I’m 19 years old and for at least the past 7 years I have been suffering from depression and anxiety problems. I have tried countless doctors and medications, sometimes things helped but nothing was a permanent solution. When I was about 16 I developed somniphobia.. which is an irrational fear of sleeping. Since then my ability to sleep has dramatically decreased.

Over the years I have felt myself becoming more confused, fatigued, stressed, and irritable. For the past two weeks I have been having terrible panic attacks.. several a day. I need real help. I am sick of people telling me to be patient and things will get better with time. I am sick of being told to relax and stay positive. I have nothing to be positive about. Nothing in my life has changed how do I expect a new result. It takes for some reason weeks and months to start any sort of process (like psychological treatment or new medications) and when they fail I have to start all over.

I need help today. I don’t want or deserve to be screaming every night because I am terrified to go to bed. No one seems to understand. This isn’t an issue about how to relax.. I know to read or watch TV to exercise and to eat right.I have a very real psychological problem and I need real help. I am attending a clinic that is supposed to help me in a few days, but honestly I don’t know how to keep my sanity until then. I know I will obviously be fine (I’m not going to die) but I am hating everything about my life and feeling myself only getting worse. The worst part of this whole situation is a don’t have anyone to lean on. When I am by myself I feel my craziest I don’t feel like I am in my own body I feeling like I am dreaming, and for the next ten days I will be home alone. My dad is in Europe. All of my friends are away at school. And my mom is well just trust me she is not an option… which really sucks because my sister is in town for a few days and I cant see her because she is staying with my mom. My boyfriend is very helpful and supportive, but lets be honest. he is my age and has no real wisdom or experience regarding my problems. and I am starting to overwhelm him. Which is making me even crazier because I am pushing away the only person that is there for me.. so i want to stop. but can’t because If i don’t I am going to lose it.

I know it probably seems like I am overreacting and all of this is in my head. As true as that may be.. it is all very real to me. I am so scared to do all of this on my own but I cant live like this. I cant close my eyes for a minute with out hyperventilating. Please someone out there please have some answers. and please try to avoid relaxation techniques I know all of them, and most of them fail because I am somniphobic. I want HELP not away to pretend I am fine until help finally arrives. god i feel pathetic. and I am hesitant to even post it because I do not want to be disappointed by how many people tell me to relax and realize everything is fine and nothing bad is happening. ohh well… here goes.

Thanks for your help. Sorry if I sound like a bitch I’m not, I’m just incredibly scared that I am losing my mind.
I have tried xanax and a couple of similar medications – and you are probably right that the immediate benefit of the pills will help, but when I was sixteen I struggled with a benadryl addiction so staying on them makes me nervous… any suggestions for getting them out of your life after you’ve taken them a few times.. Also I feel the same way about alcohol. As a college student it is readily available, I’m honestly only a casual drinker, but I have been known to have a glass of wine or a screwdriver before bed. But after I started getting slightly dependent on the alcohol… my boyfriend told me his mom was an alcoholic – yikes. so obviously he was concerned, so I cut out the drinking. But when I get back to school I may keep a box a wine around just incase.

I find the art theraphy really intriguing. Especially because, well I am an artist, or at least was before college. How would I go about getting involved in it and learning about it. How does it work?
Lastly – the last time I spoke to someone from the clinic was on friday, then they closed for the holiday weekend. I tried calling twice today and got no answer. I’m starting to really worry. Does anyone know something similar I could try if this doesn’t work out for me. Any suggestion would be appreciated. I don’t want to live like I’m living any more and I’ll do what it takes to get better. Thanks.

Tags: 19 years, anxiety problems, better with time, dad, doctors, europe, few days, irrational fear, medications, mom, permanent solution, psychological problem, psychological treatment, sanity, sleep, somniphobia, suffering from depression

Ive been up quite a few hours very puzzled with my situation.
I have anxiety and am on ativan for when i have an anxiety attack and i am on other medications. 150mg seroquel and 30mg celexa.
I took my meds like normal, then watched some tv for maybe idk two hours, and they make me very tired.. then i tried to fall asleep, but I felt sizzy and My stomach dropped so i got up and drank some water, friguring im having an attack. I calm myself down and try a few more time, and it keeps happening. I switched from laying on the floor, to the couch, to the bed. and Tried laying in all positions.
I still cannot fall asleep, because when i get the anxiety symptoms i automatically wake up. My symptoms in this case would be: dizziness, loss of coordination, fast heart rate. usually i get chest pains too but im not.
I think I should take my .5 ativan but I’m not sure. help?

Tags: anxiety attack, Anxiety Symptoms, ativan, celexa, chest pains, couch, dizziness, heart rate, idk, loss of coordination, medications, meds, seroquel, stomach

First of all i have no insurance, so daily PhD therarpy or a long drawn out medical testin is out. I suffer from general anxiety, panic attacks that have resulted avoidance behavior to the max.

I’m curious what meds will wok best for me. I might be suffering from depression, I’m not sure.

I’m looking for a medication or medications that do the following.

1. No weight gain like I hear most meds of this nature do.
2. Do not cause severe addiction, or present severe withdrawls upon discontinuation.
3. I like sex, so it should have limite sexual side affects
4. I don’t want a medication that hops you up like cociane, I’ve heard some do this in attempts to reduce depression. No thanks.

Any tips?

The only med I’ve tried before is Xanax, and this was only taken three times per month when full blown panic sets in. I need a med that basically releives panic symptoms, leviates depression and axniet, no addiction, no weight gain, no sexual side affects.

HELP ME PLEASE?

Tags: addiction, anxiety panic attacks, attempts, avoidance behavior, cociane, discontinuation, insurance, medication, medications, panic symptoms, sexual side, suffering from depression, testin, three times, weight gain, withdrawls, xanax

I was diagnosed w/ bipolar 1 year ago and I kept getting worse instead of better so he kept increasing my medications. I voluntarily admitted myself to the hospital to get detoxed but he refused and then I took more medication. I used to be 119lbs(before treatment) and at 189lbs I found out that 75mgs of Seroquel was a high does and I was taking 600mg a day. I haven’t been able to work and I couldn’t even go shopping w/out having a panic attach. I weaned myself off the drugs and I’M BETTER!. I’ve lost 13lbs just b/c I’m not taking the meds and I have only had 1 or two panic attacks since. Could this mean I was never bipolar and now that I have support at home that’s all I really needed to cope with things? So I ask (not because I am even thinking about doing so) just out of curiosity … Can a psychiatrist be sued? or is it the "safest" field not needing to worry of malpractice? — sorry so long but it’s important to me.

Tags: bipolar, curiosity, drugs, malpractice, medication, medications, meds, Panic Attacks, psychiatrist, quot, seroquel, shopping

I am trying intensely to get help with my anxiety. I placed myself in therapy and I am also seeing my primary care, until I can get into see a psychiatrist. My doctor put me on Paxil for my daily anxiety attacks and symptoms because I had had luck with that drug for my depression in the past. I have been off the drug for 5 years, when taking it in the past I never had any side effects. I started taking it two weeks ago and it is FLOORING me! I can barely move… I used to get this side effect from every other anti depressant I took EXCEPT for Paxil. I have also noticed the medication I used to take for ADD is having little to no effect as well.
So my question is why are these medications that worked WONDERFUL for me in the past, now causing these terrible negative symptoms? Has my brain changed?? How does it work??

Also is there anything else I can take for anxiety besides anti-depressants?! I have tried several types in all varieties and all of them make me tired or change my mood and make me feel like I’m walking in a daze… even on low a dose… This time I was only taking 10mg then 20mg the 2nd week. I’m afraid to take benzos cause I have a habit of drink 1 beer after work, i do this without thinking…
Just wanted to add I struggled with depression throughout my adolescence, but I am by no means depressed now. Anxiety runs high in my family it’s like second nature. I have recently been diagnosed with PTSD. This and the family history making me more prone to the symptoms of anxiety, are what the doctors think is the culprit.
& my drinking never exceeds more than 1 beer after work.

Tags: adolescence, amp, anti depressant, anti depressants, Anxiety Attacks, brain, culprit, depression, doctors, family history, flooring, habit, medication, medications, paxil, primary care, psychiatrist, second nature, symptoms of anxiety, walking in a daze

Im moving to NYC, hopefully this summer.. and i will be able to take one kind of therapy for my SAD. I have been waiiiting to get popper treatment for a long time.. as i have avoided all medications.. and have dealt with some very insensitive "psychiatrists". This will be my first time living, going to school.. and possibly working int he city on my own.. and i just want the therapy to be as a good as posible.. I was thinking CBT.. but i dont know exactly where the best place is to go.
I need some good recommendations (and dont worry about price.. because my insurance in ny will cover it)
I really need some help.. in order to function and continue in school.. and I believe this will help with my deppression..
I just need to know which therapy .. which location or which therapist is best to see. I have been waiting for this opportunity.. and this time.. i want to go someplace that understands this disorder inside and out.. and will help me by pushing me to make changes.. and assess whats going on.. i need a good coach, because otherwise i may be a shut in forever.
Thank you

Tags: coach, deppression, insurance, long time, medications, psychiatrists

The PTSD in question is related to a case of sexual harassment (but not sexual assault). It could also be qualified as an OCD.

Do you think the followingg methods are good?

1)Hypnotherapyy
2) Past life regression
3) Medications
4) Cognitive Behavioral Therapyy
5) Psychoanalysis
6) Other treatments (please specify)

Tags: life regression, medications, ocd, psychoanalysis, ptsd, sexual assault, sexual harassment

who has ocd??????? pls answer so we can talk about what to do…. is there still hope?!?!?! esp. to those who have severe ocd which affects their grades in school and can’t pass some subjects all because of OCD! and what will be our future? how can we do well in our workplace??? how can i even graduate from college with this???? i know medications and therapy are the treatment but medications have side effects and i cant find a therapist here!!!! IS THERE SOME OTHER WAY??? like self-help books or methods???? who has heard of LINDEN METHOD??? is it really effective? pls help!!!!

Tags: linden method, medications, ocd, self help books

It’s very hard for me to talk about this. I am in therapy but find it very difficult to talk to my therapist because of deep embarrassment. I was traumatized twice as a child by my mother. I used to sweep my feelings under the rug, even resorting to sexual releases, of the experience. Recently, I’ve been under stress, and about 10 years ago began to suffer with gripping panic attacks. I sought to treat the panic attacks separately. Instead of me getting full blown panic attacks, I started getting this constant state of feeling lightheaded, overwhelmed and depressed. Medications just don’t work for me.

The reason why I’m asking this question is because I had no idea why I was having all these physical sensations. I am seeking answers to possibly a supressed childhood trauma – because although I am very close with my mother, any reminder of this experience either leads me to feel slightly agitated, anxious or something cry. I’ve also sometimes had reminders of this and expressed it in a sexual manner (i.e. fantasies, etc).

I know I need help, so please don’t say "get professional help", I am in therapy. Has anyone gone through this and seen a therapist that helped them (what’s the best way to handle it?) or is anyone a therapist that can offer advice on how to cope with this.

When I just think about what happened, I get very dizzy and get shortness of breath. Please help if you can, and be sensitive

Tags: 10 years, asking this question, childhood trauma, embarrassment, fantasies, feelings, medications, Panic Attacks, physical sensations, reminder, reminders, sexual manner, shortness of breath, stress

I have suffered for years, but have refused treatments. I don’t know if I really refused any treatment, I just tried to control it myself. My childhood was horrible and I was abused and then I was in a nearly fatal auto accident that broke my spine. I just recently started seeing a therapist and she told me that she would HAVE to put me on medication to control my panic episodes and my loss of sleep. I have been on Risperdal, Zoloft, and Zyprexa in the past and nothing worked. My panic attacks are so bad that I’ve even called 911 thinking I was having a heart attack or stroke… and I’m too young for that (hopefully)…

If those medications don’t work, what do they give you? Is there anything that can actually help calm you down and make you feel like you are NOT dying? I have tried herbal remedies, hot baths, exercise, drowning myself in lavender oils, etc… and she says that self medicating is not really good for me…

I’m just worried she’s going to give me something I will be hooked on forever. The only thing that helps me sleep sometimes is drinking wine, and I get HORRIBLE hangovers and it just makes me feel worse and keep having more panic attacks…

Sorry this is so long.

Tags: 911, auto accident, baths, drinking wine, hangovers, having a heart attack, heart attack, herbal remedies, lavender, lavender oils, loss of sleep, medication, medications, Panic Attacks, risperdal, sleep, spine, stroke, zoloft, zyprexa

I am suffering from a panic disorder.I went for counseling for psychotherapy for about a month. I felt like it was helping me for a about 2 weeks only. After, I stopped the psychotherapy, and went to an acupuncturist who was saying that he can treat panic disorder by acupuncture and by taking herbal medicine. But, after getting another panic attack inside a train, I felt like, maybe I need to go see a psychiatrist. I went to see the psychiatrist and he told me that the best way to cure panic disorder is by taking medication he prescribes. He told me to take PAROXETINE once a day everyday and ALPRAZOLAM as needed depending on my symptoms. The problem is I feel like my syptoms are getting worse as I take these medications.I never felt depressed before taking this medication, but now I feel very depressed for no reason. My doctor is telling me that I was depressed before too, but its just that I never realized it before. But i know myself and I know for sure that I was not depressed befor

Tags: acupuncture, acupuncturist, alprazolam, counseling, herbal medicine, medication, medications, medicine, panic attack, panic disorder, paroxetine, psychiatrist, psychotherapy, train

Two years ago I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, PTSD due to severe childhood sexual and physical abuse, and borderline personality disorder. I hadn’t tried to get any help before then, and was involuntarily committed because my roommate caught me drawing pictures with my blood (note to self: keep doors locked). The doctors gave me a bunch of drugs that made me fat (I gained fifty pounds), so i quit them, and went crazy again (I threw blood on someone, but they deserved it). So I spent another couple of months in the hospital and stayed fat. Now I’m out, again, and have been off medication for nine months and am losing weight. Aside from that I hate myself and sometimes I burn myself and sometimes I have panic attacks if I’m in sexual situations I’m doing pretty well. All the doctors (at least the ones I can afford) want to do is pump me with medications that make sleepy and stupid and lazy. Is it really such a problem that I’m not in therapy if I’m only a danger to myself?

Tags: bipolar, borderline personality disorder, doctors, doors, drugs, losing weight, medication, medications, nine months, note to self, Panic Attacks, physical abuse, roommate, sexual situations

Insomnia is the inability to fall asleep or to stay asleep for the whole night. It can last for a few nights or more, and it can even lead to anxiety or depression; it can also be a side effect of certain medications, or drinking caffeinated or alcoholic beverages very close to bedtime.
Natural remedies can help quite well to ensure a good night’s sleep.

While you are lying down with your eyes close, and still can’t fall asleep, try breathing in and out, not too heavy, but just lightly, this should finally put you to sleep. You will start to feel drowsy and relaxed for the rest of the night.

Does this treatment help you to sleep?

http://www.ehow.com/how_4404429_avoid-insomnia.html

Tags: alcoholic beverages, anxiety, bedtime, caffeinated, depression, insomnia, medications, natural remedies, rest of the night, sleep

I have been taking zoloft for about 1 year for panic attacks and depression. I had been feeling great again. About 2 weeks after i switched from the name brand zoloft to the generic brand I started feeling anxious and nervous again and had 2 panic attacks for no apparant reason. I was becoming more tired and irritable, more than usual. They only thing I could think of was the switch in medications. I thought those days of anxiety and panic were over. Please help.

Tags: anxiety, depression, generic brand, medications, Panic Attacks, zoloft

Okay, so I’ve recently been experiencing a slew of anxiety symptoms for the first time in my life. Can anyone tell me if this is "normal" anxiety, or if it sounds bipolar or schitzo?

I do have "normal" anxiety attacks where I feel short of breath, anxious, and scared for little or no reason. Recently I’ve ALSO started feeling weirdly "energized," and hyper. It feels "good" in creepy way since it’s the opposite of feeling depressed, but I also feel "wired" anxious, REALLY amped and on edge like I had too much caffeine. I can also describe it as feeling "over stimulated." Even laughing in these moments feels like a uncomfortable tickle, it’s so bizzare. It’s really scary for me because I feel so out of control during these "Upper" panic attacks, and I worry I’m going crazy.

Has anyone else been through this? Is it "mania" and I have a mental condition, or will it go away if I can "relax" i.e. it’s just anxiety?

Thanks!
To the person who asked if the anxiety occurred during sex

YES it’s worse right after sex!

Also I’m not on ANY medications.

Tags: Anxiety Attacks, Anxiety Symptoms, bipolar, hyper, medications, Panic Attacks, short of breath, slew, time in my life

I am deathly afraid to throw up, and going to therapy, an taking medications when I need to, but I still get panic attacks pretty frequently. Does anyone have any advice? Or has anyone gone through this? I really need help, or at least reassurance :/ Thanks
Xanax and Clonopin are actually the two meds I’ve been given…and built up a tolerance to. They don’t work anymore. At all.

Tags: clonopin, medications, meds, Panic Attacks, reassurance, tolerance, xanax

Which of these 3 medications is most effective in treating anxiety and panic attacks?

I’m talking about IMMEDIATE treatment (along with over a period of time).

Vistaril 50mg
Zoloft 50mg or 100mg
Prozac 20mg

(a follow up to my previous question, in case you answered it)

Thank you for your info!!!

Tags: anxiety and panic attacks, medications, period of time, previous question, prozac, vistaril, zoloft, zoloft 50mg

Every great while i get a sudden attack. the symptoms are.
short of breath
funnel vision
vision keeps tryin to black out
extremely hot
tingly all over
very light headed
dizzy
super fast heart rate

I did my research and im pretty sure that these are panic attacks.

Sometimes they just hit me for no reason. I will be completely relaxed and happy. Just hangin out with friends working out or somethin.

But sometimes i don know the cause of the attack. I usually start to feel the attack approaching when i am reaching a situation where i am going to confront someone with a problem. even if im not afraid of the person.
These attacks keep me from dealing with problems.
I dont know how to keep them from happening so that i can just do what i have to do.
Is there anyway to prevent them from happening???
Im willing to try anything from medications to spirituality.

Tags: funnel vision, heart rate, medications, Panic Attacks, short of breath, somethin, spirituality, sudden attack, vision vision

My aunt suffers from severe panic attacks and anxiety. She heard about the Linden Method and thought it might work. She is tired of taking medications that just make the anxiety and her depression worse. That’s what I like about it. She won’t have to take any more drugs. I just wanted to know, for those that have tried it or know someone that has, did it work?

Tags: anxiety, depression, drugs, linden method, medications, Panic Attacks

How does the act of strenuous sexual intercourse affect a man suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, dizziness, and panic attacks as a result of a major automobile accident that occurred in summer of last year? He totaled his car but suffered no major physical injuries. He is on several different types of medications to alleviate the symptoms of the aforementioned problems. How will sex affect this man before, during, and after coitus?

Tags: anxiety, automobile accident, dizziness, medications, Panic Attacks, physical injuries, post traumatic stress, post traumatic stress disorder, several different types, sexual intercourse, suffering from, traumatic stress disorder

I was wondering if anyone had any experience with acupuncture as a treatment for depression and/or social anxiety/phobia? I am currently on Zoloft but I would like to stop taking medication for the condition and use a natural alternative instead.
If it helps, this isn’t a one-time occurrence… I have been having major depressive episodes on and off for years now, playing with different medications to try and yield the best results.

Tags: acupuncture, depressive episodes, major depressive, medication, medications, social anxiety, time occurrence, treatment for depression, zoloft

I keep getting very short waves of ‘dizziness’,for lack of a more accurate word.It feels more like a very short wave of anxiety,but I think the cause is physical.I don’t feel like I’m going to fall, but it does get worse when I stand/move my head,but not at every movement..stairs weren’t a problem.It almost feels like I can feel my blood pulsing throughout my chest and head for just a split second. ‘m looking for a word to describe this feeling so I can search symptoms online more accurately.I wouldn’t call it vertigo.Other symptoms:sore throat, low blood sugar(?I got shaky before eating, and had INCREASED apatite),weakness, and past few days I’ve had a shortness of breath(kept taking really long breaths,and incomplete yawns),only a slight cough deriving from an irritated throat, and watery eyes.Absent symptoms:no fever,no headache,no intestinal problems,no pain in chest or ears,no blurred vision, no psychological problems or any high stresses. Extra:25y f, not obese, vegetarian
not taking any medications, not bleeding, pulse: 60 beats/minute (resting)
No sleep problems

Tags: accurate word, blurred vision, breaths, cough, dizziness, intestinal problems, irritated throat, low blood sugar, medications, psychological problems, short wave, short waves, shortness of breath, sleep problems, sore throat, stairs, stresses, vertigo, watery eyes, yawns

I have been dealing with panic attacks for more than 10 years. I go through some real good periods and some not so good periods. The not so good periods are the worst, but the times when I am not having bad panic attacks lets me know that I can beat this. I am completely against taking medications. Are people having any success curing panic attacks without medication?

Tags: 10 years, medication, medications, Panic Attacks, periods

I want to take anti-medications but they say it might cause hair loss or severe weight gain as much as 50lbs. I don’t want to go through that. Also is the hair loss permanent or does it grow back?

Which brand of anti-anxiety medication don’t have these side effects?

Tags: anxiety medication, cause hair loss, medication, medications, weight gain

Sometimes I get them but I would also like to know if other people get them too. I know that people do but very few people are ever candid about it. I also get mild anxiety attacks when I’m in a very large crowd of people. Not that I am scared of people but I just feel very closed in around a bunch of people. I would like not hear about taking medication or seeing a doctor. Because what if there were no doctors or medications that you can take for it, Thank you and good advice is helpful.

Tags: Anxiety Attacks, crowd of people, doctors, good advice, large crowd, medication, medications, mild anxiety