Anxiety and panic attacks..

[zixxer]

I know this isn't the best place for advice on medical issues, but I'm trying to figure out the next step to fix this crap..

Since I was in high school I've had anxiety problems - a feeling like no matter what I do it's never good enough, that sort of thing. It was always mild, and I felt like at worst it made me a more productive person.

After 10 years of this it started to take its toll.. about 3 years ago it the same anxiety feelings started turning into mild depression. I just figured I was in a 'slump'. Even though I work my arse off, have a decent house, nice bikes, car, hot g/f, etc etc for the past 3 years I've felt like I just wasn't good enough. Even though I'm great at my job I have this feeling like no one thinks I'm good at it or something.

Also, about 2 years ago I started having what I realized today are panic attacks. It almost always happens when I try to call my g/f and she doesn't pick up. Even though I logically know she's not in an accident or anything I flip out.. It's like an overwhelming sense of illogical fear that something is wrong - she's in accident or something happened to her. I realize that logically she's fine, but I just can't tell my brain that..

It's all very difficult to explain.. I went to see my primary care doctor and he prescribed me generic zoloft (sertraline) but I'm a bit hesitant to start taking it after reading about the withdrawal issues. I'm really not a fan of any pharmaceutical but if this is some sort of chemical imbalance I'll do what it takes..

Opinions?

 

[olds]

Stop having them.
Next?

 

[OUCaptain]

Primary care doctors are not at all qualified to deal with issues like these. Find yourself a good shrink that will talk through your issues before throwing pills down your neck. I went down that road. Pills that you must take everyday suck. They suck going on them and suck going off them.

 

[spidey07]

It's all in your head. Make yourself stop having them.

I still believe in my theory that all this constant information is causing anxiety/depression. When the mind is constantly overstimulated this is what you get. Your mind having to process all that is the definition of stress, stress leads to anxiety, anxiety leads to depression.

 

[JohnCU]

know that once you start an SSRI like zoloft (or an SNRI), you will be changed forever, you just messed with your brain chemistry. my life is better because the anxiety is gone (for the most part, still have panic attacks) but i'll never be the same.

 

[JohnCU]

Originally posted by: spidey07
It's all in your head. Make yourself stop having them.

I still believe in my theory that all this constant information is causing anxiety/depression. When the mind is constantly overstimulated this is what you get. Your mind having to process all that is the definition of stress, stress leads to anxiety, anxiety leads to depression.

it's not all in your head.

 

[CalvinHobbes]

There are many therapies that you can try to anxiety related issues. Pills can help to manage the symptoms but finding other ways to reduce the anxiety may be more desirable than medications. I would suggest you do some research online to find out what types of therapies are offered, maybe find a support group in your area.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: JohnCU
know that once you start an SSRI like zoloft (or an SNRI), you will be changed forever, you just messed with your brain chemistry. my life is better because the anxiety is gone (for the most part, still have panic attacks) but i'll never be the same.

Have a drink, it will calm you down.

 

[zixxer]

Originally posted by: spidey07
It's all in your head. Make yourself stop having them.

I still believe in my theory that all this constant information is causing anxiety/depression. When the mind is constantly overstimulated this is what you get. Your mind having to process all that is the definition of stress, stress leads to anxiety, anxiety leads to depression.

I completely agree and have accepted it's all in my head. I'm a very level-headed logical person. The problem is that when the panic attacks are happening and the anxiety is a problem I cannot make them stop, even though I realize that it's something I should be able to think away.

 

[JohnCU]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: JohnCU
know that once you start an SSRI like zoloft (or an SNRI), you will be changed forever, you just messed with your brain chemistry. my life is better because the anxiety is gone (for the most part, still have panic attacks) but i'll never be the same.

Have a drink, it will calm you down.

it makes them worse fool.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: JohnCU

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: JohnCU
know that once you start an SSRI like zoloft (or an SNRI), you will be changed forever, you just messed with your brain chemistry. my life is better because the anxiety is gone (for the most part, still have panic attacks) but i'll never be the same.

Have a drink, it will calm you down.

it makes them worse fool.

Bullshit. When I am anxious, drinking and killing kittens does wonders.
I am banned from my boss' office but it does wonders.

 

[JohnCU]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: JohnCU

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: JohnCU
know that once you start an SSRI like zoloft (or an SNRI), you will be changed forever, you just messed with your brain chemistry. my life is better because the anxiety is gone (for the most part, still have panic attacks) but i'll never be the same.

Have a drink, it will calm you down.

it makes them worse fool.

Bullshit. When I am anxious, drinking and killing kittens does wonders.
I am banned from my boss' office but it does wonders.

i meant panic attacks, it does work on anxiety

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: JohnCU

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: JohnCU
know that once you start an SSRI like zoloft (or an SNRI), you will be changed forever, you just messed with your brain chemistry. my life is better because the anxiety is gone (for the most part, still have panic attacks) but i'll never be the same.

Have a drink, it will calm you down.

it makes them worse fool.

Bullshit. When I am anxious, drinking and killing kittens does wonders.
I am banned from my boss' office but it does wonders.

Not everyone is a grumpy old drunk.

 

[grohl]

Pay no attention to those on this forum that gives you no real sympathy or advice.

Assuming that you are telling the truth, pardon my cynicism, you have a classic anxiety disorder. You are able to rationally understand that your girlfriend is fine but having anxiety and panic attacks is a chemical problem that can be fixed.

Untreated anxiety disorders WILL lead to depression, and worse to agoraphobia and worsening panic attacks. Some will self-medicate with alcohol or prescription drugs. Don't be one of those people.

What you can do right now is: eat well, stop caffeine and alcohol, get regular exercise, and make an appointment to see your doctor. Don't feel embarassed or ashamed about what you've been going through. If you want, bring in a copy of your post. I promise he or she has seen many people like you and start you on some medications to make you feel a ton better. Good luck and PM me if you need more info.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: zixxer

Originally posted by: spidey07
It's all in your head. Make yourself stop having them.

I still believe in my theory that all this constant information is causing anxiety/depression. When the mind is constantly overstimulated this is what you get. Your mind having to process all that is the definition of stress, stress leads to anxiety, anxiety leads to depression.

I completely agree and have accepted it's all in my head. I'm a very level-headed logical person. The problem is that when the panic attacks are happening and the anxiety is a problem I cannot make them stop, even though I realize that it's something I should be able to think away.

That's where a counselor or shrink can teach you coping mechanisms. You have to learn/be taught how to make them stop.

You can try the Costanza Sr. approach and yell out "Serenity NOW!" and count to 10 while breathing deeply.

 

[onlyCOpunk]

i get anxiety attacks/ panic attacks on occasion.

Was prescribed something atavan i think? anyways its not something you take regularly, i take it only when i'm having a severe attack as most i can make go away with some logical thinking. Which amount to me taking a pill once a month at the most? Not often, but they do help as they make you just forget about everything and chill out so you can function and go about your normal day

 

[manlymatt83]

Originally posted by: grohl
Pay no attention to those on this forum that gives you no real sympathy or advice.

Assuming that you are telling the truth, pardon my cynicism, you have a classic anxiety disorder. You are able to rationally understand that your girlfriend is fine but having anxiety and panic attacks is a chemical problem that can be fixed.

Untreated anxiety disorders WILL lead to depression, and worse to agoraphobia and worsening panic attacks. Some will self-medicate with alcohol or prescription drugs. Don't be one of those people.

What you can do right now is: eat well, sleep well, stop caffeine and alcohol, get regular exercise, and make an appointment to see your doctor. Don't feel embarassed or ashamed about what you've been going through. If you want, bring in a copy of your post. I promise he or she has seen many people like you and start you on some medications to make you feel a ton better. Good luck and PM me if you need more info.

How about you just try the bolded part first before shoving pills down your throat.

 

[zixxer]

Originally posted by: manlymatt83

Originally posted by: grohl
Pay no attention to those on this forum that gives you no real sympathy or advice.

Assuming that you are telling the truth, pardon my cynicism, you have a classic anxiety disorder. You are able to rationally understand that your girlfriend is fine but having anxiety and panic attacks is a chemical problem that can be fixed.

Untreated anxiety disorders WILL lead to depression, and worse to agoraphobia and worsening panic attacks. Some will self-medicate with alcohol or prescription drugs. Don't be one of those people.

What you can do right now is: eat well, sleep well, stop caffeine and alcohol, get regular exercise, and make an appointment to see your doctor. Don't feel embarassed or ashamed about what you've been going through. If you want, bring in a copy of your post. I promise he or she has seen many people like you and start you on some medications to make you feel a ton better. Good luck and PM me if you need more info.

How about you just try the bolded part first before shoving pills down your throat.

I eat well, sleep well, and rarely drink. I'll stop caffeine and will try exercise.

No need to be a total asshole dude.. I obviously am posting on here so I don't have to 'shove pills down my throat'.

 

[Mr. Lennon]

Originally posted by: grohl
Pay no attention to those on this forum that gives you no real sympathy or advice.

Assuming that you are telling the truth, pardon my cynicism, you have a classic anxiety disorder. You are able to rationally understand that your girlfriend is fine but having anxiety and panic attacks is a chemical problem that can be fixed.

Untreated anxiety disorders WILL lead to depression, and worse to agoraphobia and worsening panic attacks. Some will self-medicate with alcohol or prescription drugs. Don't be one of those people.

What you can do right now is: eat well, stop caffeine and alcohol, get regular exercise, and make an appointment to see your doctor. Don't feel embarassed or ashamed about what you've been going through. If you want, bring in a copy of your post. I promise he or she has seen many people like you and start you on some medications to make you feel a ton better. Good luck and PM me if you need more info.

Yeah don't listen to some of the assholes in this thread. They will never know what it feels like to deal with such an unwanted burden each day.


What Grohl said was perfect advice. I wouldn't be quick to jump on the medications though. Try exercise (if you have not already) and stay on a good routine. If exercise and counseling really doesn't work, then I would definitely get a hold of a psychiatrist. There are a lot of medications out there that will do more harm than good, so be sure to research anything they prescribe you before taking it.

I felt like I was the one that wrote your post. I have had the exact same problems since elementary school. I know these issues will never go away, but you just have to keep up the good fight and not let it control your life.

 

[RocksteadyDotNet]

EDIT - Misread.

 

[spidey07]

Zixxer,

If you really feel like you've been dealing with anxiety for 10+ years it is going to take a while to undo all that. I said it was all in your head because it is. Medication coupled with psych guidance/counseling will yield great results but it's going to take a while, 1 year min.

But if your mind has really believed to be under that much stress for this long it's time to do something about it. It's your mind perceiving stress and hence the biochemical change. Grohl's post is a start regarding lifestyle change.

And if anybody want's to call me out on the "it's in your head", go ahead. I still struggle with it somewhat but I can cope and control it. Stress is the mind killer and only the mind perceives stress.

 

[JohnCU]

Originally posted by: RocksteadyDotNet

Originally posted by: JohnCU
know that once you start an SSRI like zoloft (or an SNRI), you will be changed forever, you just messed with your brain chemistry. my life is better because the anxiety is gone (for the most part, still have panic attacks) but i'll never be the same.

Wow. Fail.

no not fail. i'd not have been able to go to college or anything with the anxiety.

 

[RocksteadyDotNet]

Originally posted by: JohnCU

Originally posted by: RocksteadyDotNet

Originally posted by: JohnCU
know that once you start an SSRI like zoloft (or an SNRI), you will be changed forever, you just messed with your brain chemistry. my life is better because the anxiety is gone (for the most part, still have panic attacks) but i'll never be the same.

Wow. Fail.

no not fail. i'd not have been able to go to college or anything with the anxiety.

Sorry, misread. I thought you were saying dont take em cause they mess with your head.

Carry on.

 

[grohl]

Yeah I want to clarify what I sad regarding exercise.

We all talk about exercise because we all know it is supposed to be good for us. If you commit to 30 minutes 5 times per week of anything that makes you breathe hard (walking, jogging, weights, yoga, situps/pushups), this will make such a difference with your problem. By no means am I suggesting meds right away. Regular exercise is how I have learned to deal with the same problem. Helps me clear my head and I can feel the anxiety lifting away. Go for it.

I do want to encourage you to see your doctor at least to establish your problem. Let him know that you want to try the non-medical route first, then establish a followup date to demonstrate your progress and commitment to this problem. Let professionals help you!

 

[moshquerade]

please do not let your family doc prescribe antidepressants for you. only someone qualified in the field should, and that would be a psychiatrist.