A realization - Chronic anxiety?

I just realized that all my problems come from chronic anxiety attacks... (well, except for the fibro... but maybe it contributed?) I just took a lorazepam (what I thought was zyban (fibrofog?) because I miss heard the pharmasist and she only would give me 2 little pills in the pill bottle with NO LABLE) and I realized as I calmed down... that everytime I had an anxiety attack... the way I coped was to somehow bring myself back to earth and I did that by cutting myself... bulimia... and other unhealthy coping mechanisms... and that's how I dealt with my anxiety - the lorazepam brough my anxiety down instantly without me having to force myself to sit in a dark room and do breathing exercises (my current coping mechanisms) is it true that paxil now that I have a higher perscription for paxil that this will help? I never realized that when I felt that way that was actuallly an anxiety attack until just recently (had no knowledge of anything medical until I moved out two years ago) and knowing this makes everything make way more sense.

I really think after I work on fixing my anxiety problems the more my life will improve :)

 

Corrie,

Anxiety can sneak in all over the place and cause all sorts of problems. I have seen person after person on these boards SWEAR they have some physical problem and go through all kinds of tests only to finally realize it was anxiety. Anxiety does a number on your head and on your heart. Not to mention your tummy. The GERD forum is loaded with people like myself...who know that their GERD is ten times worse because of their anxiety.

Once you realize that some of your problems are POSSIBLY caused by anxiety, you are so far ahead of the game. This does not mean you are crazy, or that everything is due to anxiety, but it keeps your options open. You can breathe into a paper bag for ten minutes instead of rushing to the ER. You can do some self-talk on a crowded airplane and not get off. You can live your life and learn to love YOU with all your dimensions.

I found zoloft to be helpful in preventing anxiety attacks but this was long ago. There may be better things now. To reduce an attack in progress, I use .25 Xanax.

Corrie,

I second Kitt's suggestion of therapy. Seeing a cognitive behavioral therapist has made a huge difference for me. Having a professional who can look from the outside of me, yet who understands how it can feel inside is great. I used to turn to friends a lot - and still do - but sometimes they're too close to the situation, or can't really understand why I feel as I do. My therapist has been just what I needed.

By the way, I take Paxil for depression, but it does help me with anxiety too. I learned that when I stopped it for a few months last winter: my anxiety got horribly out of control, under I went back to the Paxil. I hope you'll get the same relief.

percycat

Please do keep us posted my friend.  We are right here for you and you can count on our support.

Take care
Kitt