Everything is sliding and I feel helpless

[chittyshittyohffs]

Just that. Have had horrific anxiety come out of nowhere after Christmas. I haven't been able to eat or sleep properly. Everything feels terrifying but I've no idea why.

I was supposed to be going out today but I woke at 2 and have barely slept so I'm in bed hiding and feeling horrific. I feel like I'm letting everyone down.

I'm already on sertraline 50mg but I have awful side effects increasing the dose. I just don't know where to turn, my brain isn't working.please help.

Anyone?

I am so sorry to hear this. I don't know what to say but I wanted to tell you I hear you and you're not alone.

Sorry to hear that. Anxiety is so debilitating - I know exactly how you feel.

I didn't find sertraline helpful for anxiety, myself. It was great for my PND but it made my anxiety worse. I think I'd have done better on beta-blockers or diazepam.

Have you seen a doctor about it? Was there a particular event that triggered it, do you think?

I can only talk from my own experience but I recommend removing as many sources of pressure as you can. Take some time off work - get a sick note if necessary. Let friends and family know you're unwell so they'll give you space and/or support.

If you're struggling to eat properly, at least stay well hydrated and take a good supplement. Sleep when you can, and don't beat yourself up when you can't. Hang in there - it will go eventually.

Thank you both for posting. I don't know where to put myself. I've got a 6 year old and I'm being the most useless parent.

No point speaking to the dr, mine is useless and her only suggestion is to take more antidepressants.

I wish I could find the trigger. I really can't.

@chittyshittyohffs I really sympathise I've had similar at various times in the past, but thankfully I seem to be getting less anxious as I get older (now 49).
If sleep is a problem I really recommend sedating antihistamines which you can buy over the counter (nytol/phenergan). For me, a bad night's sleep still causes almost a chemical anxiety in my brain the following day, so it can be a vicious circle.
In fact phenargan is also good for anxiety as it is sedating, although could make you drowsy in the day. Try a low dose (say 10mg initially) first then increase if you need more.

Also harsh though it may sound carrying in with plans rather than staying in bed will tell your brain that things are normal, so try and carry on with your usual plans even if you are feeling tired/rough, as you will be surprised what you can get through. Whilst you are in bed you will be focussing inwardly and will make it worse, also harder to sleep the next night.
Sorry if that sounds unsympathetic but getting up and out might be better in the long run.

One thing to try is tapping - Google it/look on you tube and give it a try. It can help disrupt the terrible cyclic nature of anxiety.

Also there’s an app called Lumenate (which is free) which uses the torch on your phone to send pulses of light in time with gentle music/guided meditations. You need to sit in a dark room with your eyes closed for ten mins undisturbed (hard when you’ve got a six year old I know!) but that too can disrupt mental patterns and I had a wonder euphoric response.

Hold on tight, things will get better

Thank you all, and @Arcadia that's not harsh at all it's very good advise!

@chittyshittyohffs oh good!
I've just been out for a walk myself in the last bit of daylight, as on these short winter days I feel almost like a sense of doom as it gets dark in the afternoons. Getting out each day helps with that.
In the longer term, I am a huge advocate of yoga and meditation for finding peace but you need to be feeling a bit better to embark on that if it's new to you! Insight Timer is a good free App though for meditation and I do Yoga with Adriene online.
Also to reassure you your child will be fine. I have been able to help my DC(14) with their 'normal' childhood anxiety using techniques I have learnt from managing my own over the years. It really can make you stronger, more compassionate and more able to help others.

My partner has anxiety on / off for years. He usually has flair- ups this time of year and struggles with panic attacks and various illnesses which I think has a psychological base. Exercise and keeping busy helps him a lot. This year (touch wood) he seems a lot better because he's back in the office, out of the house, cycling to work and keeping busy. Working at home didn't help him.
Can you make dates to meet up with friends/ family and take up crafty projects that give you a focus on the evenings?

Thanks @TheBuggerlugs that's good advice. I managed some sleep last night but I think I'm in peri also so getting awful night sweats which don't help.

Everything feels too much today. I can't cope with the most basic of tasks. Where did the real me go?

I was prescribed it back in June when I went through another phase like this but I let it slide. Maybe it was doing more good than I thought?

Im 48

Thank you I will.

I think I gave up on it as you hear all these stories of ladies taking 2 days of it and it turning their lives around, it didn't do that for me.

Thanks for your replies. I've made it to work today but I'm struggling to concentrate, all my brain wants to do is think about how anxious I am. I'm trying to press on regardless but it's really really hard.

Is this part of peri?

I've got the gel and some hideous pessary things but I'll slap some gel on when I shake my way home from work later.

Did you find that you couldn't concentrate at all? It feels like my head is full of fug- like the aftermath of a hangover but it definitely can't be as I've not drunk since Christmas (mores the pity).

They are cyclogest 200mg pessaries definitely not for swallowing they're like bullets!

I didn't know progesterone was good for anxiety, I'm supposed to take it on days 14-28 of my cycle (whatever that is these days) alongside the gel.

Frankly I'd take cyanide if it eased this anxiety for a bit (I am joking obvs). It's just unremitting hell!!