i have terrible anxiety that has lead to depression?

Question

i know that part of the anxiety stems from the fact that when i was 15 i had two seizures i am now 23 they did every test under the sun mri cat scan eeg sleep deprivation eeg all that stuff and found nothing wrong i have been told on countless occasions by many professional s including neuro surgeons and the psycolgist i have just started seeing that they will never happen again but it still does not stop me worrying and gettin really bad panic attacks obviously i think that everytime i have a panic attack i think iam having a seizure. the anxiety is definately at it worst when i am going off to sleep or when i am alone but it still hits me when i am around people as welli believe that it is something i can get through without meds and i think the pyscolgist and his reassurance will help is anyone else in the same boat or has been in the same boat and got through without meds because i am apprentice electrician i need to be aware at all times and i fear i would be mentally addicted

Answer 1

Aww! I feel so bad for you! Talk to your doctors all you can, to find people in the same boat please try some of these free sites! www.healthyplace.com
www.psychcentral.com
www.mytherapy.com

God bless you, and shower you with hope! :)

Answer 2

OK. This is my theory, and I have panic attacks also. First of all, you said that part of the anxiety stems from having had seizures at age 15, which doctors have said won't come back. However, having two seizures out of the blue at that age must have been terrifying for you. So much so that at the time, you couldn't deal with the scope of it, it was too big. So, you buried the part that was too big and went on with your life. You had many tests to make sure you were healthy, that was the responsible thing to do. But, the buried fear never really went away. Now, at 23, you are an apprentice electrician, and maybe in either a concious or unconcious way, you are wondering, "what would happen if I had a seizure on this job at the wrong time?". You may also be worried that your career would be over if you had another seizure and your job found out about it, especially now, when you're under a lot of pressure to perform in a very competitive stage of your career. Panic attacks are a reaction to the fight or flight response. I am sure you know what I mean by that, so you know that it's reflexive, not voluntary. So, this leaves you feeling out of control, which causes more anxiety, and you start to wonder whether you are more worried more about another seizure, or another panic attack! That's my theory, steming from my own life, therapy sessions, and the reading I've done on anxiety disorders over the years. More power to you if you can get through this without meds. Don't count them out completely though, especially if the depression you are now starting to feel becomes an obstacle to fully living your life. You mentioned that you're feeling worse anxiety when going to bed at night, and when you are alone. A low dose of an anti anxiety medication, taken just before bedtime, might not be a bad idea. By the time you are back at work, your mental awareness would probably be just fine, or maybe better, if you find you are getting better quality of sleep. As far as becoming addicted, that you would have to discuss with your doctor. I'm on a moderate dose of an addictive anti anxiety drug called lorazepam, and if I miss a dose or two let me tell you brother I can feel it, so I guess I'm addicted. My mental acuity is also at an ebb, but I'm on six other prescriptions, taken daily, so go figure, I'm a dingbat at times!! In your case though, I think there's hope. Finally, a warning, if you feel you need an anti depressant, be careful. Try to deal with this on your own (exercise, healthy food, sleep), and with your therapist (talk, and so forth). I'm just saying, one thing at a time. Be patient with yourself, work at it, and don't give up. I really think you can deal with this problem without becoming a zombie. Well, that's my opinion anyway. Good luck, I hope you get to feeling better very soon!

Answer 3

Did you know that some of the greatest minds now a days are on meds? The Deal or No Deal guy, Julia Roberts, Former President Jimmy Carter, and the list goes on and on and on. I am on meds. I take Effexor XR. I have anxiety disorder and that drug is terrific. They start you off w/ a low dose so you dont suffer the nasty side effects. And it doesnt show up in u/a's so you dont have to worry about that either. If I didnt take it, I wouldnt have a life. My panics hit me when I am driving, or just resting so I totally know where you are coming from. That med changed my life for the severe better. Yeah, when you are ready to come off it, you have to be weaned but its better than not having any help at all. You cant afford to have an attack while working w/ electricity. Think about it. And best of luck to you.

Answer 4

I believe you need to take a low dose of some anti anxiety drug, but take it under the very close supervision of a competent doctor. After a while, you can cut back to taking it every other day, and gradually wean yourself off the med.

The first med might not be the right one. It takes several days for the med to work its way into your system. You might need to try 2-3 meds (one at a time) for several months. there is trial-and-error in this effort.

Answer 5

I don't mean to be offensive but tough love is in order.

You just have to get over yourself.

Weither you will, or you won't have another seizure again, does that warrant you ruining the time you're perfectly healthy by worrying, waiting for it to happen again?

We're all going to die some day, we're all going to get injured, ill, get into an accident, it will happen to all of us.

I know that there's a 1 in 75 chance I'll die in a traffic accident, but I don't worry every time I get behind the wheel, because I am mortal, and I am at peace with that.

Live and be happy for the time you're healthy, stop worrying about when you'll be ill.

I wish you all the best with life, and hope you start living it and enjoying it to the fullest, there's people out there that care and I'm one of them. =)

Answer 6

i too have suffered from anxiety and depression. i am not medicated for anxiety daily but my doctor has given me a prescription to be used if and when i have a panic attack. since receiving this medication, i have not had a panic attack and have not yet used this prescription. having the medication on hand in case i need it has eased some of my worries. i also have come to the conclusion that my worrying about health issues causes me more anxiety and am choosing to focus on what is good about my health not would could be wrong or could happen to me. my doctor and test results have said i'm fine and so when worry or anxiety begins to creep in i remind myself that i'm truly okay. i have not had a panic attack now for a couple of months and my anxiety is going away quickly. my quality of life daily is so much better. it truly is one step at a time. you know the fear, now it is reprogramming yourself to look at the positives of not having had another seizure for years and that truly you are healthy.

Answer 7

i wonder if the problem is the fact that you had a seizure at age 16 causing you this anxiety , or is it the anxiety causing you to think u may have another one. i think it is probably anxiety causing this lots of people can have health problems but seem to on especially when the prognosis is good some people with anxiety can have very disturbing obbsesive thoughts that they cant control, such as yours it is very disturbing for you to live this way and yes can lead to depression anxiety is usually caused by stress but can manifest itself by having continuous thoughts in your head that u cant controll there may be some other stress in your life causing this, not necessarily the fact u had a seizure at one time in your life if seeing a psychologist does not help as much as your would like i think medication is the way to go start on a small does, i know lots of people who are on meds for anxiety and function very well u should be still able to do your job i would not worry about being mentally addicted, you may not need them the rest of your life you do not have to suffer like this, trust me i had a very similar problem, and because i am a mental health professional i chose to "fight it" i suffered for 3 years it wasnt worth it i should have taken pills a lot sooner good luck to you hang in there

Answer 8

I am so happy, it was only a 35 minute drive ( 70 minutes total) but absolutely no sign of anxiety or panic i shopped till I dropped - brilliant! I will now go for the next stage DUAL CARRIAGE way, probably at the weekend, with my husband accompanying me first then the solo drive, if successful the final stage of driving on motorway

Beat Anxiety And Panic Attacks Naturally?

Answer 9

hi

Answer 10

This is a very good blog, a beginner’s guide to abnormal psychology.
Short, clear and simple; and you can even post your question

http://sensitive-psychoworld.blogspot.com/