Anxiety worse at night

[luludez]

I have bad anxiety but I have really weird conditions to it. I feel like i hold it back during the day, the physical symptoms I have. I know this might sound weird but i feel ok during the day because i comfort myself knowing that if the choking feeling gets too much i can go run to the doctor, i dont ever go, i just like to think i can. then at about 5pm it starts to get a little worse knowing my doctors office is closed and i would be too embarrassed to ever go to an ER. but i can still fight it, i watch tv, talk to my friends, and hangout with my roommate. then past 10 pm i get the worst. its after all my friends and family go to sleep, and i know if i get bad ill have to wake them up and im too embarrassed to do it. i know ill be fine and none of the symptoms are real, but theres no reasoning with myself when i feel that way. i just want to know that if it overpowers me someone will be there to notice and help me, and when theyre asleep i get scared. can anyone identify with this?

also i have begun taking medicine for the 1st time in years, my doctor put me on welbutrin on monday, and for the first couple days, i was great, i had tons of energy and got all kinds of stuff done. then last night i had the most awful nightmare, gory horror movie nightmare. ive had bad dreams before but never an all out nightmare, and about an 2 hours after i woke up this morning i had one of the most intense panic attacks (i rarely have them during the day time) and i was in a meeting at work and fought the urge to go running for the door, quit my job, and drive home. its like the medicine gave my anxiety a whole new super power. ive never felt the urge to quit my job and abandon everything because of an anxiety attack, normally i keep it to myself and suffer quietly until i can talk myself out of it. i literally felt like i got in a fight just trying to control myself from busting through the doors and running away.

[ArmyPrincess819]

I too have it hard at night. I'm 33 and still terrified of the dark. I have nite lights all over the house. My dh works nights so I get all nervous I break out in a sweat I close windows close to doors or balconies. I can't shake it. Alot of it is just trauma from my past and for whatever reason it's just hit the surface. I'm waiting for my therapist to come back from vacation so i can start my medication. Something simple nothing major it doesn't have to be blood leveled hopefully it's just temporary. I just get so anxious and worry about everything. I'm hoping to get back to that calm carefree relaxed woman I was at one point! I hope you find your way too and you can feel better too! Thanks for sharing your story it really helped me especially to know I'm not alone, and I'm not crazy!

Hugs,
AP/jenny

[Jaquta]

It sounds like a drug reaction (?or an allergic reaction).  I would definitely discuss that with your doctor as soon as practically possible.

It sounds like you have an issue with being alone.  Not sure what that represents for you.
I would also strongly recommend psychotherapy to help address your underlying issues.

[29sillygirl]

Hey,  Thanks for the description of how/when anxiety is worse for you.  It makes sense that you may be more anxious at night for all the reasons you mention.  

Here is the thing.  i recommend you make the effort to leave work (for an hour:)) and see your psychiatrist or therapist or both, to discuss how you experience anxiety.

Wellbutrin may not be the right med for you.  When we first start facing our disorder, and try medication to straighten out our brain chemistry, it is almost always a 'try and see' experience.

From what you've said the med is exacerbating your anxiety.  It did for me as well. Not saying it isn't a good antidepressant, but in my opinion and experience not the best for
someone with serious anxiety.  So check with doctor, and see.  Many times all it takes is to add an anti anxiety to the mix to counteract the effects.  

I'm not a doctor so can''t tell you to stop taking the Wellbutrin, but your reaction is really extreme and you don't want to lose your job when you can find help.  Some here will tell you meds typically don't really begin to work for 4 - 6 weeks.  This is true.  But.....if the side effects are as severe as what you are having ..time to talk to doctor.

Best luck.    Keep posting.   You are not alone.