anxiety

[Fowler01]

hi I’m in the process of coming down my meds and have been experiencing bad anxiety. It’s particular bad in the morning and causes me to reach and sometimes be sick. Has anyone got any tips or experienced this before?

[Jenny_at_APP Partner]

Hi Fowler01,

I’m sorry you’re experiencing bad anxiety while coming down off your meds, I know anxiety can be so debilitating, I’m sorry it’s sometimes making you sick.

Have you just started reducing your meds or have you been reducing for a while? I know it can take a bit of time for things to settle when meds are adjusted and hopefully your symptoms will improve as things level out. But it’s also common to experience anxiety after PP and there are things that can help.

I’m sure others will share things they find helpful in managing anxiety. I wanted to share some NHS information that signposts to various resources that may be helpful to look at too - nhs.uk/mental-health/feelin... (I hope the link works, if not just search ‘NHS anxiety’).

I hope sharing experiences here will be helpful and reassuring, you’re definitely not alone. Do talk to your doctor / mental health team about any concerns and especially if things don’t improve, as they may be able to suggest or signpost to further support.

Take really good care.

Best wishes,

Jenny x

[Survivedwithcolor]

Anxiety was probably the number one issue I had with going off my meds. Sometimes I felt like I was going to explode. I could not sleep. It did get better eventually.

Pardon my saying so, but since it’s especially bad in the morning and makes you physically ill, have you tested for the possibility you could be pregnant again? If not, it might be worth checking just in case?

[Fowler01 in reply to Survivedwithcolor]

Did you have any coping mechanisms? Or just ride it out while you were coming down? have checked and not pregnant again. Thanks.

[Survivedwithcolor in reply to Fowler01]

Glad you solved that question at least. As far as coping with anxiety, I have been prescribed an anti-anxiety medicine called Hydroxizine to help with the times when it’s bad. When I was going off the meds I used that at night especially. Now I only take it occasionally at night and I also have a 10mg dose I can take during the day for panic attacks.

Recently I have discovered that giving up caffeine helps calm down the anxiety tremendously. I love drinking coffee but I have switched to decaf and herbal tea. I’m finding that even having one cup of regular caffeinated coffee in the morning drives up my anxiety considerably during the day and affects my sleep at night, 12 hours later. I don’t know why that is, but it’s pretty predictable.

Lastly, making sure I get some activity and exercise helps my mood tremendously. I joined a gym a couple years ago that has classes I really like, and during the times I can’t go, my mood definitely goes downhill. Trying to maintain daily walking and going to the gym two or three days a week seems to help keep me feeling much more even and able to cope. I do have bipolar 2.

[JosephineFay]

Hello there , I know that the meds can cause different side effects and when you're tapering as your body adjusts to having less of the medicines. If you have a very caring mental health team do let them know what you can do to deal with this. You might have to reduce the rate at which your lowering your meds.

[Maria_at_APP Moderator]

Hello Fowler01, I am sorry to read that this change of meds is causing you such bad anxiety. Anxiety can be quite debilitating. Jenny has already shared some good resources and tips on how to manage it. Something that is helpful for me is to think of anxiety as something temporary, while your body is adjusting to this change. Perhaps consider asking for some time off or reduce your responsibilities while you are feeling this way?

Do also get in touch with your team if you don't feel an improvement in time, as they can have other suggestions. Don't feel that you have to ride this out alone.

Take very good care, hope things start to get better soon for you,

Maria

[Pikorua Volunteer]

Hello Fowler01,

I got to know anxiety since I became poorly with PPP and it stayed with me as a parasite of living with a BP1 spectrum.

I did a lot of exposure therapy with regards to people and places. First in group therapy, I could not sit next to people for the first 4 weeks. I had to learn to manage super markets, still nowadays public transport is not a choice. Very occassionally I manage the train with peer support. Still nowadays, after 13.5 yrs I find new environments really challenging. 6 yrs. after acute PPP I have had a support worker to help me to go to towns nearby and finally to help with my exhibition to raise awareness of PPP.

This was then, and now I am in acceptance with my limitations and have varied coping mechanisms, meaning I have acquired a toolkit that expanded over the years. I have to identify my moods throughout the month in order to fulfil tasks, routines, chores.

Anxiety is closely linked to my chronical mental health disorder. What do I do in order to combat worries/fears and panic attacks:

- daily yoga for 30 minutes

- meditation/Reiki

- walking my neighbours dog/caring for and snuggling my cats

- garden and allotment plot, connecting and grounding with mother Earth

- listening to my own body and take Siestas, if required

- aroma therapy and de-toxifying

- focusing on learning

- cleaning & most certainly de-cluttering can be therapeutic, too

- supporting, helping and volunteering

- select individuals carefully, "no energy vampires"/ be with people who are kind and loving

- time to recover, after something eventful/no 2 appointments on one day

- journalising

- projects with a beginning and an end (no long term planning)

- ask for help when struggling/work towards achievable goals and everything I tackle in moderations

- listening to my partner, who recognises my anxiety issues whether in a hyperactive mode or low

and lots more...

This is what I do and which helps me to live my day to day life. Of course I've forgotten probably the most important thing: A proper sleeping routine!!! I can sleep again since 2018/Insomnia was absolutely dreadful for many years. Live improved since diagnosis and taking CBD regularly.

Hope this helps, xxx

here some useful links:

anxietyuk.org.uk (Anxiety UK)

nopanic.org.uk (no panic)

topuk.org (triumph over phobia)

headspace.com (head space: teaching mindfulness meditation and principles to improve well being)

headtalks.com (Head Talks; digital platform to gain knowledge and apply practical steps for improving MH)

[Fatimahg]

The anxiety might not be only be from withdrawal. My wife was mostly unmedicated during her PP (I don't advise it unless they will only prescribe first gen antipsychotics, like over here). However when she started to recover, her anxiety was significant. It did get better over time and we're now almost back to normal.

Whatever the cause, it is likely the anxiety will lessen. However, often you will need to be a bit proactive to move things along. In this respect, Pikoria gave some great advice.