What is Your Experience with Anxiety?

Posted by Helen, Volunteer Mentor @naturegirl5, Apr 7 7:19pm

Many of us experience anxiety and most every day one of us writes something here about anxiety. I thought I would start a discussion on this topic.

Some have experienced anxiety all of our lives and others experienced anxiety when diagnosed with a serious illness. Some people have panic attacks. Some people have anxiety that affects falling asleep or waking up early in the morning and not able to get back to sleep. We can explore what anxiety feels like to you, what goes through your mind and where you think it comes from. It's all up to you. You might want to share what has helped you as a way to support others on Mayo Clinic Connect.

Your turn. What would you like to share?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.

@sooz1954

Thanks so much for sharing. Do you mind listing the names of the meds you were prescribed and are currently working for you? Since posting my comment, I returned to taking the lamotrigine and generic Pristiq. I took a huge dive in my brain functioning after being med free for a couple months....and feeling excellent until late March. So I guess I am resigned to taking meds for the rest of my life. You mentioned ketamine - I was going to pursue that avenue but from what I read, it seems to be more helpful for those with a trauma induced condition. I believe my condition is simply hereditary, going back several generations. While I have been doing everything possible to stay healthy and active, the symptoms became too much to fight. I hope I will start feeling better in another week. This is my third week back on meds. My best to you and all who suffer this awful burden.

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Wellbutrin, Remeron, and Cymbalta.

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Looking back I had anxiety/panic attacks since I was in elementary school. I remember my parents would have birthday parties, but I’d get so overwhelmed/agitated by the large crowds. When it came time to open my gifts I’d become very agitated and would need to leave the room bc I’d start sweating, felt dizzy and just weird. Fast forward to high school senior year got to the point I was always is fight/flight mode. I would be in class and I could feel it coming on felt like I was going to vomit and just needed to get out. I couldn’t go to movie theaters, family vacations, out to eat. I seriously felt like a prisoner in my own life. It ruined my relationships with loved ones and I started self medicating with alcohol bc it’s the only thing that would take off that edge. I went to a psychiatrist did lots of therapy. We tried almost every single drug on the market. I just never had good luck with any bc I couldn’t tolerate them. My dr finally tried xanex and over the years it seemed to be like I had a life again. Here I am now 40 still on the xanex and it’s been 10 years and my biggest fear is happening. I am having panic attacks/anxiety all the time and affecting my work that’s a struggle to even do.I have a 18 year old son and 10 year old son and can’t be feeling like this. I went and saw a dr yesterday, but he suggested the medication Desvenlafxine 50 mg. I’m really scared to take it as I’ve been doing research and it’s banned in Europe.I guess I’m on here to see if anyone can relate to me ,what has helped you and any suggestions.

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@brosha1234

Looking back I had anxiety/panic attacks since I was in elementary school. I remember my parents would have birthday parties, but I’d get so overwhelmed/agitated by the large crowds. When it came time to open my gifts I’d become very agitated and would need to leave the room bc I’d start sweating, felt dizzy and just weird. Fast forward to high school senior year got to the point I was always is fight/flight mode. I would be in class and I could feel it coming on felt like I was going to vomit and just needed to get out. I couldn’t go to movie theaters, family vacations, out to eat. I seriously felt like a prisoner in my own life. It ruined my relationships with loved ones and I started self medicating with alcohol bc it’s the only thing that would take off that edge. I went to a psychiatrist did lots of therapy. We tried almost every single drug on the market. I just never had good luck with any bc I couldn’t tolerate them. My dr finally tried xanex and over the years it seemed to be like I had a life again. Here I am now 40 still on the xanex and it’s been 10 years and my biggest fear is happening. I am having panic attacks/anxiety all the time and affecting my work that’s a struggle to even do.I have a 18 year old son and 10 year old son and can’t be feeling like this. I went and saw a dr yesterday, but he suggested the medication Desvenlafxine 50 mg. I’m really scared to take it as I’ve been doing research and it’s banned in Europe.I guess I’m on here to see if anyone can relate to me ,what has helped you and any suggestions.

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@brosha1234

Looking back I had anxiety/panic attacks since I was in elementary school. I remember my parents would have birthday parties, but I’d get so overwhelmed/agitated by the large crowds. When it came time to open my gifts I’d become very agitated and would need to leave the room bc I’d start sweating, felt dizzy and just weird. Fast forward to high school senior year got to the point I was always is fight/flight mode. I would be in class and I could feel it coming on felt like I was going to vomit and just needed to get out. I couldn’t go to movie theaters, family vacations, out to eat. I seriously felt like a prisoner in my own life. It ruined my relationships with loved ones and I started self medicating with alcohol bc it’s the only thing that would take off that edge. I went to a psychiatrist did lots of therapy. We tried almost every single drug on the market. I just never had good luck with any bc I couldn’t tolerate them. My dr finally tried xanex and over the years it seemed to be like I had a life again. Here I am now 40 still on the xanex and it’s been 10 years and my biggest fear is happening. I am having panic attacks/anxiety all the time and affecting my work that’s a struggle to even do.I have a 18 year old son and 10 year old son and can’t be feeling like this. I went and saw a dr yesterday, but he suggested the medication Desvenlafxine 50 mg. I’m really scared to take it as I’ve been doing research and it’s banned in Europe.I guess I’m on here to see if anyone can relate to me ,what has helped you and any suggestions.

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Sounds to me like you’ve hit tolerance and your Xanax is no longer working. Now your doctor wants to throw another med at you instead of addressing the real problem. Go research benzo tolerance and then discuss this with your doctor ASAP.

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@mimigirl63

Wellbutrin, Remeron, and Cymbalta.

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Thanks very much!

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Senior heart patient with general anxiety. Can't seem to get several issues off my mind, including doctors, diagnosis, etc.

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@mayomee

Senior heart patient with general anxiety. Can't seem to get several issues off my mind, including doctors, diagnosis, etc.

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@mayomee my mind is constantly buzzing with thoughts. To kewpie my mind off things I play online games that I enjoy - mostly word games like Words With Friends2, Yatzy, and also other games like Solitaire, Mahjong, Royal Kingdom, etc. my mind gets tired and I drift off to sleep.

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@rashida

@mayomee my mind is constantly buzzing with thoughts. To kewpie my mind off things I play online games that I enjoy - mostly word games like Words With Friends2, Yatzy, and also other games like Solitaire, Mahjong, Royal Kingdom, etc. my mind gets tired and I drift off to sleep.

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Great ideas. Thank you.

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@rashida

@mayomee my mind is constantly buzzing with thoughts. To kewpie my mind off things I play online games that I enjoy - mostly word games like Words With Friends2, Yatzy, and also other games like Solitaire, Mahjong, Royal Kingdom, etc. my mind gets tired and I drift off to sleep.

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Anyone try?

Single dose of LSD provides immediate, lasting anxiety relief , study says
By Sandee LaMotte, CNN
Updated 8:16 AM EST, Thu March 7, 2024

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@mayomee

Senior heart patient with general anxiety. Can't seem to get several issues off my mind, including doctors, diagnosis, etc.

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Try ART at therapy. It took away my racing thoughts. I do the same with games & Instagram. I finally read enough to make my brain tired after hours of mindless scrolling. My husband asks me weekly if I have found the end of the internet. Thankfully no - I am however a swifty & I know many life hacks.

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