I have been having panic treatments for nearly 10 years now and also now suffering from agoraphobia as cbt has not helped in itself and getting myself out there to face my fears and breathing exercises just hasnt helped. I get it really bad when getting to know new people and has been a real problem in education and the workplace as I have not been able to hold anything down for 10 year.
I am currently in Scotland so am aware that England for example has different treatment options. NHS (National Health Service) Scotland has suggested using the beta blocker Propranolol and has finally now prescribed me atleast with something. I have however read on the internet that it is only proven to work with performance anxiety, and I am also sceptical as after 10 years of suffering I practically diagnosed myself and have received no support from them, so basically I have to reason to have faith in them now. I couldnt come across a reasonable answer to why this is being subscribed for panic disorders other than its cheap. It can help with the physical aspect of anxiety so I have read. NHS England doesnt even mention it on its website, they do however prescribe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or, if SSRIs are not suitable, a tricyclic antidepressant (usually imipramine or clomipramine), or, anti-epilepsy drug such as pregabalin or, if your anxiety is severe, clonazepam (these medicines are also beneficial for treating anxiety).
Please has anyone any professional advice on medication and what do they think of the experience I have described. Personally I am shocked at the lack of professionalism and also the stupidity, as the loss of productivity (as I can not work its that severe) must be costing the economy alot.
While I'm NOT a medical professional there are certain things where medicine only treats the symptoms, not the cause, which in my opinion makes them a poor choice for use.
Stress and anxiety (if it really is that) cannot be treated with a pill(s) but certain medication can help the symptoms but personally I'm totally against it. Half the world would be on Xanex if we all resorted to pills to manage our stress levels!
Have you ever tried to identify the cause of all of this originally? When did it start? Was there a specific event or series of events that led to your current state? Perhaps instead of cool 'coping mechanisms' you could work through the blockers from your past? Assuming there is something of course.
there are stages in life when you should not be worried about productivity or economy ..
relax..
UNCONDITIONAL SELF ACCEPTANCE should be your number 1 mantra.
we worry about our performance.. because we are really "concerned"..
i am not against doing something in life
we should take right action but should not be concerned about "end result"
even in performance of action.. let us do it..to the extent we can.. never comparing it with others..
Clonazepam was a God send for me...of course everyone is different. I am not a medical professional, just someone that has been struggling with anxiety and panic attacks for over 20 years. I am also in the states so I'm not sure how things work in Scotland. You need a psychiatrist that is familiar with anxiety disorders and how to treat them. I know a lot of our medications are different and haven't heard of most of what you named but I know the combination that worked best for me was clonazepam, escitalopram, and amitriptyline. I have heard a lot of people talking about using propanolol for anxiety, I don't know if I agree with that or not, nor do I understand how that works when anxiety is an issue with the chemicals in your brain. Now maybe it helps with symptoms like the palpitations but like I said I'm not a medical professional. I wish you the best of luck!!!
Hi I’ve taken propranolol for a number of years for palpitations I also suffer from anxiety on and off for many years was on Prozac a good while ago which worked great for me once your over the side effects have been back on for 10 weeks and I feel as I’m finally getting there as I’m having some ok days rather than AWFUL days hope you get sorted
Thanks for replying, its nice to hear from someone who has suffered from this condition and tried meds. I will definately look in to them as it is a severe panic disorder and after suffering 10 years already. I have decided towards trying to medicate for it as I suspect you have experienced the adverse effect it can have on your life. Somethings a self help guru just cant fix.
The cause has been identified, socialising or interacting with other people.
Yip well the job center dont share this vision, and at this stage 10 years down the line neither do I. I have ambitions and this problem is blocking them
Would you describe your condition as a Panic Disorder? Thats interesting, do you take panic attacks?
Hi Christophe l have heard of people using propranolol for stopping panic attacks.Generally a GP can prescribe antidepressants if you wish to go down that route.My advise is stay away from benzodiazepines unless for less than 2 weeks as they can in the long term cause a lot of trouble.Some people can come off them with little trouble however a lot have a great deal of trouble coming off them.Go to your doctor and talk to him about starting medication
Benzodiazepines, that could be a solution. Sure I am aware of their addictive potential, but used sensibly I have heard they can help in certain situations with severe anxiety. I wouldnt use them continually though like you said. Well Ill have to try the beta blocker out and see how I get along but if I have been mis- prescribed at this late stage my faith in NHS practioners I think will be once and for all destroyed. UK GPs have been less than helpful. I have lived in several location whithin the city in past year and every time I visit I get a different practitioner, I feel this is partly to blame as they dont ever really seem to know what they are talking about.
Also alot of these CBT courses are now privatised like "fear fighters" etc. They tell you in the surgery and on the mental health charity chatlines that the resources on the websites they recommend are free, but when you go home and look they are pay site. They havent even gone and looked at them themselves. GPs are beginning to resemble dodgy door to door sales people, and their web pages, dodgy satellite sales tv channels.
Ive decided self help books are the way forward and forums, which are what brought me here. If the beta blockers work I will be very happy but equally surprised
Yes I have major panic when I start over thinking I've downloaded headspace worth a look x
Hi Christopher you will be lucky to get the benzos my GP refuses to prescribe I messaged you earlier look at headspace
What is headspace, a cbt app? I got a good few books of the web for free im working through
No it's more of a relaxation and learning to balance your thoughts
sounds like Cbt, be a similar thing then ?
Im learning Cbt. Meditation, im not the Dalai Lama you know lol. Well im kinda a skeptical but got very little to lose so Ill defiInately look in to it. Whats the difference between Meditation and sleeping?
I definately need to go down the medication route but I guess these things are complimentary to it. I dont have other problems other than severe anxiety attacks in social situations. I get a little anxious and stressed like anybody, but outside these social settings I dont suffer
The guy in the audio sounds like Timothy Leary
Is that Klonopin you're talking about? I want to try that.