am i the only one

[curlywurly41]

well were do i start it started off with severe dizziness about a year ago i was put on escitalopram 20mg as i have always been a bit anxious but as the dizziness got more and more it started frightening me and i totally focused on it the thin is i have made myself ill really ill i can hardly go out and when i do i cant hardly walk i feel like i walk all over the place if i go anywhere i have to rush around i cant do anything slowly i am so frightened all the time that i am going to pass out or go dizzy that sometimes when i walk i freeze cause i feel like i cant even walk then i feel people r looking at me it has got soooooooooooo severe though its frightening me my mind works all the time even when im having conversation im talking but focusing on my body the slightest funny feeling thats it my day is over cause i focus on it and i feel ill all day im so frightened im going to end up on a mental ward cause i feel like im not coping at all and i feel like im having a meltdown does anyone else feel this bad

[bigdoug75]

can u go into more detail about your dizzness

[mammo]

Vertigo is common and not caused by anxiety, but allowing it to scare you will increase your anxiety.  I know it's scary, but so long as you are careful, it won't hurt you.  If you haven't seen an ENT you should to rule out any inner ear problem.  There is medication that will shorten the duration of time you have it, but I've not seen it do much good.  Vertigo has to run it's course, be it a few days or months.  Normally with vertigo, turning our head a certain way brings it on or makes it worse, so pay attention to that and try not to turn your head in that direction. It can make us very unsteady or even fall down, so be very careful while you have this.  It will pass with time, but you should have your ears checked out.  Vertigo and dizziness from panic are two different things, and you're proving something to yourself when you don't worry so much about it....it gets better.  That is dizziness caused by panic, so when you're not panicking, the dizziness gets better....good for you!  I hope you continue to feel better and take care.

[Vertigovicky]

I have bin experiencong dizziness for bout five weeks now docs say its vertigo my ears have bin ringin too absoluely freakin me out aparently its caused from stress axiety need to relax more an today im feeling a lot beta ive started to not care ne more try forget lot easier said than done I kno the feeling walking down the street I feel l feel like a local drunk lady so I rush hm to bed asap everubody gets these feelingd this site has made me feel a lot beta cause I sumwat feel like im not the only one its all anxiety nothings else ur gona b fine .

[RubyWitch]

It sounds like you are experiencing very typical symptoms of anxiety/panic disorder. The Lexapro you're taking for depression does have some affinity for panic disorder, but it sounds like it's not helping much. You are already at the max dose for this drug, and it may be time to have a discussion with your doctor about switching to a different SSRI and something for your panic. I have severe panic disorder and have been on antidepressants that were also suppose to help with the panic, but did absolutely nothing. It was sort of a lose-lose situation. When the doctor finally put me on an antidepressant and a seperate antianxiety med, both conditions finally got under control. We all react differently to meds, so perhaps that was just me, but I've come to believe, through trial and error, for ME, there is no single medication that can adequately manage both disorders. Again, I repeat that this is MY experience and others will have had much different results.

I strongly urge you to see your doctor and let him know what the past year has been like for you. I also think a good physical to rule out any organic cause for some of your symptoms should be done. And last, but definitely not least, you should get a referral to a therapist who will not only help you with issues but will let you know that you are NOT going to end up in the mental ward.

Just about everybody on this forum can relate to what you've written. You are very much not alone. With some help through medication and therapy, you'll be fine, you'll get your life back. But know that it's going to take some real work on your part. There's no magic pill.
I wish you all the best
Peace
Greenlydia