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[/blockquote> In February of 2012, I had my first (nocturnal) anxiety/panic attack. More specifically, I had a terrible nightmare, and I woke up in an anxiety attack. In April of 2012, I had another terrible nightmare, and I woke up in another anxiety/panic attack. Ever since April, I have been walking around with anxiety-like symptoms, from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to bed and "sleep." I put quotations marks around "sleep" because ever since April, I have had immense sleeping problems. I'm always waking up at night, or waking up really early in the morning and I'm unable to fall back asleep. Anyways, my symptoms include dizziness and irrational thoughts from the moment I wake up to the moment I fall asleep. I have been to several doctors to get several tests such as blood tests, audiology tests, etc., and everything has come back "normal", so I've just been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder.
Have you met anyone who has been in my shoes before? Do you know of anything that I can do I help become "normal" again? I'm tired of being tired, if that makes sense. And my patience has grown thin with being dizzy/lightheaded every day.
View Thread

My story sounds remarkably similar to yours, and I'd like to give you my empathy. I've been going through daily lightheaded-ness, irrational thoughts, and trouble sleeping every day for the past 8 months. Some days are worse than others, but you need to KEEP HANGING IN THERE because it WILL eventually get better. Maybe not tomorrow, maybe not next week, but it will come. Then, once you've overcome your problem, you will be as strong as titanium and will be able to help other people by saying, "I've been there." You're a fighter. Keep on keeping on.
- EricView Thread

Fast-forward. As of today, I feel like I'm getting worse. Suicidal thoughts have been extremely loud lately, and other irrational thoughts such as "a disconnect from reality" have been increasing in believability; as if I'm dreaming. I have recently not been placed on new meds, and have not recently altered my meds (I'm currently taking Buspar and Lorazepam). I see my psychiatrist on Tuesday and I won't see my psychologist until late January, and, with the irrational thoughts, I have huge fears of not making it that long.
Anyway, I'm just in need of opinions, tips, tricks ... anything to help me.
Thank you,
- EricView Thread

I apologize for not making myself clear. When I was seeing a psychologist, she and I were mainly only talking about my life issues and how to resolve them (as they pertain to anxiety), and never dove deep into any serious cognitive therapy. Because it was $100 a session, I decided to drop it, and my question is if you think it would be a good idea to continue paying and resume therapy (given my symptoms)?
Also, yes, I have seen other doctors to try to find out if the symptoms are related to anything physical/internal, and no far everything has come back normal (blood tests, audiology tests, etc).View Thread

I was seeing a psychologist (we didn't get involved in the cognitive therapy), when I stopped going because it was getting too expensive. Would it be worth it to return to the psychologist to start cognitive therapy, if what I'm struggling with is both physical and mental symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder? I've only had 1 devastating panic/anxiety attack, which is what started this 7-month (and going) struggle of dizziness and irrational thoughts. I don't quite understand how cognitive therapy can help a disorder (compared to someone who can voluntarily choose whether to be anxious or not).View Thread

Personalizing this, I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder back in April. Since then, I was placed on Lorazepam, in addition to other medication that has constantly been changing (while still on Lorazepam). Every day since April, I've had suicidal thoughts (and ONLY thoughts), and every day has been a struggle with this uncontrollable anxiety. Do you think the suicidal thoughts could be caused from the lorazepam alone, or just the fact I'm going through a really tough time right now?
Thank you for the help.View Thread


My issues include:
- Contant dizziness
- Fear of dying
- Fear of going crazy
- Fear of "still dreaming"
- Headaches
- Sleeping problems
I've seen doctors, and they can't find a cure (yet). I've been on 4 different medications now, and 2 have made me worse. 1 of the 2 sent me to the emergency room. Obviously, I'm losing hope in medication.
I have taken the following:
- Lorazepam (0.5 mg)
- Citalopram (20 mg)
- Venlafaxine (75 mg)
- Mirtazapine (15 mg)
Do you have any advise on beating this thing? With or without medication? Every day is a struggle, and lately is has been getting worse. Any help is greatly appreciated!View Thread

Also, if this is anxiety, why am I dizzy every second I'm awake?View Thread

In the meantime, I have completely cut out soda (used to drink it every day), have been getting more exercise, and have been getting more sleep (or at least try to get more sleep; I have yet to not wake up at least once during the night).View Thread
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