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I am feeling alone and scared

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 3/28/2012 12:50 PM (GMT 0)
Goodmorning,
Im new as of this morning to this site. I am feeling alone and scared. I have suffered on and off with anxiety for about 10 years. Had it completely under control until last April when my father died. Since that time I have had some physical illness, a very stressful promotion at work, a very sick friend and other stressors. My anxiety attacks have become severe. I am in the process of a quick wean off wellbutrin to begin Effexor. Recently Ive had attacks of flushing, heart racing, palpitations, etc. The doctors dont feel this is anxiety which has tripled my anxiety. They have done several tests and have not found anything. I am feeling afraid to be alone, havent been to work in a week, fear my family and friends are getting sick of me and feel paralyzed. . I just want to feel normal again but afraid I cant get back :(

Edit:  I gave your thread a title.

Post Edited By Moderator (stkitt) : 3/28/2012 7:25:28 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/28/2012 1:00 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry you are having so much anxiety right now. Have you tried breathing exercises and cbt? You need to face the fear. Do you have something like Xanax to take for the here and now panic attacks?
Posted 3/28/2012 1:37 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HealingWell and a special warm welcome to you, Rabba. I am sorry it is under these circumstances that we meet but we do stick pretty close together and everyone on here is so supportive and kind wich I hope will help you with your anxiety. Please accept my sympathy at the loss of your Father.  Everyone has a stress capacity. When you exceed your capacity, your system may function poorly or shut down completely. After you have been through a stressful time it is very common to feel emotionally exhausted.   Give yourself   permission to rest, don’t push yourself to hard right now.   You have been dealing with so much your body needs time to shut down and reset itself.   Don’t place excessive demands on yourself right now but instead just let your mind and body rest.   Believe that you will get better and you are not alone - everyone here understands anxiety  !  I hope you keep taling with us and know we are here to support you.   Kindly, Kitt
Posted 3/28/2012 1:49 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Kitt, those are comforting words and ones I needed to hear. I am always so hard on myself, always have been its hard to even imagine its okay for me to slow down. . I am usually a very strong person, hold a very good full time job, volunteer and active member of the community. I am scared by the feeling of paralysis anxiety brings forth. Thanks again for the comforting words. I am not exactly sure how this forum/chat works but will hlopefully catch on.
Again thank you
Posted 3/28/2012 1:53 PM (GMT 0)
BarbZ
thank you for your response, yes THANK God I have Ativan. I have a hard time with deep breathing not sure i even know exactly what to do and not sure what cbt is?? It feels so out of control and scary, paralyzing almost and when Im not having an attack Im fearing the next one. . Thanks so much its comforting to see the responses, I fear those closest to me are getting tired of it and dont understand although they are trying.
Posted 3/28/2012 2:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Rabba and welcome,

I am really suprised that your doctors don't think that your physical symptoms are anxiety related...it certainly sounds like they are to me. If your medical screening has come back normal, then I would try to relax, as those are pretty familiar anxiety symptoms.

I too am sorry to hear of your loss, and recent increased stressors. It is not suprising that you are feeling the effects of increased stress. Changing medications can be difficult as well, so take it slow and give it all time to level out.

We have a Resource Guide here on our main page that will give you links to breathing and relaxation video instruction. these, as Barbz said, can be powerful tools against anxiety/panic. Practice these daily for a week, and see how you are feeling.

CBT is a specific therapy that teaches one the skills of turning negative/fearful thinking patterns into positive/productive ones...thus decreasing anxiety and its symptoms. It is a good long-term treatment for anxiety and totally worth the time and effort if you want to look into it!

Take care and keep talking with us, we are glad to have you as part of our community.:)

Scaredy Cat
Posted 3/28/2012 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Rabba! Please don't feel alone--you're not--and you've come to the right place! I just started visiting this forum last week, and let me tell you, there are a LOT of people out there suffering. Just knowing you're not alone might help in and of itself! (I know it has for me!).

The changes you've gone through this year have truly been very significant. I'm so sorry about your father. I can't imagine. I feel for you, though, on the changes (got married, moved from a 4 minute commute to a 60 minute commute, had a significant change within my job), so I can tell you first hand that these things have triggered my anxiety BIG time!

My anxiety hit an all time high right around January of this year. I started therapy (not really CBT, I guess, but definitely therapy!), and have been seeing a psychiatrist to help get myself regulated. Like Scaredy Cat said, I am surprised your doctors don't think your symptoms are anxiety. Sounds like it to me!!!!

Hang in there and keep visiting this site--I've found these forums to be so therapeutic!!!!
Posted 3/28/2012 11:00 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Lovemyfam2012 and all of you for your comforting responses I cant tell you how it has helped make me feel not so alone. . the only thing that made the doctors think it was Not anxiety is the profound flushing that is I get so red face, neck and chest during these episodes or attacks. . Dr said you dont usually see such flushing with anxiety?? can any of you speak to that or anything else it could be. They have me on a heart monitor which had increased the anxiety three fold :(
Rabba
Posted 3/29/2012 12:01 AM (GMT 0)
Rabba,

I think your Dr. forgot the part about facial blushing can be caused by various factors, that may vary from one person to another. While, in some people, an excessive sweaty face can come from eating spicy foods. In some others, this condition occurs due to perceived trouble or an embarrassing situation. Others suffer from anxiety or premature worrying

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5048762

My neck and face flush when I am in a high anxiety situation.

Take care,

Kitt

Posted 3/29/2012 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
My chest used to get bright red and splothcy with a flush if I was nervous or really embarassed... it no longer happens anymore, but I was really self-conscious of this as a teenager! blush


I agree, flushing is an anxiety symptom as far as I am concerned!

S.C.

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