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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by alchemy on January 6, 2013, at 0:46:53
Depression with anxiety can be a strange mix. There are times when I'm more on the depressed side and do not want to be around anyone. Lately I am more on the anxiety side, where I freak out when alone. I went to lunch with my mom to get out of the house. She annoyed me and I even had plans to go to dinner with a friend. Yet I felt "freaked out" that my mom was leaving. I don't have any reasons to have abandonment issues. I usually need some alone time. But I think when my anxiety is heightened, it shifts to being fearful of it. I've noticed it's worse if I forget to take my xanax.
Along with this anxious feeling of needing to do something or not be alone come a frozen feeling. I need to do something, but I feel stuck.
Maybe part of this lonely anxiety is because I also not feeling like doing anything (the depression piece). I wish I could at least be ok watching tv, a video game or something.
I also think that my thinking gets weirder with more anxiety. It goes off on tangents, especially existentialism.
And I wonder how social anxiety fits relates to my "alone anxiety". I guess anxiety can take on many forms.
Thoughts?
Posted by Phil on January 6, 2013, at 7:06:06
In reply to Anxiety makes me feel freaked-out alone, posted by alchemy on January 6, 2013, at 0:46:53
Lovely feeling, right. One makes the other worse which makes the first one worse. There's nowhere to hide. At least you got out but take the Xanax as prescribed. It works better that way. :)
Are you taking anything besides Xanax? What dosages? Lot of smart people here that may be able to help.
Posted by SLS on January 6, 2013, at 8:26:31
In reply to Re: Anxiety makes me feel freaked-out alone » alchemy, posted by Phil on January 6, 2013, at 7:06:06
> At least you got out but take the Xanax as prescribed. It works better that way. :)
LOL.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on January 6, 2013, at 8:34:54
In reply to Anxiety makes me feel freaked-out alone, posted by alchemy on January 6, 2013, at 0:46:53
> Depression with anxiety can be a strange mix. There are times when I'm more on the depressed side and do not want to be around anyone. Lately I am more on the anxiety side, where I freak out when alone. I went to lunch with my mom to get out of the house. She annoyed me and I even had plans to go to dinner with a friend. Yet I felt "freaked out" that my mom was leaving. I don't have any reasons to have abandonment issues. I usually need some alone time. But I think when my anxiety is heightened, it shifts to being fearful of it. I've noticed it's worse if I forget to take my xanax.
> Along with this anxious feeling of needing to do something or not be alone come a frozen feeling. I need to do something, but I feel stuck.
> Maybe part of this lonely anxiety is because I also not feeling like doing anything (the depression piece). I wish I could at least be ok watching tv, a video game or something.
> I also think that my thinking gets weirder with more anxiety. It goes off on tangents, especially existentialism.
> And I wonder how social anxiety fits relates to my "alone anxiety". I guess anxiety can take on many forms.
> Thoughts?Depression + anxiety can be a lethal combination. The rate of suicide is higher when depression is accompanied by anxiety or anger. Anxiety and anhedonia together can produce derealization. Perhaps your existential crises are a result of this. I don't know.
Which SSRIs or SNRIs have you tried? I think you need an antidepressant with strong anti-GAD properties. Paxil might work very well for you. It isn't a first-line drug, but if you have tried other SSRIs and Effexor, I think that taking it is justified.
There is Nardil...
Until you find something else, you might as well use Xanax as strategically as possible.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on January 6, 2013, at 9:11:53
In reply to Anxiety makes me feel freaked-out alone, posted by alchemy on January 6, 2013, at 0:46:53
Alchemy I know the feeling. It's I want to do something, have to do something, push to get out with someone as can't be alone, and then it's rush rush rush just to do what needs to be done, home and then almost say pheww the day is done. As for meds no idea. I keep thinking I'm dying. Maybe I am as nothing feels or looks the same. Phillipa
Posted by ChicagoKat on January 6, 2013, at 11:32:35
In reply to Anxiety makes me feel freaked-out alone, posted by alchemy on January 6, 2013, at 0:46:53
Alchemy I can so understand. I get depression + anxiety all the time, in fact that's how I feel now. It's a nightmare, isn't it? I am worse since they took me off Ritalin. Then I could feel good for a couple hrs before the anxiety hit. But at least I didn't have depression on top of it.
Please don't forget to take your Xanax. It is there to help your anxiety. It probably won't cure it completely, but it will help. Hang in there, remember the way you feel today doesn't mean you will feel the same way tomorrow.
Kat <3
Posted by SLS on January 6, 2013, at 11:53:45
In reply to Anxiety makes me feel freaked-out alone, posted by alchemy on January 6, 2013, at 0:46:53
I should mention that Paxil should not be taken during pregnancy. It can produce heart defects in the fetus.
:-(
- Scott
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on January 6, 2013, at 20:20:06
In reply to Re: Anxiety makes me feel freaked-out alone, posted by SLS on January 6, 2013, at 11:53:45
If you find that SRI's/SNRI's arnt helping you, mirtazapine (Remeron) can be very helpful, it is an excelent antidepressant, but also has strong anxiety relieving properties because it blocks various 5HT receptors.
if you find that an SSRI/SNRI gets you part of the way, but that you need a bit more relief, you could try taking the drug of your choice plus Atarax 25-50mg three times a day,if has been shown to be very effective in controlled trials, and has no propensity for tolorance or dependance
Posted by alchemy on January 6, 2013, at 22:28:22
In reply to Re: Anxiety makes me feel freaked-out alone » alchemy, posted by SLS on January 6, 2013, at 8:34:54
Thx everyone. I am thinking I will go back on Celexa. It's been long enough since weaning off of Parnate. I wasn't sure if Celexa was doing anything. But I think that is what helped me get out of the anxiety that started after my trial from Emsam years ago. It makes me wonder if these heightened anxiety experiences after a maoi withdrawal (I went sooo slow this time as I went off of Parnate), are from going on a moai or because I'm not on an SSRI.
Scott - I agree with that the combinations are even more lethal. For me, the extra anxiety makes me constantly afraid of dying even though I want to so I am less likely. But if it's agitation? That is when I would be more likely to do something. That is another weird combo: agitation + anxiety + depression (including anhedonia).
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on January 6, 2013, at 23:14:23
In reply to Re: Anxiety makes me feel freaked-out alone, posted by alchemy on January 6, 2013, at 22:28:22
A short (1-2 week) course of a benzo might be helpful if this anxiety is just a temporary thing
Posted by SLS on January 7, 2013, at 7:37:18
In reply to Re: Anxiety makes me feel freaked-out alone, posted by jono_in_adelaide on January 6, 2013, at 23:14:23
> A short (1-2 week) course of a benzo might be helpful if this anxiety is just a temporary thing
Yes. It can act as a bridge.
- Scott
Posted by brynb on January 8, 2013, at 20:12:27
In reply to Anxiety makes me feel freaked-out alone, posted by alchemy on January 6, 2013, at 0:46:53
Alchemy,
All I can say is that I so relate. I was about to post something similar as lately, I've been feeling very similar to what you just described.
I just don't know...
This is the end of the thread.
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