Anxiety is back,Emergency contraceptive pill & intrusive thoughts

Sage193 · ‎08-12-2018

Hi all!

I’m new here and this is my first post

I have suffered anxiety and depression since I was 14 (now 25) when I was younger I saw a psychologist who I owe so much to he taught me so much and I was able to enjoy my life with the techniques he taught me..up until now.

Recently I had to take the emergency contraceptive pill and I was fine until 3 days after I took it and my anxiety was back and worse than ever. I have been having intrusive disturbing sexual thoughts that make me so sick that I throw up and have panic attacks. I know these thoughts aren’t me and I know I would never act upon these thoughts but still having them play on a loop in my mind is taking it’s toll.

I have been meditating through the app Headspace and this past week taking Blackmores executive B stress I feel like these two together are helping.

I was on a waiting list to see a psychologist but was removed last week because the dr I was going to see no longer works there. So I’m back to the gp on Tuesday for a new referral.

Sorry for rambling my main question is to see if anyone else has had a similar experience with the emergency contraceptive pill? I truely believe it has bought back my anxiety and I would just like to hear your experiences.

And the intrusive thoughts if anyone has experience with them.

geoff · ‎09-12-2018

Hello Sage, welcome to the site and for posting your comment which I've just read with interest.

Your GP can give you a referral to a psychologist who works out of town, it doesn't necessarily have to be someone in the same clinic.

I can understand the worry you have after taking this emergency contraceptive pill or the 'morning after pill' and if you suffer from anxiety then these 'intrusive thoughts' are caused by OCD.

They just seem to come and can cause you a lot of anxiety that may focus on any particular or specific issue that is worrying you, but are too frightened to talk to anyone, except for a psychologist.

Intrusive thoughts have been discussed on this forum and if you google it then there will much you can read about it.

Your thread has a great cause to be alarmed about, so I hope you can get back to us.

Geoff.

Doolhof · ‎09-12-2018

Hi Sage,

I too welcome you to the community here. Sorry to read your anxiety has been triggered, it may not be so much through the medication, but maybe for the reason you had to take the tablet in the first place. I don't know. It is just a suggestion.

Talking to your Dr about this would be beneficial. I know I do react to some medications, so it could certainly be a possibility.

Hopefully you will be able to re-organise the referral to a psychologist.

There is a thread on this site which I think is called something like "Over analysing and over thinking our thoughts" by White Knight. You may find some helpful tips on that thread. Sorry I can not be more specific!

My mind quite often runs away with itself and tells me all kinds of negative stories. Realising that this is happening is one thing, finding some kind of acceptance and distractions is helpful.

You may also like to use the phone help line on 1300 22 4636 at Beyond Blue to talk to a support worker. There is also a phone helpline for Sexual health matters you might like to try and contact as well. Google should be able to help you find the number.

You are always welcome to share more of how you are feeling here.

Cheers to you from Dools

jollydolly · ‎09-12-2018

Hi Sage,

I've not noticed any negative reaction from the morning after pill when I've had it (apart from nausea), but I did have a very bad reaction to one particular brand of oral contraceptive, and stopped taking it after I felt suicidal impulses for the first time ever. I then read about this brand and learned that other women have had negative responses including anxiety, panic, depression. So I would mention it to the GP, but I'm not sure whether anyone would be able to tell for sure if it played a part in your anxiety returning. It sounds like you're being really proactive in looking after yourself - go you!

Best wishes.

Sage193 · ‎12-12-2018

Thankyou everyone for you replies and recommendations on threads posted here I will be sure to check them out.

I saw my gp and got a new referral yesterday so I’m just waiting to be contacted.

i tried researching anything on the brand of pill I had taken but nothing seems to come up. I did read that the main ingredient did have the same effect on some other women with anxiety and panic attacks.

round_the_twist · ‎14-12-2018

Hi Sage

I'm new here too, haven't even written my first post yet! 🙂 I was drawn to your post because of a similar experience, although not from the emergency contraceptive pill.

I'm currently suffering a massive relapse of my anxiety after being stable for many years (I have been on meds for anxiety and depression for 17 years now) and it was triggered by hormone treatment for a severe gynaecological disorder. Because the treatment exacerbated my mental illness to a point where it was unbearable, I had a hysterectomy a few weeks ago. I felt fantastic for the first couple of weeks off the hormones and was getting back into life again, but then a huge confrontation from a close family member who is a bully and a narcisist has triggered one of the worst episodes of anxiety I've ever had. This person and the emotional abuse is the reason I got so bad 17 years ago and have been on an antidepressant ever since. My GP has now had to increase my meds for the second time in 6 months and has also temporarily prescribed me an additonal benzodiazepine to take in an "emergency" until the residual hormone is out of my system (along with the anaesthetic and other post-op medications which can also upset delicate brain chemistry). Hormones can, and do, play a role in our mental well being (just look at PMT, for example!!).

Talk to your GP about it if you're still concerned, but it's great that you're going to see a psychologist and you're being so proactive. I really feel for you, Sage. I hope you are able to stabilise again really soon and get back to enjoying life. At the moment I'm just taking one day at a time and surfing sites such as BB to find some strategies to help me face my abuser whilst my brain chemistry returns to "normal". All the very best to you xoxo

Sage193 · ‎15-12-2018

I’m so sorry to read that you are going through such a rough time.

I know how hard it is to have your anxiety caused by a narcissistic family member. I myself hate confrontation and facing your bully will be hard but you can do it as easy as it is to say.

I have found this site very helpful with techniques and even just reading some other people’s experiences and to feel like “I’m not alone! I’m not who my thoughts say I am” even if it’s for just a moment.

I truely hope you are feeling back to yourself soon and you find some comfort here.

Take care xoxo

anonymous44 · ‎26-02-2020

Hi sage I know this is from a while ago but I was trying to find out what was wrong with me by frantically searching the internet and I came across your post I have never had an intrusive thought before and I didn’t even know they existed it’s been happening for 2 days and I honestly thought I was going crazy like I had somehow broken my brain it’s just a dark hole that feels like it’s sucking me in it is so scary i never thought about the actual act but I thought if I am having these thoughts I don’t really deserve to be living I broke down to my partner about it thinking he would leave me but we chatted about it and realised the only thing that has changed is I’m on the pill now i stopped as soon as I realised but now I’m so scared my life is still going to stay this way I’m trying to stay positive but it’s so scary I just wanna go back to the fun loving mum and wife I was before this at the moment I feel guilty for even looking at my family will these feelings go away with the affects of the pill or do I need to find help

Sophie_M · ‎26-02-2020

Hi Cindlz,

I'm sorry to hear you're going through such a tough time, but I'm glad you came across this post and you shared what's happening for you at the moment. If you ever feel like you need to chat to someone, I'd encourage you to give our support service a ring on 1300 22 4636. If you're having thoughts of harming yourself, Lifeline is a great service to ring also (13 11 14).

Take care,
Sophie

Gambit87 · ‎26-02-2020

Hi Cindlz,

I'm sorry to hear you're going through this! I have intrusive thoughts and they can be absolutely terrifying.

Intrusive thoughts play on your worst fears. My worst fear is harming myself and others (i would never do that in a million years)- so naturally the intrusive thoughts I get play on that. Its so easy to get sucked into those thoughts and feel so bad for having them.

You need to remember that these are just thoughts, they are not you! Don't fight them because they just come back stronger and its harder to let them go! What I've been working on with my psychologist is challenging them - asking myself 'would I really do that... really? No? move on' (I say F OFF haha) and focus on whats around me.

I also practice mindfullness and meditation which helps me keep calm and relaxed with helps with my anxiety which in turn lowers my frequency of intrusive thoughts. Its hard and overwhelming sometimes but it can be controlled!

I cant recommend seeing a psychologist enough - see your GP for a mental health care plan and a referral.

remember - they're just thoughts, you are not your thoughts!

all the best - I hope you update us with your progress if you feel comfortable!