Connect
← Return to Is there anyone suffering from anxiety and finds it difficult to cope?
Discussion
Is there anyone suffering from anxiety and finds it difficult to cope?
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: 1 day ago | Replies (30)Comment receiving replies
Rashida, thank you for responding to my post. I have told several doctors about my swallowing problem and the first thing they do is look down my throat. They don't believe me when I tell them it is nerves that are the problem. Thank you for sharing your trick by bending your head down. No one has ever told me anything that helped in that way. My pcp wants me to find a psychiatrist to help me come off Ativan, but I am finding that is easier said than done! Many doctors in medication management do not deal with scheduled drugs. I believe I am reaching the point in thinking my whole life has been nothing but one big mistake.
Replies to "Rashida, thank you for responding to my post. I have told several doctors about my swallowing..."
Connect
@sudsy I am sure I have general anxiety disorder although I have never been diagnosed with it officially. I am anxious all the time, and I know when I am stressed because that is when I cannot swallow something and have to use the head down method. When I am not in a stressful situation I have no problem eating or drinking. I am so glad I learned this trick from my friend some years ago because up till then I used to sit clutching my glass of water in one hand at every meal, ready to take a gulp right after a mouthful of food to get it down my throat and even then I would feel I was choking every so often during a meal.
Talking of Ativan, that was another bottle I often kept clutched in my purse, ready to take one if or when I had a panic attack. I did see a mental health specialist - can’t remember whether he was a psychologist or psychiatrist but he was the one who told me no pill works instantly - they all take at least twenty five minutes to kick in! I couldn’t believe him because I felt my Ativan worked as soon as I placed it under my tongue! He said that was because you can make your mind believe it is working this fast! Well, now when I take any medication I am aware that it will take that long and just wait about twenty minutes to get relief. Whether it is a reverse mind trick or not, I don’t care because it works. 😀
Anyway, he tried to teach me breathing exercises so I needn’t be dependent on the Ativan, but I just couldn’t learn from him so he got me enrolled in a relaxation therapy program where they teach you to relax your body and learn proper breathing, mental imagery, etc. That program was a lifesaver for me! I have not used Ativan since I learned to belly breathe, and have averted several panic attacks over the years simply by doing the breathing exercise and talking myself out of an attack. Can’t remember when I even tried to avert an attack now! lol. I am still a very anxious person though - but can function without the Ativan.
You just need the right doctor to steer you into the right treatment, to get off the Ativan.
I like this article so much Inhave been sharing it on Mayo Connect threads. Maybe you might benefit from it …?
https://www.cbc.ca/life/wellness/simple-techniques-for-relief-from-fear-and-anxiety-1.5517952