SUDDEN SEVERE ANXIETY

[MrsBrown24]

Good evening .

I'm so sad , I'm on week 5 of antidepressants...

But Wednesday night I was just absolutely struck with anxiety whilst in bed. Resulted in me getting out of bed, and been down stairs full of panic all night, nearly phone for ambulance as I felt I was going to die.

The feeling of a lump in my throat is horrible.

Spoke to dr yesterday and he prescribed 2mg of diazepam... and I'm too scared to take them.

Spoke with mental health nurse today and she's told me to take them.

I don't want to feel spaced out and that I can't function though :(

This is getting me so fed up with life I can't cope

you could try the diazepam when youre with someone. explain your concerns and know that they will be there to support/look after you.
2mg is the lowest tablet it comes in but you could always ask if you can take half a tablet

you could ask to try
propanolol - helps with physical symptoms
promethazine - antihistamine that can help with overwhelming feelings and sleep

can I ask what ad youre on and what dose?

@adulthoodisajoke thanks for fast response.

I am on 20mg of citalopram too.

I can't take propanol due to been asthmatic as I have been on them before.

It's just such a horrible vicious cycle I cannot break and it's breaking me at the same time

okay - (I also suffer from severe mh issues so im not just talking out my ar*e)

citalopram can usually be increased every 3-4 weeks. it can be started at 10mg daily for panic disorder.
if this continues you could ask to reduce by 10mg to see if this helps resolve any side effects
anxiety is a common side effect of citalopram.

breathing - when I am struggling and cant get myself together (usually at night) I practice box breathing. breathe in for the count of 4, hold for 4, out for 4, hold for 4, repeat.
it can be hard to get started but often I find once im in the pattern of it my mind focuses on that
another one is to take a deep breathe, pause, sniff through your nose, then exhale

temperature- this is the T from TIPP skills, a DBT technique for impulsive/harmful behaviours or extreme distress. cold showers, cold water on your face, ice packs. can help activate your parasympathetic nervous system which helps relax you

repeat statements to yourself - I am safe, I am (your name), (this is a useful tool for PTSD but works for extreme anxiety as well)

tapping and rubbing - tapping different places on your body can help. rubbing your arms/legs. get up and move, dance, shake it out.

familiar surroundings - have a comforting film or song you can put on to help regulate

its okay. youre okay. things will get better
it sounds like you have some good support in place and for now its just taking one day at a time, hour by hour,
focus on getting through the weekend and you can reach out to your GP or mh nurse on monday and get some additional support

Severe anxiety is horrendous, a low dose of diazepam can have a huge effect if your anxiety is increased when you start taking antidepressants. I’ve had a low dose of lorazepam in the past when starting sertraline and within 30 minutes the anxiety just went away. I know you have asthma but do try calming breathing exercises when you can , physiological sighing technique is really good and takes you out of the fright flight response. There are other breathing exercises that are also good like box breathing or 4-7-8. Hope things improve soon

I'm sorry you're suffering. I can relate having struggled with anxiety for years. Some of the things that can help me are getting out for walks, being around people I feel safe with and voicing my anxieties.
I was also reluctant to try medication but it has helped me - once I found the right type for me. I've shared more detail about my experience of anxiety and how i cope with it here, hope it's helpful to you..

I was always afraid of diazepam too, I actually sobbed when I took my first one because I also didn't want to feel spaced out or unable to function but I was just so desperate to have a break from the anxiety that I gave it a go (2mg like you) I decided to stay home that day. The relief I felt was unbelievable. The effects of that dose only lasts about 4hrs and it didn't make me feel spaced out at all, I could still act completely normal around my kids too. They really saved me a few times from horrific panic.

OP you can take the 2mg diazepam without worrying- 26 years experience with mental health so trust me! You will be fine and it will take the edge off for you. Xx

@FionaSkates @Nogodsnomasters

I took one at 5pm this evening whilst crying my eyes out and sadly I don't feel much better at 9:45pm....

It was only 2mg and I can take 3 a day.. so not sure if to take another one? Xx

Your nervous system is too revved up. Not surprised it did nothing. Yes you can take another if it’s 3 a day x

Yes you can take another. Has it had no effect at all, like not even taken the edge off?

@Nogodsnomasters no nothing at all? Still as anxious as I have been all day

Thank you @FionaSkates xx

Sounds like a stronger dose is required. 5mg is the next dose up. Or you could just try 2 together tomorrow and that would be 4mg. Or break one in half and take 1.5 for 3mg. Sounds like your nervous system is too heightened for just 2mg.