Stress Center Peer Support

Hi,
I just wanted to share my experience to see if any one can relate. Last week I worked my self into a state of panic over my recent experiences with depression. I got so scared about being sad that I felt I needed to get help right away. I could not find a therapist or doctor to see me for a couple of weeks so I went to the emergency room out of desperation. The emergency room doctor and social worker then refered me to an outpatient therapy group. I was excited about it because I thought it might be kind of like the groups in Lucinda's program, but it wasn't. I went for two days and it really freaked me out. The people there were way worse off than me and it scared me to see that. Everyone was so drugged and had major issues. They had all just been released from hospitals. It was a hodge podge of people sulking around and wallowing in there misery. The counselors tried to lead helpful exercizes, but everyone was so negative and it was not productive. I was just looking for a group of people with similar experiences to me with anxiety. I can function, though it seems impossible at times, I just need some help with coping skills and positive encouragement.
So, I decided not to go back today and I booked an appointment with a regular therapist for tomorrow. I guess I went to extremes thinking I was a lot worse off then I really am. They gave me a prescription for Prozac while I was there too. I am a little scared about taking it, but I thought maybe I should try it. I am just really worried about the side affects.
I know this story is long and kind of scattered, but I just wanted to share it. Let it be a lesson to those of us who think we are in the worst possible situation. Often it isn't as bad as it seems. As I learned this week, you could be much worse off and should be thankful for all that you have.

Blonde Bird,
Yes I can certainly relate! Its only been about 10 weeks ago since I rushed myself to urgent care thinking I was dying. I had been feeling somewhat depressed for several months before that, then, I had an important financial deal go bad. I started worrying about that and a bunch of other stresses in my life and before I knew it, wham! I broke down and was totally unable to sleep. I was shaking and terrified and I couldn't make it stop! It was the most frightening experience of my life!
Urgent care wasn't much help, after sitting there for 3 hours waiting to be seen, all of my symptoms subsided and they couldn't find anything wrong.
It sounds like you may be in the early stage of a an anxiety disorder. If you possibly can, try to stay work through this without the meds. Work the Stress program with as much enthusiasm as possible. You should also see your regular MD for a full check up. Also, if your consuming caffeine and sugar you might want to cut that way back to lesson your symptoms. Get as much vigorous exercise as you possibly can. That will help a lot, especially with sleeping.
Hang in there, we're all in this together and you will get better.

I can totally relate! My OCD sucker punched me on December 26th of this year after my sister's suicide attempt. I was convinced that I was losing my mind and that I would go crazy and end up like my sister. I was getting really depressed from not sleeping from all of the panic attacks I was having. I felt so depressed and scared that I was convinced it was going to happen! It was very scary. Now I know that it is just OCD brought on by my family trauma but at the time I thought I was going crazy. I am seeing an OCD specialist and I'm on Zoloft and Seroquel for sleep. It will take time but it will get better!