Dealing with severe anxiety

[Ians1234]

Hi, this is my first posting. I have been suffering from severe depression and anxiety, which in turn has led to high blood pressure, loss of weight, drive, sense of guilt and shame and all the usual symptoms associated with this condition. I am 63 years old, have no job, very limited income, and no insurance to pay for mental health support.

I am on 150mg of Sertraline (generic for Zoloft) which I take each morning and 100mg of Traxidone at night to help me sleep. I have been on these meds for over 3 months. I feel as if the depression is a little better, but the anxiety has gotten worse and is constant. I have that horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach and the shakes.

I am wondering if the med is causing the anxiety to worsen?

Has anyone else experienced similar reactions and any advice? I am desperate to stop this anxiety?

Thanks for any feedback.

Ian

[Hidden]

Ian - I'm so sorry you are suffering. My husband is also dealing with severe anxiety and it's awful. I have no advice - just wanted to let you know that I hear you and deeply empathize.

[Ians1234 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. Truly appreciate you sharing. Does your husband take medication?

[Hidden in reply to Ians1234]

Yes, he was taking Wellbutrin, but now he is trying Paxil. Fingers crossed.

[Ians1234 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you again, and good luck to you and your husband.

[Rpan]

It’s not uncommon for things to feel worse early on in treatment. When facing new fears head on it can be anxiety producing, leading things to feel worse. Such as starting medications. I hear you say you don’t funds for support, so thanks for being here, this is great support. I have found the more I think of my anxiety the worse it gets. For me the thoughts lead to these negative emotions which in turn make me feel worse, followed by more body symptoms. Since your new there are a number of things you can do that will help. 1- start exercising one hour a day( walking counts) 2- cut the coffee.( one cup of decaf will work) 3- eliminate the refined sugars( even sugar substitutes). 4- learn to practice abdominal breathing ( help

To feel calm). 5- search for community based meditation, they normally are free. 6- journal daily and be sure to write accomplishments. Become your own workshop. Learn about how to sooth and nurture yourself. Search the web. For mindfulness techniques, will help to remind you to live in the moments. Will help to stop the projected thinking. Start with just one thing and than be proud of you accomplishments. It seems like a lot to do but hey it will help to lesson the anxiety. Another app is Youper. I just started it, it’s great.

[Ians1234 in reply to Rpan]

Thank you for this advice.

[Pattianne1957 in reply to Rpan]

Great advice, I'm going to try the journaling. I need to vent often lately. I can't seem to feel good about myself for anything...and I know there must be something to feel good about!

[Aesclepius]

You are on a pretty hefty dose of Sertraline. Since you have been on it for over 3 months and you are still having severe anxiety, you might want to speak with your physician about it. Maybe you need a different med. I would also suggest getting some books on CBT at the local library.

[Ians1234 in reply to Aesclepius]

Thank you for this advice.

[TalonNimbus]

When I’m starting to feel really overwhelmed with depressive thoughts I try to take a moment to listen to my favorite song, drink some nice warm tea, and just black out the world for those few minutes to try and calm down and find something positive to think about. (Most the time the thing I think about isn’t very important just a small thing that makes me happy)

I don’t know if this would help but I do hope you find something that helps you. Good luck.

[Ians1234 in reply to TalonNimbus]

Thank you for this advice. Ian

[MadMaryXXX]

HI. I am in the same position as you are - battling anxiety that won't go away. Do you take benzodiazipines? I also wonder if the medication is making the anxiety worse. I am in therapy and take a lot of medication. If you will stay in touch i will let you know if I find anything that works.

[ebelljae13]

I having the same problems with severe anxiety. I wake up with my chest pounding v

[Tonyhope]

Hello I really don't know anything bout the meds your taking. But I do suffer from severe anxiety myself an it's horrible. Im starting to believe, if everything we tried doesn't work, its time for God's healing.