Has anyone recovered from severe anxiety? I need some help.

[TheNervyNelly]

I’m in real need of some positive stories or advice to help me.
Im suffering from really bad anxiety at the moment and can’t see an end to it.
We have some financial difficulties as a family and need to move away from our current area. I’m petrified of things going wrong in the future and can’t see any positives in the move. This is having a huge knock on effect on my relationship. My partner has been very supportive but I’ve really pushed them to the limit with constantly worrying and changing our plans at the last minute.
I just feel a constant pit in my stomach. I barely sleep. I can’t concentrate.
I was signed off from work for six weeks but felt that I had to go back. I’ve just completed a phased return but I know I wasn’t really ready. But if I go off again I’m worried my pay will stop which will just compound my financial problems.
I was prescribed some antidepressants but I’m scared to take them and have been so busy with things that I’m worried about the side effects being manageable.
Does anyone ever truly beat anxiety or is it something you just learn to live with/manage? Do the antidepressants work and how long did it take to feel less anxious? I’m worried that I was told it might make me MORE anxious to start with and I really can’t cope with that. I would just go to pieces.
I feel no hope at the moment and feel I’m letting my kids down and missing their best moments if childhood. Has anyone beaten this in the past and can give me some optimism?

I think meds could help you a lot. They just help you zoom out and not get bogged down in the details and emotions, just gives you some space in your head. I always thought fluoxetine felt like it gave me a platform to stand on which raised me to a place where I could function properly.

👋 OP. Yes I did recover. In my case my anxiety was due to extreme PTSD in an abusive marriage with a non-supportive partner who brought extreme financial instability (among many other things). I worked full-time and was burnt out.

I had an anti-depressant but not forever. Initially mine was so bad I was prescribed short term sedatives. To recover I really had to work very hard on various plans to get my life back. This included:

• talking therapy for PTSD. My ex had me convinced I had BPD. This went away when I left my husband. The therapy was very helpful in getting me on an even keel and strong enough to end my relationship. I mention this for the benefit of therapy, not to suggest you end your marriage.
• an anti-depressant for a while in combination with the therapy
• radical acceptance to build resilience was introduced into my therapy
• prioritizing my health
• exercise and distractions

When I felt a bit better I was in a position to take steps but it is very difficult when you are in the midst of anxiety.

Soothing with puzzles has a place. I slept too much, sleep was a retreat from my anxiety. But it is necessary to have balance. I was ‘lucky’ to have a manager who came to help me, got my back on my feet, went for walks with me. Etc. Not everyone would appreciate this level of support - another colleague of mine with the same manager didn’t when they had the same burn out.

I guess I am saying the treatment for anxiety is a combination of things, seriously taken with quiet persistence, for me at least.

Hi,
sorry if it’s a bit long.
years ago in my 30’s I was affected with labyrinthitis and inner ear problem affecting balance. At first I just thought it was stress trying to look after 3 kids, running my home and working as a nurse 3 night shift a week. I started to get really bad nausea and dizziness and lost a lot of weight.
My GP said it was a virus and probably anxiety due to my dh being made redundant. He was starting a new business and was receiving a good redundancy package. We were excited not anxious about that.
I verged on depression and anxiety due to weight loss and being off work sick. Couldn’t leave the house for fear of losing balance due to labyrinthitis.
Eventually hospital test showed labrinthitis
my dh’s work had a great support network and counselling services. The psychologist told him to ask the GP to refer me to her.
She was amazing gave me targets to work towards (I’m a perfectionist) not to overdo things. I had developed anxiety and panic attacks during to illness.
I did breathing exercises twice daily and breathed through any feelings of panic focused on meditation.
It honestly gave me a different perspective on mental health. I made a full recovery but it was hard work. Many years later I’ve never had another panic attack or the feelings of dread again.
It’s awful but you can recover through proper breathing and meditation. I had lots of support from my husband when really helped. I was unable to tolerate the antidepressants.
If I recovered then you can do this. Good luck❤️

I love Claire weekes. Her books helped me out of agoraphobia and severe panic attacks. There is an interview with a lady named Anne Turner on YouTube who speaks about how the books changed her life. Its really interesting.

Your HP can prescribe a benzodiazepine for a short while to help you cope with any side effects from initially taking the meds. Or Propranalol helps with the physical symptoms.

Thanks @truffleruffle . I always found breathing exercises hard to focus on but will give it a go again.
And have ordered Claire’s book and will give it a go.

I did start the escitalopram last night with a half dose. Woke up with terrible nausea and sweatiness. Not fun but side effects had worn off after breakfast. Bit reduce the dose further .

You absolutely need to try the antidepressants and give them a few weeks to work/get through the side effects. You can’t be any worse off than you are right now, what have you got to lose? It’s your anxiety that’s stopping you wanting to take the antidepressants and you just need to get past that first hurdle - plenty of people have taken them and not become reliant (including me)

Mine has had peaks and troughs and when you’re in the trenches with it you can feel in despair. Take the pills but bear in mind you’ll feel worse before it gets ready but it will get better. I’ve come off them now but I’ve been on and off them over the years.

Yes. You absolutely can and will. I too panicked about the pills and finally took
them - Massive improvement. Give it 6 weeks or so before it kicks in.

Had CBT, which works, counselling ditto. Do breathing exercises daily.

You think at the time it won’t work, well I did, but it does. Recovery starts when you take the pills.

I read Claire Weekses too and it really helped.

Good luck you have to work at it and take time for yourself. I had 3 kids and felt guilty for not being there for them but I realised that the best thing for them was to get better. X