Somebody please help, I don't know what to do?

Question

I've had major panic attacks recently so I've been on lexapro... it's not helping to much so i'm about to switch to paxil. I'm seventeen years old, and I was having the panic attacks at school, so right now I am out of school and being tutored at home. I am so stressed out with trying to keep up in school work, regular work, and with my friends. Everything is all out of wack. Anyway, I am also dealing with depression from all of this. I hate my life right now,and to make things worse.. i've noticed i'm losing my hair! I used to have thick beautiful blond curls that everyone loved... but now it's thining out. It could be the medicines and the stress... I'm just afraid I will go completely bald... either that or it will not grow back thick again. It's making things worse and I'm getting even more depressed. Does anyone know anything about this? I know I should tell my doctor, but besides that... I just dont' want to go bald already... i mean, it falls out in clumps... and in the shower..

Answer 1

I've just posted this answer to someone else in another thread:

Depression and anxiety are a state of mind. Tell yourself every night before you go to sleep that you will wake up feeling wonderful, happy and refreshed. When you wake up in the morning, tell yourself that today will be a wonderful day. Look at yourself in the mirror at least once a day and tell yourself 'I love you, you are a wonderful person'.

Make sure you are eating a good, healthy diet, with regular meal times and lots of fruit and veg. Maybe also take a good multi-vitamin regularly until you feel better.

Go out running every day for an hour or join up with an exercise class or gym. Not only will you be fitter and happier, but you will also get to mix with lots of fit and happy people too :) Yoga is excellent because not only do you get fit and more flexible, but it also helps to relieve stress and negative emotions. You may not feel like exercising but you have to force yourself and I guarantee you will feel better.

Give yourself some me time .. even for half an hour every day. Just switch off by going for a walk and taking in the fresh air, meditating or even just lying in a nice, warm bath with some soothing music and candles. You could also try treating yourself to some of the alternative therapies .. reflexology, reiki, massage, etc .. as they also help to release all the negative emotions that are causing you to feel like this.

Get yourself some St John's Wort from the drug store or health food store and take these on a regular basis until you feel better. If you feel yourself getting anxious sometimes, then also buy some Bach's rescue remedy and whenever you're feeling anxious, just put a few drops under your tongue. Also, whenever you feel an anxiety attack coming on, just take big deep breaths in through the nose an out through the mouth. When you breathe, imagine breathing in calm and breathing out stress.

Unfortunately the only thing a doctor can do is put you on anti-depressants/tranquilisers, however, this only serves to block the emotions but does not cure them and they are also very addictive with side effects.

You have the power within you to change your life around. I used to suffer from serious bouts of depression and panic attacks. Please know that there is light at the end of the tunnel, provided you are willing to follow it.

http://www.freewebs.com/spiritualhealing...

Answer 2

Wow, you need to tell your doctor immediately about your hair falling out, it could be an underlining disease called alpeshia.
I am on Lexapro, and it has helped me, not so much though too for the panic, I heard Paxil is better for that, you have to give it time to work though. But your hair is a different matter and you need to get to your physcian ASAP. I don't believe at all it is a side effect from your meds.
Good luck sweetie and hang in there!!!

Answer 3

My dear, I know exactly what you are talking about. My hair falls in clumps too. I have taken Lexapro for 2 years now, but for mood swings. For anxiety and panic attacks that I suffered in the past, the only med that help me was Celexa. It works great, no side effects, no loosing hair. Lexapro will make you loose your hair, loose your libido, and eat like crazy. You maybe need to talk to your Dr. about changing meds. The way to recovery for us it's long and takes a lots of trial of different meds, until you find the one that fits your needs. You won't go bald, and you will regrow all your hair. Don't worry, you will be fine since you are taking care of yourself from this young age. I have done really well now, and I seldom have those panic attacks. Other way to help myself, it's recognizing the symptoms of panic attacks, know that it's just a temporary feeling, you won't die, you won't have a heart attack, and once the attack pass, you will be yourself whole again. Have faith that you won't be worst, just better. Also, find the source of your disorder. Help it knows what it's causing and where, and when.

Answer 4

lexapro and paxil are both selective serotonin reputake inhibitors. one of the side effects of that type of drug is hair loss according to the pill book i am looking in. ive had panic attacks my entire life. i have been taking a combination of meclizine (which is dramamine like you take for motion sickness) and clonazepam. the combination worked well for a lot of years. i am thinking of changing to a different medication other than the clonazepam because i think my system has gotten used to it. i did stop the panic attacks completely by taking noni juice every day. it makes you feel great, you can get it at any health food store, but the taste leaves a lot to be desired. you have to drink 1 oz of it a day. i did that for about 3 months then i couldnt bring myself to take one more taste of it...but it does work. st. johns wort works well too but it is not always compatible with other medications so you have to watch what you take with it. i also have adhd and the combo of meds i am currently on keep me from getting stressed out like you currently are. ive been stressed like that. its not fun. i feel for you. i hope you get it figured out soon. good luck!

Answer 5

You have to figure out what triggers the panic attack.... To be honest I don't think that drugs is the answer... The best thing you can do is get counseling and together with your counselor you can figure out what is causing your attacks... As far as your hair falling out you are right about the stress and drugs... One of the things that I found helpful in dealing with stress is to write in a journal about what is going on in my life, I know it sounds lame but it helps to get it out... Cause the worst thing you can do is hold it in and not talk about it... Good Luck and I hope it helps...

Answer 6

Stress robs your body of vital nutrients. Take a multi-vitamin daily plus extra doses of vitamins E,B, & D. I'd also take 1000 mg. a day of fish oil capsules. Stay away from fatty foods.

It would also help if you got off the couch, lost some weight and exercized.

Answer 7

woah calm down if i knew you i'd prolly be crying, girl you must be freaking your loved ones out. stop with the medicines, relaaaaaax and take it slow. sometimes a get stressed and you know what i say?! i say this will pass, just get through it, its ok. have you been eating a proper diet? that could be an issue. talk to your parents or a gardian or an aunt or even an uncle.

Answer 8

Just why would you rely on the advice of a stranger on Yahoo than your own doctor? We're not qualified to counsel you. Your doctor is. There are all kinds of antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications (and combinations) available. Some times you have to try a number of them before getting it right. So call your doctor, explain what's going on, and tell him about the hair situation too. And good luck.

Answer 9

i use to have panic attacks too. My dad had them too and tried all the medicines and zoloft is the only thing that worked for him. Try switching to that. I havent had side affects and my life is so much easier!

Answer 10

i'm sure alot of people are toying with the idea. I did as well, and then i found out that kmart still has layaway, so I will just do that instead!