Anxiety and Panic Attacks

I find that a simple nature walk in my safe Neighbourhood can help - people smile (mostly) and say hello so I get my focus away from whatever started anxiety that day

Thank you for your kind comments and also the story of grandpa - it so sweet

@mbabkk That is great advice too. When I was diagnosed with two primary cancers a week apart. I started having panic attacks. I never experienced one in my life. I found when I walked the beach near me daily, it stopped my panic attacks.

I have always been told to breathe and to remember that what I am feeling is not dangerous. I do visualize, and that helps tremendously. Anytime I need to, I can look out my childhood kitchen window and see the sunlight shining through the pines. The Mimosa tree is the one I climbed up to read my books. I still love books, and find them comforting. There are times I don't even want to walk to the mailbox. I am one of the most extroverted introverts you will ever meet. I alternately love meeting people while also being slightly terrified to be in large gatherings. If I focus on what is just right in front of me, I tend to feel better. Thank you for sharing! You are not alone.

Please know that you are not weak. You are incredibly strong to be able to endure every day. I personally was not honest with my physician or counselors throughout my life. I figured there was already so much going on with me, why add another label to my long list?!! Just this past year I carefully explained to my doctor that I was very anxious most of the time, tended to worry too much, and felt totally stressed out. He had remarked previously that my blood pressure was too high, so I felt like it was time to come clean. After hearing my list of examples, he asked me if I had ever thought about taking medication for anxiety. I just about laughed in his face! I told him that I had felt that I needed it for a very long time. He prescribed a very low dose, and I don't even take it every day. I hope that you will continue to look for answers that will help you. It may be one thing or a combination of things. But I believe there is hope. Thank you so much for sharing.

My experience is similar in the way that my neurologist has prescribed anxiety medication ( low dose ) to be taken as needed - the knowledge that I have a tablet that will calm me down in about 30 minutes and not make me feel “ druggeded “ has been amazing to me - when I was on other medication “ take 3 times a day “ I felt like I was an addict - now I feel totally comfortable and my neurologist assures me that I will always know what to do - and he is right / I am
Back in control of my life and it is a great relief - I know it is not for everyone and there are days I wish I was on a more stabilizing medication but then my fighting spirit say “ come on we will make it”

Thank to my mayo trained neurologist who disagreed with my psychiatrist on what medication was right for me.

Hello @mbabkk

I am so pleased to hear that you found a med for anxiety that has worked so well for you. I am sure that it must feel good to be back in control.

Since this was prescribed by a neurologist, do you have a neurological diagnosis? Would you mind sharing with us the name of the medication? Please share with us only as you feel comfortable doing so.

I look forward to hearing from you again.

Teresa

The initial diagnosis from a psychiatrist was the broad “clinical depression” and he put me on Zoloft - after 2 years on Zoloft I felt I had lost myself
At that point the psychiatrist and the neurologist both in sane hospital disagreed politely . The psychiatrist said to me he would not suggest tapering down. Well the neurologist listened to my reasoning helped with the instruction on how over 6 weeks I could get off Zoloft and then prescribed Ativan to be taken “ as needed “ not 1 or 2 times a day but as needed. It was very easy for me to get off Zoloft and I did it in 3 weeks under his guidance . I found myself much more like I used to be and since then only take Ativan - agsin as needed. In my case I am the lowest dose 0.5 mg and often I do not take any - there are days where I start my morning with one tablet if I feel the challenges ahead for the day seem daunting and yes there are rare days when I take 2 tablets. Ativan is heavily regulated in Thailand and can only be purchase in hospitals ( most other prescription drugs eg valium Librium etc are unfortunately very easy to buy without any prescription. I mention this because it gives my neurologist a control factor in as much he is the doctor prescribing the medication in quantities relating to our next encounter ( normally 2-3 month) - of course i could go to another hospital and get another prescription I know that but i am not totally crazy - if I felt I needed a higher dose I would discuss it only with him as he has helped so much getting back to an almost normal life and I am deeply greatful for the mutual trust we have build over the 4 years he has now been my “lead doctor “ following the Mayo Clinic concept in which he was trained many years ago as a resident doctor in USA

My experience with the low dose of medication is that I am calmed down enough to be able to concentrate on just one thing. I am able tp focus on just thing at a time. I, too, do not feel "drugged" I simply feel more in control. It is not a "high" at all for me. My doctor is very conservative, yet he thoroughly researches and believes in healing the whole person.

Hi, @mbabkk -- sounds like you've been on a journey to find the right medication and dosing that works for your clinical depression. Glad you have been advocating for yourself along the way.

@contentandwell @gman007and @cdcc may have some thoughts to share from personal experience or knowing someone taking Lorazepam (Ativan).

You mentioned feeling much more like you used to be after tapering off the Sertraline (Zoloft). Wondering if you could share more about that and how you are feeling different now?