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Husband's deployment making anxiety flare up BIG TIME!

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Posted 5/14/2012 2:00 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

It's been about a year and a half since I've been on here. Since then, a LOT has happened. My husband got back from his first deployment safe and sound and my anxiety lessened and lessened until I had none (I am on Lexapro 40 mg). I was so excited and we've been talking lots about having kids so I went to my doctor to get a taper schedule. I went from 40 to 30 to 20 to 10 to none, each step down taking a month. I didn't start having many problems until 10 mg or so, then I started to get twinges of occasional panic or anxiety but was able to brush them off.

Fast forward now to late April and we are told that my husband is deploying ASAP and has to leave for training in a week and a half. There was hardly no time to get anything ready; we don't even have orders yet! So even after all of this news, I still decided to go completely off Lexapro...not smart. He left for training Friday and I'm all alone down here in California. No family or close friends that I can talk freely with about anxiety. My friend is coming next Friday and together we are driving back to Oregon with my stuff.

My question is, I keep having panic about being alone down here. I've been alone for a week or so every month while he trains and it never bothered me before but now I keep feeling anxious from sun up to sun down. I can't eat a whole lot and I'm shaky and have an irritable stomach. I keep thinking that my panic will make me tense up to the point where I won't be able to function by myself, and I pride myself on being an independent woman, so that makes me panic.

I was doing so well too and now I feel like I've lost it all. Please help shakehead
Posted 5/14/2012 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome back!

You have not lost it all! You simply have new circumstances that are going to put your recovery to the test.

I am sorry to hear that your husband has been deployed again. I can't imagine how hard that must be for you. I do believe that with some coping techniques and a strong support network you can get through it though.:)

I am glad that your friend is coming to be with you for awhile...even strong, independent people need their friends and families...and admitting that you need the help of loved ones is part of that strength.:)

What other treatment methods have you tried for dealing with your anxiety besides the Lexapro? We have a great Resource Guide (main page, 2nd page) with some really helpful links to relaxation and breathing exercises. When practiced daily, they can really make a difference!

I hope that you will continue to post with us...we would love to support you during this challenging time.

Talk to you soon,

Scaredy Cat
Posted 5/14/2012 5:12 AM (GMT 0)
I've done therapy for it with CBT but I think I need to go back and get a refresher. She helped me a lot so I know she can help me again :) I've also done the deep breathing and relaxation exercises but am sad to say I slacked on them when life got busy and I never got back into it. THAT will be changing also.

What makes me mad is I could see the signs of strain and I thought I could do it all. I saw the stressors in my life and still thought it would be a good time to go off Lexapro. I'm just glad that I have a good support system at home with people who have gone through it (my mom, both sisters and brother have each gone through some bouts of bad anxiety in their lives). My husband also is very supportive with whatever I have to do and is willing to pay out of pocket if it makes me get into a top-notch therapist (though I wouldn't like that...that gets expensive!) I just pray that it will get better again and my life can go back to normal somewhat :)
Posted 5/14/2012 1:51 PM (GMT 0)
Try not to be mad at yourself for this situation...you wanted to go off of your medication for good reasons, and no one can predict how it is going to go...good or bad!

Re-visiting CBT would be a great idea, as well as starting the breathing and relaxation exercises again! Also, is there a support group for spouses of service men/women that you could get involved with? That could be a comfort to you.

This way, you would have a lot of support...we have you covered as far as understanding the anxiety, and if you could meet other families with deployed loved ones, you could make new friends to help you cope.:)

I don't know if you've tried the on-line CBT help or not...since you have been through it before in therapy, this could serve as a good booster program for you...one is called Moodgym and the other is E-couch. We have links to both in our Resource Guide. This may be easier than getting into therapy again, and just what you need...try it and see.

Keep posting and let us know how you are doing soon!

S.C.
Posted 5/14/2012 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
Okay, thank you! I will try the CBT booster programs :) I'm not sure if there is any programs up near where I am moving to but I think I could find something...just can't wait till my friend is here!!
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