Anxiety - Sudden Onset

[PenelopePitstop73]

Long time lurker, first time poster….

I recently had a stressful situation in my life which triggered anxiety like I have never experienced before. Over the course of a few days I started suffering from insomnia and a felt like I was having a panic attack all the time. The stressful situation has now passed but the anxiety remains.

I went to the GP 5 days ago and she prescribed a mild dose of Xanax to be used as and when I needed it but I’ve had to take it every day since to even function. I wake up early and the panic builds. I then take the Xanax and after an hour or two feel better. By evening time I’m in great form. But I know Xanax isn’t a long term option. I spoke again with the doctor and she’s now talking about sertraline. I don’t know how I’ve gone from a normal stressful situation to taking anti depression medication in such a short time. I’m afraid what this means for my mental health long term. I’m a happy kind of person with a great life. I’m also peri menopausal - could this be the reason??

Thanks for reading this far. I would be grateful for any advice or similar experiences.

It can take a while after something very stressful for your body to get over it's fight or flight response and perimenopause can definitely be the start of anxiety and all kinds of weird feelings and responses. If you're getting other perimenopausal symptoms perhaps HRT is worth considering?

You didn't mention if your GP suggested medication in conjunction with any kind to therapy or just offered medication. Could you ask your GP to refer you for CBT or another talking therapy? Does your employer have any kind of employee assistance program you can access?

Also have a look at mindfulness resources online and things that may help you to manage the anxiety, especially if taking antidepressant medication isn't the route you want to go down long term.

@AltitudeCheck thanks for your reply

I would definitely consider HRT but apart from some insomnia I have no other menopause symptoms so I think the doctor felt the issue was elsewhere. I’ve been googling a lot though and this does seem like a reasonable cause.

I have an appointment tomorrow with a counsellor through my employer. I’m willing to try anything to get back to my normal self. Has anyone any experience of acupuncture for anxiety?

Wow. I could have written this myself. I have just been through this exact same situation and have also just been put on sertraline. I don't know what the longer term plan is. I forgot to ask but I have a review appt next week and will ask then.

@MumsyMoves how do you find sertraline? Has it helped?

I never ever struggled with anxiety or mental health issues before hitting menopause. Anxiety hit me like a train and I had my first ever proper panic attacks. HRT has really helped me. Also other stuff like mindfulness and getting out for a walk, but definitely explore HRT.

Please do some reading before you see the GP again and pop over to the menopause board on here. Many GPs are not clued up about menopause and reach for the antidepressants rather than HRT, even though the HRT is the recommended option. Arm yourself with the information and the guidelines and be assertive. I got two prescriptions for antidepressants before being assertive and saying on repeat "I'd like to try HRT".

Hope you're feeling better soon - you are so not alone in this.

I got really strong episodes of anxiety when I developed hypothyroidism. I take my thyroid medicine and avoid the anxiety with homeopathy

Thanks for your reply @Coyoacan I had my thyroid checked and all ok

This happened to me earlier this year and it didn't improve until I went on duluxetine. Already on hrt. I'm fine now but was in a real mess for about 3 months. I was very hesitant about anti depressants as I'd tried citalapram which did not agree with me. I was convinced a change of hrt would mend me but it didn't.

Speak to your doctor.