Hello. I'm new to this group, and just registered yesterday.
Since February 1st I experienced the worst anxiety attack I've had in years. I have been unable to go to work because of it, as the anxiety in question has to do with work. The anxiety attack in question had forced me to go to the emergency room of the hospital. They gave me lorazepam (ativan) to try to settle the anxiety attack, but did not prescribe it to me.
I had asked my doctor earlier (January 29) if I can increase the dosage of the paxil (I'm on 20 mg currently) but he said that paxil only helps with depression and not with an anxiety disorder, and therefore refused to increase the dosage.
The doctor though, wrote a note indicating that I need a two week leave of absence and suggested it was best if I resign. My husband and I agree with him, but my parents do not.
My mother is extremely unsupportive, and has indicated that she does not want me on paxil at all, and has stated bluntly that there is nothing wrong with me, and my father asked me to try going to work for a week, even though the employer has moved out of an area where public transit is unavailable. I do not have a driver's licence, just a G1 (learner's) permit, and I cannot drive at night.
Now, every time they call and I talk to them I "zone" out or go into a mini anxiety attack on the spot, and have to hand the phone to my husband.
The anxiety attacks tend to come out as fear and anger at the same time. The word I feel like is "cornered", and the behaviour that follows is the same as my semi-feral, semi-domesticated black cat when caught in a corner.
I have a friend who has been incredibly supportive but she is located an hour and a half from me.
In the meantime, what should I do to cope with this current situation?
Thanks,
Cerridwyn.
Thanks for the advice all who replied, and thanks maria, for the credo. I just get so frustrated with people (like my parents) who don't seem to understand the situation at all!
And thanks Anne-Marie, I've done
the anxiety test, and will print it out to show it to the psychiatrist the hospital referred me to.
Red: thank you for your post as well, and you're right about too many people having a say in my employment. My family doctor, who prescribed the paxil and is also a corporate doctor as well, suggested it would be best if I resign. My feeling is that I'm the one who has to make the decision to resign or not. I think I'm going to have to learn to be assertive with my parents, though.
As for driving, I do not do much of it because of my vision. However, I live in a large city where there is a good public transit system.
I'm from Canada, and our health care system is socialized.. not sure if it's the same in the U.K. though although it's possible since Canada is still part of the British Commonwealth.
Charlie_uk: you mentioned being in NYC on 9/11. Did you have panic attacks prior to that date?
Just curious here.
Cerridwyn.
Thanks Red :)
My parents are just plainly overprotective, period, and my mother has some very old-fashioned ideas as to mental illness, medication and shrinks. Worse yet, she is one of those types who gets all these negative articles about medication or doctors or psychiatrists.
Very frustrating to deal with, to say the least.
My husband, who is even-tempered and calm, even gets frustrated with her :)
Ah, well :)
Night all and thanks for your support :)
Cerridwyn
I was at the shrink today and mentioned the issue of the parental control to him, his suggestion is to tell them to limit the conversation by saying: "I have to go" in a calm and polite voice over the phone.
I just have to be more assertive with them and set some limits as to when I am available.
I tend to discuss issues like my employment with my husband more so than with my parents. It's just that they can be a pain!
:)
However I will do as the shrink suggests regarding assertiveness and being polite with them, but firm.
Off to the dentist here.. yuck... laters :)
Cerridwyn
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