Here you can ask any questions you might have. Your privacy is protected, and you can of course change your name to protect your identity.
Love Jacob and Emma.
adulthood anxiety anti-anxiety anti-depressants anti anxiety medication anxiety anxiety cloud Anxiety Help anxiety reduction Anxiety Visuals brain swooshes controlling anxiety depression drugs eckhart tolle ego fighting anxiety funny goji berries graphs Hope! humorists jacob markusson lucinda bassett medication Medications methodolgy midwest center Panic Attacks paxil picture poem system point of exit point of exit methodology quitting quitting smoking Relaxation Techniques sane advice sleep Social Anxiety starting stress Stress Management terms tips zrii
March 4th, 2011 at 5:11 pm
I started with extreme anxiety over 15 months ago. I had to walk away from a great new job when my sleep almost completely stopped. Since then I have been struggling with it and medications. I have been resisting too much anti-anxiety mediation the whole time, but have taken at least some throughout. I was on Remeron for 6 month, and while it made me sleep it actually created more anxiety for me. I started Paxil two weeks ago and I am still not sleeping past 3 in the morning. I also don’t feel the anxiety going down too much yet. I feel like maybe I should take the docs advice and just take more Ativan to get my system calmed down, but its been so long I just don’t know what to do. I wonder if this new med will really work? I have a wife and two boys and they are suffering along with me. The light seems so far away…
March 4th, 2011 at 5:51 pm
The light is coming. Keep taking your Paxil as doctor says, and take the Ativan in the evening or when you are struggling. The Paxil is slowly working into your system, and as each week goes by you will get MUCH better. Soon, you won’t need Ativan.
NOW, Paxil will help a TON, and it’s not causing your anxiety that you still have – that my dear friend is your extremely busy mind trying to run the show and freak you out.
As Paxil begins to calm you down over the next month and so on, start learning to TURN OFF YOUR MIND. Just because your mind THINKS something doesn’t make it so. Not at all.
Do this for the next week in your thoughts. Whenever you have a scary thought say to yourself this word;
FALSE!
When your mind thinks a thought like what a nice day, or I love my children, or I love my wife, say this word;
TRUE!
Just keep doing that when your mind races, and remember that you are not alone OK. You are NEVER alone. You are surrounded by love friend, and don’t worry. You are taking action and your family will be waiting for “the real you” which is coming back now.
DON’T stress about sleep too much OK. Your body can handle it. Me, my brother, and my father rarely sleep past 4 AM and we’re just fine!
War Veterans will tell you that they have been awake for over 72 hours!! Guess what???? We can survive it. When I was in the place you are now, sleep was my BIGGEST fear (lack of sleep).
So when you can’t sleep, just say to yourself…..FINE. I’ll watch some old movies, go for a walk, or just hang out for awhile. Don’t fight anything now. Don’t resist anything. When your body has had enough, you will doze off from time to time, because it’s much smarter than your mind is – and WAY TOUGHER than your mind thinks it is. We’re talking SUPER smart and tough. Magical.
Don’t worry about earning right now either. Even if you can’t work right now, DON’T worry. You will work again, and likely choose work that makes better sense to you. You are evolving now. Good change is coming, whether you believe it or not. As man in my 30s I was so panic stricken when I was going through what you are going through now because I doubted I would ever be able to earn and support my family. STOP worrying about too. This is a time out for YOU right now, so give yourself time to let this time in your life float by. It will float away like a dark cloud.
You’re gonna make it. Don’t worry about those scary thoughts either OK. When you have those remember that is just your mind and ego wanting more drama and control.
Practice saying NO to your worried mind, and don’t take what goes through seriously UNLESS it’s a good thought. No matter how many times your mind tries to scare you by saying, “I’m losing my mind”……just calmly answer back, “No, I’m going to be fine”.
GOOD thoughts are real and of the true universe.
BAD thoughts are of human mind ego and are usually false.
And don’t worry. You won’t hurt yourself or anyone else. Scary thoughts are just thoughts and NOT real. About as real as movie…..just made up.
And one last thing……..go ahead and cry as much as you want. You are not losing your mind friend. You just CARE deeply about your family, yourself, and life! You want it all to go well, and maybe even perfect! Forget perfect, and roll on with what IS. I’m 6’3″ 260 pounds and when I was at your stage I went to the garage ever day for a big long cry. So yeah….big boys cry too. It’s a release. You don’t need to control anything right now. Let the kids make a mess. Let them NOT be perfect, and who cares of the laundry, the bills, and phone calls pile up for awhile.
This is a special time for YOU to learn to let things ago a little and leave it in your God’s very capable hands.
March 6th, 2011 at 6:40 pm
Hi J.T.
I just had a panic attack at church today, seeked prayer from wife who was at my side. I also take Lexapro, I’m still unsure about that. As what Jacob stated, take that false thought captive and cry, cry, it is a amazing release from the current situation you are in. I will be praying for you in this difficult situation you are facing.
March 14th, 2011 at 3:04 pm
Thank you so much. I have read and re-read these many times over the last few weeks and take comfort in that this will pass. I am still not sleeping much better after almost 3 weeks on the Paxil, but I have to admit that things are getting easier, better, and lighter…
March 17th, 2011 at 10:15 am
Hi
I am glad that I found this website. I am 28, married and have a 2 1/2 year old son. I started having panic attacks in August and they seem to occur mostly when I am away from home i.e. on vacation or at an event with the family. The attacks are literally crippling. I feel extremely nausous, cold with the chills, tingly all over and I can not move or hear anything or it makes the attacks worse. I just started taking 10 mg of Paxil on Friday (almost a week ago) and have Xanax for help too.
My question is whether you think that the Paxil will stop my attacks. Its to the point where I am afraid to go on vacation with my family. Even the thought makes me feel like I am going to go into a panic attack. I love camping with them and I am terrified that these attacks will not go away. I am looking for advice from someone who has experienced the same thing and can tell me whether the attacks will go away all together or if this is how it will be for the rest of my life.
Thank you for your help.
March 24th, 2011 at 3:27 pm
I don’t suffer from anxiety, but for the past year or so my mother has been suffering from anxiety which is effecting me and our relationship. I was hopeful when she realized her problem and went to her primary care doctor and got a prescription for her anxiety. I don’t recall the name of the drug. But, it doesn’t seem to be working and she is not getting any therapy in conjunction with the medicine. She has been on the meds for about 4 months. I see no change. She constantly has completely unrealistic fears. She is retired, happily married, financially well off and does not suffer from any physical illness. I look at the world and there are so many people who have real problems who should be stressing. I can really no longer handle listening to her venting – I am not a professional and can’t fix her mental health issues. Her anxiety makes me dread seeing her or speaking to her. In addition to the anxiety, she is verbally abusive to me and lashes out and I feel like I have to walk on egg shells around her. I feel like I should go and see a counselor to discuss my feelings about how this is effecting me. Am I crazy?
March 28th, 2011 at 8:25 pm
you should be a counselour your good at what you do.Thanks for creating this website.Ive been on paxil for a month now and allthough i notice some anxiety slowly leaving.I still feel anxious.How long will it take for the medicine to work fully?Im on 25 mg.
thanks friend
March 28th, 2011 at 8:44 pm
@TS – NO! You are not crazy…you are human. Try seeing some counselor and have a chat. If they are not helpful move to another.
I suggest that you get away from your mother ASAP….she needs the space right now and so do you. You were not born to be responsible for her happiness.
@Sherry – in only one month you are still building up in your system. Give it another month and there should be some improvement. Always remember that Paxil (or any medication) is not the main solution to our anxiety. How we judge and make perceptions of our life and all life around us is more important. If we resist WHAT IS around us an keep telling ourselves that “this shouldn’t be or that shouldn’t be”, then we are getting ourselves into trouble again. Paxil has the ability to actually curb the worse kind of negative fantasy thinking, but it’s not a cure-all. We still have to do the work to start thinking “better”.
25mg is plenty of Paxil to help you allot.
Later you can do down to 10mg and that will be a little more normal for you. On 25 I didn’t fear anything!
March 29th, 2011 at 7:31 pm
I am a 46 y/o single mother of a beautiful 9y/o daughter. I have always suffered from depression/anxiety, due to childhood abuse and neglect. However, in the past, I have had a good social support system which helped me, i guess, because I have never been this ANXIOUS before. I am freaking myself out – my anxious thoughts are scary. I have had multiple losses in the past 7 years, including 3 major moves – from a city I had lived in for 14 years – to another city to get married for 1 1.5 years, then get suddenly divorced, then another move to be near my father as he was dying, for another 1.5 years, and then after his death, I moved again, to another state – another small town, where I have lived for 4 years. My mother died last July, and although we weren’t close, it freaks me out to think I have no parents. My sister lives 2 hours away. I just broke up with a boyfriend of over a year, b/c he & I had nothing in common. I know that was a good decision, but now I feel soooo anxious, so alone, so scared about all the bad choices I’ve mad. My anxious thought are about my mistakes – leaving places where i had support, fear that I’m too old to find social support in a rural area, that no one would want me for a dating relationship…it goes on and on…I am on vyvanse for ADD nd it help me to focus and get my work done, and it has a mood boost to it, but today I was so anxious that I asked my MD for a presription for paxil, so I will start it in the am….thanks for listening
April 1st, 2011 at 11:53 am
Hello,
I’ve struggled with mild to severe anxiety for over five years now. It started when I was a senior in high school and it’s still happening now (I’m 23 and in the first year of my first full-time job.).
My journey with anxiety has been long and frustrating. I’ve tried Lexapro and Buspar but felt little relief with either. I don’t know if it’s because I wasn’t given a high enough dosage, or because I often have an alcoholic beverage or two, or because they just weren’t the right medication for me. I’ve seen two different counselors and I felt like with both I was just talking to them and receiving little advice in return.
My anxiety has always been relationship-focused. It begins when I start worrying about a current romantic relationship, and it escalates as I envision being broken up with and/or breaking up with that man. I feel like my anxiety robs me of any ability to enjoy a relationship and progress towards a healthy long-term relationship. It is extremely frustrating.
I’m currently dating someone who I could truly see myself marrying. I care deeply about him, but recent panic attacks have made me feel like emotions don’t exist. I worry all the time, not to mention that I’m naturally a perfectionist and people-pleaser. I often wish that I could just turn off my brain because once a scary thought or worry enters my head, I latch on to it, can’t let it go, and it becomes a reality (or will become a reality if I don’t do something). When I’m having high anxiety I feel that I’m in constant flight or fight mode. I can’t concentrate and it’s hard to enjoy time with loved ones.
Since I’m currently in the midst of severe anxiety (and have been for about two weeks, not to mention off and on for the last five years) I feel little hope for a future with this man or with any relationship in general. I’ve been struggling to concentrate in my job because when I sit at my desk anxiety floods all my thoughts. I feel that the only way out is to quit and find a new job.
Anxiety and depression run in my family. My dad takes Effexor and it helps him a lot. But it’s discouraging to know that this is something I’ll probably have to deal with for the rest of my life. I hate that thought though, and I have a hard time facing it.
Thank you for creating this website. It’s helped me to have a little hope during this time. I don’t know where to go from here but I’d love to hear what you have to say. I just want to be excited for my life and experience joy and happiness with those I love.
April 2nd, 2011 at 11:14 am
i am 76 y.o. i was put on paxil starting at 2.5 dosage and have now built up to 10 mg. i don’t want to take it anymore. it’s been goin on six weeks and i swear i feel worse. any ideas for how to taper off this amount?
you blog is great. thank you.
ccw
April 21st, 2011 at 11:44 am
I was put on Paxil 12 years ago when I started helping take care of my Mom that had Dementia. She recently died ( a year ago) and I’m ready to come off of Paxil. Tried to come off “cold turkey” and 3 months later, I thought I was losing my mind. I woke up from a dead sleep, and my body was having contractions like I’ve never felt before. It was so weird! So I took a 20mg paxil ( cut in half) and took 10mg. That was my usual dose anyway. Its definetly a devil drug! I will try the advise on this site.
May 16th, 2011 at 7:20 pm
eI have always been considered hyper my entire life. My two older sisters would always call me a spaz when we were younger. However, my unstoppable enery has my entire life on hold. Two weeks ago I became lost of a rd I have been down a million times, very scary by the way…couple days later had what I thought was some complete metal break, feeling of disassosiation, confused but yet not all in one, thank god my husband helped me through that. Then 6 days later I had the same thing confusion,scared felt like i could scream…this happend at work my boss took me to the er…was told severe panic attack, F/u with my MD given xanax three times daily. F/u with Psyh,MD was started on Paxil and not allowed to return to work for 3 wks…I have had a total of 5 attacks. I have went on a 4 day cookathon from 8 till 11 at night…. I thought the episode at work was the motherload…However I feel like I’m stuck in this terrible wandering unstable nervouse yet in some greatfull way sedated world I am so unformiliar with.Goraphobia is starting that I’m desperatly fighting( I am very social} not use to these feelings. Headaches since started paxil. Keep thinging to myself Im just going crazy and this is not panic attacks, HELP!!!!!!And by the way yes my EGO has truly beat the life out of me…Thankyou for that aaaaahaaaaa moment.
May 17th, 2011 at 7:54 pm
Hi again:)…I dont know if I’m suppose to just keep posting, but I have really found great comfort in this website, knowing I’m not alone. Today my am hours were good, pressed through my new social anxiety that really makes me feel so stupid and went for my eye appointment…need glasses;). was able to take a small nap without feeling like I was lying and running in place at the same time was about 30-40 min real nap. I’m on my 3rd day of Paxil…thank god for my xanax (hope I’m not becomming addicted) uggg scary. Then now here it is 10 pm and darny I’m freaken out with anxiety feel almost on the verge of one of those freaky wierd feeling attacks…just breath Gina Just breath…Is this in my head, am I making this up in my head???? Ok must go…thx for allowing me to vent.
May 20th, 2011 at 10:57 am
Yes Gina,
Just breath
Try to always remind yourself that your mind and thoughts are not running the show. It’s not reality. What we think is not often real.
You are certainly not alone, and I hope your remind yourself of that fact.
Paxil takes about 3 weeks before it has really set in, and don’t worry about being addicted either. The fact that you are concerned means you are being aware.
I have been doing some personal testing with an herbal anit-anxiety solution to quit Paxil and I’m very encouraged. Tapering off Paxil now, so I will post the results soon.
May 23rd, 2011 at 6:09 pm
Update to my post on March 4. I know we are all so different and no two person’s experience is the same. However, there was much that I took away from the writing on this site that resonated with my personal anxiety. Well, I took the Paxil and got it going up to 15mgs per day. 6 weeks later everything started to come into focus. I had more control than I had had in over a year. Sleep was next. Not perfect, but eventually I was almost back to my old self – actually my new self – I will never be my old self. None of this is easy. No drug will do it for you. You must work, work, work. Read everything you can, meditate, chant, do yoga, exercise, eat right and resist, resist, resist the cloud. It will get better. It will come back when you least expect, but will be easier. Stay busy.
So, last weekend I started dropping the Paxil. I know that it was quick, but I’ve been in this for a long time. I’m notorious for stopping medication too early, but this time it was ok. Within one week I was down to 5mgs per day. NO SIDE EFFECTS!! Don’t spend too much time reading about the awful side effects of Paxil. We are all different and millions of people don’t go through living hell every time they use this drug. I’m going to take it easy on the last 5 mgs – there is no hurry. Now its time to put my life back in order. I have no job prospects and a family to feed, but I’m going to be ok. I have made an offer on a business and I actually feel very little worry about how its going to work out. I can only control the present. Anxiety is the ultimate portal to enlightenment. It’s your mind telling you that you can only truly live the moment – or there will be discomfort. NOW is the only thing that matters.
Peace and Love.
May 26th, 2011 at 11:42 pm
I have a problem with getting negative thoughts out of mind,I feel like theres a recording in my head repeating the same message.Memories of those who always put me down keeps replaying in my head.Its hard for me to have any confidence especially in my studies,.Im suppose to do a retake of my skills test for my nursing asssistant cert I have till 2012 but lately Ive been putting it off because I don’t know if I can take the failure if I dont pass it.I was really embarassed when I failed and someone in my class actually passed she really rubbed it in my face ….and whenever I go to pick up my book Im reminded of this and I feel like a failure .How can I stop these negative thoughts from ruling over my life.I want peace but it seems like the world is against me getting it.I do alot of procastinating.. I do want this so that I can get a job but I have some serious blockage going on in my life.The family I come from is very negative I have always been put down by them ,they also take a huge part of my peace away .I love them but I feel like they are mentally killing me .sorry for my ramblings I just have alot on my mind and I thought of your site and felt like I needed to type this out.
May 27th, 2011 at 8:46 am
Hi Sherry,
You’re feelings regarding failure (PERCEIVED) and what “other people think” is natural for all of us human beings and our minds and egos. Believe me, the people who make hurtful comments KNOW what they do and what they have done, and in the long run, they will suffer for it the most. Very likely that they are living everyday with an inner torture of their own minds and egos. In the long run, the meek of this earth who appear to be the victims are truly the victorious years down the road.
So my advice is to you and to me, and to anyone who has ever felt what you are feeling.
The light is always there as soon as we stop listening to our worried minds. I know that is not easy sometimes, but keep reminding yourself that whatever YOUR mind frets about, or what other people’s minds judge, it doesn’t matter. There are over 6 billion humans on the planet and what some individual thinks of you is NOT important at all. As a matter of fact, what 3000 people think of you doesn’t matter.
In 40-50 years all of those minds, including your mind, and my mind will be gone – very soon. VERY soon, all of worries and struggles in life will be over. So when you remind yourself of this fact daily, your REAL self (which is of God essence) will help your ego forgive all those that trespass against you. Remind yourself of the fact that very soon everything you know and everyone you know will be dust. That way you will live each moment better knowing that the only thing that matters is this current moment. The only thing truly real is this very second you are experiencing now as you read this.
This doesn’t mean that you throw up your hands and not take action to make your surrounding better, and the surroundings of your loved ones better. Of course not. Try to simply stay away from the critical people around you. Just because you understand that their time on earth is extremely short, and that you forgive them for their “wrong thinking” and “mistaken egos”, doesn’t mean you should spend time in their presence. IGNORE them. Don’t look at them, and when they speak with negativity don’t even look at them. Remember that when people are acting this way their minds are in a fantasy land that is not real. Remember that the only time any human is in touch with reality is when they are offering a kind hand and a kind heart. Also, remember that those who trespass against you are not evil people – they are suffering deeply as they are ruled by their egos and their “wrong thinking”. So you must not take their words to heart, as they are not real.
When the unkind words of others, and the negative thoughts in our heads are taken as real, we suffer. Whenever you hear negative words in your own head, remind yourself that “your ego mind can’t be trusted” – those thoughts are not real – it’s fantasy.
What IS real is the breeze that flows through the tree outside your window, or the grass that is growing in the yard. The birds chirping in the wire or on the tree branch. The friendly smile that you give a perfect stranger or friend. The smile that a friend or stranger gives you.
Try this: Next time you hear that negative voice your head, say these words to yourself. “That’s not real. That’s just human mind energy rattling around. Not important and certainly not worthy of any further attention.”
Learn to dwell in what is real, and the only thing real is the present moment – not yesterday, not 10 minutes ago, not 10 minutes from now, not tomorrow, next week, next month, or next year. RIGHT NOW is all that is real.
Last week I was parked in the car with my dogs as I waited for Emma as she got some groceries. I man didn’t like the way I was parked and he fingered me and yelled something nasty. Of course my mind and ego were initially triggered and I felt the feelings of anger. Instead of dwelling on that persons “wrong thinking” and bad “ego moment”, I got out of the car and helped a very old women with her grocery cart that had a bad wheel. The result was an exchange kinds smiles and that person who fingered me in a fit of “unreality” vanished from my moment.
When someone treats you badly, and/or YOU treat YOU badly with negative fantasy thoughts try the same thing. If there is no-one nearby to do something kind for, then just focus on sending a silent message to the first stranger you see. Think deeply how you send love to that person.
After you have send a feeling of love to that first stranger, send another one to the person who was rude to you. Send them a feeling of love and you will find that the anger and pain your ego was suffering with fades away. I also imagine that rude person in a different situation as THEY do something kind for their family member or loved one. Always remember that even the most unbalanced, mean, and miserable people also have REAL moments when they are extending love and kindness to others. When someone treats me badly, the first thing I tell myself is;
“Who is this ego and mind inside of ME that expects everyone to extend love and kindness toward ME? I live in a mostly ego and mind dominated human world for a very short time – of course there will be times when I so-called fail, and times when other ego-minds decide to trespass against me. It’s unimportant and inconsequential.”
Love and kindness is real. Hate and rudeness is unreal.
Choose to live in each moment aware of what is real.
Turn off your mind for just this moment, and notice that your heart is still beating, you are still breathing. Never forget that your body is REAL and you have many more opportunities to share kindness with others.
June 15th, 2011 at 8:09 am
Hi Jacob & Emma,
Four years ago I found your website while going through a bad experience with panic attacks. You made me realise that these attacks were gifts and I want to do everything I can to help others who are having a hard time with panic.
I doubt you will remember but I am a web designer and got in touch with you about using some material from your website in my final year project for university. The project was/is called Deepee (Don’t Panic). Deepee is an online community designed to build awareness and understanding of panic attacks.
The site that I built while studying was a prototype so the new site is currently in the early stages. I am trying to compile stories/experiences from people to give a postitive outlook and some advice about dealing with panic attacks. It would mean so much to me if you wrote something for the site. If you are interested please get in touch and I will give you some more information about the project. The link to the current version is -
http://www.deepee.emilyridge.com
Kind regards,
Emily
June 15th, 2011 at 4:26 pm
Hello,
I have been married to my husband for 22yrs. He is a good and smart person. He has always been a negative person with depression and an obession to make money as he was always worried. He worked too many hours under very stressful conditions until he broke. This has gotten much worse over the last few years so much so he has been disabled for 18 mo. He has been on every medicine and class except MAOI’s. He has even just gotten done with a course of rTMS. Nothing works. He is always worried about bad things happening and cannot calm down. Our next step is to try an MAOI. Are there people that can never be helped, or is there always hope? I just do not know what to do anymore to help and the doctors do not seem to either. I love him, his son loves him and I have no idea what to do anymore to help him. I have given the link to your website in hopes he will see the videos. Are we missing something? What else can we try? He is on Effexor now, tons of Gabapentin, lorazapam and one klonopin and a mirtazipine at night. The only thing that seem to help some is the Gabapentin. He drinks beer at times to an extreme as an attempt to calm down. It used to work a little but now it doesn’t really and of course the depression then is worse next day. Last treatment with TMS the insurance is trying to get out of so the medical bills are getting to be extreme, especially with one income. I know if he could just relearn how he thinks about things he might be able to change his thoughts, but I know this sounds way easier than it is. He is over 50 now and remembers this starting at age 14. Please help if you can… Thank you
June 16th, 2011 at 6:11 am
Hi there I have just conceived very recently and usually take 20mg of Paroxetine. I no longer wish to have it. I just cannot take it after the things i have read however small the chnaces. Please help what should i do. Yes I am having withdrawl symtoms and know they will get worse but I am happy about being pregnant and beleive il handle them….
July 5th, 2011 at 11:06 pm
I am a 36 year old mother of 2 boys and married. I have severe anxiety. I have abandoment issues and have since a child. My parents didnt’ raise me my grandparents did and my mother would come into my life and I would start to bond and she would leave again, so I have no trust in women. My father I never knew till I was 20 and he really didn’t seem to care to know me. I have never felt cared for I have no true friends. My husband is NON affecionate and I need constant reassurance. I feel as though any friendships or my marriage I purposely sabatoge so they will go ahead and leave me and it will not hurt as bad.I havent’ had anxiety attacks in years. Last year I started having them and they have continued for one year now. I get so upset I catch myself holding my breath tryin to keep my heart from beating so hard. I get literally and physically sick with my attacks I break out in a rash that covers my body and I look like i have sunburn. My heart pounds and I get sick stomach. I do this pretty much every morn. I have extreme social anxiety as I feel as though everyone is judging me. I avoid pretty much in and all social events I can. I have became a recluse to a point , My attacks seem to be worse when I get in my car and start driving there are days I can barely get my children to school My dr has given me pristiq and ativan but ativan isn’t helpin anymore and I dont’ know what I need to next. I dont’ sleep at night and during the day I feel angry all the time. I dont’ know how to go about therapy . I asked my dr and she said she couldnt’ refer me I had to do that on my own. What is my next steps? My anxiety is literally killing me mentally and physically.
September 13th, 2011 at 11:04 am
Wondering if the A2X has worked?
September 21st, 2011 at 9:05 am
Well it seems to me sweetie that you KNOW what your issue is and yet you are still takeing it quite seriously. Laugh at it. Once you stop takeing it so seriously (remember its only a release of adrenaline thats causeing your symptoms, it is not killing you) It will stop. Yes your subconsious fears and pain play out and inside your deep insecurity feels fear and pain, so you panic. But if you can begin to laugh at the past pain and stay in your beautiful moment you will begin to heal as your mind realized the safety and beauty of TODAY and NOW. This has been working for me and I rarely have panic anymore. When I do I laugh. Its only adrenaline, nothing to be afraid of seriously. I will always have my past but I can make my present moment stronger. I bought myself (on credit) a sewing and embroidery machine. It wasnt cheap. But this has given me new creative expression and fun in my life. I would wake up shaking with a panic attack, but laugh it off cause I couldnt wait to get my chores done for the day so I could monogram my bathroom towels and add decortive edging to my sheet sets. Sooo pretty. Find a hobby and indulge yourself sweety. Life is short and its meant to be enjoyed. Yes I have a credit card debt from buying this machine but its manageble and Im sooo happy
GOD Bless Dee
September 24th, 2011 at 5:28 am
Hi Jacob,
Thank you for the wonderful site you have put up; it is such a reassurance to us who suffer from severe anxiety and depression, and have been prescribed medication (paroxetine (paxil in USA) ) for it. The horror stories on the internet tend to discourage you, yet when we take tem, and assess the difference it makes in pulling one out of a dark pit when they lose all their previously loved interests, you wonder what causes them to write such things. Since you have been a long-time user of paxil, I would like some specific advices from you and some questions if you find time.
First, though most of my severe depressive symptoms, started to get better within week 1, and much better now into week 6, whereby I am able to work, attend classes, eat, play the piano, enjoy chats, go out and about etc (I am a 22 year old male, doing a PhD in Switzerland), my sleep seems to be a bit strange. While depressed, I would never sleep, and only cry and worry; now (with some very good counselling from my psychiatrist in India, who I visited in August), I am easily able to fall off to sleep, but wake up at 3-4 am, and from then on, have too many dreams (dream type real events, though they are not nightmares by any means, nor do they cause anxiety), thus rendering the later part of the nights’ sleep very light and fragmented. I am advised to take the medication in the evening (I am on 25 mg of the controlled release version) and am presently on 0.25 mg of Clonazepam (Klonopin in the USA), which the psychiatrist will taper town to zero soon. Did you have such strange sleep and dream issues? What could be best to cope with it, since if with all this, I get a good 7 hrs of sleep a night, I will be just fine
.
And point2: regarding sexual side effects, till now, the thing I do notice is a slight decrease in the “drive” or libido. No problems with ED, or anorgasmia or the like. Since you took it for a long time, what would be your best advice on how to put this aside? My psychiatrist said that 25 mg is a small dose, and since I am getting better with that, there is no need to worry, as 25 mg (controlled release, eqv to 20mg regular) will hardly cause sexual troubles. In any event, he plans to bring me down to 12.5 after 6 months, and then continue maintenance therapy for an year or so (since my acute exam related phobic anxieties he said will not disappear overnight, and this has been there since childhood, despite excellent performances in all exams I have taken
).
Your advice would be really welcome, and thanks once again for such a reassuring and wonderful site. God bless you.
Thanks and best Regards
September 25th, 2011 at 6:06 pm
hello, y name is beatriz i have been on paxil for about 3 years. I cannot afford to go to the doctor or medication. is there any other way to get off paxil? my head is killing me!
September 25th, 2011 at 6:11 pm
please help me.
October 6th, 2011 at 3:21 pm
Hi and thanks. I’m in a good place now, but have had what I now realise were bouts of anxiety throughout my life. mostly i was able to adapt and avoid until a significantly stressful event last year at work, where i hit rock bottom. I found your site this morning when looking for info on how to come off aropax. I am a passionate and happy person mostly and like you now know the role ego and mindset play in my life and my attitude. I wouldn’t have ever found this out, other than for the gift of the crash last year, where I decided (being a victim) that I needed to change my career from senior mgt roles in health to that of coach. of course, i have had to face my own fears and reframe these along the way. I want to come off my meds and am so relieved to know that the ‘washing over me’ feeling I get plus the dizziness are side effects. I had terrible side effects going onto meds (had to try out different ones) and did find aropax to work for me whilst I needed it….now I feel empowered with the knowledge of how to taper the dose. So a BIG thankyou and you are making a huge difference. I am reading many books and learning many new things. I particularly like the Power of TED, which is a nice model to assist people to move to creating their own life! My purpose is to assist others to develop the attitude and mindset to live their purpose!!! I am making this my business and do this 2/7 and work 3/7. Much love and thanks, Deb
October 13th, 2011 at 3:48 pm
I’m 42 and have suffered from GAD and panic attacks since I was a teen. 10 years ago I was on Paxil, Welbutrin and klonapin, and wasn’t having attacks, but decided I didn’t need them. I managed to get by with alcohol and klonapin but after a car wreck ( I was hit by a drunk) I had a bad attack and ended up in the ER with a heart rate in the 170s. 2 years and 10 ER visits later and multiple cardiologist “you’re OK’s” I had another big attack, faint feeling, heart rate 169, spaced out. I have been off alcohol for 3 months and on welbutrin and klonapin-3 mg/day. I had horrible withdrawal when I went off of Paxil 10 years ago, but I feel like I’ve lost 10 years of my life to anxiety. I have become near housebound, this from a guy who practically was always out doing something. Today I went back on paxil. I hope it still works. I’m nervous all the time, I space out all the time, I cannot stand to talk to people (my job) I am only working a couple days a week and stand to lose everything. I hope this works, it was the only drug that helped before. My doctor kept me on the klonapin and welbutrin and prescribed 20 paxil.
December 13th, 2011 at 4:51 pm
Hello, lovable Jacob and Emma:
I´ll try to be brief. I´m a non-natural english speaker so be comprehensive. I´m 40. Since 20 years ago I´ve had anxiety, and for the past 5 years has turned into a Chronic Severe Anxiety Disorder. I´m in the edge, close to the abism of suicide. That´s quite sad but that´s the way I feel. Also, since 10 years ago, I´ve become a Buddha´s disciple and I have practiced his fundamental teaching of awarness, which you teach as well. Even when practicising this awarness or mindfulness of the present moment, anxiety is still there: an unthinkable suffering. In addition to my core problem which is this Severe Anxiety Disorder, I´ve some other several disorders that are as well overwhealming such as (i)Borderline Personality Disorder, (ii) Obsessive Compusive Disorder, (iii)Bipolar Disorder, (iv)Intrusive Thoughts, (v) Anti-social Anxiety Disorder among some other manifestations. I won´t try to explain to what extense this sort of diseases reach to, because it would be an endless message. Just imagine that are also problems I have to deal with. To this extent you should know that I don´t have a job, I´m isolated in a single room in my parents house, have no friends, and in summary, a I´ve a miserable life. However, I believe that anxiety urges to diminish since I´m no longer feeling strong to support it. What else, besides awarness, you recommend me to practice? Is there any other knowledge in you, Jacob an Emma, that may be helpful to diminish my anxiety? I´m writing while crying, trying to believe that there´s still hope. I´ve been in a spiral-down crisis since four months ago and this may be understand as an urgent message.
Thanks in advance,
Juan
December 27th, 2011 at 12:37 pm
Hello, My name is Harmony. I have been taking paxil somewhere close to 6months-a year. I have times when I do not take it just because I forgot or I ran out. By the 2nd day I have having the Brain Swooshes as you call them. I was hoping that you can tell me what it felt like for yourself. I feel light headed and at times feel like my brain is being zapped by lighting (best way to describe it). It freaks me out and I really want to get off of Paxil because of this.
December 27th, 2011 at 12:48 pm
Hello,
I am on 20mg paxil and I feel like i have good days that I am in great spirits and then there are days that I am a rageing B!@*$! I have noticed that I get the “brain swooshes” as you called them and was wondering you would please describle what that was to you. These come on if I don’t take it for a day of two. It scares me..I feel light headed and I guess the best way to describe it is to say It feels like lighting bolts are zapping my brain. Is that normal when not taking this?? I would rather be a raging B!@*$ with out these sypmtoms the one with them
.
December 27th, 2011 at 3:35 pm
Hello Harmony,
Any time you are dropping off Paxil, or increasing Paxil you will get the zapping and brain swooshes. Always. Perfectly normal.
It’s important to taper off really slow. I currently take 10mg of Paxil each morning, and I find that this is JUST enough to stop panic attacks or surging anxiety, but yet I don’t gain too much weight, sex drive is normal again, etc.
Consider going on 10mg for a few months and see how you feel first, before quitting all together – cold turkey. 10mg is very little and has very little side-effects, but it won’t leave you hanging with rage or brain swooshes. That’s no fun for anyone.
December 31st, 2011 at 10:22 pm
I wake up in the morning with my hands shaking and I’m anxious and depressed – If it’s real bad I’ll take an ativan but I don’t want to rely on ativan Meditation (guided) helps some I pray to it also happens if I take a nap in the afternoon. This has been going on for about 6 months – I just can’t seem to shake it. I need help!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 18th, 2012 at 4:46 pm
My roommate is in what appears to be stage 3 anxiety. She can not leave the house, has quit college, and refuses to make a therapy appt because she can not leave the house (rarely leaves bed). All she does is eat constantly and cry constantly. I want to help her anyway I can, but at the same time I can not afford to support her financially while she sits around for months on end. Please help me figure out what to do. Thanks
February 19th, 2012 at 12:23 pm
In my early 20′s I was prescribed Paxil for real bad social anxiety. When I first got on it I felt amazing in 1 week almost. It was like the best thing in the world. I stayed on Paxil for almost 8 Years or more. I felt in a good place and I slowly got myself of the drug and remained of it for almost another 8 years. Never had a issue. I had kids, great job, wife and everything was good. I am now 38 will be 37 in 1 month am suddely out of know where got these real bad stomach pains which cause real bad panic attacks. I was rusehed to the Hospital twice in 1 weekend. After seeing doctors and running so many test they believed I have Gastritis and IBS. I lost so much weight and started getting really depressed and having more panic attacks after the first origional attack. My doctor suggested going back on Paxil and gave ne the generic version. I have been on it for 3 days and still having panic attacks and some depression. I know its to soon to see but I’m wondering if the drug might not effect be the same because I was on it for so long in the past and I am suffering from something totally different then social anxiety? I feel very hopeless and afriad because it effecting everything in my life right now.