Onset of anxiety/ depression feeling scared

[jess_r]

Hello everyone,

over the past 2-3 months I have started to become really anxious even when  I'm not in a situation  that is stressful, I  think I have been having panic attacks as sometimes even for no apparent reason I get a massive gush feeling over my body, rapid heart beat , pains across my chest and belly, lightheaded and dizzy and nausea ... It's awful, sometimes I feel like it a not going to end. But I focus on my breathing and it's ends soon after. 

Lately I haven't really even  felt like leaving the house or even going to work  I would rather stay home on weekends now instead of meeting up with friends. 

i have just been to  my first psychology appointment and from that session the psychologist recommended  going on some anti depressants , so I went to  my GP and she has given me a low dose anti depressant.  I started it today. 

I  am scared that it's gotten to this point and Scared /worried it he anxiety/depression is going to take over my body, does anybody else have these feelings? And what are best strategies to cope? 

I am going back to my psychologist weekly  at the moment  which I'm hoping will help. 

[JessF]

Hello Jess - another one! It sounds like you have taken some really good first steps already with seeing the psychologist and getting some medication organised. You also are doing really well with the panic attacks and focusing on the breathing.  Another thing that can be helpful is something called grounding, if you are sitting in a chair for example concentrating on the feeling of your legs against the seat, your back against the seat, your feet inside your shoes, just connecting to your body.  And also being kind and reminding yourself that you will get through the attack and the feelings will pass as they have done before.