How Much Anxiety Is Too Much?

[a3a2]

I am constantly battling anxiety, as I know many of you do as well. The littlest thing puts my stomach in knots. I know I am overreacting, but cannot seems to control it. I have done as much eliminating of stress as I can, but still the battle is endless. At what point does one say "I need medication"?

My stress mostly centers on me disappointing someone, or fear related to my husband's chronic illness. I have received (and am receiving) therapy. It has helped a lot. I work hard to put the things I have learned into practice, but sometimes I just can't propel myself in the right direction.

 

[Dylan]

Hi a3a2,

I think that that point (At what point does one say "I need medication"?) is highly individual.

For myself, it's when, for a period of at least a month or more, I've been unable to put my 'toolbox' to good use. Once the anxiety has become a "looping" thing, I believe it's a physical/neurological response that's become stuck. The hormonal cascade is continuing with no respite (I liken it to being stuck in thinking I'm being chased by tigers, even after I'm no longer being chased).

Exercise helps a great deal in circumventing this response and, if it's not too strong, even interrupting it. Caffeine (as well as sugar, for me) can cause it to happen more easily; a sudden drop in blood sugar (caused by eating refined 'food') can also ramp up my anxiety response. Having enough love and support can help alleviate the sense of carrying the world all by myself. A spiritual practice helps ground me and believe in "something more" that gives me strength and stability.

So, bottom line, a holistic approach is needed for me. But, again, there are times when even all of that isn't enough and I get stuck in an undertow that seems only to respond to medication (to break that anxiety "looping").

HTH -
- Dylan

 

[catjudo]

The littlest thing puts my stomach in knots. I know I am overreacting, but cannot seems to control it. I have done as much eliminating of stress as I can, but still the battle is endless.

When to seek medication for your anxiety is, like Dylan said, very individual. I just wanted to comment on how you seem to perceive your reaction to stress. Try not to see it as an overreaction. Remember that we (people with PTSD) do react to stress differently than the typical person. The threshold at which stress becomes overwhelming for us is much lower than it is for other people.

It sounds like you're doing the right things but unfortunately things are still too overwhelming for you. Try not to be too hard on yourself.

 

[SunnyBrookFarm]

I wanted to let you know - I carry my anxiety the exact same way. All in my stomach area. I know the knots and they are not fun at all (especially when someone around you thinks all you need to do is eat and you'll feel SO much better.....).

It truly is an individual decision. In my opinion - if it is lasting longer than normal (for you), if you feel like you are on the edge (more so than normal for you), or if you feel like it is now limiting your life more than before - you should discuss further with your T.

My T doesn't want me on any other meds (I've been on 5mg of Valium - twice daily for 2 1/2 years now) - because she is afraid I will be too zoned out for us to continue our "work". However, if I were to get really bad - we might rethink that. FYI - that's not a lot of valium - and it truly doesn't help much - and coming off of it is going to be a bugger - not trying to alarm you - but you should be informed regarding benzo's - I was not when my primary care doc started me on them.

 

[skyp56]

I agree with the others here that it has to be up to you to know when you've had enough of battling the anxiety on your own. IMHO, as to when it's time to start prescriptions [especially if you really want to stay off them]; you'll just "know" when it's time to get that extra help.

I have been on various anti-depressant medications, for many years, and though I Hate to admit it, will probably be on them the rest of my life. Recently, I "knew" I had to change my meds, and do something different, because I. Just. Could. Not. Cope., any longer.:crazy:

Like Sunnybrook, I did not know much about benzos, and I've been on xanax 0.25-3xday for over a year. My dr at that time did not tell me that it should have been kept short term; now I'm scared to try to come off them.

But, maybe you could at least talk to your T, and maybe even your primary care physician. See if they have any recommendations. Be informed about your options, so that you can think about them before making a decision, even if you trust your doctors.

Sending you some strength for your struggle with the Anxiety Demon :Hug_emoticon:

{{{{{HUGS}}}}}
skyp56

 

[Deleted member 1860]

As someone who has a love/hate relationship with benzo's, I STRONGLY urge you to NOT use them. Yes, as I write this, I am a hypocrite...I have a prescription of ativan. I battled with an addiction to Klonopin and finally got off of that benzo, but doctors are very prescription happy. I don't hide the fact that I have addiction and prescription drug abuse issues, but they are all too eager to write me a prescription for more benzo's! And of course, I fall prey to the "If they write the Rx for me, it must be safe" thoughts that run through my head. Just this weekend I started using my benzo's again, and I had a big time crash that I'm just now recovering from. Yes, benzo's can cause depression. There are lots of other non-addictive medications out there, so I hope you find a doctor that will work with you to find one that works well for you...such as an anti-depressant, anti-psychotic, or non-addicting anti-anxiety medication such as Atarax or Buspar.

And I know this is a medication thread, but I must ask the question of are you in therapy right now to gain coping skills to deal with your anxiety? The meds can only do so much, we still need to do most of the work ourselves.

 

[a3a2]

Yep, I am in therapy. I get a great deal of relief from talking things out. I think if I could go every three days, I would be just fine....LOL. I know I need to exercise, but when the anxiety hits, I just want to hide inside myself.

Thanks for your input...on I plod. My anxiety and me.

 

[Dylan]

It sounds like you intuitively know what you need - more support. Can you go to therapy more often for awhile? There was a time I was going to therapy twice a week as well as attending a group and it helped immensely.

I relate to really just wanting to hide inside yourself. Can you exercise at home, alone? I have a step bench and do step aerobics to videos...never have to leave the house (for exercise, anyway!).

-Dylan

 

[TLight]

I have battled horrendous anxiety for a majority of my life.

I've tried everything, chanting in my head, all the grounding techniques..........it came to a point with work, bad relationships, tons of responsibilities...........well, the anxiety led to a major damaging breakdown.

I never wanted to be on meds. But while living with a trigger..........I had to be.

I now take klonopin, not even a whole pill, most of the time a quarter........when I just can't take the beating heart, the feeling like I'm leaving the planet........just the constant anxiety.

I work from home now.......so I'm not around people (a trigger). I've been in therapy for 5 years, done a little emdr with no great relief.............I believe the anxiety response is hard wired into my brain and it just is what it is.

When I try all the other techniques and I still can't get control over it.........well, I take the klonopin and thank god I have it.

I haven't even taken one in over two weeks. My other meds (seroquel and wellbutrin), well, I've never had an anti-depressant help with the anxiety..........and I've been on practically all of them.

The seroquel helps with my outlook, I seem to be more positive,not mired in despair, and the left side of my head feels better. It is the only thing that's given me some relief from feeling like I want to die.........feeling overwhelmed ALL of the time, and generally just feeling like this world is a very very evil place.

I'm not a pill taker and resisted for years and years. Sometimes I think that was a big mistake.

My opinion......take as needed. But if you know you have an addictive personality..........then find something else that might bring you relief and try everything.

 

[a3a2]

T'Light, You have described my frustration and effort better than I could. It was nice to be understood. No, I do not have an addictive personality. I have been prescribed xanax, but rarely take it because I am afraid of the addiction. My doc has reminded me a few time to not be afraid to take it...guess I could use it now to try and break the cycle.

Dylan, you are right. I few more therapy visits would be good. I always feel guilty going, like I shouldn't need it any more. But I do.

 

[NarcSis]

I have a prescription for Lorazepam, I have used it sparingly, I am of the opinion that I need the symptoms in order to learn how to manage them, so I refuse to hide/mask them. Its a struggle, and as everyone says, its an individual decision. The lorazepam often knocks me on my butt too, so unless I am in a position where I can get some sleep, I won't use it. My choice.

I have found exercising extremely difficult when I am anxious, if I get my adrenalin levels up I find I'm soon hyperventillating and crying - no zoning when I'm anxious. It gets to be a spiral and I get afraid of exercising - even in my own house. Keep fighting it and so will I.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

If you find you need more therapy, and you are in a position to be able to go to more therapy, I urge you to do so. Right now I have two therapists, a regular psychotherapist and a DBT therapist. I just got out of the phospital a few weeks ago, and the hospital wanted me to be in a day program, but since I live so far from such resources, I had to go with therapy twice a week instead. And I can say that it really does make a difference! I have to travel an hour and a half in each direction just to get to both of my therapists, but it is well worth it to receive the care I need. Of course, I won't be in twice a week therapy forever, as the DBT course is only about 6 months long. Hopefully by then I'll be well enough to go down to once a week therapy.

No matter what you decide to do, I urge you to do a lot of research into medications. I know it is overwhelming since there are so many meds out there, but it pays to be knowledgeable, especially so you don't have to just rely on everything that your pdoc tells you.

Good Luck!