anxiety back after months of feeling great

[yeja]

so I have not been writing on this blog as I have had several months of feeling wonderful thank God . medications stable, I felt normal working enjoying life and this weekend we came back from a family wedding in New York which was wonderful and on Tuesday night I had some of the scariest nightmares I’ve ever had I felt like I was suffocating and I dreamt that I was dying and then finally a nurse or doctor put an oxygen mask on my face and said to me you know you really were almost dead I woke up from that dream took a break went into the other room and went back to sleep and had another nightmare not about being suffocated but about something else I don’t quite remember anyway I really disturbed me this morning it’s Thanksgiving morning I woke up with severe anxiety which I have not had in a very long time I am breathing rapidly sweating and put some music on to stay in bed I took my antidepressants as usual I also took an additional 1/2 pill of lithium I have been prescribed lithium at night and the Effexor in the morning that’s all I’m on my question is does anyone know does taking an extra half pill of lithium work like an anti-anxiety medication like a Xanax or something like that ?will it calm down my anxiety right away? or is that not how lithium works ?

[YourAverageTeen]

I've had some similar issues. I think maybe just try some deep breathing and mindfulness exercises. It's normal for things to spark up again like that, at least I think. Anyway, just try to use coping skills, maybe even drawing or coloring. If you feel like things are getting really out of control with anxiety, try calling the suicide prevention hotline. Even if you just want to talk or need advice, they will help. I'd try these things before adjusting your meds. Also, always talk to a doctor or psychiatrist before changing meds. Even things like Claratin can affect people's anxiety or react with other meds, so be careful! I hope this helps, good luck!