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Posted 2/5/2007 4:54 AM (GMT 0)

Hi everone i just found this site while checkin out info on anxiety and depression. Ive been having a hard time lately feeling really crappy.I have social anxiety and  new ones depression...and the kicker derealiztion! scares the hell out of me. When i go out with friends i get paranoid and things feel surreal, i feel like im someone else at times or im missing out on some sick joke, its just a terrible feeling.

Ive had anxiety for yrs and managed to take control for the last 3 yrs untill this relapse last sept from a bad reaction to a drug which lasted for days! i felt insane. Its like the anxiety was trapped behind a floodgate for 3 yrs and it exploded. Ive since seen a psychologist for the first time because i thought i was loosing it. Im starting cognitive therapy but i think i need to get on a med for this depression/derealiztion. .Last night i had another surreal episode so Ive been crying today, im trying to do relaxation and other exericses but its a total different feeling to me now.  

I have been on effexor in the past and i felt horrible, so im scared of taking a med. My new dr now is saying that the effexor was too strong for me and they think i should try a more subtle med. I guess i shoud try a new one?

anyways thanks for listening,  ill be around here alot more  

Sorry I had to edit your post please read the rules. Thank you.       

Post Edited By Moderator (MsKittie) : 2/5/2007 7:11:43 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/5/2007 7:50 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome guess

Interesting. My first Panic Attack came after using a drug in college thirty five years ago. I don't think "that" was responsible. It was my fear of what it would do. Needless to say, I only tried it that one time. Since then I haven't had any PAs , but I do suffer from OCD. I obsess about what causes PAs and focus and obsess upon thoughts. Lots of anxiety.

I would definitely try an SSRI. Effexor is a bit stronger as it is an SSRNI. They didn't have these drugs when I was first diagnosed. Keep us posted. This is a great forum.


Sorry I had to edit your post please read the rules. Thank you.

Post Edited By Moderator (normalsnofun) : 2/7/2007 5:11:42 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/5/2007 11:02 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Guess, I'm currently suffering depression and panic or I should say endless anxiety. My rotten brain just won't let it stop.

I have periods of disrealment too and they scared the life out of me (and still do) I hate them, but recognising them for what they are returns some power to you.
Posted 2/5/2007 12:55 PM (GMT 0)
I had the very same reaction to marijuana over thirty years ago - and it started me on the road to anxiety/panic/depersonalization that I still suffer from today.  I have had breaks that lasted for years where I seemed anxiety free but in recent years its come back in full force.  It's a VERY scary feeling to experience that depersonalization but I do agree that realizing what it is can help a bit.  Those of us who suffer all these terrible anxiety related symtoms have an awful cross to bear - sometimes you can talk yourself out of it and others times who seem just overpowered by it all.  I also have always suffered from the breathing (or non-breathing) issues - and now that I'm older I'm always positive it's a heart attack and that I'll just drop dead any minute.  My worst time is in the morning right after I wake up - I seem to have to go through the process of getting to the point where I think my heart is going to pound right out of my chest before it starts to subside - I'm so afraid of experiencing it that it keeps me from wanting to go to sleep at night, just for fear of what I'll experience when I wake up in the morning!  What a viscious cycle.  Thank God there are sites like this where you feel a comaraderie with others suffering the same thing.  When I was young and started having these problems there was nowhere like this to turn.....you either saw a shrink, went to group therapy or got put on heavy tranquilizers.  So I guess there's at least alot more places to turn these days - and you don't have to feel like you're just plain "crazy" anymore.  I remember when this first started for me, I truly believed i was the only person on the planet who had feelings like this and was convinced I'd end up in the proverbial "rubber room."  Let's all (I know I am) be thankful that there are so many more resources these days to help us through these times.

Posted 2/5/2007 1:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hello guess

Welcome to HW were happy you have joined us here. You will find pleanty of support and friendships here. You don't have to feel alone anymore hun were all here to support each other.Please be sure and read all of the HW rules over in the right hand yellow box.

Please keep posting so we can all get to know you better and you get to know all of us.

 

Posted 2/5/2007 6:27 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Guess

derealisation responds to any valium type med but these can be hard to get

it also helps to learn new ways of calming and relaxing yourself

Posted 2/5/2007 8:05 PM (GMT 0)
how long did you take the effexor for guess?

guess said...

Hi everone i just found this site while checkin out info on anxiety and depression. Ive been having a hard time lately feeling really crappy.I have social anxiety and  new ones depression...and the kicker derealiztion! scares the hell out of me. When i go out with friends i get paranoid and things feel surreal, i feel like im someone else at times or im missing out on some sick joke, its just a terrible feeling.

Ive had anxiety for yrs and managed to take control for the last 3 yrs untill this relapse last sept from a bad reaction to a drug which lasted for days! i felt insane. Its like the anxiety was trapped behind a floodgate for 3 yrs and it exploded. Ive since seen a psychologist for the first time because i thought i was loosing it. Im starting cognitive therapy but i think i need to get on a med for this depression/derealiztion. .Last night i had another surreal episode so Ive been crying today, im trying to do relaxation and other exericses but its a total different feeling to me now.  

I have been on effexor in the past and i felt horrible, so im scared of taking a med. My new dr now is saying that the effexor was too strong for me and they think i should try a more subtle med. I guess i shoud try a new one?

anyways thanks for listening,  ill be around here alot more  

Sorry I had to edit your post please read the rules. Thank you.       

Posted 2/5/2007 8:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Guess,

We've all been in your shoes and know how painful it is to suffer from panic/anxiety/depression. Mine started when I was 14 and now I'm 39. But, I've come a long, long way since then.

Learning CBT is great and deep breathing exercises really help too. But sometimes we need medication to keep the symptoms under control and allow us to focus on therapy.

You might ask your doctor about trying an SSRI like Lexapro or Zoloft. They usually are very effective for both panic and depression. You could start at a very low dose and slowly work your way up.

Hang in there and let us know how you do!
GEORGE
Posted 2/5/2007 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
thanks for the replies. Appoligies for not reading the rules...i had no idea.

Im feeling better today, im going to do some deep relaxation now and then get my notes in order for my appointment tomorrow then try out some school work ive been avoiding. Im definitly going to ask for a ssri to help with all this and im hoping it will only be short term (a yr maybe). I have to admit i was looking forward to reading some replies on the way home from school. I think it added to my mood today thanks.

jaymay - it was a long time ago but i think i only went through one or two refills of effexor before I stopped. I believe my dosage was way too high for my anxiety, maybe because i only had panic attacks at the time? On effexor I felt like a scared cat, i could barely walk down a flight of stairs due to the tremmors i felt in my body. If something touched my head like a tree branch or advetisement sign in a store i would jump! so that experience has me alittle worried about a new med. But i have to do it, i find it very hard to think and concentrate plus the depression.

I think my family dr was not well informed enough to deal with anxiety disorders and rushed me into it. I dont think she was a good dr at all (isnt a dr any longer :| ) from what my mother tells me.

thanks again for the replies, its really nice to be able to share with people who are in the same boat so-to-speak. Im affraid to tell my friends what im going through I dont want to be treated "special" with them. Its hard though ive came close many times, i have my girlfriend to talk to shes really supportive of me and my condition because she knows who i really am.

i'll let you all know what the dr says and what they reccomend... bye for now
Posted 2/5/2007 10:46 PM (GMT 0)
Guess
Hello and welcome to our lil family I am glad you are going to keep us posted on what the doc has to say hun and I sure hope you become an active member on the site ......
There are so many ppl here that are very giving and supportive even when they are down and out
Thats what makes this board so great the ppl and support
Keep coming back and get to know us and know you are no longer alone
Join in on other threads as well
God Bless
Lyn
Posted 2/6/2007 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
Welcom.

Geebs pretty much summed up what I was gonna offer. It helps if you can put the A/P aside for a little while to concentrate on learning CBT and relaxation.

Good luck and glad to hear you're feeling a bit better.
Karen
Posted 2/6/2007 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
Guess welcome again to HW you are going to be such a great asset to this forum. Keep up the good work.
Posted 2/6/2007 4:29 PM (GMT 0)
Guess
How are you doing havent posted to you in a bit so just wondering how things are with you
Let us know and I agree with Ms Kittie
You are and will be an asset to the forum
Lyn
Posted 2/6/2007 6:49 PM (GMT 0)
Ok here's my update.. i just got back from my appointment and things went well. They were impressed with the amount of work I have done in such a short time (two weeks since starting CBT) and im proud of myself that im motivated to do the exercises, even if they feel lame. So far ive kept my promises: going to the gym, going for walks(when the sun's out) , relaxation sessions, and keeping up with CBT work. Its not easy with anxiety but im trying to make it seem that way so it does get easy.

anyone else doing CBT? this is only the second thing i have been taught and i like the sound of it. Its called Active moment exercise, its to help with focusing on one thing, I can really see how I could use it. Im going to do my relax session now and try active moment... they suggested sitting with a cup of tea and just focusing on the taste smell, temp, texture and every little detail im doing and not allow my mind to drift off into worry. sounds good yuum tea

As for the meds i have an appointment again soon to talk to the dr (he wasnt there today) ...i have thought this out alot! and came to the conclusion that if i need to work so hard at feeling average then i need a little help and im not going to beat myself up anymore about that, im brave enough to fight my fears everyday even if i feel im losing at times. A little help isnt giving in,,, im not superman...close but no, im not superman lol

thanks lyn and kittie, and anyone else reading. I hope you are both having a great day! im trying to stay positive and break through, i think most people here are very caring and sensitive like me, it helps to create a positive place... just need to get that caring inward. bye for now
Posted 2/6/2007 8:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Guess and welcome to HW, you will get lots of support here and make new friends along the way.
Posted 2/7/2007 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
thanks Chuckle, This forum is really helping me stay positive. Just reading advice given on hw and positive responses helps me ive noticed. I have hope again! for how long who knows, but ill keep it up! today was good so far, i usually dont talk to anyone in school becuase of social anxiety but i asked a few classmates some questions and i didnt feel weird or judge myself badly afterward. Just a step in the right direction :) its small but it is significant

bye for now.
Posted 2/7/2007 5:17 PM (GMT 0)

This is a wonderful and supportive site. I have been helped so much.

Yes, I am also doing the CBT.

God bless you. You will be in my prayers.

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