Stress Center Peer Support

This has been going on for about 5 months now, it started with sleep I thought I just had a sleeping problem but i was really haveing attacks during the night, every sleeping pill didn't work then i thought i was going crazy, my mind starts to race and i think of the worst possible thing, going to work was even hard, i am now on leave from work becasue it got so bad not to mention i had a good job and was going to be getting promoted soon, I had such a happy life now i just sit in the house and worry, my doctors keeps trying to put me on lexapro effexa whatever but i take one pill and freak out, I fight with myself in my mind saying i don't need the meds yes you do.. im fine im going out and having a good time with my friends.. then i will say no i can't ill have an attack, im a reck i think im going crazy im loosing my mind, i don't like to eat... what is happening to me!!!!????

Have you started the program? What your describing is the exact thing this program addresses. We've all been there and experienced what your going through right now. The first three sessions will help you a great deal with this instant panic you are having. Start the sessions and start the relaxation audios as soon as you can. Is it possible your sudden anxiety is coming from the thought of being promoted?

I don't have the program my father is telling me to wait till i see me doctor... first it was because i was not sleeping because of relationship issues, then it was my house for sale, then it was fighting with my supervisor at work, then it was me being promoted and then that just threw me over the edge and now im out on leave, so i have no idea what to do, if i should take the meds or not if they do help, i am going to be freaking out but maybe it will help after a while idk?

If I was you I would use the medication as a temporary measure until you can get the coping skills. It is not a sign of weakness anymore than wanting to take a tablet for a headache.

i have effexor at my house but im scared to take it, i freak out whenever i get the weird feeling of the meds and stop, does this happen to anyone?

I'm not a doctor so I can't give advice on medication usage, but a lot of us here have used medication when and if needed. We have used it also in conjunction with the program and other therapies. If you trust your Dr. try whatever he/she thinks might help. Sounds like you have been under a lot of stress recently. Don't just sit in the house and worry- Make yourself get out and at least take a long walk. Get yourself to slow your breathing down by inhaling to the count of 2 and exhaling to the count of 4. Keep doing this until your breathing slows. This panic will pass.

Hi Sweatheart,
You sound a bit like me. I couldn't take any meds either because of the way they made me feel. When a pill would kick in it would start a panic attack or some anxiety because it made me feel off. So, I decided I was going to fight this w/o pills. But, everyone is different and a lot of people do great with meds and the program. I can't stress how important the coping skills you'll learn through this program are. I would suggest you find a good doctor and therapist. Some doctors aren't as good as others. The ones I went to just listened to my symptoms, said yep that I have anxiety with a splash of depression(from my anxiety) which I already knew Thank You and said take these pills and see you in 4 to 8 weeks. (cuz that's how long some of the pills need to be working properly) I was like, "What the hell am I suppose to do in the mean time with all these symptoms and sickness and questions and well, EVERYTHING?" By the time I talked with my therapist I had already ordered the program and had a breakthrough. What a relief it was to hear Lucinda and all the other people. You mean, I'm not going insane? I'm not dying? And you're going to give me step by step instructions on how to get rid of this crap? LET'S GO!!!! And that was 4 months ago. I can't tell you how much better I am. Yes I still have bumps, because that's what happens in life, but now I know how to handle them much better. I was so bad in the beginning, I couldn't eat and raced around the house like a chicken. Lost 20 pounds in 6 weeks and was, well you know all about it. Things have gotten consistantly better. I wish you the best and get yourself a good doctor and therapist. Do not feel bad about needing meds if you do because in some ways, I wish I could have taken the meds to help me get a grip. My good friend takes effexor, (I didn't know she was on meds until just months ago and we've been friends for 20 years) she swears by effexor. I am trying to get her to look into the program here and she might because she now has to get off the meds becasue she and her hubby are going to try for another baby. SHe will need to learn the skills from the program to help her cope with the stress of a new baby and all that brings, plus being off her meds. That's the only other reason why I chose to not go on meds. I didn't want to get comfortable on them w/o dealing with the real reasons of why this was happening to me and I'd have to wean myself off of them. But as I said, meds are good for a lot of people and that was the decision I made for myself. Everyone is different. One thing for sure though, this place is really great and full of support. God Bless!