Ivers
02-07-2013, 04:49 PM
Hello everyone!
I'm Ivy and I just wanted to say Hi! I'm 35 and have been suffering from anxiety in some form for the past 6 years. It has only been over the past year or so that it has become so debilitating that it is severely impacting my ability to lead anything resembling a "normal" life. What was once infrequent instances of excessive worrying and sleep problems has turned into daily panic attacks and frequent periods of agoraphobia. I was hospitalized for anxiety and depression for the first time in early January.
Although I've been seeing a psychiatrist for these issues for the past 6 years, it's clear that my current treatment isn't working anymore. I am prescribed medication for it (0.5mg Klonopin 3x day and 1.0mg Ativan for panic attacks) but hate taking it, especially because it's clearly not controlling my anxiety. I am now exploring any and all options, beginning with dumping my psychiatrist of 6 years since he doesn't seem to hear me when I tell him that the current course of treatment isn't working. I've begun to practice mindfulness meditation on my own and am "shopping" for a new psychiatrist as well as a therapist in the hopes of learning how to deal with my excessive fears of EVERYTHING (I mean...EVERYTHING!) in a holistic way with minimal - if any - pharmacology.
Ironically, anxiety is also my profession, in a way, as I am a neuroscientist studying the amygdala - a region of the brain thought to be hyperactive/malfunctioning in those with anxiety disorders - and how it behaves differently in neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism, which are often characterized by increased anxiety.
I look forward to reading your stories, providing any support I can, and reaping the benefits of the collective knowledge of a group of folks who (finally!) know EXACTLY what I'm talking about :)
So I'll see you all around the interwebs!
I'm Ivy and I just wanted to say Hi! I'm 35 and have been suffering from anxiety in some form for the past 6 years. It has only been over the past year or so that it has become so debilitating that it is severely impacting my ability to lead anything resembling a "normal" life. What was once infrequent instances of excessive worrying and sleep problems has turned into daily panic attacks and frequent periods of agoraphobia. I was hospitalized for anxiety and depression for the first time in early January.
Although I've been seeing a psychiatrist for these issues for the past 6 years, it's clear that my current treatment isn't working anymore. I am prescribed medication for it (0.5mg Klonopin 3x day and 1.0mg Ativan for panic attacks) but hate taking it, especially because it's clearly not controlling my anxiety. I am now exploring any and all options, beginning with dumping my psychiatrist of 6 years since he doesn't seem to hear me when I tell him that the current course of treatment isn't working. I've begun to practice mindfulness meditation on my own and am "shopping" for a new psychiatrist as well as a therapist in the hopes of learning how to deal with my excessive fears of EVERYTHING (I mean...EVERYTHING!) in a holistic way with minimal - if any - pharmacology.
Ironically, anxiety is also my profession, in a way, as I am a neuroscientist studying the amygdala - a region of the brain thought to be hyperactive/malfunctioning in those with anxiety disorders - and how it behaves differently in neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism, which are often characterized by increased anxiety.
I look forward to reading your stories, providing any support I can, and reaping the benefits of the collective knowledge of a group of folks who (finally!) know EXACTLY what I'm talking about :)
So I'll see you all around the interwebs!