopause?

Oh gosh no. Menopause does not always respect age. There are women who have gone through it in their 30s or earlier. Not the norm but it does happen.

Hi Phyllis231
Have you tried Headspace?

Hi,

funnily enough I’ve just rung Talking Space on my GPs advice. I’ll check out Headspace too.
Work told me to take some time off and I’ve been signed off for 2 weeks and have Fluoextine prescribed.
Feel a mixture of massive relief and guilt. I’ve got to get on top of this anxiety!

Hi. Don’t worry about being off. Loads of people take time off work for all sorts of reasons. That what I tell myself. I’ve been off two months and the thought of going back still makes me anxious so I’ll stay off longer to get better. I spend my days wound up and in an anxiety state. It’s awful. As for the sleep thing.... my nurse to me to get an antihistamine that helps with sleep. It’s for the short term but may be worth a try x