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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by mike lynch on September 27, 2006, at 1:46:26
For me the symptoms are triggered when I am addressing a group, whether it be giving a speech or simply reading -- sometimes it happens when talking to certain people. The strange thing is, is that I've never had a problem with anxiety to this extent, only when I stopped meds. But the relevant part is that prior to being on meds I functioned for 16 years without meds with none of these symptoms -- I didn't go on meds for anxiety at all, now it's there suddenly.
Anyway the symptoms are as follows, heart pounding, typical -- but then I get a really shaky voice, and a feeling as if I'm about to cry, there is also a noticable nuance in my voice that suggests I'm about to lose it.. This happens sometimes when I'm talking to teachers, espeically when giving speech's and reading in class
People probably think I just experienced something tragic or, I'm just an emotionally fragile wierdo. I just start feeling shamed after these occurences. I can't finish speeches or anything because the feeling of almost crying is just to much and impossible to hide.
I've been off meds for 120 days, and I've given 3 speeches, and this problem has only exposed itself strangely in the last 10 days, before that I wasn't overcome with anxiety that shook me from head to toe. I don't know if the prozac stayed in my system for that long or what. Anyway I don't know what I'm going to do, becaues I'm not screwing myself up with meds anymore, and I don't know how effective natural meds will be.
I'm going to have to drop speech class considering I can't give anymore speeches, any treatment will just take to long -- these random symptoms just crept up spontaneously, this was never a problem ever. This f*cking sucks
Posted by lymom3 on September 27, 2006, at 7:19:59
In reply to has anyone experienced these anxiety symptoms, posted by mike lynch on September 27, 2006, at 1:46:26
You don't have to drop speech class. You can do it. You weren't afraid before and running and letting anxiety get to you will ensure that it creeps it's way into other areas of your life. Practice. The way that I finally overcame my anxiety and panic attacks was through a program that had me do exercises that mimicked the anxiety symptoms and caused me to hyperventilate. I am not sure about the shaky voice and feeling like you want to cry. That could be a problem that I don't have a real answer to. I do know that if you alter your life and let the anxiety win you will regret it and it won't just be that one area...it will creep into every corner of your life slowly but surely. Part of it is your mindset too. Meds can do weird things...been on them and off them for years. I know all about weepy. Been there, done that. Just don't declare it hopeless and go into retreat mode. Keep your kick a** boots on and tackle it....
Posted by bassman on September 27, 2006, at 9:44:13
In reply to has anyone experienced these anxiety symptoms, posted by mike lynch on September 27, 2006, at 1:46:26
Yes...I have exactly the same symptoms, I call it "agitated depression"-not knowing if that is the correct term. I really doubt it has anything to do with you having taken meds...remember that talking to a group of people is one of the top 5 fears of people-higher on that list than death. Also, because you haven't been anxious in the past doesn't mean you aren't now...the anxiety would probably have shown up whether you had the meds or not. I think you are "blaming" the meds when taking meds was really just something that happened before you started having this reaction to speaking-so you think the two are related.
Some people take beta blockers before speaking to avoid the symptoms you describe.
Posted by Phillipa on September 27, 2006, at 10:57:14
In reply to Re: has anyone experienced these anxiety symptoms, posted by lymom3 on September 27, 2006, at 7:19:59
Lymon that's where I made my mistake I've let the anxiety take over my life and meds aren't helping lately. Love Phillipa
Posted by mike lynch on September 27, 2006, at 12:36:15
In reply to Re: has anyone experienced these anxiety symptoms » lymom3, posted by Phillipa on September 27, 2006, at 10:57:14
Ya I don't know, it's just frustrating since I never really had this problem before, and when I'm trying to just function normally without meds, it seems impossible. Where as before even ever touching meds I could have dealed.
Posted by bassman on September 27, 2006, at 13:15:51
In reply to Re: has anyone experienced these anxiety symptoms, posted by mike lynch on September 27, 2006, at 12:36:15
Anxiety symptoms come on suddenly with lots of folks...I think maybe you've put yourself in somewhat of a bind: believing that meds have made you worse, you don't want to try them again, when in fact, they might help you. Lots of people seems to have their anxiety "burn out" as they get older...getting through the Now is the hard part. Best of luck, BTW. Anxiety really, really stinks.
Posted by lymom3 on September 27, 2006, at 14:21:16
In reply to Re: has anyone experienced these anxiety symptoms, posted by bassman on September 27, 2006, at 13:15:51
Anxiety for sure really, really stinks. You can be sure that no one who has never had axniety problems ever gets it either. Some may pretend to "get it" or empathize; some may be like my family and think that I just used it as an excuse to get out of going to family events or to think that I didn't care about anyone besides myself. They don't get the terror, the self loathing and the longing for the life that you used to have. I know what it's like.
Posted by bassman on September 27, 2006, at 14:24:21
In reply to Re: has anyone experienced these anxiety symptoms, posted by lymom3 on September 27, 2006, at 14:21:16
How very well said!
Posted by mike lynch on September 27, 2006, at 15:02:51
In reply to Re: has anyone experienced these anxiety symptoms, posted by bassman on September 27, 2006, at 14:24:21
fortunately if I hadn't taken a class that required me to give speeches, it wouldn't be such an issue. In many other situations I can be pretty calm, you can forget me participating in class or any of that sort but I can talk to people individually and I'd probably do fine in a group outside of school. I dont' even know meds would be worth it since the anxiety is only overwhelming in a couple specific situation., it's just that when I usually take meds I become ridden with these side effects and it just changes me into this dull, unfeeling, desireless person, where I'm not the same to anyone . I wish there was just something short acting I could just take before these special situations.
Posted by JOP on September 27, 2006, at 15:21:58
In reply to Re: has anyone experienced these anxiety symptoms, posted by mike lynch on September 27, 2006, at 15:02:51
> I wish there was just something short acting I could just take before these special situations.
I hate to be a drug pusher, but . . . . My first shrink's kid attended Juilliard and he would help out some of his sons friends by perscribing .5 mg of Ativan because of performance anxiety. I love Ativan because it is fast acting and can really help out in situations like you a describing. I take it sometimes when I have big presentations to make. Explain to your doc exactly everything you have described on this board and ask about the possibility of some Ativan. I would suggest you do a trial run to see how you respond to it because in some people Ativan, even at such a low dose, can hit them like a freight train and cause intense drowsiness. For me, Ativan is fast acting and doesn't leave me feeling stupid like Valium.Good luck and let us know how things go.
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