my mind is a big mess :(

[maybebaby23]

Ive had anxiety for years but been able to cope with it, just felt anxious in certain situations but i just learned to live with it. However since having DD2 4 months ago i seemed to have spiralled totally and now im suffering really bad Even right now im shaking and 'on the edge' Im so sick of feeling this way i can't go anywhere at all without horrid symptoms of panic. Ive been prescribed propanolol and referred for CBT and psychologist (long waiting list though) but i just cant deal with this any longer Ive noticed that i get so anxious and cant cope at all in some situations like where im near people arguing or im arguing with DH (mild disagreements) if i read something such as a thread on here where everyone is urging a poster to seek medical attention for example (im not anxious about the medical problem, just seem to pick up on the panic if you know what i mean?) If DD1 age 4 is whinging and repeatedly asking for something like they do, my mind just is totally overwhelmed and anxiety takes over.

What the hell is wrong with me?? Im happy apart from this, just had little DD2 and completed my family, got everything i could ever wish for, im content. What is wrong with my mind and body????? I can feel adrenaline racing through me all the time. I cant see straight sometimes, have so much nervous energy its unreal. Any kind of stress even if its not my own just seems to set me off. Doc suggested anti-depressants but i said no because i dont feel depressed but am now wondering if they could help me. I dont know what im expecting you to say. I dont know what to do about this at all, just looking for a bit of support i think. Thanks for reading

Don't know what to say really,aside from cut the caffeinea and alcohol,perhps also get thyroid checked.I feel like you at times,I suddenly can feel claustrophobic in a room with dcs.Perhaps anti depressants are the answer,there is a good website called moodgym which is good for mental health and anxiety issues.

Thanks darkandstormy. I have already cut out caffeine and alcohol, drink 2 litres of water every day and eat healthily. I have just started taking vit B complex every day too. Will check out that site thanks. I asked about tests and the doctor said that because my periods are regular and i managed to concieve and have a baby then tests are pointless because that shows my hormones are ok....

Hi maybebaby23 sorry you are feeling so anxious. It's an awful place to be. No one really understands what panic feels like unless you've been through it. It is totally all-encompassing and you feel like you are going to die. It feels very very serious and is really unpleasant to experience.

You may think ADs are not for you, but did you know that anxiety and depression are actually very closely linked, physiologically? The same neurotransmitters that are involved in depression are also involved in anxiety. That is why the two often go hand-in-hand.

Some forms of depression have what they call "negative symptoms" - i.e. low energy, staying in bed all day, loss of concentration, difficulty speaking etc. And some forms have what they call "positive symptoms" i.e. agitation, anxiety, restlessness. Different ADs work in different ways - some are quite "activating" and are useful to those who are very low, some are quite "sedating" and are useful for those who are very agitated and/or anxious.

I have a sedating AD - it is called mirtazapine. It helps me sleep too. All ADs have an effect on anxiety to some extent though. I think you should give them consideration, as they may really help you. They take a few weeks to start working though. In the meantime you could ask for a short course of diazepam (valium) to help you get through the really tough bits - this is very fast acting (but the downside is that it can be addictive if used too much).

Propranolol doesn't actually do much for your anxiety. All it does is block the adrenaline receptors so limits the effect of adrenaline on your heart etc. It doesn't actually "treat" the anxiety. You still feel panicky, but your body responds differently. They don't prescribe it in psychiatry any more for that reason. But GPs still seem to give it out.

I really hope things start improving for you soon

x

maybebaby, I think your GP has given you poor advice: my sister developed severe anxiety in the way you describe after having a baby and it was about a year before her thyroid packed up completely, having gone into overdrive post pregnancy: something like over-reving an engine that then goes bang. She was diagnosed with Hashimotos diease which is a perfectly treatable form of thyroid dysfunction in the end. Could you get your DH to google symptoms of over active thyroid (hyperthyroidism) and then if you recognise them, go back to your doctor?

Thankyou so much for the helpful replies. Thanks cpanda, so do i
Getdown i think i will make another appointment and tell the doc i changed my mind about the AD's..although im sure he will be a bit because i did say i dont think i need them....will make sure if i get AD's to ask about a sedating type like you said, i didn't know there were different types. I dont think i need activating I can see that propanolol are not that good tbh. They do get me through bad times without the symptoms of adrenaline but like you said they don't take away the anxiety.

BCBG thats interesting. I did think about thyroid. i do have a few symptoms..the loss of hair thing struck me, its falling out at a shocking rate but im sure that is prob normal after giving birth? i notice it in my eyebrows all the time but it seems to grow back in patches then fall out again!? Oh i dont know but i will show DH these replies tomorrow and see what he says.

Thanks again, i feel more motivated to make another appointment to see my GP now

I'm sorry you're in the wars right now - it can't be easy with a new baby either.

I'd definitely go and see your GP and ask about other possible causes - not sure ADs are the best response to an anxiety issue anyway. What about some counselling sessions too?

I know you've probably been told before - but have you considered exercise? When I regularly go to the gym I find it improves my mental balance no end - always thought it was a load of bollocks until I found myself clutching a gym membership myself.

Thanks skihorse. Im on the list to see a psychologist but the waiting list is a year long Going for my first CBT assessment tomorrow as well.

Exercise-yep i have been working out for 30 mins-an hour each day plus the usual walking with my girls and housework every day...im very active. Also taken up yoga here at home on the wii and enjoying that.

I feel a little more positive today, took my propanolol this morning and was able to take DD1 to nursery without panicking, even went inside so DD could show me the cress she has grown Im proud of that little achievement. I would have gone inside anyway but usually be suffering badly with panic..baby steps...i WILL get there. I will.

Thankyou all for your help. Will make that appointment and see if they will do tests for thryoid etc.

Just to bear in mind... GPs are not experts in mental health. They usually only prescribe one AD - and this is citalopram. In my experience this is quite an "activating" one, however, after a few weeks it helps with anxiety.

If you don't feel happy ask for a referral to community mental health team (CMHT). You will see a psychiatrist with much deeper expertise in ADs. There really are hundreds of different ones. Not all of them suit everyone.

It's great you've been exercising. The natural chemicals that are produced in exercise are great stress-busters, and can also alieviate symptoms of depression too.

Well done for feeling more positive today