For those who suffer from anxiety

[mbanja 1]

I have been on an several antidepressants and have found that Zoloft works the best for me as far as helping my depressed mood. However, I think I might have some anxiety issues. I discussed this a little with my PC and she increased my dosage of Zoloft from 50mg to 100mg and I have a follow up in about 2weeks to see if this has helped any. Well, to me it hasn't. So I was wondering if those of you that suffer from anxiety could help me out and see if any of my symptoms relate to any of yours. My problem is I make a decicion that I am going to be firm with my doctor and tell her she needs to check me for anxiety, but every time I go I chicken out. I don't want her thinking that I am just looking for drugs. My mother and father both suffer from Generalized anxiety disorder and I think I might be following in their footsteps. My symptoms are as follows: I worry constantly about any and everything and if a problem gets solved then I go looking for something else to worry about. I have trouble getting to sleep at night because I have thoughts racing through my head about what I need to do for the next day or just whatever I can think of. (once alseep though, I have no trouble staying asleep) I constantly pick my arms, face, legs, and fingers. I do this so bad that my once beautiful skin is now poc marked. My once beautiful nails are now sore and bloody around the cuticles, and I can't even let sores heal because I pick the scabs. I am aware that I do this and when I do it I know I shouldn't but I just can't stop. It seems like when I pick at myself I don't think about any of my worries and I go into a transe so to speak. Even taking the antidepressant I do occasionally have mood swings and irritability and I am always tired no matter how many hours of sleep I get.

What is wrong with me, I am so fed up with being sore from picking and worrying about stupid stuff!! Please somebody help! Can anyone relate to this and tell me if any medication has helped? Please!!

[baby ruth 1]

Sorry that you are going thru this. I have anxiety or panic attacks but mine come in the form of chest pain and trouble breathing. I take 5 mg of celexa in addition to my wellbutrin i take for depression. Also, my anxiety doesn't keep me awake or have my mind racing, my depression did that when the medicine I was taking just wasn't enough.

I would think your pc would believe you especially if you can see the physical toll its taking on your body. Imo, if you don't feel like your pc would believe you or that your not getting your needs met, please find another pc.

Feel free to pm me and I wish you all the best.

[sfeiner 2]

See your Dr. Some antidepressants also help anxiety. Paxil does. He can't help you if he doesn't know what you need.

[Robin Bird 0]

Hi there,

I know exactly what you mean about not being able to sleep because EVERTHING is flying through your mind at warp speed. I used to be the same way. I take Trazodone about 1/2 hour before bed and I sleep like the dead. I also take meds for depression and anxiety (Lexapro, Wellbutrin, Seroquel). Ask your Dr. for something for sleep. And by all means bring up the anxiety. You have physical signs of it along with the mental ones. Your Dr.'s job is to help you - make him/her do it!

Robin

[VegasGrace 1]

Well, I've been suffering from PTSD w/ agoraphobia, chronic depression, and panic disorder for 18 years.

So I feel qualified to give advice as I've taken dozens and dozens of meds during that time.

What will work for one will kill another, literally.

I rate meds according to help/not help. Then adverse/not adverse.

Some meds while they may help or not can cause someone to go off the deep end...better off without the meds, right?

I take absolutely nothing as I feel NOTHING will help. While my doc wants to control the depression, the anxiety gets in the way as they are contraindicated.

Good luck with your search.

[rharriet62 0]

I am a therapist and you have classic symptoms of anxiety. The family is very important for any prescriber to know. You have to tell her and tell her about the anxiety. Paxil is OK, but I have to say, I would never take it because it is SO hard to come off of. I have had clients who were nearly hospitalized because of the side effects of stopping using it. But, anyway, have you considered seeing a psychiatrist? Sometimes, general practitioners just aren't as comfortable prescribing drugs for mental disorders because they are so afraid of being sued. I would totally check into seeing a psychiatrist for these meds. Just a thought. Hope it works out for you! I KNOW you can feel better with the right meds to help. Also, have you ever considered self-hypnosis for help with the sleep and to lessen your anxiety naturally? I almost always teach my clients self-hypnosis because it is SO helpful! Good luck!!!

[citygirl4616 2]

Have you considered seeing a psychiatrist for this, rather than your internist? I know many internists will prescribe anti-depressants, and anti-anxieties, but you would probably benefit from more of a specialist that can work with you to find the right combination of medications that will work for you. Finding the right medication combination, with some good therapy, will bring you much closer to the relief you need. I think a psychiatrist will better be able to help you meet you needs.

[mbanja 1]

Thanks so much for your replies. I hope this gives me the courage to talk with my PCP. I feel so guilty for being this way, and half of me thinks I am being a hypochondriac. I am just so confused and fed up. I litterally have a panic attack with think about seeing a phychaitrist. I have had a bad past with an alchoholic mother and other stuff and I have closed that chapter in my life and do not want to rehash it, and I am afraid that it will be a priority to rehash it if I see a physchiatrist. Plus, I have a fear that if I do see one I will find out that I am really crazy!! I am going nuts. To add to it, I have a 14month old and no real help with her (as I am a stay at home mom) so if I had to go to multiple visits she would more than likely be with me. What kind of help can a physchiatrist provide with a toddler running around. I feel so hopeless!