Need an Effective Long Term Solution to Anxiety Issues…?
A few months ago I had what I’m about 90% sure was an anxiety attack out of absolutely NO WHERE…Felt like I was having a heart attack. I couldn’t eat, focus, anything, just paralized, trembling, chest pains, felt like I was going to “lose it” for lack of a better term. Went out to my car, laid down there for about 45 minutes, felt ok enough to drive and drove home. By the time I got home I felt fine.
After that I felt fine again for a few weeks until I had another one, same situation just sitting in the office working but this time the issues never went away. It’s been months and EVERY DAY I feel like I’m on the verge of having another one. As a result mild agoraphobia is present (I dread meetings etc) and I’ve noticed a severe problem with motion sickness/stomach sensitivity to movement etc now that I didn’t have before (though I’ve never been fond of crazy roller coasters and/or heights, but it’s MUCH worse now – For instance, I couldn’t handle the space needle restaraunt in Seattle…made it to the table for about 5 minutes then had to go back down).
My doctor tried a few SRRI’s (can’t remember the name of them now, but) and they didn’t work, they actually made the problems WORSE…He tried me on 3 different ones and every time I took the first pill of that type I was unable to work that day due to it magnifying the symptoms rather than eliminating them. Now I have a prescription for Valum (sp?) that I take just before entering a meeting or something, takes the edge off, so works in that sense, but doesn’t completely resolve it.
I can’t figure out how to resolve this, it’s getting REALLY annoying (wife wants to go to Vegas next month and take a helicopter ride to the grand canyon’s sky walk…I’m DREADING that trip for the helicopter ride and the sky walk, both have me freaked out about well, freaking out). Symptoms seem to be worse in the morning, ease off a bit by mid-day/afternoon and are minimal at night (though still there).
Thinking maybe acupuncture? Therapy? But for the latter would it be phsycologist or phsychiatrist? Willing to try anything to ditch this.
Tagged with: anxiety • Effective • Issues... • long • need • Solution • Term
Filed under: Acupuncture Anxiety
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I’ve had one too. They are triggered by your fears and things that make you unhappy. I quit my job because it was causing them. I then took control of my life and I’m following my dreams, all without drugs or a shrink.
You need to take control of your life. Figure out what exactly is causing them. If you’re afraid of heights, then don’t be afraid to tell your wife. If she loves you, she’ll understand and keeping those fears bottled up will only add to the anxiety. Try to find a new job too, money isn’t as important as your health and doesn’t bring you happiness (hard lesson to learn). Do what you have always wanted to do. I went from and IT Systems Engineer to a Firefighter and I love it! No more anxiety attacks and I’m happy and confident.
if you want a doctor who will prescribe drugs for your anxiety (your family doctor is crazy to give you valium for anxiety, highly addictive and many other drugs more appropriate) then you want to see a psychiatrist … if you want to talk about your issues and strategies for dealing with anxiety, a psychologist would be better (and cheaper, at least here in canada) … i have compassion for you as i too struggle with anxiety and for the longest time i thought i had heart problems until i finally met the right doctor …
I think you have deep rooted anxiety issues, I think the best option is to talk to a therapist/psychologist about this. Talking about it may help you to confront any issues, past or present, which are making you feel like this. They can also help you with coping strategies. I think what might be of help to you is CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) as this helps you change how you view and respond to certain situations, and offers some very effective techniques to help you do so. Try not to rely on the valium too much, it is highly addictive, and will eventually become less effective and you will need larger doses. It will also make you slightly detached, and affect your response times, so be prudent about when you use it. You should, if you feel able to, talk to your wife about how you are feeling. I am sure she will be supportive, and that little extra help from loved ones is invaluable. If need be take a valium for the helicopter ride, if you can’t avoid it or haven’t resolved your issues by then. I wish you the very best of luck.