The mind has two main ways it deals with problems. One way deals with concrete problems the other with unknowns. Concrete things are things it knows how to do. Like walking, using the phone, this computer. Unknowns are things like finding a new store. Once found it becomes a known and shifts to the other part of memory. Any anxiety goes with it because it is no longer an unknown. It has one answer and it is logical. Before there were a number of possible answers to pick from and in the worst case no answer. When you don't have an answer you will search every similar situation in memory looking for one. This searching can go round and round getting more anxious. So writing down there is no answer can stop this. Trying to write a panic situation shows you the confusion of something that seems real but isn't and allows you to quit searching for an answer to a problem that doesn't need one. A lot of time the answer you will write is simply "I would never do that" because you wouldn't. But panic can be so real that you think you are or would or did.
Writing an answer moves the thought from an unknown where it has hundreds of possible answers to a known where it has only one and therefore doesn't have to go round and round searching.
High end computers store information in such a way that things used the most often get priority. So they open at the least hint they are wanted. Some times this can be annoying if that is not what you want. Your mind works the same way. This is why you can get up in the morning and go through a routine half asleep, change that routine and you have to search memory for how to do what you want to do. It is simple if it is something you have done before. but is a whole different part of memory if you haven't. This searching is what causes the anxiety. This is normal.
Davit
PS. Seratonin is a chemical needed for clear thought. SSRIs keep it in balance, CBT reduces the need to do this balancing act by reducing unwanted thought. It can increase the effect of the medication and in some cases remove the need for it. The two work good together for those having trouble with CBT.
It's not good to have all those side effects for that long. It sounds like Effexor is working for you. I hope it continues to work well. I've heard some good things about Effexor and Cymbalta. And i've also heard that if you try to go on the same medication the second time around, it may not work as well. I hope you continue to feel better :)
Davit, I love journaling! I've always written things down, and i'm finding that i'm enjoying writing about my anxiety daily. Glad to hear it is worth it to write things down.
This is a tough question because there are no tests. I've been in the psych ward for talking suicide. Now I have Arthritis pretty bad so thoughts of ending it are pretty common for me. But I like to win and that would not be winning. The end will come soon enough.
Panic attacks suck all right but one of the reasons is because we can remember having them and we can remember all the symptoms but to actually replay one there are bits missing and it is this that makes them something to fear. These missing bits are also the reason they are attacks not just anxiety. Panic can't shut down till it has a reason too. The quicker you find a reason the shorter they last. This is done by trying to write down what you feel and what is happening. You will soon see this is hard to do because you are dealing with illogical thoughts and half thoughts. Realizing this tells you there is really no reason to panic. This is why acceptance works where fighting it doesn't. Writing it down reinforces the positive thought that this doesn't have to happen by showing you that you can actually stop it and have control. Even if it starts as little control it quickly gets better. Writing it also works as a distraction. After a while you can just think what you would write without actually doing it and see the illogic of the attack and it goes away.
As for right now, I would never play down how bad panic attacks are. That is one thing I will never forget. Mine were bad and since I didn't know how to stop them they often lasted for hours.
I'm in the same boat as you right now. Was on Cipralex and Wellbutrin for about 9 yrs, then weaned off and was pretty good for about 18 months...then BOOM!! After a month of trying to manage (or being stubborn) I went to the doctors and asked to be put back on Cipralex. However, for the last few months, I've been having symptoms of a lump in my throat, chest pain, left arm pain, shortness of breath, dizziness and just feeling crappy. Cardiac cause has been ruled out...and I do suffer from GERD but take meds for that. So....we're not sure if this is anxiety or something else. The problem is that these symptoms are not typical of my anxiety symptoms....but....they are kicking my anxiety up into high gear. So...it's a two fold problem. My doctor and I decided to try switching my meds, as I was on the max of Cipralex. So...I've weaned off Cipralex (went down to 10 mg for one week) then switched over to Effexor XR 37.5 mg about 10 days ago. Not sure how it's going yet. I didn't have too many withdrawl symptoms when I switched over but the last couple of days have been kind of rough.
I've also noticed an increase in my sadness and/or depression associated with these setbacks. I'm irritable, angry, weepy, tired and really sick and tired of feeling like crap all the time...and for such a long time (since Dec 2013). I just want to get back to feeling normal/well again.
Anyway...I hope things get straightened out for you.
Also, depression does run in my family, and my MD originally diagnosed me with depression and GAD. He did diagnose me with depression when I came to his office crying, but my anxiety peaked during that time. This is so confusing lol.
Hi there :) Glad to hear you are able to cope with your illness. That's wonderful!
Tough question. I have thought, "Man, it would just be easier to end it," which leads me to believe i'm depressed. I have had only three days like this, but when I get depressed, I get REALLY downhearted. It's usually triggered by anxiety though. So depression caused by anxiety. I've only been depressed since starting medication again. But that is a good question. Not sure if it's depression or just sadness. Hard to cope with either way. Just want to sleep it away, but making myself stay awake and think positive.
Plus, by ending it, I wouldn't be giving things a chance to improve, and would miss out on all the good years to come.
Are you actually depressed or just sad. I get sad but have never ever actually had depression. True depression is a chemical change. I've been off all medication for years. Panic disorder sucks and is bound to cause some sadness. I just find it annoying but treat it like it is no big deal, just part of my life now. It doesn't last long but can happen at the oddest times.
Hello everyone. I'm new to the forums here. I'm here because I have Panic Disorder, possible agoraphobia? Not afraid to leave the house, just prefer to be home. I'm currently in my second session plus Grief and Loss of this program. I'm also on medication - Paxil daily, Xanax as needed (though I avoid taking the Xanax if possible). I was on Paxil for about a year and 4 months and came off to switch to Welbutrin. Big mistake. Six weeks of withdrawal hell.
Tried managing anxiety without medication for 7 months. Ended up on Zoloft for 17 days, had bad side effects, switched back to Paxil. It's taking longer to work this time.
I notice my anxiety attacks have vanished, at the cost of depression... It's not too serious. I just feel down in the dumps, like i'm a burden sometimes. I've been on Paxil now for 14 days (short amount of time, I know). Just wondering - has anyone on medication ever had depression because of the medication? I'm not depressed every day. Maybe 3 out of 14, but when it hits, it scares me. Is this normal? I'm trying to be positive and look at it as a setback.
Anyone who wants to chat about their setbacks here, feel free :)
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