Worst anxiety of my life

Hey Joav,

So sorry you're still going through this. It sounds like you're experiencing disassociation, which can happen with anxiety and panic attacks.

A psychologist is not a medical doctor and cannot prescribe medication. They help you with talk therapy and coping strategies to manage anxiety. There are different types of folks that offer therapy - psychologists, social workers, etc.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor that specializes in mental health. They can prescribe medication, and generally do not do on going therapy.

A well rounded treatment plan might have you visiting both. I know many, many folks here visit a psychiatrist for medication management and a psychologist/therapist for on going counseling.

Maybe ask your primary care doctor, or even family or friends, if they have any recommendations for either. Or check with your insurance carrier to see who is in your network.

You can do it!

I just wrote this on another thread, but I was right where you were not long ago. I had extreme anxiety come on over the course of 2 days after a miscarriage. It was debilitating, and like you said, I feared I would never be normal again and that something was wrong in my brain from my hormones going up and down or whatever. I'd never taken psych meds before and was terrified.

I finally convinced myself to take the Zoloft my doctor prescribed me. It's been 11 days and I feel so, so much better. I am not cured and I still have a lot of work to do, but the smothering feeling of doom has been lifted and I can see hope that I may feel normal again. I can sleep and eat and function now. Truly it has made a big difference, enough to calm my mind so that I can focus and make progress on other things. My sessions with my therapist are much more productive as I can think about something *other* than my anxiety.

And the worst with medications, you can always stop taking them if they're not working for you. You've got nothing to lose.

As far as the edible, it was probably just the catalyst for the anxiety. There were probably other stressors or anxiety in your life, and this was just the straw that broke the camels back, so to speak. I don't think you need to focus on the edible so much, as it was incidental. Focus on treating the anxiety, and you will get there.

Big hugs to ya.

Post Edited (supapfunk) : 10/25/2016 9:42:07 PM (GMT-6)

Thanks to you both. I have had anxiety and abit of depression before this. I think the experience with the edible heightened everything x100. I keep just ovrer thinking everything in my head which by the end of the day I am mentally tire but scared to go to sleep. Then when I finally feel like I am going to be ok I convince myself it's not true. It like I'm on cycle.
I'm go to the phycologist and see if they can help me. I did start excersize which helped me abit. I did go to my pcp and I had blood test done. Everything was ok except I have severe anemiaa and vitamin d deficiency. Also my cholesterol is to low which is wierd cz i am overweight. Lol

I do have a question. I'd your anxiety the whole day or only in certain periods because mine seems to be constantly.

JV,

A cycle is exactly as I would describe it. I too, at the height of my struggle, felt anxiety/symptoms around the clock.

When we get to a certain level of acute anxiety...it seems to feed or perpetuate itself and seem unrelenting.

This is where I think medication can help...to get you to a place where you can be calm enough for self help and therapy to be effective.

It can be done without meds of course. I didn't take any Rx's...instead opting for therapy and self help first...but it was tough...

...and looking back, I think I might do it over again differently...at least taking a PRN rescue med...or an A/D temporarily.

Wishing you the best with your upcoming appointment and finding the best plan for your management. Please keep us updated, so we can keep you in support!

S.C.

J.,

Absolutely nothing you could say would shock...or make your psychologist/therapist think that you are 'crazy'. These professionals are there to assess your needs, and provide help.:)

At your first appointment there will be quite a bit of simple intake information...

Answer the questions as open and honestly as you can...so that you can get the treatment plan that will work the best to help you reach your goals.

If you find you get tongue tied when asked questions about how you are feeling...writing things down, or bringing in a journal if you keep one may be a helpful step. :)

Try not to be nervous...psychologists have seen and heard it all...and again, they are there to help, and that is good news! You are on your way to feeling your best.:)

Let us know how it goes,

S.C.

Oh, no problem...I just figure you were on your phone and in a hurry...I have to proof so much b/c I always typo on my phone! ;)

Good...I think that was a good choice...and I am hopeful you'll feel comfortable!

...and yes, any therapist with that background will know all about D/P D/R!

S.C.

I'm here let's see how it goes. I'm scared. My anxiety is high

Thanks. Things went well. I cried throughout the whole thingg. I still feel wierd but a bit better. She knew what depernolization was and says there's ways to get back to normal. I hope so.
She didn't really tell me what comes next but i have an appointment in Tuesday so hopefully I'm road to recovery.

Awesome!!

Yep, this was the first step, and you did a great job!

From here, you'll start to learn tools and skills to get back to where you want and need to be.:)

Hugs and high fives!

S.C.

As impossible as it sounds...trying your best to accept/ignore the D/P really helps if you keep working at it.

I have this as an occasional symptom...and the more you dwell on it, the more the symptom perpetuates more anxiety...and on the cycle goes...

One time I had driven my daughter to the coast for a day of fun...and I was feeling so detached I was worried about being able to drive back...

I decided to just go with the strange feeling...not to fight it...or worry about how long it would last....

...and simply try to embrace the floaty, unreal feeling.

Well, you can probably guess that within a short time, I realized I was feeling much more myself and present/solid. :)

Keep up hope. You are getting the help you need...and things are going to get better!

S.C.

So many of us here understand the lure of Dr. Google. Whenever you get the urge to google, just come here to HealingWell and chat with us instead! ;D

J.,

Put your time and effort into the D/P self help I mentioned...instead of 'Dr. Google'!!

You'll be gaining so much...rather than feeding the problem.

S.C.