Anxiety symptoms changing forms

[Rkk71]

The start of my anxiety was bad panic attacks. I went through all the physical symptoms (fast heartbeat, weakness, choking sensations, tightness in chest) and was initially afraid to leave the house after it first happened. Well, I didn't let it overcome me and I just pushed myself to deal with it. Among the physical symptoms, I had real bad dep/derealization that for the most part lingered the better part of the day. Also an inability to think clearly and a serious sense of impending doom. This has been going on for a little over a year and I see health care professionals regularly. Some have questioned a bi-polar disorder but most think its panic/GAD. I use a small dose (0.5-1mg) dose of ativan every few days. But my main thing is, now that I know the physical symptoms of anxiety, and have overcame them, I don't get them anymore. But I feel like its almost worst attacking me totally mentally where I feel like I go emotionally numb and can't think straight, feel detatched, question my existence, feel the impending doom, and this can last a better part of the day on a bad day, and several hours on others or more than once through-out the day... but no pyshical symptoms accompany this anymore. Anyone else have something similar happen?

[gunit410]

It sounds much more like panic/GAD than Bi-polar.

You must have fairly good control over your mind to deal with the somatic component, so that's a good start. You also sound relatively calm about it.

"But I feel like its almost worst attacking me totally mentally where I feel like I go emotionally numb and can't think straight, feel detatched, question my existence, feel the impending doom, "

There are probably emotional/life issues underlying the anxiety which you might want to explore. Are you generally satisfied with your self/life?

Another possibility is that the Atvian is quelling your symptoms and that the underlying source of the anxiety is still there.

[cnote]

Glad you beat the "symptoms".

Have you ever tried an antidepressant?

It REALLY helped CLEAR my head! When I was having BAD anxiety... for 2 weeks straight. I was feeling HELPLESS... and couldnt FOCUS on anything except REPEATED QUESTIONS IN MY HEAD OVER AND OVER AGAIN! "Am I going to overcome this? Am I hopeless? Is this it forever?"

But the medicine HELPED SO MUCH! =)

You should talk to your Dr. about it.

Don't be scared to try it. It will probably get you out of your funk.

Ativan, I also take, when needed.. .just helps the symptoms.. not the anxiety.

[cnote]

Glad you beat the "symptoms".

Have you ever tried an antidepressant?

It REALLY helped CLEAR my head! When I was having BAD anxiety... for 2 weeks straight. I was feeling HELPLESS... and couldnt FOCUS on anything except REPEATED QUESTIONS IN MY HEAD OVER AND OVER AGAIN! "Am I going to overcome this? Am I hopeless? Is this it forever?"

But the medicine HELPED SO MUCH! =)

You should talk to your Dr. about it.

Don't be scared to try it. It will probably get you out of your funk.

Ativan, I also take, when needed.. .just helps the symptoms.. not the anxiety.