Im shaking, im depressed, i feel like im going to pass out and like im in a dream world.

It just keeps getting worse and worse. Im so lightheaded and on top of being lightheaded i feel like i got dropped into a different universe. Im depressed because I just dont see any hope for me and I hate my living situation but theres nothing i can do to change it because i cant work. Went to the er again the other day because i could hardly keep my head up and they said everything was fine again. Meanwhile I am living in CONSTANT fear. There is never peace.

[Agora1]

Situational anxiety is a 24/7 unending fear causing you in not breathing properly.

That is always the first reason for being lightheaded and disoriented. Like you are

not real. Your body is here but your mind is in another atmosphere. There is hope

for you and the many others (including myself) that have gone for years suffering

extreme heights of fear, anxiety and physical symptoms. There's always hope.

Anxiety is not a life threatening physical illness. Whenever our situation makes

us feel like we are cornered and have no way to escape, you can be sure that fear

and symptoms will appear. And that is why your ER visits will always prove you wrong.

Another thing dear friend are medications that are meant to help us but their side effects

can be dizzyheadedness. I never realized how much of an impact it made on me until I

was off my benzos. I so understand your emotional pain. You say "there is never peace".

Peace within you will take work but you can and must find it. Finding a meditation that

works for you will help you immensely. Daily practice, several times a day until you are

no longer fearful but totally calm and relaxed. I have fallen asleep at times while sitting

upright meditating. You owe this to yourself. Your mind and body need a respite from

the intensity of your fear.

You know I care xx

[Hidden]

I'm going through the same, benzos probrally do play a big role in this feeling.... lifestyle change is needed but so hard because it's like I dont have the mindset at the moment to start. The energy, motivation and willpower is realy weak. But I do think this will pass and when it does we need to grab the handle and steere in the right direction and away from the fear itself. Agora I would like to know how you got off benzos as well. I'm currently on .5mg once or twice daily and my therapist says at the moment of my severe anxiety I need it. But after being on it for about 9 months I'm starting to feel .5mg ain't enough, i took one lastnite before bed and i was still very anxious so couldnt sleep right. So yea if you can give me some pointers that'll be great.

[Agora1 in reply to Hidden]

Hi QUICH, my situation was quite different in that I was left on 0.25mg Xanax for

30 years. It was then that they had run their course. (guess I was lucky it lasted that long)

I was switched to another benzo which didn't work at all. That's when I decided I wanted

off of any benzos and was place on Lexapro.

The weaning took 2 years because of the length of time on it. It was done under the care

of my psychiatrist who used the Dr. Heather Ashton method of weaning off slowly and safely through substituting Xanax with Valium in 2 week increments. I am not against

taking medication when we need it so if your therapist says it's important right now, don't make

any changes. When the time is right to get off the medication do it under medical supervision in

order to be safe. xx

[Hidden in reply to Agora1]

Thank you agora well said, how long have you been on lexapro and has it made a better change in your life?

[SheWrote]

Depression, anxiety and fear can bring on many different physical ailments. And, because you are dealing with these things, your mind is all over the place. I battled with all of this is a very debilitating way for almost 40 years. Now, I am completely free and the best thing about that is, I am able to truly live. And my bodying my mind both feel better. Try to to focus on the feeling or the fear, instead have a happy thought, or happy place, something that can distract you from what is happening. Oh dear one, you will be okay. You can beat this! You are stronger than you think! Take a deep breath, and let it out slowly. HUGS!

[Pamdon81]

I was like this two years ago, my anxiety slowly got worse and felt like I had a mental breakdown, I blamed the citalopram I was on for 7 years had stopped working. I was in constant fear, I panicked at every thought, I felt like a alien who had just landed on planet earth, I looked at the kettle and freaked out at it, wondering what was the point in it?! I got scared going outside cos everything looked weird, doctors couldn't help me, I felt so alone, I didn't want to live but I didn't want to die. But I had to stay strong for my little boy. It was so strange and weird, falling asleep was bad too, waking up to who am I? I didn't who I was anymore and I didn't feel like I was 'here'. I don't know whether you have changed medication and your brain chemicals are readjusting, but I promise you things will get better, not overnight, but slowly. I was eventually seen by a psychiatrist who put me on venlafaxine, I still think about how horrible and distressing my breakdown was so I really feel for you. I have depersonalisation anyways which is manageable, but it got so bad, I feared everything. Please take it day by day, you can pull through this, you don't realise how strong you are going through this shit! I'm here for you if you want to ask me anything. I got out to the other side of this, so can you. X x

[TheBlackdog]

Hello, what are you in constant fear of? Maybe this could help you if can work through this.....

[TheBlackdog]

I see ive read the posts now! Yes I have had the weird feeling several times. I tend to get it when I'm about have an anxiety episode or depressive episode I cant quite decipher between the two anymore as I question whether its anxiety or bipolar or psychosis. Having not ever been diagnosed really except with anxiety and depression I just put it down to that but I have no idea really. From what everyone posts it sounds like I must have quite severe anxiety at times but I don't have it all if the time. Mostly it comes when I am feeling stressed or really sleep deprived. I'm still working on these two aspects if my life being a worker and a mum of two. Everyone seems to say similar symptoms which I relate to. I question things alot but until you go through it yourself it doesn't seem to make sense. There are no straight answers and no book can right everything, it is a personal journey for each if us and I am glad we can come on here and help support one another. Sometimes there is no one else who understands like you all. Your not alone x