Hey all,
I suffered from really bad health anxiety a couple of years ago after my second child. I ended up going on celepram (citalpram) 40mg for over a year which helped. I had all the physical symptoms under the sun but the celepram helped. I came off 16months ago because I feel pregnant with my 3rd child. I was going good until the day before I had him I had a massive panic attack (because I was stressed about giving birth) anyway I came good but over the past few months my life has been turned upside down! My house burnt down and our family of five had to live the with inlaws for 2 and a half months. My partner got made redundant a few weeks after so that just added to everything else going on! I'm guessing this accident has triggered my anxiety and the fact that I haven't dealt with it even though it's been 4 months. My anxiety is not really health related anymore I think I'm just anxious about being anxious especially when driving.
One thing I get is a funny spinning in my head which makes me think I'm going to faint or have a seizure and it gets worse when I have my kids in the car. Yesterday I ended up having a panic attack my heart felt like it dropped into my stomach my head felt like it was going to explode and I was shaking which hot flushes. My mother in law had to pick me and my son up because I couldn't bare the thought of driving home!
I've had 10mg of escitalpram in the cupboard for a couple of months now. I thought that I could get through my anxieties without meds this time but I can't. I'm on day 3 now and am feeling pretty good so far haven't had many side effects. Some of my body feels numb at times and I get the anxiety in my chest but other than that I actually feel happier. I know that it probably won't last long as it's only just getting into my system but it feels good to actually feel good (happy) again even if it is short lived for the time being.
I''m glad that you're feeling happier again. As long as you have a positive mindset, which, I could tell you already do, your anxiety and panic will be very short lived.
I think I talked to you before. If I have I probably recommended for you to read. There is a book on panic, and I stress reading because it has given me the tools to control panic.
So basically, if you are scared of driving with your kids, you need to expose yourself to that little by little. So for example, try driving to a close fastfood restaurant with your kids and eating lunch there. Then do it until you're comfortable with that. Then move up. The reason why you don't want to go straight to driving far away is because you will feel too much panic and it will even further strengthen the hold it has on you. But with little doses of accomplishment, you can get through it one step at a time.
Also, all that stuff going on is definitely just part of life. Again, I am confident your panic will be short lived because of your positivity. You know you will get out of this really soon. You know that you are happy and it isn't going to last forever. That's the best mindset you can have.
God Bless you!
Hey Gerard thanks for the reply!
Yes this time has been easier for me I was scared to start ssri's again because of the first time but I'm glad that I have now!
I can drive with them in the car it was because I had a panic attack over the bridge that's the only time I don't like driving with them which is bad as my sons school is over the bridge so I have to go over there twice a day. My partner has been coming with me though and if I can't do it he will drive so it's good that he is helping me try to get over it.
I have done it a few times by myself last week before I was on the meds again so fingers crossed I can do it today or tomorrow. I just get scared having a panic attack on the highway and the bridge as you can't stop for a bit and knowing that makes me more scared!
Ah I'll get there baby steps haha