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2 weeks cycles of anxiety and panic?

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Posted 10/12/2017 7:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all, back again! mad

Since July I've been experiencing quite a significant pattern of being anxious and depressed after a traumatic event.

It started with panic, followed by being anxious, then depressed, hey there's even been some OCD in there when things really peaked. But what is most confusing is that im having these waves in 2/3 week cycles. So I will fall ill, that lasts between 1-2 weeks, then I'll miraculously recover and feel almost perfect for 2 weeks (minus some very slight anxiety), then ill plummet back into the abyss and feel hopeless/scared/sick again. Usually starting with a random panic attack that sets it off.

The last trigger for my panic attack was stupid. My boss was annoying me a little by asking me to start a few minutes early, i didn't like this but carried on and started. 30 minutes later I was walking down the corridor, felt my shoes squeeking on the floor which i noticed was irritating me, then boom! The panic started again.

Has anyone heard of cycles like this before? I feel like there might be an underlying issue that I've not addressed. I've been on Mirtazipine for 3 weeks, which has helped me sleep and put weight back on. I've just started seeing a therapist too, although we havent identified anything yet and I've only ever met him when i feel 100%! So we end up talking about my career issues and general things...

I have an easy life and really am struggling to work out what keeps going wrong, I dont think I have PTSD as i have no flashbacks or bad dreams, infact my dreams are just how they always were. I also am 99% usually much much worse in the mornings...

Post Edited (Ox123) : 10/12/2017 1:11:18 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/12/2017 7:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Ox123

Welcome back to the forum but sorry to hear you are having a tough time at the moment.

I can relate to what you are saying as I get the same thing were i'm fine for a couple of weeks then I get a setback.

One thing I would say is that if you have recently started a medication it seems to be the norm for things to get worse before they get better again which can take anywhere between 2-6 weeks. I am pleased to hear you have started seeing a therapist as it is that which you will find most useful.

Also have a look at our resources post for some useful links to self help sites on the web I can recommend the Mindfulness ones.

Keep us posted.

Hibee
Posted 10/12/2017 11:09 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the reply, What would you class as a setback?

My setbacks just revert me right back into the depth of depression, at an alarming rate. I've gone from 3 weeks feeling great to yesterday having a panic attack and today fully blown depression. And the reason i know that is because my mood fluctuates massively while im depressed. 1 minute i will break down, then the next ill feel normal..
Posted 10/12/2017 11:58 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

I class a set back as a period of time were my anxiety/depression/ocd becomes uncontrolled by self help/medication and as a result I experience worse symptoms.

I think when you have a set back it's important to recognise it and tell yourself that you have got through these before and try and think as positive as possible.

Hibee
Posted 10/12/2017 2:13 PM (GMT 0)
Ahh makes sense. Yes I must remind myself this is a setback!

However, I've been reading online and possibly may have a breakthrough. I think I may have recurrent brief depression... My symptoms match all those listed. Not sure it would apply to you but its something ill read a little more into and suggest to a professional.
Posted 10/12/2017 2:50 PM (GMT 0)
Omg! Yes, I have been noticing that as well. It's been since the beginning of this year, that I really started to notice that I have 2 good weeks out of every month and about 2 long, horrible weeks every month where my anxiety flares up and the depression is back with a vengeance!

I have noticed quite a few people posting about this same thing recently...I talked to my PDOC about this and he wants me to see my OB/GYN and have my hormones tested because he thinks that might possibly be the cause.

Tuesday was the start of my bad 2 weeks...ugh.

I hope you are feeling okay, today.
Posted 10/12/2017 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
Im very impressed you've coped from the start of the year! I'm 2 months in and every bad day i feel like giving up!

The scary thing I'm thinking is that this seems worse than Major depressive disorder as you constantly get thrown back into it. I'm reading that people have 2 or more episodes in their lives can be classed as having MDD, yet Im having them every two weeks!

Post Edited (Ox123) : 10/12/2017 11:10:21 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/12/2017 5:01 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, don't be impressed. Trust me, it's very hard getting through those 2 weeks every month. It not only affects me, but my husband and 2 children. I push through, but at best, it's minimal...then I'll wake up and boom, it's gone for 2 weeks and I'm myself. It's so very frustrating and scary at the same time.
Posted 10/12/2017 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
Do you get any signs that you're at the end of an episode? Or do you think sleep resets it?

Also how is your mood throughout the day during depression? Mine religiously starts off terible, then fluctuates massively until about 5/6, before settling down on an evening, then starting all over again the next morning.
Posted 10/12/2017 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ox,

I am sorry to hear about the current challenges you are facing. I know how hard the ups and downs can be...sometimes harder than simply sustaining at a flat level in some aspects. (stop the ride I want to get off kind of feeling)

Since you are experiencing such clear cyclical patterns...(and I am guessing it is not hormonal since you don't mention PMS or PPMD, sorry apologies if you're male, I don't know your gender) ..

...I think it might be wise to rule out BP 1 or 2. Some people do not experience the high manias...but still struggle with the depressive states. This may be something to just discuss (but not worry about!) with your doctor/therapist.

Keep digging deep and working your coping skills...and keep us updated, so we can keep you in support, okay?

S.C.
Posted 10/12/2017 6:11 PM (GMT 0)
I don't have any signs that I'm aware of, that the cycle is coming to an end. I just wake up and feel "better".

And oh yes, I wake up with the depression gnawing away, I want to do nothing but sleep, pity myself and repeat. But towards evening, like you, it evens out more so.
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