I really need help with anxiety

Bluejay, I feel truly sorry for your afflication. When I was your age I knew I had a level of anxiety and luckily I was able to function with it at that time. My anxiety did not flip over to the level of severity I have now until I was around 39 years old; about 7 years ago.

It sound to me that you have what my father had. It's more than just the anxiety.. My father had agoraphobia. However, I think panic and anxiety certainly create agoraphobia. I was out of anxiety meds and was really fighting off a panic attack on the way to the pharmacy to pick them up. I thought I would pass out and wreck my car. I was on my way to work, so I had to sit for a while to let the pill kick in before I could drive the 25 minutes to work.

For me, a combination of meds and cognitive therapy has helped however, have you seen a professional who practices cognitive therapy? You are young, but maybe your doctor can approve a limited use of Klonopin just so you can go to therapy sessions. I caution with Klonopin. It has worked for me, but your body does get used to it and needs more of it as time goes. It is not a perfect solution, and one I hope to slowly get rid of once all the natural techniques continue to help my symptoms. I would only recommend a very limited use of it so you can leave your house and get to a therapist. I wish you the best of luck. Hang in there and know it takes a lot of effort to handle this affliction, so press on and keep working on it!

...one thing that I forgot to mention...

Until you can get into see your doctor again, we have some great self-help ideas in our Resource Guide here. You will find it on our main page, 1st post. The breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, meditation links...as well as informative articles and book recommendations could be helpful to you until you get your recovery plan fully in place.:)

S.C.

Thank you everyone for replying so soon. I have in the past been able to leave my house, I was just extremely uncomfortable. It's just lately that the passing out effect has kicked in. Before passing out, I was okay to leave, I just hated it and never truly got to enjoy it. You know the typical anxiety worries. What if I start to not be able to breath? What will people think when I start shaking uncontrollably? What if I start to lose control and crash my car? But ever since I started getting to the point of passing out where the room gets bright, noise gets far away, and I get extremely pale; I can't seem to leave alone. I was unclear about this before, but I can leave my house with someone like my mom who has lived with someone with worse anxiety than myself all her life. It just takes most of the fear away.

I have been on all the depression medication go to's, because no one I have seen for my anxiety will ever give me anything for it. They all want me to take the depression medication that has a slight affect on anxiety. I use to have a psychiatrist, but she NEVER helped me, or even seemed to care. I would go in to her, she'd ask how my anxiety was, I'd say not good, she'd bump me up 20 mg or more and that was it, no more talking than that. Same thing every visit until I was on twice the average HIGH dosage for adults. I also had a regular therapist at the same place. She tried helping me, but it never helped. I've given up on those two types of professional care. Maybe in my new town there will be better ones..

I'm sorry I've typed so much. Last night I skipped a lot of information, I was in such an emotional state of mind. Thank you everyone for your responses. Maybe with this new information you can help me further, What is cognitive therapy? And are all psychiatrists like the one I had? I've taken Prozak, Celextra, Zoloft, Wellbutrin and one more I can't remember right now.. :| None helped.

I agree completely!! Great input from la5ni!

Never stop advocating for yourself and keep searching until you find a doctor and therapist who help you!

Psychiatrists tend to work more int the prescribing/medication side of treatment, but should be able to help you to find a therapist who can work with you in regards to overcoming these fears.

We are cheering you on!

S.C.

I know I'm not supposed to ask, but if you're in Bellingham, Mass then there are tons of resources available to you.

I don't have any depression either - I've was actually told last week that I am excessively happy, and antidepressant have never even touched my anxiety. A doctor would be hesitant to prescribe a benzo because they have not been approved for under 18 and you would need to be closely monitored. If your mom is very supportive and asserts to the doctor that she is willing to watch and you are willing to allow her to have control of your medication at least while you are adjusting to it, you should be able to find a doctor who will prescribe a benzo or anxialytic .

BlueJay,

Like your mom, I was totally against meds, until my anxiety totally got out of control and I thought I would lose my job.  My job requires a lot of things that trigger my anxiety and panic, but we all know sometimes it comes out of nowhere..

It was not until I nearly past out, and ultimately completely freaked out in front of a group while giving a speech that I finally had to do something.  I was close to losing my job.

Like you, I'm not depressed, so I fought off anti-depressants.  I caved and took Klonopin (a benzo med).  I took it only when on highway, or giving speeches.  However, as my anxiety got worse, I need it most days.

Like those who have posted above me, I agree, I too had to see a few therapist until I found the one (doctor #4) that has helped.  He is a psychologist, not a psychiatrist.  I think psychologists are more likely to provide cognitive natural approaches. 

I am adult, so I did have control over my meds.  Klonopin helped me at least function and get through daily triggers.  Again, a cautionary tale, it is a drug that needs close monitoring, and can be addictive, but it truly at least takes the edge off so you can seek natural therapies. 

5 years after starting it, my doctor insisted over and over I go on an antidepressant so that I can eventually "balance out" and wean off Klonopin. I agreed and have been on Lexapro for almost a year now.  It has not done much for me at all.  I have an appointment with him and will tell him.  He is my family doctor.

I keep trying natural methods, and I try non-med days with Klonopin.  If I have nowhere to go, I skip it completely.  If I have a light day at work, I take half a dose etc.  I'm a bit troubled giving a 17 year old advice to take Klonopin, but if it was restricted to times you leave the house to go to therapy, and you start with the lowest dose that works, I think it will get you to the treatment you need, with a therapist that knows your mission is not to stay on drugs and is known for cognitive therapies!!  Cognitive has helped.  It makes me know and understand what is going on with me, so then I can have some mental control over it.  I need to return to therapy so I continue to get better and get off meds, but right now my job gives me little time.  Also, I have read numerous books on anxiety, and just knowing what it is, and getting cognitive advice from what I read helps.

SC as right, we are all here for you. This site has been a blessing for me, hang in there and know you have a supportive group here for you!

You CAN do it! I have confidence from reading your posts that you are going to reach a great recovery.

Keep looking for a the medical professionals that are going to help you in the process, keep working on your self help coping skills, and keep talking with us.:)

There is hope and healing!

S.C.

BlueJay,

I understand how you feel something's you posted is the way I feel sometimes and it is a pain in the ass, I got high anxiety that for sure, there's not a day where I can be normal, I'm scared to be alone, I'm always have to be close to someone just in case something happens to me. I get to scared. What the best way to solve this is to fight this to the max, and if it just keep getting worse and worse best thing to do is going to your family doctor and talk to them to help you and see what they can do. You are not alone with this at all. so far all of us in this anxiety forum is going through this low to the highest anxiety.  Just remember that.

**We can bet this!