Suffering from anxiety since relationship ended 2 years ago

[SS2018]

Hi I am just after a bit of advice really, I broke up with my boyfriend of 5 years 2 years ago and ever since have been in a state of anxiety. I’ve suffered with several panic attacks, have been unable to sleep and my mental state has now matured into full blown anxiety about going out to social events where I might know someone I don’t want to see.

I’ve struggled with it for this long but I’ve just had enough of the constant jittery feeling. If I do have to go out because to honest I do want to go out I use alcohol to soften the edges but of course that just gets out of hand and it doesn’t help my judgement.

I’ve been to the docs today and explained my syamptoms and she’s put me on a 3 week course of citalopram?

I’ve Googled it and it’s an antidepressant.... I’ve read the side effects and there are a fair few that I don’t particularly want to experience like the difficulty in sleeping because I struggle enough as is it!!!!

Any experiences and advice would be most helpful. :)

Take the prescription.
It's 3 weeks, so not a long course and see how they work for you.
You can't keep on living like this.
You only have to look at side-affects on Iburprofen to know that they have to list everything but often none of it happens.
Can you afford some counselling?
You really need to tackle this.
No man should have you feeling like you can't go out 2 years after the relationship has ended so you need to tackle it head on.
You could get a GP referral for counselling but there is usually a waiting list.
What was your relationship like with your Ex?
Your response to the break-up makes me think it may have been abusive in some way?

I'm sorry to hear that SS2018. 2 years is a long time to feel like that. I'd second hellsbells in looking for some counselling, Gps usually are in a position to offer some even if its short term or there's lots of organisations out there.

My suggestion would be thinking about how can you protect yourself, rather than put yourself through something. Get some options ready if you see someone you don't want to see: Give yourself permission just to leave if need be. Stay out just for a short time. Give yourself permission to not speak to them. Tell a friend who you're with you need their support if xyz shows up etc

Best of luck x

I was suffering anxiety too OP including panic attacks at night. Was put on citalopram and it's made such a difference to me. I still get nervous about situations etc but it rakes the edge off :) give it a try.

Everyone's different but it started working within a couple of days for me and I don't struggle to get to sleep x