Is It Stupid To Call A Crisis Line If...

[catjudo]

I'm not suicidal. I don't need a referral for services...I have a good psychiatrist and psychologist. I know I can get help in the morning, but right now I feel so freaked out, anxious, overwhelmed and I just need some help getting through the night without falling apart until I can call my doctor in the morning.

It's been almost a decade since I've called a crisis line. Then when I did it was because I was suicidal. Don't really know what it is I think some stranger on the other end of a phone line can do, but I'm feeling really desperate. I've already taken the maximum amount of valium that I'm prescribed, including my additional amount that I'm allowed to take if needed. Don't feel comfortable taking any more.

I know this is all a reaction to a trial change in medication dosages today (doctor's orders). But it didn't work and left me feeling worse than I have in a long time. I know I'll be okay if I can just make it through the night, but at this point I'm getting myself more and more upset instead of managing to calm down.

Is it stupid to call a local crisis line? Will they think I'm stupid for calling? Nothing they can really do. Just need to make it through the night with my sanity still intact.

Sorry.

 

[catjudo]

Any other reasonable suggestions besides calling a crisis line? I've already tried quite a few things. I'm out of ideas (at least of things that I think I'm capable of attempting in my current state).

 

[popeye]

cat do you have any friends near you that you could call? or possibly even one that could spend the night? if not I made a chat room called Popeye you can come in there i think

 

[Deleted member 541]

cat, the only thing I can suggest is getting off of the Valium. Valium/benzo's do help, but after awhile, they lose their effectiveness, and you need more to control the anxiety. It's a vicious cycle with Benzo's.....

Other than that, Popeye's idea is good, call a friend, or try to stay busy to get your mind off of whatever is bothering you.....I hope that you feel better soon.

 

[Michel]

I have not tried it myself but don't think there's anything wrong with calling a crisis line if there isn't a friend to call.

This is my first time replying to a post but when I read yours, I wondered whether it would help just to hear from some of us since we know what it feels like to be intensely anxious and overwhelmed. I am so sorry you've had such a hard night. Because of the details of my own circumstances, I am always alone with my anxiety, my pain, my emotions. It is awful.

 

[cherryblossom]

I don't think it's stupid to call a crisis line. It sounds like you need someone to talk to. It's not always easy or practical to call up friends/family in the middle of the night. Calling a crisis line and just talking honestly will give you some distraction, and may help clarify how you are feeling and why, and how you may work towards feeling calmer. Just having an 'outsiders' input may help you get a new perspective. Remaining in this state runs the risk of those suicidal feelings returning, so to me there is no problem calling a crisis line before you get into a worse state. You need some sort of direct support tonight, and when there is no-one else available, that is what crisis lines are for.

Take care

 

[anni]

In our area there is a crisis line for what you're going through now, and I've used it. I would have to think whoever is on the other end won't make any judgements as far as 'gosh, are you feeling awful enough to speak to?'. I'm sure the people at the one in our neck of the woods receives the whole spectrum as far as severity, and probably would rather have someone call before their state of anxiety works itself further into something truly unmanagable. And yes, what C.B. said is absolutely the case, that's what crisis lines are for.

Please do take care,

Anni

 

[catjudo]

cat, the only thing I can suggest is getting off of the Valium. Valium/benzo's do help, but after awhile, they lose their effectiveness, and you need more to control the anxiety. It's a vicious cycle with Benzo's...

In general I'm not a big fan of benzos, either. For years I've always had a benzo (usually Ativan) on hand for emergencies but rarely took them. The valium I've been taking on a regular basis but only for the past couple of weeks and I know from experience I won't stay on it for much longer. The only reason I needed more yesterday was because of a pretty severe anxiety reaction to another medication. The need for increase truly wasn't because of an increased tolerance. But I do appreciate the advice and concern.

 

[catjudo]

To all who responded--thanks for your support and suggestions. I did not end up calling a crisis line. I was eventually able to get myself calmed down enough to get a little sleep. I've had a very off-kilter kind of day. Feeling really out of sorts but definitely better than last night.

ETA: Had a large Easter event today that I had helped organize (annual thing we've been doing for about five years now) and so I had to just get out, put on my game face and get things done. I pretty much spent my day on auto-pilot. It's the end of the day and all of the crowds and people interaction I had to deal with today have also taken their toll on me. I'm hoping I can look forward to a relaxing evening.

 

[anni]

Cat,

Yes, I'm on here this morning for more than the usual 'make myself get out there' reasons. We had the same big Easter 'stuff' going on yesterday. By 3 in the afternoon I was disassociating badly, stopping in the middle of sentences because the train of thought just LEFT my head, and was too confused to even get it together to do the dam dishes. Last night I slept 3 hours, which hasn't happened for a long time. God it's hard to keep it together with all those people, noise and expectations, isn't it? I don't know how yours went but I was starting to get funny looks, I think, by the end of the day.I have a day to pull it together for another one tomorrow. It was so bad my head was even doing some sort of wide awake little dream blurbs. Wierd.

I'll never get over how cool it is to get on here and have some big, fat sigh of relief to know I'm not insane. I know I'm not, and things in there are just wired badly but gosh it's nice to have that reminder.

I hope your night was relaxing. I'm going to use up all the hot water and go stand in the shower with the lights off! Hope your Easter is lovely, and take care. I know I originally answered in 'support', but wished to let you know that this morning I really found your post extremely comforting. :)

Anni

 

[Manic11]

Cat,

It is NEVER stupid to call a crisis line. That what they're there for. They're not only there if you're suicidal or under certain conditions. They're there if you need them for whatever reason. Don't ever feel silly or stupid for calling a crisis line. Take care of yourself. That's what's important.
I hope you're feeling better.

Manic