Someone to talk to

[Trees2357]

I have really bad anxiety and don't know if my thoughts are OCD and I'm really scared. Maybe I need electro shock therapy. How do I find out if my thoughts are OCD?

[Jeff1943]

Everybody thinks Electric Shock Therapy is medieval but in people with anxiety and depression who can't be helped by meds or therapy or self help methods it's worth considering because whatever people think about it it's success rate is high. And that's why it's slightly coming back into popularity. You'd have to talk to your doctor about it and he'd have to be convinced no other therapies have worked for you.

[Trees2357 in reply to Jeff1943]

Do you take meds

[Jeff1943 in reply to Trees2357]

I take Valium occasionally. In the padt I took amitriptyline which is a anti depressant that is good for anxiety. It was very effective.

[Trees2357 in reply to Jeff1943]

From what I'm reading my doctor wasn't supposed to keep me on klonopin this long. Now I'll never get off

[Agora1 in reply to Trees2357]

Never say "never" in regards to weaning off medications. As long as it is done properly through a doctor, weaning slowly and safely, it can be done. I was on Benzos for 30 years and came off safely following a precise schedule for weaning from my doctor.

[Trees2357 in reply to Agora1]

But I'm afraid of anxiety so I won't get better

[Agora1 in reply to Trees2357]

This is what you need to work on...Accepting that Anxiety is not harmful, wont hurt

you, it is just a feeling nothing more. Nothing will happen short of feeling uncomfortable

when those sensations come forward. Also need to get rid of the negative thoughts you

have about never going to get better.

Once you are able to turn those negative thoughts to positive, acceptance will get easier and your fears will go down. Try looking at Affirmations/Positive Thinking on youtube. They are very effective in helping you retrain your brain to a more positive approach in life.

[Trees2357 in reply to Agora1]

Ok thanks

[Trees2357 in reply to Trees2357]

I just got done and don't feel better

[Trees2357 in reply to Agora1]

My doctor doesn't want to take me down. So I have no schedule. Maybe the new doctor will have other ideas. I hope so.

[Agora1 in reply to Trees2357]

I hope the new doctor will have other ideas. Nothing works immediately...Not a pill, not a therapy not even ECT. Everything times time.

[Trees2357 in reply to Agora1]

I know but 5 years is a long time to not feel better. I'm scared my mind is screwed up because of the medicine

[Agora1 in reply to Trees2357]

I agree that 5 years is a long time to not feel better but so is the 30 years I spent in finding an answer w/o a support forum. I had to do it alone. Oh yes, I had a psychiatrist and a therapist but in the long run it's the person who needs to make the changes in themselves. I did it Trees and that's why I believe you can as well. Medications, once eliminated from your body or adjusted to the right dose, will help you feel like yourself once more.

But you have to believe in yourself, your doctors, your life. That it's worth going through some discomfort before you feel better. I'm on the other side of the fence now. It's nice over here in not being afraid anymore. Come join me Trees, I'll leave the gate open. Take that first step out of your comfort zone. It will become the most important step you ever take. xx

[Trees2357 in reply to Agora1]

I down to 2 mg and feeling worse. My body is hurting. Anxiety worse

[Agora1 in reply to Trees2357]

You will feel worse before feeling better. Body hurting, anxiety worse but just for a short time while you brain starts adapting to less and less of the drug. It's okay, you are going in the right direction and no longer staying stuck.

[Trees2357 in reply to Agora1]

I'm afraid pain and anxiety worse. Just want to cry

[Trees2357 in reply to Agora1]

I hope your right. I'm dizzy, scared.

[Agora1 in reply to Trees2357]

We get dizzyheaded when we get scared because we start shallow breathing. Take control of your breath by slowing it down. Relax your shoulders, I can feel that they are almost touching your ears in panic. Relaxxxx Sit quietly, small pillow behind your lower back will help open up your chest wall allowing each breath to bring down the dizzy feeling. Sip on water, you may be dehydrating as well. Don't be afraid Trees, you are okay, you are safe. Nothing to fear, we are here. xx

[Trees2357 in reply to Agora1]

I'm trying

[Agora1 in reply to Trees2357]

I know you are trying x

I cried a river too when I was so scared. It is a release of emotions although not the answer but a band aid. x

You have a lot of help and support on the forum. Know that you are cared about. x

I know you will eventually get through this and I'll be the first to help you celebrate when you do x

You are stronger than you think right now, just a little afraid of taking that first step x

Stay positive and keep on trying. You can do this. Hugs, Agora xx

[Trees2357 in reply to Agora1]

Thanks. Your so positive

[Agora1 in reply to Trees2357]

I'm Positive Trees, because I've been there in the exact same situation that you are in right now. There is a way out. xx

[Trees2357 in reply to Agora1]

But they say klonopin is so hard to get off of especially for being tense so long. What if pain is chronic?

[Agora1 in reply to Trees2357]

Whether we are on medication or not, anxiety needs to be addressed with other methods to relax us. That's what you need to work on now while your doctor is weaning you off your Klonopin.

[Trees2357 in reply to Agora1]

I wish you lived by me. You would be able to help me. Your so supportive. You don't yell at me. You comfort me. Thank you

[Agora1 in reply to Trees2357]

Thank you Trees, if I did live near you, I would make sure you get the help you need

or at least accompany you. You need that support right now... xx

[Indigojoe in reply to Trees2357]

what happened to the Ranch? Trees2357

[Trees2357 in reply to Agora1]

How did you do it

[Agora1 in reply to Trees2357]

I did it through my psychiatrist's help but it was my decision to want to be off the meds. The worst that could happen is that I would end up back on it if need be. That never happened. As I felt better and better, I was sure I had made the right decision.

[HearYou in reply to Trees2357]

I do not believe you are Trees2357. Who are you? You told Agora1 yesterday your doctor was "taking you down" and gave the amount. Where is she?

[Trees2357 in reply to HearYou]

It's me. I went off and came back on I didn't want anyone to see my responses

[Trees2357 in reply to Agora1]

We're you feeling better before you started weaning

[Agora1 in reply to Trees2357]

Oh no I wasn't, not by any means. I was just like you. The meds were no longer working. I decided to ask the doctor to wean me off my medication. Why take it if it no longer worked. I had been on it 30 years...it more than did it's job for me in the past. Now it was up to me to get to my goal.

It didn't get better until I was completely off the meds as well as allowing for healing time. But I kept positive in knowing I was finally going in the right direction. I used everything I had learned in therapy over the years. Acceptance that it was anxiety all this time causing me the fear of fear.

[Trees2357 in reply to Agora1]

Was it hard getting off meds? I feel worse not better

[Want2BHappy3]

You need to seek counseling, I don't think they do electrol shocking any more...back in the day before medication and they didn't know how to treat the mentally ill.

My dad suffered from what is now called OCD. Back then they didn't know what it was? So my father was institutionalized.

When NOW they can take a pill n counciling helps. He died there. Take care

[Trees2357 in reply to Want2BHappy3]

I've been to counseling and psychiatrist. I've been like this for 5 years. Medicine isn't working.

[Want2BHappy3 in reply to Trees2357]

I've been suffering for years also. Try a different kind of medication? One kind doesn't work everyone? I've changed several times. I know what your going through. Your NOT ALONE

[Trees2357 in reply to Want2BHappy3]

I'm afraid the medicine will screw up my mind. But if I don't take them I don't know what will happen

[Want2BHappy3 in reply to Trees2357]

Damn if you do, Damn if you don't? I've been taking medication for years, I feel fine. Try holistic ways? I hear good things? Nothing's perfect, right? You can only try till you find what works? Or change councelors?

I just did yesterday, you never know what works till you try? I know the anxeity in you is telling you it's not going to work? That's me too. What have you got to lose, ANXEITY

[Trees2357 in reply to Want2BHappy3]

What did you do yesterday

[Want2BHappy3 in reply to Trees2357]

Nothing, today I'm a little better. I felt like going out, which is RARE. I have to get talked into it. I have few friends, so with that being said I have no one to go anywhere with?

My kid are doing their thing. My boyfriend is doing a family birthday, it's far I don't have a reliable car.

His car doesn't have a seat belt (truck). So he can't pick me up. Maybe I'll do some getting rid of stuff? The last thing I want to do?

[Trees2357 in reply to Want2BHappy3]

They do still do electro shock therapy.

[Indigojoe in reply to Trees2357]

Trees, you told us last week that you were going to go the the Ranch. Why haven't you told us how it is going for you there?

[Lostjoy]

Hi Trees,

I’m not feeling well today either. Maybe we can chat and try and help each other feel better?

[Trees2357 in reply to Lostjoy]

Yeah maybe. I don't have much time going out with my husband

[Lostjoy in reply to Trees2357]

Ok no worries. I hope you have a good time.

[Trees2357 in reply to Lostjoy]

I'm still here

[Trees2357 in reply to Lostjoy]

Your not feeling well

[Lostjoy in reply to Trees2357]

No I’m having a bad day with anxiety and overthinking the worst about everything. It’s horrible!

[Trees2357 in reply to Lostjoy]

Me too but that's everyday for me. Did you try meditating or deep breathing.

[Lostjoy in reply to Trees2357]

Yea but it hasn’t helped. I’m going to try and listen to some meditation on YouTube. My mind doesn’t want to cooperate, so it won’t focus.

[Lostjoy in reply to Trees2357]

Are you able to be calm when you go out with your husband? I lost it in front of my husband earlier. He doesn’t know how to help me. I really wish there was an easy fix.

[Trees2357 in reply to Lostjoy]

I've been going through this for 5 years with my husband being mad because I took meds. My whole body hurts back, ribs, bladder. I'm very scared.

[Lostjoy in reply to Trees2357]

Does your husband tell you the reason he doesn’t want you taking meds? I’m sorry you’ve been having to deal with this for 5 years.

[Trees2357 in reply to Lostjoy]

To answer your question I am able to keep it together most of the time not. I usually cry at home and he gets mad. I'm keep trying to find better help but it's hard in our area

[Lostjoy in reply to Trees2357]

Have you ever tried the online counseling?

[Trees2357 in reply to Lostjoy]

No. I need to be face to face. My doctor took my klonopin down another 1/4mg and I'm hurting all over

[Lostjoy in reply to Trees2357]

Have you thought of changing to another type of benzo instead of klonopin? It won’t be any different or dangerous to your mind as the klonopin?

I wish there was something I could do to help you feel better. I had a pretty good day today.