Pip01
15-08-09, 15:57
Hi everyone.
This is the first time that I have posted on any forum!
I am nearly fifty now (birthday a couple of weeks away) and I've had panic attacks and anxiety for twenty odd years. There are also elements of depression, OCD, low self esteem and phobia. The main treatment I have received is Seroxat (20mgs), which I have been taking for most of that time. Years ago I had some sesions with a counsellor and did a group course dealing with anxiety and panic attacks. Boty were helpful. I have seen a psychiatrist once.
The pattern of my condition until this year was that I experienced occasional anxiety, mainly related to my fears about change. Every couple of years I would have a huge panic attack. The result was that I would be off work for weeks or months.
This year I have had a number of panic attacks a few weeks apart. but managed to get back into work after a few days, and I have not been off work for about three months now. However, my recovery seems to be taking longer this time, and I wake up most mornings feeling anxious for no particular reason.
I have tried to come off Seroxat, and managed to reduce the dose a few times, but after a while the anxiety came back worse than before. I am worried that I have been taking it for so long, and I a convinced that it has caused weight gain, feeling too hot and sweating. Also, a "flattening" of mood. My GP doesn't appear to believe that being on Seroxat for such a long time is a problem
I am very lucky to have a very supportive family, particularly my wife, and I try and concentrate on the positive things in my life, but it can be hard to sometimes.
Earlier this year I found out about CBT, and I having a course of that at the moment. I think that it is helpful, but it is harder to put into m[practice when you are feeling very anxious.
Thanks for reading this.
This is the first time that I have posted on any forum!
I am nearly fifty now (birthday a couple of weeks away) and I've had panic attacks and anxiety for twenty odd years. There are also elements of depression, OCD, low self esteem and phobia. The main treatment I have received is Seroxat (20mgs), which I have been taking for most of that time. Years ago I had some sesions with a counsellor and did a group course dealing with anxiety and panic attacks. Boty were helpful. I have seen a psychiatrist once.
The pattern of my condition until this year was that I experienced occasional anxiety, mainly related to my fears about change. Every couple of years I would have a huge panic attack. The result was that I would be off work for weeks or months.
This year I have had a number of panic attacks a few weeks apart. but managed to get back into work after a few days, and I have not been off work for about three months now. However, my recovery seems to be taking longer this time, and I wake up most mornings feeling anxious for no particular reason.
I have tried to come off Seroxat, and managed to reduce the dose a few times, but after a while the anxiety came back worse than before. I am worried that I have been taking it for so long, and I a convinced that it has caused weight gain, feeling too hot and sweating. Also, a "flattening" of mood. My GP doesn't appear to believe that being on Seroxat for such a long time is a problem
I am very lucky to have a very supportive family, particularly my wife, and I try and concentrate on the positive things in my life, but it can be hard to sometimes.
Earlier this year I found out about CBT, and I having a course of that at the moment. I think that it is helpful, but it is harder to put into m[practice when you are feeling very anxious.
Thanks for reading this.