question about my anxiety

[raposo927]

Hi, I am 18 years old and I've been diagnosed with anxiety 2 months ago, I had panic attacks, troubled breathing and lightheadedness, I've been pescribed zoloft and I have refused to take it still, all my panic attacks and symptoms have gone away, but I have another issue, I feel like there's something wrong with my head, I have a hard time focusing and concentrating, I feel as if my mind isn't there, things don't seem to be normal anymore, sometimes it feels wherever I am that I'm not there, its so weird. Its been like this for almost 2 weeks, and like I said I don't have panic attacks anymore or breathing problems, I would like to know what I am going through and if the medication zoloft will help this problem go away.

Thanks

[daisymay99]

I have have had OCD/Depression/GAD for about 20 years.  I know that my medications have been a life saver for me.  I have mainly used Prozac and now I am on Zoloft.  I do not experience any problems with Zoloft.  I also take Buspar.  The feeling of being foggy headed, not connected, those are sign also of depression.  It is very common for anxiety issue to be accompanied by depression.  That's why SSRI are great, they help with both.  I recently had a second break down (severe, I've only had 2 in my life) and it has been a year now and I am just getting back to normal.  Like one of the other post said everyone reacts different to medications so don't be suprised if you have to change yours and try something different or increase the dose.  Don't give up and hang in there.  We can all relate to how your feeling

[anxietyisnowaytolive]

Thank you for writing:)  All advice is much appreciated & helpful.  I am just starting to get to the point where I cannot talk myself down from anxiety & it seems like it's just ALWAYS with me now.  I may have to give the lexapro a try because I have heard a lot of good things (at least while people are on it) I think it's just the withdrawal that most have a problem with.  But like you said, this is no way to live so if it helps it must be worth it.  I am supposed to be going on vacation next month & I'm scared to start it before then because of the side affects.  I may check with my doctor about ativan or something similar until after the trip.  Thanks again!  

[raposo927]

Thank u very much, u have been helpful

[WantToManage]

Hi all!  From the comments I've read in various forums, it seems that people react VERY differently to the various SSRIs.  Most people seem to agree that most side effects lessen over time.  

The main side effect for me (and this seems to happen to almost everyone when they start an SSRI) was an actual INCREASE in anxiety before it kicked in and started to work.  Needless to say, this can be very troubling when you're already freaking out from anxiety!  It's important to stick it out and give the medication time to work, which usually takes 4-6 weeks.

As to your question about getting off medication, no, I never have; this is my first time taking it.  I understand you have to taper off.  But I would think that under a doctor's care, and if you know what to expect, it can be done without too many problems.  

Bottom line for me, though, is that any side effects or potential withdrawal symptoms can't outweigh the benefits of bringing me back to normal.  I'd always been a somewhat anxious person, but about seven months ago, it began to get out of control and I could no longer "talk myself down" from these increasingly outrageous "What if?" fear scenarios.  Till finally, as I mention in my post above, I ended up having the first of several panic attacks.  

Anyway, hope this is helpful.  My best to you both, and please keep us posted!    

[raposo927]

^ I feel the same way about medicine too

[anxietyisnowaytolive]

Hey guys!  I too have a lot of these same symptoms and am looking for some advice.  I am recenly having a very hard time concentrating or focusing on anything. These negative/anxious thoughts pretty much consume my thinking most of the time:(   WantToManage I noticed you said you were on lexapro??  How are the side affects from that?  Have you ever gotten off that medication before?  I am so afraid of the withdrawal symptoms when trying to get off that medication that I'm scared to death to take it.  I know I probably need to be on something & everything had side effects...any advice on this would be GREATLY appreciated:)

[raposo927]

Thanks, the reason why I didn't take zoloft was because I wasn't to pleased with the side effects that come with it

[WantToManage]

Hi -- it sounds to me like what you are describing are some of the other symptoms of anxiety, namely loss of concentration and something called "derealization," where you feel weird, almost like you're in a dream or something.  My anxiety causes me to experience derealization sometimes too.

Anxiety has lots of different symptoms that can come and go at seemingly random times, often when you're not even aware of feeling anxious.  It's when they come together in a full blown panic attack that they finally get our attention.  That has certainly been my experience.

I'm pretty new to anxiety too; I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder last January, after I had a panic attack.  Since January I've been taking Lexapro and it has helped me immensely!  

You don't specify why you don't want to take the Zoloft, and I don't want to imply that medication is the sure-fire magic bullet, but I can just relate my own experience and say that I was so miserable last January and now I feel back to normal again -- calm, not spiraling into a fear loop over every worry.  It makes me realize that I'd been suffering from anxiety for longer than I realized.  All these medications do is alleviate the anxiety -- they don't change your personality.

I hope this is helpful -- however you decide to deal with your anxiety, just remember that it CAN be overcome and you WILL feel good again!

  

[raposo927]

Hopfully someone has an answer