Hey everyone. I’ve been having a really rough week... I suffer with OCD and General Panic Disorder. I’ve been on a daily dose of 20mg of Citalopram and it’s the only medication I’ve ever taken in my life. I had the regular side effects the first few weeks but honestly it has helped me a lot and really calmed down my panic attacks. I used to have 10-12 hour panic attacks. I would sweat, and shake and twitch all day and my mind would run with intrusive thoughts 24/7. Even while I was at work 8 hours a day. I would only sleep max 5 hours a day and eat very small meals maybe twice a day. Fast forward almost 2 years. Like I said above, I’m having a really tough week. The other day I went 30+ hours without sleep and than crashed for like 12 hours. I just keep having terrible intrusive thoughts that something bad is going to happen to me, and than that puts me into a panic Attack with shaking and sweating and overwhelming fear. I feel like I’m starting to go back to how I was 2 years ago and I’m terrified because with Citalopram I’ve been doing so much better. Are the effects wearing off or is my anxiety just getting worse? Either way, I’m at a loss and I don’t know what to do. At this point I’m really considering upping my dose to 40mg daily, or added Xanax or something when needed. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone.
Hopefully you are going to therapy because a pill alone will not cure panic attacks. So upping medication is not the answer. You have to leaarn what a panic attack is. What is does to your body. Learn that panic attacks cannot kill you. Learn tools to handle and prevent them. Actually relearn how to handle thoughts. A pill can not do that. So please make an appointment.
I’ve never seen a therapist before. I work 9-5 Monday - Friday and I work a lot of overtime as well. Plus, my finances aren’t that great right now as I’m currently going through some financial struggles. Also I haven’t had health insurance until recently. I’ve definitely thought about seeing a therapist though. I just don’t know if I have the time and money.