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am I going crazy?

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Posted 5/27/2011 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
I have been suffering with anxiety disorder and panic attacks for about 5-6 years. I have been taking effexor for the last 2 years, and normally I do very well... but lately I have seen things on the news, about things people do... like I see a mother harming her child and I panic that maybe my anxiety disorder will make me crazy and that I could be able to do the same thing to my child!! I know without a doubt that I would NEVER hurt my child, she is my life, but I'm afraid that maybe this woman was normal and then anxiety disorder took over and that's why she done it! Maybe I am going crazy, but does anyone else get like this????
Posted 5/27/2011 9:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hello NewfieGL! Honestly I think that the way you are feeling is normal for all of us who have anxiety. I have 3 kiddos and I would NEVER harm them either, but for thoughts (remember they are just thoughts) to come into our minds is actually normal. Dont beat yourself up, you know you will not hurt your baby, and news, usually bad news, is a trigger because it gets us upset and we start the chain reaction that leads to being anxious.

Do you feel that maybe your med is not as effective? Have you had any changes in your life that would make you feel more stress, therefore more anxious?

I know the more stress, bad news that I see and hear the more panicy/anxious I become! Yikes!
Posted 5/27/2011 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
You may need an increase in your effexor as it does help with anxiety. I use to take 375mg of it every day. I now take 100mg of pristiq. It is a close relative to effexor. I hope that your anxiety goes away soon. Remember to breathe. In through the nose and out through the mouth. It slows the heartrate down.

Try to relax. Talk to your doc about increasing your med a little bit.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 5/27/2011 9:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi NGL and welcome! I am glad that you have found us, and I hope that you find this a good place for information and support.

I understand your fears, but let me reassure you that you that they are common among A/P sufferers, and will not become realized just because you have an anxiety disorder!

I for example tend to worry more about health issues. I think about diseases, and become preoccupied with imagined maladies, ect...This does not mean that I will contract one simply by thinking and worrying about it right?

Of course the fear is sometimes stronger than the reality, but that is where our work is cut out for us! I personally went to therapy to relieve me of my anxiety/panic disorder. Where fear and panic used to be debilitating, it is now manageable. I still have struggles with health anxiety, but it no longer controls me, or causes panic.

Worrying about something does not cause it to happen. You have anxiety, you are still the same person...just one who struggles with a disorder. If you think that you could benefit from some therapy, by all means look into it. It gave me my life back, and I can highly recommend trying it.

Also check out our Anxiety Resource Guide. (3rd post on main page) It has great links to sites with breathing/relaxation exercises, free on-line therapy and more:)

Again, welcome and post anytime!
Scaredy Cat
Posted 5/27/2011 10:19 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you guys :) It makes me feel better, my doctor has just increased my meds actually so I think it may take a couple of weeks to take effect. I know I wouldn't hurt her in any way, and its only when I turn on the news and hear these horrible stories that I actually think about it and panic, so maybe I should steer clear of the news for a while! And Scaredy, I understand exactly what you mean, I used to go on the internet and see diseases and automatically think that I had these diseases, where I probably had only one or two symptoms... it`s hard dealing with this, and I don`t think sometimes people understand just how hard it is, which makes me SO happy that I found this group, it`s nice to be able to relate to people and know that I am not the only one going through this! :)
Posted 5/28/2011 12:40 PM (GMT 0)
If only I could find a "cure" for run away thoughts! You are not crazy, I think anxiety makes your mind race with thoughts that are not even your own. Mine has calmed down but it still happens. I try to just let these thoughts flow in and right back out and not give them a second thought. Still annoying.

Gem
Posted 5/28/2011 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hello NGL,

Welcome to HealingWell.

The fear of losing control can lead people to think that they will go "crazy" or hallucinate and start experiencing a kind of Schizophrenia. There is no reason to worry though, anxiety, panic, worry and depersonalization / derealization feelings will not induce schizophrenia. There is a giant difference between neurosis and psychosis. You are not alone in feeling the fear of going crazy. Many people have a fear of it. Not to worry :) it is irrational and caused by your high anxiety.  Anxiety does not cause people to lose their ability to control their behavior and act against one's will.

When I find the news upsetting I take a break, don't saturate yourself with stressful information. Stay informed, but take a news break. The media saturates us daily with stories that alarm us and scare us.  I cannot listen to some of the stories as I know I will identify with them and then the anxiety starts to circle and I am stuck in the middles of "what if?" thinking.

Remember you are not crazy............you are a person with anxiety and so am I.  Keep on belieiving in yourself as I believe in you.

Gentle Hugs,

Kitt



 

Posted 5/28/2011 6:31 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much guys :) It's a relief to know I have people I can talk to and I am not the only one going through this. It takes a major load off my shoulders!! Thank you so much!
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