I'm new-unbearable withdrawal?

[RhiannonJ]

I'm new to all this, i have had anxiety for most of my life on and off. I started getting anxious recently and was prescribed an antidepressant as a cure by the local meat market (GP). Worked great for sleep, didnt completely fix my anxiety and made my appetite insatiable. After two months and breakthrough anxiety my doctor suggested switching to another medication which would cause me heart palpilations for the first few days. now considering this was the reason i went to see him in the first place i balked at the idea. i went back to him and asked about quitting cold turkey. i was on it for two months only. he said i should be fine and to use my benzodiazepine when required. Well, the first week was fine, then came the stomach problems, loss of appetite, nausea, and hell anxiety attacks. Now i have been struck down with insomnia also which is increasing my anxiety into this viscious circle. i have been working from home and this helps keep me occupied but now i'm freaking out about my work because it is becoming truly unbearable. it has now been 24 days since my last mirt. Just starting to wonder if this is no longer withdrawals? Seriously i didnt even have that bad anxiety before going on the mirt. i have never felt like this ever and i am withdrawing from everyone, even my family.

[Petal22]

Hi RhiannonJ,

Wellcome to our forums!

So sorry you are feeling this way……

I understand anxiety I had severe anxiety OCD, I have now recovered from this condition……

I was prescribed with antidepressants to help me manage my anxiety and I also did therapy……

In my experience antidepressants can take 6 weeks to work and can make you feel worse before they help make you feel better……. My doctor did tell me thing’s would get worse before they got better……. They did help me to feel better over time…….

One of my doctors wanted to prescribe benzodiazepine but I declined them because I new they were addictive….. it was something I didn’t want to put in my body……

I understand completely how anxiety can make you feel it’s horrible and exhausting…… just hang in there…. things will get better…….

How would you feel about seeing a different gp? Maybe explain to them what has been happening….

I believe medication and therapy go hand in hand for anxiety….. maybe talk to your gp about doing a mental health plan this will also enable you to see a psychologist…… who can give you many strategies for anxiety….

Please keep talking to people……. I know it’s hard when we have anxiety because in the beginning we don’t even know ourselves what’s going on……… when I first had my anxiety OCD I thought I was good crazy……. But it was just the anxiety……..

im here to chat, your not alone 😊

[Gabs_]

Hello RhiannonJ,

Welcome to the forums - please know that you are safe here and you will find a lot of people in the same boat as you (I'm definitely onboard the SS Anxiety).

Have you considered going to a different GP? Unfortunately, some of them just give you the meds and wave you off, without considering other interventions (like a referral to a psychologist and/or psychiatrist). The meds you are referring to, I have tried them previously and they made me feel like rubbish. I only had them as a prn, but whilst they were ok for a major anxiety attack, they after effects made me feel awful. I had a few issues with finding the right medication for me. 

Have you considered seeing a psychiatrist or psychologist? It sounds like the anxiety is spiralling at the moment, and coupled with the insomnia, it might be fuelling it further.

Just as a little bit of background, I was in a very similar position to you earlier this year, I was hardly sleeping, throwing myself into work (excessively), but found like I was barely keeping it together. I just kept pushing and pushing, and then I started suffering from severe panic and disassociation. I got to the point where I had to take extended leave from work (I've now resigned) because I was just so overwhelmed by everything. I ended up going into hospital for a month to treat the panic and anxiety.

If I had my time again, I would've sought help sooner. I left it to the point where my brain completely switched off and I stopped being able to read and write. I kind of kept telling myself to keep going and there was a big narrative about "I should be better than this". So please know you are not alone in feeling this way.

You could also try the BB helpline for some advice 1300 22 4636 or you can chat to them via the web chat function.

There are also some great resources and tools that I have used here (https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself/Anxiety). You might not be in a place to work through them right now, but I really encourage you taking a look at them. They have really assisted in my ongoing recovery and helping me challenge a lot of my unhelpful anxious thoughts.

Otherwise, I'm here if you want to chat further. Know that I'm thinking of you and sending a big virtual hug.

G x

[Petal22]

I thought I was going crazy was what I was typing…. In my previous sentence

[RhiannonJ]

Hi Petall22

Yes, i have moved on from that GP, i saw a psychologist last tuesday who seemed to think i dont need any medication. But i guess at that point i was getting enough sleep. Worrying about using the benzo's adds to my anxiety as i know they are addictive but its the only thing that really nips it in the bud. I have started doing hypnotherapy in bed, but i cant be in bed all the time and especially not when i'm not getting any rest. i just feel like i'm losing my mind.

[Petal22]

Hi RhiannonJ,

I hope your new gp is supportive ………. That’s great you are seeing a psychologist…..

When my anxiety was at a severe level my psychiatrist new my anxiety was playing a major part in my mental health so she prescribed me a non addictive medication to help to bring it down……. It was non addictive so I was ok with accepting it……. ( there are non addictive medication available for anxiety) maybe talk to your gp about one……….. this medication was mainly used in the interm to wait for my antidepressant to start working along with my therapy……..

Did your gp do a mental health plan with you?

When seeing a psychologist I saw a “ clinical phycologist “ clinical phycologists can diagnose normal psychologists can’t……..

I totally understand how it feels when our anxiety is at a high level……. How would you feel about talking to your gp again about medication……. See if there is another option for you…….. it sometimes takes time to find the correct medication for you……..

Having insomnia is really difficult aswell I also went through this……… hang in there……

have you tried meditation or any other strategies…..

please keep talking to us…… your not alone and will get through this…