Passing out to Panic Attacks to Zoloft to Depression to sort of normal but still panicking- does it ever get better?

[Nrf26]

I posted here a few weeks ago but I'm in a different state of mind now. I am in my final semester of an MBA program and have been working full time from home for about a year and a half now. In April, I was totally okay, felt like I had my life together. Had always had some sort of anxiety but was always manageable. Beginning of May I was extremely stressed out from my final class starting and I fainted (this has happened before) and ended up in the ER. They said it was vasovagal syncope. Shortly after that I started having panic attacks of passing out everywhere I went. All of this combined with starting a blood pressure medication which made me so nauseous and a new birth control pill that was estrogen only because of the blood pressure. They started me on Zoloft, I gave it a week (I know it takes much longer) but I was getting so depressed to the point of balling my eyes out all day and not getting out of bed, afraid I was going to lose my job and having intrusive thoughts. I immediately quit taking it because I couldn't live another day like that. I've stopped all medications besides the thyroid medication for my hashimotos. I feel physically 10000% better, but I still have panic attacks when I leave the house and go certain places (mostly driving by myself or to Dr appointments). I've decided I want to try to do this naturally and not jump to medications to try and cure my problems. But the more I go through this week after week the more I get disheartened that this is going to be my life forever, and I have no idea how I would continue on like this. I just can't, this is not who I used to be. I am looking into research on how the gut impacts your mental health. I've started therapy, and yoga, and am going to increase my exercise. I'm looking into pro and prebiotics and going to attempt to start a better diet for my gut health as I also have celiac and I am wondering if the sudden increase in stress increased inflammation and triggered my anxiety to become so much worse. Any thoughts? Anyone go through the same thing and come out the other side back to their normal selves? I know it has a lot to do with COVID and being confined to being at home for so long and the amount of stress, I'm just so not myself and it's disheartening. I've heard great stories of people being able to change their diet and change supplements to support gut health which led to great strides in their immune disorders and mental health and I guess I'm just looking for more success stories to keep my hopes alive.

[Pinkie56]

Yes it does get better. Just hang in there. Hold tight and let go of what you can't control. How trite! But its all true. Sometimes when you don't let go of stuff it just makes things worse. Dogs live in a perpetual now. They know nothing of the future. They don't worry. They take things as they come. Kinda roll with the punches mind set. Dogs really have the key to a happy life. Not to get all preachy & bible thumping but Jesus said it best. "Take the birds of the air. Neither do they toil nor spin. For they know the father will take care of them." Or something like that. (I'm famous for my misquotes.)

[Hidden]

Part of the problem now is the anticipatory anxiety you have about panicking and passing out. That was my fear too when I had panic attacks. There is therapy for panic and anxiety that does not include you having to take medications. There are also books and workbooks that you can buy to help you. I was given a very small amount of Ativan, a mild tranquilizer to only take as needed. When I would know I was going to be in a situation that might make me panic and I would start to get anxious I would take one. After I started feeling safe that I had some control, I’d just carry them with me in case I needed it. That was years ago. I haven’t had a panic attack for years. I still have some Ativan in my medicine but mostly they just sit there and expire. I only now take one if I’m having many nights of not sleeping. Then I take one to break the cycle. You can get better from this, it’s not a life sentence at all! 😊

[Midori]

Sorry , but you really need to soldier on with the meds. You need to get yourself to a certain point before a therapist can really work with you in a meaningful way.

The meds may may make you feel dreadful, but they will help to shorten the time you will need to get to that point. Trying to do it yourself without professional help will only keep things going longer.

A good diet is always a good thing though, but you really shouldn't attempt this alone.

Cheers Midori (Retired Nurse)

[Justme0974]

Hi, I know how it is not to be able to drive alone. I’m going through this for the second time. With that being said it can get better. Panic attacks suck.

As for a natural remedy I’m not sure. I know they say breathing, exercise & diet are all a good way to help.

I do take medication and it helps me. I just wanted to say it does get better it’s hard but you got this.

Plus you are about to complete a huge milestone it your life something to definitely celebrate.

Your not alone in what you are going through.

I pray a lot. I’m not sure of your background as far as that is concerned but for me it does help.