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Need advice on how to deal with anxiety

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 8/31/2010 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, my name is Laurie - I'm from Central NJ and am married with two daughters. I have suffered from A&P disorder since I was about 20 years old. I am now 43. It's been a long time. I have never really gotten help from it. My doc gives me xanax but one bottle of 30 usually has to last me a year so I only take it during very stressful times like long rides or crowded places... and even then I break the pill in half so it can last longer for me. I'm pretty embarrassed to go to the dr and discuss this with him or anyone so I really don't know what to do. I have just learned to live with it. Lately though, this past summer, it has been much worse. I had won tickets to go see a Bon Jovi concert early this summer and the whole week leading up to it, my stomache was a mess and was in the bathroom several times per day... I didn't think I can handle it and I was trying so hard to be able to attend and take my 11 year old daughter with me. I was afraid of the drive, the crowds, you name it. I started taking the xanax a few days before the concert, it was like a miracle drug for me... it really does subside my anxiety and I feel like I can do almost anything like a normal person. But after the concert I stopped again to make my meds last longer. Anxiety came back..... and came back kind of worse...... I don't think it's good to go on/off meds.... so here I am....looking for some advice on how everyone deals with this. I wake up with "D" every morning and usually go 2 to 3 times before I even can get out of the house.
Posted 8/31/2010 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
lauriemay1
Welcome to HealingWell and the A & P forum. Please do not feel like you have to suffer alone and make an appointment to see your physician. If your PCP is not comfortable in prescribing medication for you then perhaps you could ask for a referral to a Psychiatrist who knows the mental health medications and would be willing to give you an RX for more than 30 of the Xanax per year.

Never be ashamed of your issues as that is why we hire physician's to work for us so don't try to hide your problems but share them and be your own best advocate.

I suspect you have anticipatory anxiety and the medication is helping you to reduce your anxiety when it kicks into high gear.

Anticipatory anxiety is where a person experiences increased levels of anxiety by thinking about an event or situation in the future. The worries you experience specifically focus on what you think might happen, often with catastrophic predictions about the event.

To begin treating anticipatory anxiety, we must be able to admit that we cannot predict the future. Any scenario we are able to imagine is nothing more than speculation and fabrication.

I have been dx with GAD but anticipatory anxiety is what usually causes me the most problems. I have worked hard to remember I have anxiety, anxiety does not have me.

I know you will be hearing from other members so stick with us and know we care.
Posted 9/1/2010 11:16 PM (GMT 0)
Kitt put it well. The anticipation with anxiety is so often worse than whatever it is that we're afraid of. And you should be able to get a prescription for more than 30 pills/ year. If it works that well for you... take advantage of that fact.

I take Xanax daily right now. It's a short-term solution, but my psychiatrist is having me take it regularly until we find something else to take it's place and to help combat any side effects that may come up with another medication. The side effects usually appear before the benefit and may only last a few weeks, so the Xanax is helping me in the interim since the full benefit of many psychoactive drugs takes 4-8 weeks.
Posted 9/1/2010 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome. You didn't mention any therapy, so I was wondering if you've had any experience with CBT. It has helped me with the A/P and anticipatory anxiety. There is a free on-line workshop called Moodgym that I have heard good things about. This is a great place, I'm sure that you will receive lots of support and info here!
Best wishes,
Scaredy Cat
Posted 9/2/2010 1:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Thanks everyone.... I will check out the on-line workshop scaredy cat!! I'm sure I can get more than 30 pills per year... my problem is actually going to the dr - not the dr himself. I only go if in dire need... which is like once per year...... I don't like talking "in person" about my stress/anxiety....... It's something I need to learn to get over. Been doing this for so many years now, it's like a way of life for me.
Posted 9/3/2010 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
Remember that whether you're talking to a therapist, physician, psychiatrist, etc. that they chose that career for a reason. They want to help and they see clients/patients all day long, so even though it may be embarrassing at first, they most likely will not be shocked or look at you/ treat you in a judgmental way. If they do, then you probably want to find someone else.

And don't forget why you're doing it. Keep your goal of getting better in mind. You can have a less anxiety filled life, but it will mean taking some risks. If it would help try going with someone. They can either sit in the waiting room or even come and bring in another perspective for the therapist/doctor to hear, ask questions or bring up points that you might forget "in the moment", and of course offer you support.
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