Anxiety

Well he're it goes, I had all those body symptoms, I was sure I had a dreadful disease, why else would I feel so miserable, I was at a high school basketball game, my daughter was a cheerleader, I would get a feeling of panic and run out of the building, this happened many times a DAY..people didn't talk about this stuff then, that made me even worse. but I prevailed, accepted the help, my own mother said I was being ridiculous and it seems she had it as well, I found out after she died. Its important to know that I was never a intravert, thus making this strange for my personality to take a dive. I had to explore every nook and cranny of my past and my marriage in order to go on to med''s , which did the trick and I will never go off them. I had not one panic attack during this bladder cancer ordeal with Gene, or thru the death of my dad. There is help for anxiety, it could be an easy fix and not so extreme as you read here. Ginger Beane

There's a great book..and an old book..by David Sheehan called "The Anxiety Disease"...it pretty much distinquishes physiological from phychological symptoms..I actually had panic attacks which were quite disabling about l5 yrs ago..true panic attacks never happen when you're under stress...they happen driving in the car..in the grocery....its overwhelming to feel like your body has taken over you. My husbands cardiologist at the time was quite reknown for his research and also head of cardiology at University Hospital...he checked me out and found i had mitral valve prolapse...he said 85% of the people that have that also get panic attacts...people with mitral valve prolapse seem to have more adrenalin in their bodies and causes the neuro-transmitters to mis-fire creating panic. He also said the number is probably l00% because the men generally won't admit to it. And also that its pretty much inherited so someone in your family has it and liklihood that some of your children will have it. Anyway...there's a very simple solution that Sheehan describes in the book and it works. I underwent the therapy under the supervision of my internist. A psychiatrist banks on your coming back and will try to find skeletons in your closet that are not there..honestly that was a nightmare in itself for me. I found the book and actually talked to Dr. Sheehan who was at Harvard at the time who was so very helpful. Long story short i've never had another one.......one thing that i definately had to cut out was caffeine.
So as Stephany says there is a difference between anxiety over something and anxiety that pops up for no apparent reason at all and takes over your body with all sorts of strange symptoms. Its a good book to read if you're really suffering. Pat

Sarah,
Stephany and I are on the same page with the anxiety, mine started with worry, then it went on to the extreme, my mind was full of worry, which then triggered the depression, crying,etc. I talked to my own md,,,he said I should be having more sex, and actually offered to help out, then I went to my gyn, he was not helpful either,,but he did examine me. Then I found my present Internist, he nailed it and sent to a very good pshche Dr.,, 6 weeks later on Celexa I was better. I had two children in grade school, it wasn't me, it was my brain, it was out of kilter, always always remember to see someone is not an embarrassment to anyone,,they are Doctors of the brain, but like bladder cancer you need a good urologist and oncologist, same for the brain. The one thing that made me know I needed help was when I wouldn't leave the house,, I would panic. This is important, I also had counceling along with the medication, for about 6 months, that helps deal with the
underlying problem. I have been depression free since. But I keep a close watch.
This is just my story on depression, it doesn't mean it will happen to you, it means reach out if you need to. And this was 25 years ago when doctors weren't to fond of the Doctors in the brain field.....Ginger Beane

I also want to stress the point that anxiety and depression can be two separate diagnosis, and two separate treatments. You can have anxiety, and be treated, without having depression. And if there is a physical reaction from the anxiety, you may not be able to "talk yourself out of it." There is NO stigma from having anxiety, or from being treated for it. Think of it as a chronic disease, like arthritis. You can treat it, or endure it, but the right treatment would make a difference.

A psychiatrist who is experienced in medication management would be of help, I think.

Let us know how you are doing.

Stephany in Iowa

Hi, Ginger! I really enjoyed your post about your anxiety. My anxiety is the reason I won't fly, too! I also take Xanax....carry it with me everywhere, just in case. I take a low dose...one half of a .5mg tab for the small stuff, and a whole one for the dentist.

And wine doesn't hurt at all!

Stephany in Iowa

Sarah,
Anxiety is real, and panic attacks as well. I had a bout with both several years ago, mine came from some childhood memories I hadn't dealt with, but I did have to go on med's, anti-depressants, for a long time, if they help and you find the right one they are very beneficial. I had a tendency to worry all the time and it did become physical as well. Only a good psychiatrist can tell you if you need to be on them..otherwise alot of guessing goes on, so if you can't deal with it go to a good one. I too panic on planes, I have to take XANEX, a low dose, just enough to get me to Vegas...but I found a glass of wine before boarding does the same. I am not promoting drinking at all, as I am not a drinker so if I have a morning flight its hard to drink wine, it doesn't make sense to me to drink in the morning, how funny is that. But I did down one glass on my last flight and it worked, at 9 am......so my advice is to see someone if it doesn't get better!!!!!Ginger