Hello All

[Lynnster]

Hi everyone. Just a brief introduction...my name is Lynn and I am 32 years old. I was first diagnosed with an anxiety disorder after the birth of my second daughter who is now 3. I was hospitalized twice this year for my anxiety...I am still struggling to pull myself together. I feel like my anxiety has taken over every aspect of my life. I spend almost the entire day in a state of panic over every little thing you could imagine. I am taking medication but it isn't really helping. I've become such a prisoner to my anxiety that even the smallest mundane tasks have become impossible. I had a panic attack trying to separate summer and winter clothes. I have panic attacks when I try to write out a grocery list. It has gotten to the point that I don't want to leave my house, but at the same time I can't stand being in the house all the time. I cant ever relax and when I try, my brain invents something to worry about. I've been out of the hospital for almost a month and there just doesn't seem to be any improvement. I feel like the doctors don't really grasp the magnitude of my disorder. They tell me to change my way of thinking which I get, but it's hard. How am I supposed to live a normal life when I can't even write a grocery list or go to the post office? I joined the forum to talk with others who know where I'm coming from and aren't going to tell me "just deal with it" or "just get over it". If only it were that simple.....

[jamus75]

Hey Lynn. Your story is all too common here unfortunately. Just know for now that you are not alone and there is some great people here offering great advice.

[Lynnster]

Thank you so much. I really think talking with others who know what I am going through will help me feel better :)

[alankay]

Is anxiety the only diagnoses or is there more? I would see another doctor. Your symptoms need to be better controled. CBT type treatment doesn't work for everyone and your doc should know that. If that's(telling you to think differently) is all he can do, find another one....... quickly. Alan kay

[M.C]

I think the best thing u ve done is joining the forum
At least you get to talk about whatever no matter how stupid it might look to normal people
There isn't any boundaries or criticism and most importantly there is always someone who has the patience to listen to you

[Lynnster]

Is anxiety the only diagnoses or is there more? I would see another doctor. Your symptoms need to be better controled. CBT type treatment doesn't work for everyone and your doc should know that. If that's(telling you to think differently) is all he can do, find another one....... quickly. Alan kay

They also said they think I am bi-polar but I don't agree wi

[alankay]

Well anxiety usually is an outpatient issue except for a very acute anxious state. Usually all treated on an outpatient basis. 2 hosp. stays suggests there might be addition issues that need to be addressed/treated. Maybe not. They would not tell a bipolar patient to go to CBT if that's what's been done. It does sound like anxiety to me. You are distressed for sure and that's anxiety.
What meds are you on, how much and for how long? Alankay

[shaikhrahuf]

Yes your anxiety seems like a prison itself as ur describing, cbt is not d suggestion is u get regular panic attacks over simple things, i would suggest you to calm yourself listen to some relaxation audios which u get get at w w wdotexcelatlifedotc o m, (replace dot with .)download t hem and try, a bit from my side for you frnd, you r not sick its just ur brain is sick so let it be, relax and time will heal it..

[Lynnster]

I am taking Zoloft, Risperdal, Cogentin, and Vistaril. I've been taking it for a few months now and my anxiety, if anything, has gotten worse. The first time I was hospitalized I was awake for three days straight because I was literally afraid if I closed my eyes I would die. I started becoming delusional with absolutely no sleep for that long so my husband called an ambulance. The second time I was up in my bedroom for two days straight because we forgot to pay our garbage bill and in my own mind I was convinced we were going to get rats. I see my problem as anxiety, not bi-polar. I have many more issues with anxiety than I do depression. I think they labeled me bi-polar because I was awake for so long and they thought it was a manic phase.

[Lin]

Have they considered that it could be hormonal since your little girl? I have had post natal depression after the birth of my son, miscarriages and an ectopic pregnancy. Since march 2011 i have had depression from hormone imbalance during the menopause. I get suicidal with it and have had to go into hospital twice, once in 1995 for 3 weeks and in 2011 for 7 weeks. It causes clinical depression and anxiety.
Might be worth checking if they have looked at your hormones - a hormone imbalance can cause mega problems.

[Lynnster]

No, they've never checked that. I'll have to mention it to them. Thanks for the info :)