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Not everything works for everyone, but there are many common themes: plenty of sleep, stay well-hydrated, NO alcohol, eat as healthy as you can, take a multivitamin, take fish oil capsules several times a day (that's one that really helped me), take time off from work (I took a week, had to — too dizzy and sick to drive), exercise - walking is good, get fresh air, and don't hesitate to call your doctor. Prozac short-term can help lessen the symptoms because it works differently from Effexor.
Strongly consider reading the entire forum - it doesn't take that long, taking notes of what worked and what didn't, because when everything hurts, it's hard to remember so writing it down is a good idea. And don't worry about rambling - you didn't. I read in a few places that Effexor has sometimes been called the heroin of antidepressants by those who have gone through withdrawal because it's just so awful.
Hang in there. You'll make it.View Thread
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I also have panic attacks with the possibility of diarrhea. I suffer from this every time I take plane rides. Thinking like this tends to lock my whole system up before I even get on the plane. After worrying about having an attack in midflight, and not having an available bathroom, I decided to change my way of thinking. Yeah I had a few mishaps, but do they happen ALL the time. No. Only when I think they're gonna come. I'm welcoming the attack. I recently went to Vegas and ended up in the hospital, because when I landed, I was already thinking about the return flight. Double whammy. So, I can rely on the meds given to combat diarrhea, bloating and cramps , or monitor my eating habits before I fly............In short.....I had all the meds in my bag to use, but I ended up not taking any of it because as soon as I was seated, I started to think POSITIVELY......and would you believe, the flight back was UNEVENTFUL.I ate a little meal, and took a GAS-X tablet and went to sleep.....Just plan ahead, and change your way of thinking.....Good LuckView Thread
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You are so smart to study up on social anxiety before you see a specialist. If you'll go HERE , I recommend the top eight books in self-help for social anxiety disorder.View Thread
Medications can certainly play a part in your recovery. However, only taking medications is the least effective of the treatments available. I believe people need to understand the nature of panic attacks and how they can help themselves recover. We have a great deal of information now about how to help people get better, with or without medications. I have a lot of free self-help guidance HERE .
By the way we don't typically distinguish between the term "panic attack" and "anxiety attack"; they both mean the same thing.View Thread
welcome to the site, and thank you for your generous response.View Thread
Thanks for responding, and you have a grasp on the situation. I have seen professionals for years, I'm on meds but at this point I'm medication resistant. I have little motivation, but at the same time I'm stressed be a use I need an income. I just don't know what to do at this point.View Thread
If you go HERE , to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), you can look for any specialists in treating anxiety disorders who work near you. There is absolutely help for you. You have not been taught the skills of handling worry, and there are absolutely skills.View Thread
Whatever else you may have, whatever physical problems may exist (which I can't determine), you certainly sound like you have hypochondriasis. I treat someone with hypochondriasis just like I do someone with OCD: the content of your worries is irrelevant. All the new signs and symptoms of some terrible disorder are irrelevant to the treatment of hypochondriasis. Like OCD, it creates sensations that make you think that something is terribly wrong and you must check it out by seeing some physician. And until you check it out, you worry. So that's what you need to work on: self-help skills for hypochondriasis/OCD and, if you are willing, see an anxiety specialist to help you through.View Thread
You've been through a lot! If you are going to deal with panic and anxious worrying head on, then you need to act as though your body is fine, your heart is fine, even with these slight abnormalities. If you have medical clearance to act that way, then that's what you should do — even though your panicky side is going to have doubts and try to worry.
Then, you sound like the kind of guy who would be willing to say to your anxiety, "come on, bring it on, I can take this, give me more." Yes, crazy, but it is opposite of being terrified. And that's what you need to start doing: acting and thinking in a direction opposite of what you're anxiety disorder tells you.View Thread
I'm sorry to hear of all your uncomfortable symptoms lasting most of the day. I know they are a puzzle to you. The first thing to do is to settle whether or not there is any physical problem going on. Even if the doctors settle it, you must settle it inside yourself. Do you trust the urgent care physicians and the physicians at the hospital who made their conclusions? If you don't, then see your primary care doctor and talk that over.
I don't think your symptoms are uncommon as an expression of anxiety. When one has panic attacks, or any new and novel physical sensations that are unexplained, one can stay pretty worked up most of the day. So the lightheadedness and a sense that part of your body isn't there could absolutely be signs of anxiety. But I don't know if they are in your case.View Thread
As an example, she is anxious about some friends who will be travelling to New Zealand early next year as the wife is unable to drive due to a temporary medical condition. Her worry is what if there is an accident and the husband is injured and can't drive or he is taken ill and they are stranded in the middle of nowhere.
I love my Mum and understand that this is difficult for her and sometimes difficult for me too. As she ages it becomes more apparent that her mindset is not harmonious and the support is being increased.
My question is not so much about her as I am confident that she is loved and supported. My question is, what sort of subconscious effects do you feel it may have had on her children and grandchildren as they were growing up?View Thread
Your best bet is to see a psychiatrist who really is the only person who understands the side effects of these medications. You can see the psychiatrist quarterly for medication management. No one, friends, family, etc. will have any idea what you are describing and tend to brush off your worries, making you feel weird and uncomfortable. Your much better off working with the doc who has the expertise with these meds. As Robin Roberts book says "everyone has something". Part of the whole anxiety, panic issue is beating yourself up for not being "normal". Everyone deals with their own problems, you are not the only one but going to the proper doc will help you immensely.View Thread
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