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Posted 1/18/2014 2:07 AM (GMT 0)
I will tell you a little about myself. I have been dealing with anxiety now for 4 months. I have anxiety because I found my brother in law after he killed himself. He was staying with me and my husband he was in a car wreck and was staying with us. There are some other factors in this that I will mention but I am not going to go into great detail about. He was being accused of child molestation but he did not do it and that is why he killed himself. I now have anxiety due to this. I lay in bed at nite and think about what I saw and I also did cpr on him. I am seeing a therapist every two weeks. I am lay in bed at nite and I check on my husband to see if he is still breathing. I know it is really silly and stupid. But I worry about him. I get sharp pains in my chest at times can that be from anxiety? And my husband doesn't really understand. I do have a best friend that has anxiety. But I cant always talk to her. So its nice to be able to come here and have someone to talk to that will understand.
Posted 1/18/2014 8:02 AM (GMT 0)
I get chest pains from anxiety too. I'm sorry for your loss. I hope things get better for you.
Posted 1/18/2014 9:26 AM (GMT 0)
Cooperkitty,

Chest pain is a fairly common symptom of anxiety but it is a common symptom symptom of other things as well. If you have not already done so, you need to talk with your doctor about this.

I'm terribly sorry to hear what happened to your brother and the things you have been through as a result. Ask your doctor and therapist about the Beta Blocker Propranolol. If it would be suitable for you, it has been used to reduce anxiety and as a tool in therapy for lessening the impact of memories of tragic circumstances. It's used in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). When used properly in conjunction with therapy, it doesn't block the memories but somehow makes their recall less painful. And it doesn't have to be taken for a lifetime to work, once the memories have been rendered less painful it can be discontinued.

harvardmagazine.com/2004/07/cushioning-hard-memories.html

The above link says that Propranolol must be initiated within so many hours of the traumatic event, but I have read that the same effect can be produced by later taking Propranolol in conjunction with the therapist helping to evoke memories of the traumatic event.

Post Edited (JungRulz) : 1/18/2014 2:34:51 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/18/2014 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for all the replies . I am on 4 different medicines. I don't have any insurance so going to the doctor will be a problem. But I will talk to my therapist and see if there is anywhere I can go to get it checked out. Im so glad I found this site. Now I have people I can talk to who will understand. Bless his heart my husband and father in law try to help but really don't understand.
Posted 1/18/2014 7:23 PM (GMT 0)
Cooperkitty,

I agree that what you are most likely facing is PTSD and I am so sorry to read of your exposure to such a sad situation.

I have PTSD but most of the time do well and I am on Inderal.  Most people who experience post-traumatic stress disorder undergo some type of psychotherapy (most commonly either cognitive-behavioral therapy or group psychotherapy, or combination of the two).

Medications are nearly always used in conjunction with psychotherapy for PTSD, because while medications may treat some of the symptoms commonly associated with the disorder, they will not relieve a person of the flashbacks or feelings associated with the original trauma.

In general, medications should be prescribed for PTSD only by a psychiatrist. Specialists may prescribe two medications at the same time for people with PTSD who fail to respond to various single medications.

Life tosses tough situations in our paths when we least expect them and being involved in a traumatic experience affects each person in a unique way.  I hope you keep on talking with us and let us support you through this tough time.

Kindly,

Kitt

 

Posted 1/18/2014 11:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi CK and welcome,

Let me echo the others and say that I am sorry for what you went through in your brother in law's tragedy.

It is not in the least silly what you are now experiencing, but I am so glad that you are reaching out and seeking help.

 

Please post with us anytime. You may also want to check out our Resources here (see below link) for self-help ideas that could be helpful to you in addition to what you are learning in your therpay sessions.

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=104206

Talk to you soon,

Scaredy Cat

Posted 1/19/2014 2:50 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Scaredy Cat and stkitt. I am going through some other issues that kind of add to what im already going through. My father in law is having problems with his kidney. He has only one and he has only 20 to 40 % . And what scares me is that if they put him on dialysis. And he said he will not do it.
Posted 1/19/2014 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
I am going through aging parent worries as well! It is hard not to worry about them and what the future brings.

Try to comparmentalize your concerns. Spending only a constructive amount of time and energy on the things that you can do to help...and letting go of the stuff that is out of your control. It will only increase your anxiety and suck your energy.

Keep posting with us. It helps to talk with others who can relate.

S.C.
Posted 1/19/2014 8:17 PM (GMT 0)
I need some advice. I was invited to go on a trip. Im not sure if I can do it. I don't like being away from my husband. And I have gotten really bad about not wanting to do anything or go anywhere. I feel like my home is my safe place if that makes any sense. I was never like this until my brother in law.
Posted 1/19/2014 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
Are there any resources near you that provide psychotherapy for free or on a sliding-fee scale? This sounds like something that you would benefit greatly from if you could speak to either another person, or even a group, to help work through the feelings.

I would check with your county Department of Mental Health. They will have resources not only for free (or very low cost) counseling, but also access to a psychiatrist for the prescription of medication/s. Also, MANY pharmaceutical companies will provide your medication free of charge if you cannot afford it, and if your doctor backs you on your need for medication! (I had to do this as well when I couldn't afford my meds).

I'm going to ^^echo^^ what the others have said in that it sounds quite like, among other things, you may well be suffering from a type of PTSD.

From what I have learned across these many years, is that the most effective way to regain your mental health, is the consistent combination of both psychotherapy and medication, as opposed to either one used alone.

I just google'd the county where I live, and there are quite a few listings for free mental health services (of all sorts!) Take a moment and see what's in your area.

I can understand your wanting to be near your husband, especially at this time. I have been in that same boat, albeit for different reasons. The fear of being alone is universal, and then it's magnified when situations occur that traumatize us.

One thing that helped me was first doing it on my own: Meaning, I would agree to go out, by myself (so I could be in control and not rely on someone else's driving, their car, their schedule, etc.)....for 15 minutes. Gradually over time, increase that amount.

When you're ready, make a coffee date with a friend, but specify up-front something like, you only have 30 minutes..... By putting a time limit on your outings, you have the feeling of control in knowing you can leave when you want to, as well as it gives you a number (of minutes) to measure your growth!

Good luck, and if you decide to give this a try, please let us know how you do! We're always here (at all sorts of crazy hours) if you need to talk to someone too.




M.
Posted 1/20/2014 6:03 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Vickie I am on meds and seeing a therapist . Its been only 4 months. And to tell you briefly I found my brother in law after he killed himself. I even find my self checking my husband to make sure he is breathing. Shannon
Posted 1/20/2014 6:57 AM (GMT 0)
hi ck,

i truly feel for you and what you are going thru. i, for one, went thru a traumatic episode which was what triggered my anxiety. before that tho i believe my anxiety level has been higher than the average joe. that was 3 plus yrs ago. as life would have it, since then i have also been thrown one curve ball after another after another.

perhaps my only advise to you is to take it easy with yourself. dont expect to be your old self immediately. healing has its own time and rushing it or giving it a timetable is counter productive. if you do not feel ready to go on the trip, then do not force it. little by little, you will heal. give it time.

do take care of yourself and pls continue talking to us. PEACE
Posted 1/20/2014 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks groverpower.
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