Hi Missy72
I'm so sorry to hear you are experiencing such overwhelming challenges.
Regarding the medication, I believe the question should be 'Is this acceptable?' rather than 'Is this normal?' Feeling this way is never acceptable and I believe you should contact your GP or psyche as soon as possible. It is not my place to tell you to reduce the dose back to what it was until then, I will leave that decision up to you. You know yourself best and you need to trust your instincts. Don't doubt yourself for a second when it comes to your well being. By the way, if you're feeling seriously unwell which is causing great concern, I suggest you consider seeking medical attention asap.
Regarding the anxiety: You've proven yourself to be a star in the past when it comes to overcoming the anxiety. You can do it again, with some faith in yourself and some management. In life, we're going to have what I regard as 'mega challenges'. Whilst I've never had to battle anxiety, I have faced a significant period of depression in the past. I expect I will face some type of a depression in the future, for example, when my parents eventually pass away (they're both in their 80s). How I manage to rise through this mega challenge will determine how long I stay in a possible low and to what degree this low impacts me. I know I will have to adopt some new strategies for rising out of such a possible low because this is a challenge I have never faced before. I may need some more powerful strategies than what has worked in the past. I know I will rise as I have done before because my identity has become 'She who rises no matter what it takes'.
I know it's easy for me to say Missy but try not to see this as a relapse, try to see it as a mega challenge that you have never faced before. It's a new challenge with old aspects in play. With existing strategies to help you through the anxiety, you may have to find some new strategies to add to your skill set in the mastery of self.
Keep in mind, highly sensitive people are often sensitive enough to feel the impact of a mental challenge throughout their physical body. Whilst challenges can definitely raise our energy levels, exhausting such high levels of energy (hyperactivity) is beneficial. Sounds a bit simplistic but see if you can imagine, If you're able, breathing out the build up of activity/energy. Long breaths out until you can hopefully feel your body beginning to relax. Might take a little while. Focus only on your breath.
🙂
