Anxiety Returned: What to do??

[Educator2010]

Hello, new to the boards...need help and advice. I have a timeline of my events to make you aware of my situation. I have been battling constant fear and anxiety. I have a great church support group and doctor, but I am seeking more help from those who have been in similar situations. I am a high school teacher who works event though I have this anxiety. I do not have social phobia or anxiety of situations....my anxiety is constantly pumping from the moment I wake up.


March: Had some anxiety issues and began a Paxil regimin at 20mg...it worked from day 5-14...then the anxiety returned. My doctor upped the dosage to 30mg which was the most horrific experience I have ever had. Eventually things went back to normal and I have been good in April, May, and June... ever since despite a bad week when I got sick.

The past few days I have been awaking with anxiety (worrying feelings even though there is nothing to worry about) shaking, ect... I have taken Xanax .5mg 3x/ day. Also I sometimes take Ativan since it is said that it lasts a little longer.

Do I just wait this spell out? I know the doctor will just up the dose or change my meds. Upping the dose is an experience that I do not want to go through. It was awful. I need advice. God bless.

[Charmbracelet81]

Have you tried therapy? I have BAD GAD (same as you that I start worrying right when I wake up) and have never been on pills but therapy has been a Godsend for me.

[Beachgirl]

Give CBT therapy a try it works really well and has given me lasting relief. Check out the CBT book by Sam Obitz Called Been There Done That? DO This! www.tao3.com (http://www.tao3.com) It's short and simple and the TEA form exercise in it is really helpful. I still use them and my anxiety has been totally under control for a long time now :mrgreen:

[squirt]

CBT and the TEA form exercise are what got me better and I have been med-free for over four years now.

[trackstar]

Give CBT therapy a try it works really well and has given me lasting relief. Check out the CBT book by Sam Obitz Called Been There Done That? DO This! www.tao3.com (http://www.tao3.com) It's short and simple and the TEA form exercise in it is really helpful. I still use them and my anxiety has been totally under control for a long time now :mrgreen:

I still spend a few minutes a day doing the TEA forms and have never felt better. If you use them daily you'll be surprised how much better you will start feeling shortly.

[AlySeattle]

I have GAD and panic attacks every once in a while... It was getting of the way of my work, so I talked to my doctor and she started me on 10mg of Buspar (Busparone). It's a non habit forming drug used for Anxiety. This seemed to work wonders for me! I didn't notice a huge difference at first, but after a week or so I realized I was feeling so much better. I even got to the point where I didn't need as much anymore and eventually stopped taking it all together. (I should have talked to my doctor first, but it was gradual and unintended actually). However, I've been off it for about a year and my symptoms are back so I am going to talk to my doctor about getting on it again. My point is it is a very low dose, I had VERY minor side effects while on it (weird dreams), and no withdrawal symptoms when I came off of it. Maybe you should ask your doctor about it?

[trackstar]

Aly,
If you don't learn coping skills like the TEA forms the anxiety will surely come back once you wean off your meds. I highly recommend learning coping skills while you are on your meds and then next time you wean off them you probably won't ever have to go on them again.