Did anyone feel like a switch went off?

Lollipop · Post by **Lollipop** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:29 am

My anxiety came out of nowhere a month and a half ago. I have always been very happy and very excited about everything coming up in my life. I am engaged and have been living with my fiance for a year now. We have been engaged for 8 months now. It was my favorite thing in the world to celebrate our life an plan our wedding and all of this wonderful stuff! And all of a sudden it was like "BANG" - the anxiety started and my whole life just started to feel different. I have thoughts i've never had before, I don't know how to stop them. Sometimes I feel just so desperate to be the person I was before...it was only a month and a half ago! How could this anxiety disorder flip my life so completely?!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:59 am

You dont want ot be the person that you were before lollipop since that is what got you here in the first place. If you are stuggling with anxiety you are most likely a worrier, negative thinker, perfectionist, victim thinker, or a combination of all of the above. As Lucinda says, if you turn these traits inward, you can make your self sick. If you can learn to turn them outward where they belong, you will be able to do wonderful things and you will learn to be content.

cowgirl · Post by **cowgirl** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 3:02 am

Hi

Yes, unfortunately that's the way anxiety works. I remember thinking "I was fine yesterday and today I'm a mess" and then every day after that I was a mess...steady decline. It does go away so please take heart in that. Sometimes medication is needed and sometimes not. The first time I experienced it I went through it medication free but it took over a year for me to feel myself again. After that, years later I needed medication to help me through because I just felt like I kept getting worse over time. I don't know what the difference was but maybe I just had more responsibilities and couldn't afford to be knocked out of commission that way again. who knows. It will go away....I promise.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 3:11 am

It does seem to happen overnight, but in reality it is a long process that is building up inside us. Worry, stress, negative thinking over time make this seem to happen over night, but it is a long process and even a longer process to break through.

Somnetime meds can help and sometimes you can do it on your own, depends on the person. I have found a low dose of Lexapro works for me and helps me think clearly to work on myself now, I am in a good place now. I wish you luck.

familyman6-Nick · Post by **familyman6-Nick** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 3:27 am

These are some of the best replies I've read. Although in my case the anxiety has ALWAYS been there I still think you folks done this person a great job of answering her question. Keep up the good work.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 3:32 am

Mine came back with a vengence a month or so ago. Just woke up one morning and my heart was pounding...please go away..

SweetViolet · Post by **SweetViolet** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 3:45 am

Lollipop

It's kind of how it happened to me as well. But like others here have said, it was in the making a long time. I can still remember it like it was yesterday.I traveled, had fun with my friends, very social, loved to go out. Then one night, at 3 AM I woke up and my heart was pounding, I felt this choking feeling, and all of a sudden panic. I was shaking, and crying on my knees begging for it to stop. I was sure I was dying, and I was so scared. But I didn't die. 6 years later, I'm still dealing with anxiety. Not as severe as it was previously, but it is still there. I was just asking myself the other day, how did this get switched on? And how can I switch it off? If I can figure out how to turn off the switch, I'll be fine. So I know exactly how you feel. I have faith that I will get better, and you should have faith that you will too.

All the best,

Tye

Zoogirl · Post by **Zoogirl** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 3:54 am

That's exactly how it happened for me too. I just got married this past Oct and although I think I always felt some twinges of panic and anxiety it never stopped me from doing anything. I had to drive out of state to get my wedding dress (a few times!), I was always out and about on the weekends, driving here and there to different appointments and never thought twice about it, flew for our honeymoon with no problems... then about 2 or so weeks after the wedding.. BAM it hit. I blamed it on work, family stress, friends, anything... until I realized it was anxiety. My husband thinks I always was an anxious person and it was just a matter of time before it affected my life, but I know I can stop this and am working very hard to be anxiety-free.

~*schnauzermom*~ · Post by **~*schnauzermom*~** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 4:30 am

I agree with saying that anxiety is a build up of alll kinds of things.

Lollipop TRUST me..you dont want to be the "exact person" you were before.
I was in the same boat...I was CRAZZYYY..outgoing...LOUD..PARTY GIRL..did 234923048329 things at once....dated 439539 guys at the same time..thought I was the hottest thing on earth...had so much ****iness...spent money like water...BUT HEY I WAS HAPPY RIGHT??
WRONG
Take away the money
Take away the bar friends
Take away the looks
Take away the boys
whats left? YOU....Your wholesome self...
Thats who you have to learn to be now..the stronger you...the YOU THAT WILL BE HAPPY SOON you...the you that can still keep busy with 5 things a day...not thousands of things.

Don't put the old you on such a high pedestal...who ever said that old you was the BEST YOU?? You are learning to be the best you NOW...This is all a learning process...You will be stronger..healthier..and yes happier. Give it time..don't give in and don't give up.