Feeling anxious in mornings especially.

[formidible]

I have suffered before with anxiety and llow mood/depression but not for some time. This week I've found myself waking up early morning and getting into a state of anxiety and worried about everything. I sometimes I think I am going mad. I feel so lonely when I'm like this, and its a horrible feeling, but have picked up the phone to talk to a helpline which eventually helped to calm me down. Worrying can only make me feel worse so I don't and try to be positive. As day goes on I gradually feel better but worried next morning will start again.. I have booked a GP appointment. I have been taking Zopiclone unofficially for nearly a year (small doses). It helps me sleep but I want to come off it if I can. I'm worried If I tell my doctor he might be very angry with me as I got the tablets online. Not sure what to do. May try to reduce and come off myself. Any help appreciated, thanks.

[Deecey]

Hi Formidible, firstly I would definitley talk to your GP about the zopiclone, im sure he wont be angry and you wont be the first to have tried to seek help yourself, he will support you coming off them and at least he will know if you have any withdrawl symptoms that its down to this..And for the early mornings, I know fine well you go to bed pretty calm thinking you've getting through another day of anxiety and you feel relatively calm at bedtime just to awake to that sudden knifes edge of panic/anxiety symptoms once again - what I do and I know it works for some of my friends also is set my alarm and as soon as it goes off I get up immediately, go in the shower, put the radio on or make a cup of tea and get busy, because if you give it the time, space to intensify and get a grip your whole morning can be exhasuting with trying to convince yourself its anxiety, write a list just before you go to bed of whats on your mind and what you will do as soon as you wake...I know its easier said than done but if you can do this then you will be telling the morning anxiety im not scared of you and it will diminish...Hope this helps Dee x

[formidible]

Thanks a lot Deecey. I will try to do this. I have managed to get a GP appointment for later this morning. Not sure how it will go but I am hopeful. I feel I do need some support. Problem is I tend to worry about waking early and then ruminating and this only makes me feel even more anxious, so I suppose its like a circle. Thanks again for the advice and keep in touch.

[GrayEm in reply to formidible]

Just wondering how the doctors appointment went? I have been taking Zopiclone but managed to stop taking them when my doctor put me on Pregabalin for my anxiety. Hopefully your visit to the doctor today was helpful.

[formidible]

Thanks GrayEm. The appointment went well. He didn't repremand me for taking the Zopiclone and could see I was genuine about coming off. He recommended taking the same dose every other day to reduce and then stop. I will start this tomorrow. I'm aware that there will be some withdrawel symptoms but these can't be completely avoided. He also recommended Mirtazapine, which I have taken in the past. This is an anti-depressant but it also has anti-anxiety properties and has worked for me before, so this may take the edge off things and make coming off Zopiclone easier. I also mentioned CBT and he said he would be happy to refer me but not just yet. Its too early to tell whether this is just a short down period or will last longer.Either way I like the idea of the CBT.I will look up Pregabalin as I've never heard of it. Did it work for you?