Subject: Re: What is wrong with me?
Forum: The Mental Health Forum

I am anti social, paranoid all the time, I have panic attacks, I flip out in small spaces, I am violent, I am angry/miserable every day. My moods change constantly. I saw my doctor and he put me on Zoloft and gave me Ativan for panic attacks. While taking the Zoloft I felt even more out of control. Now I am taking Paxil, but nothing seems different. My doctor suggested I see a shrink and he told me I am fine. Get some more councelling and I will be just fine. How am I expected to talk to someone about my problems when I can't sit in a room to wait for my appointments and when it comes time to talk, I can't tell them what's going on with me. I have a big problem communicating. My husband has been putting up with me for 5 years now and I think he is at the end of his rope. We don't have sex anymore, I have NO interest in it at all.( about 6 months now) I just don't know what I should do. I live in a very small town where Mental Health options are limited. This is the first on-line forum I found where an actual professional is involved. I look forward to your response, I really don't want to throw in the towel but I am afraid of what I could do to myself.

Diane,

You seem to be going through a lot right now, however, I can sense that you are determined to get through all this. Some of your symptoms (feeling miserable, irritability, social withdrawal, decreased sexual desire, mood swings) may be due to a mood disorder such as Major Depression or Bipolar Disorder. In addition, you describe panic attacks. It is common for anxiety and depression to go hand in hand. These disorders are treatable.

It is important that you are evaluated by a psychiatrist, to receive a proper diagnosis and treatment, in order to improve your quality of life. In addition to medication, psychotherapy may help reduce the intensity of your symptoms, and also enhance your coping skills. You are right that sometimes it can be very difficult to "open up" to someone. A trained mental health professional will be aware of this, and help you in this regard. You may contact Henry Ford Behavioral Services at (248) 689-7476.

This response is for general information only. Always contact your physician for any health concerns.

Keywords: Anxiety, Bipolar disorder, Major Depression, Panic attacks

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