Anxiety Disorder or something else?
Question:
These "episodes" strike at any time, when I'm eating out, when I'm working..very random and unexpected.
About 9 months ago I tried Paxil (for Social Anxiety), this seemed to have made matters worse so I stopped immediately (I was on it for 2 months). I do NOT want to try to be on another type of anti-depressant medication.
However, these daily occurrences are interfering with my life and are horrible to go though.
Any advice or similar experiences?
Answers:
Sorry you are going throught this. I have before also. Still do. I am now very educated on Panick Attacks, and you should be too. Hope this helps. : ] Panic attacks:It can happen anytime, anywhere — when you're alone, with others, at home, in public, even awakening you from a sound sleep. Suddenly, your heart begins to race, your face flushes and you experience shortness of breath. You feel dizzy, nauseated and out of control. Some people even feel like they're dying.
You have esperienced a panic attack— a sudden episode of intense fear that prompts severe physical reactions in your body. Many people, thinking they're having a heart attack, go to the emergency room. Others try to ignore the signs and symptoms, not realizing that they're experiencing a panic attack.
More women than men are affected by panic attacks. Some people are affected by frequent panic attacks, a condition known as panic disorder.
Although panic attacks were once dismissed as nerves or stress, they're now recognized as a potentially disabling, but treatable condition. A variety of approaches, including medications, therapy and relaxation techniques, can help you control or prevent panic attacks.
A panic attack often begins abruptly, peaks within 10 minutes and lasts about half an hour. But panic attacks have many variations. They may last hours or, on rare occasions, up to a day. You may feel fatigued and worn out after a panic attack subsides.
Signs and symptoms may include:
Rapid heart rate
Sweating
Trembling
Shortness of breath and hyperventilation
Chills
Hot flashes
Nausea
Abdominal cramping
Chest pain
Headache
Dizziness
Faintness
Tightness in your throat
Trouble swallowing
A sense of impending death
Other health problems — such as an impending heart attack, an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) or drug withdrawal — can cause similar signs and symptoms.
People who experience panic attacks often are affected by other mental health conditions, including depression, fear of public places (agoraphobia) and social phobia.
Researchers aren't sure what causes panic attacks. Heredity, stress and certain biochemical factors may play a role. Your chance of having panic attacks increases if you have a close family member who has had them.
Many researchers believe your body's natural fight-or-flight response to danger is involved. For example, if a grizzly bear came after you, your body would react instinctively. Your heart rate and breathing would speed up as your body readied itself for a life-threatening situation. Many of the same reactions occur in a panic attack. No obvious stressor is present, but something trips your body's alarm system.
You may have a condition called panic disorder if:
Your panic attacks are frequent
You worry persistently for a month or longer about having more attacks
You change your behavior in response to ongoing panic attacks — for example, avoiding locations or situations in which you've previously had an attack
Panic disorder can greatly interfere with your life. It's also possible that other health problems can cause symptoms similar to panic attacks. See your doctor to determine what's causing your symptoms. Your doctor may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist.
Learning how to relax may help you head off a panic attack. You can learn to relax through a variety of techniques, such as meditation, muscle relaxation, relaxed breathing and guided imagery (visualization).
SOmetimes I notice anxiety with new experiences.. like I don't want to leave my confort zone. I know what you mean about the nausea, etc. It really can get to you. Good luck.
Maybe you have low blood sugar. I would get checked.
very similar experience...except mine was strictly in the morning...i checked for being pregnnat..and one day it wasnt just in the morning...it lasted all day... i didnt eat for 2 weeks straight, lost too much weight and finally was put on medicine and feel better...you have to believe that your not going to feel that way..if everyday you say i wonder when im going to sick your going to. you just have to get it outta your head. i know what your going through, and its not fun. i did everything, went to three docs, got blood taken tested for everything a-z...
When I was diagnosed at 44 with ADD and put on Ritalin my whole life changed.. I didn't have a real life before. I never knew when the "scared Feeling" would hit.I couldn't go in crowded stores etc. Try a new drug
Sounds like anxiety disorder to me, and I think you should probably speak with your doctor. Explain that paxil didn't work for you, but keep in mind that that doesn't mean that another antianxiety medication might not make you feel much better. Even if you're afraid of antianxiety medications, if your problems are severe enough, you might do well with a medication like ativan which you can take when you start to feel an episode coming on.
It sounds like anxiety.. but if it comes out of nowhere, I might consider going to see a general practitioner..maybe something is wrong internally.
Btw, different meds work differently for everyone. It's possible Paxil wasn't the right med for you. They have other anti-anxiety medications that work. However, anti-anxiety medications don't cure the problem - they relieve the symptoms to help you work on improving yourself. If these symptoms are interfering with your daily living, then I would suggest seeking professional help from a therapist or a MD.
I have had the same exact symptoms, and several differen't things were causing them: Anxiety, Panic attacks, Depression, and Mitrovalveprolapse. It is most likely Mitrovalveprolapse mixed with Anxiety or Panic attacks. The best way to be sure is to ask your doctor.
I was prescribed Paxil as well, and after two weeks, I started having seizures. I am now on Zoloft, and it has worked wonderfully. Trust me, Paxil doesn't work for very many people, you just had a bad experience.
If you don't want to take meds try some other anti anxiety tools. Avoid caffiene, alcohol,drugs,limit your stress. Find things that make you relax like taking a walk or, listen to music anything that you enjoy doing try to do more often it helps you control your anxiety. I have severe anxiety and these are some tips my counsler gave me, I'm also on meds but I need to do these other things too.
Yes. You should see a qualified physician rather than depend on strangers you know nothing about for what can possibly be a serious condition. That goes double when considering the obviously widespread ignorance on this site; even the benignly ignorant but well meaning cretins can cause you more harm than good with their advice stemming from a well of vague and erroneous information.
Been there, sounds just like panic attacks. I'd say if they interfering with your life as bad as you say, you could try another medication since there are SO many out there you may find one that works. However since you say you don't want meds...maybe you could see a therapist and try some behavior therapy and relaxation techniques. I know how you feel because when I have panic attacks they strike at such random times I never know when I'm about to have one. Just keep reminding yourself that you are ok, take some deep breaths, and try to relax.
I was on Paxil for 1 1/2 years and it helped me a lot but I've been off the meds for 3 years and the anxiety is slowly coming back and starting to impact my life in a very negative way again... I am trying hard to fight it because I don't want to go on meds, because I want to try to have a baby within the next year or so.
Well don't know if I helped but at least I hope you know you aren't alone!
I experienced the same thing for months and I could never do anything about it. I was always weak and for me it wasn't just "episodes" it was all the time. My dad always talked to me and told me that all I had to do was believe and have faith that this will pass. That God will help me get through this and just like that all those terrible feelings went away.
Not an anti depressant. Propranolol. It stops palpatations. Wont stop you feelin dizzy. Does calm you though. I have had headaches, chest pains, numb tounge, foot pains all over pains. I have been convinced I was going to die. Utterly convinced. It sounds like anxiety to me and it is an utter *****. See a couniller (trust me it really helps) see your Doctor and demand a brain or heart scan (whichever you fancy) to put your mind a rest he or she cant refuse if its for your mental well being. Best of luck. Remeber you are fine. It's in your mind and I know it is real (i get very dizzy too) but it gets better the more positive you are that you will be ok.
I think it must be somthing else, I would go back to your doctor. If you are suffering from these episodes at times when you are not having a change in your emotional state than it isn't a part of anxiety. I have anxiety and I don't get attacks for no reason, some emotional stress has to set them off.
Anxiety symptoms can be caused by other physical problems. Anemia's symptoms are racing heart, low energy, dizziness. I think it's important to ask for blood work. If it's a simple physical problem, you can correct it within a matter of days.
Hypoglycemia symptoms are: Fatigue, insomnia, mental confusion, anxiety, nervousness, mood swings, faintness, headaches, depression, phobias, heart palpitations, a craving for sweets, cold hands and feet, forgetfulness, dizziness, blurred vision, inner trembling, outbursts of temper, sudden hunger, allergies, and crying spells
http://hypoglycemia.org/hypo_test.asp...
I can completely relate toy your problem and no antidepressants dint usually help in a case where its a daily problem.I myself have panic attacks or an anxiety disorder your doctor would be the best person to diagnose you, I see a theeapist also to learn coping method s and ther are melds that for me have made my life much more live able . there is a light at the end of the tunnel. one day at a time and good luck.
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