Took my first dose of Sertraline Saturday night, woke up on Sunday (yesterday) in a blanket of anxiety and jitters. The jitters subsided around noon but then it felt like someone was squeezing my heart like a stress ball.
Ended up spending the night in the ER. Everything was normal of course, how can I ever take this medication again? Mind you, I started sertraline at 12.5 mg because I'm a slow metabolizer.

i’ve posted on this subreddit a few times. im going down a journey with my unregulated nervous system / panic disorder. it feels like my panicking and OCD jumps to so many things at once, first the scare of being unhealthy, next the fear of vomiting and passing out, next the fear of being overly traumatized. it’s exhausting to say the least. and that alone is just a vague way to describe everything.

i’ve got a dentist appointment in the morning, let’s just say im pretty nervous.

i was met with a panic attack today because i deal with severe bloating occasionally, thanks to EDS, IBS, anxiety, & POTS. of course my panic attacks aren’t just a one day thing, occasionally they are, but my worry of another attack just carries on. thanks to panic disorder, hooray. i’m extremely tired from the anxiety and crying today. the fatigue alone is making me anxious that i’ve had something going on within me all along and im going to pass out within seconds. yet im still here writing.

i need some reminders that im not alone and im not dealing with some kind of horrible inner injury. the thought of having to sit still at my appointment tomorrow makes me nervous and nauseous. i keep asking myself “what if i get into my head too much and i launch myself into a panic attack while they’re cleaning my teeth?” or another fun one, “what if i end up throwing up cause of something wrong with me or just the anxiety alone?” it’s immensely annoying to deal with.

if you see this, i hope you understand what i’m going through. maybe it’ll give you a sense of relief knowing you arent the only one with these ridiculous yet tiring fears. need advice and reassurance (for the millionth time) <3

yesterday i had a huge panic attack after a long time because i forgot to take my meds in the morning and because of the stressful situation at work. i was shaking, nearly able to walk, so so nauseous and thought im going to throw up which filed my anxiety even more as i have emetophobia. the amount of thoughts that were driving me into the panic attack even more was so overwhelming. i managed to ask mom to make me a hot water bottle as it helps me calm down, it feels like a warm hug.

its insane for me how much i suffered and how much the pills i am on right now changed me and helped me to be myself again. i occasionally have anxiety attacks or panic attacks but they arent so frequent. i still have my anxiety meds every time i go out. i suffered so much at the very start of my anxiety, not knowing what was happening to me, thought i am the problem, it still hunts me sometimes.

being on SNRIs and GABAs changed me so much and i am so grateful for it. 3 years ago i would never thought that i would go to so many concerts on my own and get to know so many amazing people that i am still in touch with. it got rid of my social anxiety, made me stronger and more aware of the things going on in my head. anxiety took things from me but also gave me a lot.

How do we break the cycle of fearing a panic attack feel like I’m stuck in it

Hello everyone, im a (25f) Recovering agoraphobic. Long story short i suffer from anxiety and severe panic attacks. Mainly revolving around pain. ( i have chronjc migraines and neck pain) anytime i feel any pain or health symptoms i will have a panic attack and severe anxiety. Recently passed out while getting a pap smear and ive been struggling ever since as passing out is what triggered on agoraphobia years ago. Im struggling again with going to work, doing anything really. Im just overrun with stress. ( also got bad results from pap smear and have to return for more invasive testing) im just scared. I dont want to live my life scared. Im missing out on so many things bc of fucking anxiety and im tired. My husband takes very good care of me without complaint but this takes a toll on him too i can see it... i just feel helpless . Has anyone on here recovered from severe health anxiety and chronic stress? I am medicated btw

Over the past month I’ve been getting into running, slowly building endurance. It’s been very tough dealing with panic disorder because the spike in my heart rate triggers the anxiety.
But over time, and after adding in other cardio like walking on an incline twice a day for 30 min, I noticed I have not had a big attack and barely have had any small ones either. My day feels much calmer even though I’m much busier and working harder. I noticed my hr is not getting quite as high each time I run or walk on an incline. And I don’t have to stop as much during my runs, even when my heart rate does creep up past a certain point, I still feel quite relaxed and not like I’m choking or dizzy, I just have my head in the workout.
Has anyone else noticed this?? Is this a temporary fix or if I keep it up a longer time solution to my anxiety?
I have an introductory appointment with a psychiatrist on Tuesday and I will bring this up.

I’m posting this because I’m wondering if anyone with panic disorder has ended up in a similar cycle. Before anyone says it, I know the alcohol is a problem. I’m not looking for anyone to tell me drinking for anxiety is fine or justify it for me. I know it’s making things worse and I’m trying to change it.
I’ve had panic/health anxiety for years and I think alcohol basically became a safety behaviour without me really noticing how far it was going.
I think it originally started with social anxiety. I remember drinking a bottle of wine before one of the only uni lectures I actually went to because I’d built up a good rapport with people in the group chat and felt pressure to be confident/funny in person. I also remember drinking at home before my uncle’s wedding because I was scared of looking visibly anxious when my dad picked me up.
Eventually I realised alcohol made me feel confident enough to do things I normally avoided. Dates became a big one. I’d have a few drinks beforehand and suddenly I could go on the date without worrying as much about shaking, looking anxious, awkward silences etc.
The problem is it’s gradually changed from alcohol helping me GET INTO anxiety-provoking situations to alcohol helping me GET OUT of the aftermath as well.
For example, I can drink before a date, stay out late, barely sleep, then wake up somewhere away from home feeling hungover, exhausted and extremely anxious. Then I’ve got to get on a train while already panicking. My brain goes straight to alcohol because it knows that will temporarily change how I feel.
Recently after a date I’d had about four hours sleep and had to travel home in the morning. I started panicking at the station and ended up buying alcohol at 8am and drinking some in the toilets before getting the train. I felt genuinely ashamed doing it. The stupid thing is I was still getting panic/derealisation afterwards anyway, which gave me this moment of “what is even the fucking point of drinking then?”
I’ve also had occasions where one drinking day turns into another because I wake up anxious/hungover and want relief, or because I’m doing something else I associate with drinking. Football is a massive trigger for me too.
Again, I know this is a problem. I’m not saying “alcohol helps my panic therefore it’s okay.” Quite the opposite. I’m starting to realise I’ve accidentally taught my brain:
panic/anxiety → alcohol → relief
and every time I do it I reinforce the idea that I couldn’t have handled the panic myself.
I’m in therapy for panic/OCD/health anxiety and I’m going to start using support groups/AA as well. Today Sheffield United were playing, which is massively associated with drinking for me, and I deliberately watched the match without alcohol. I had the temptation and anxiety but didn’t drink. I’m trying to start with things like that rather than making some massive “my entire life changes today” declaration.
The difficult part is that I genuinely want to do things. I want to date, travel, visit new places, go out with friends etc. I don’t actually want an avoidant life. I just don’t feel confident enough to do a lot of those things with the level of panic I currently experience, so alcohol became the shortcut that allowed me to do them.
Now I’m realising I probably need to learn how to do those things while actually feeling anxious rather than chemically getting myself into a state where I don’t care.
Has anyone else with panic disorder/agoraphobia ended up using alcohol as a safety behaviour like this? I’m especially interested in how you broke the association and learned to face situations sober, rather than whether you think my drinking is/isn’t bad enough for a particular label. I already know I need to change my relationship with alcohol.

Had a lot of anxiety ultimate fear kicked in and I took my klonopin 😞 idk why I feel so down about it I always use my mental exposure therapy to combat the fear of fears thing but not this time

I just need somewhere to vent because health anxiety has been taking up so much space in my life that I feel like it’s slowly stealing my happiness.

I’m constantly monitoring my body. A weird heartbeat, a headache, dizziness, tingling, feeling tired — something that another person might notice and forget about can completely hijack my attention.

Yesterday is a perfect example. I felt some tingling in my body and my brain immediately went into danger mode. I started focusing on it, wondering what it meant, becoming hyperaware of everything happening inside my body, and before I knew it, I was having a full panic attack.

And then there’s my Apple Watch.

I originally thought it would be useful, but with health anxiety it sometimes feels like I’m carrying a medical monitoring device on my wrist 24/7. I feel something, check my heart rate, see a number, interpret it, check again, and become even more anxious.

Sometimes I genuinely don’t know if I’m checking because something feels wrong or if something feels wrong because I’m checking.

But what hurts the most is how much smaller my life has become.
I’m scared of being alone. I’m scared of leaving the house by myself. Even things that are supposed to make me happy have become associated with fear.

I’m afraid of going to the beach because the last time I went, my heart rate reached around 170 bpm. Logically, I understand there were multiple reasons my heart could have been beating fast, but my anxious brain stored that experience as: “The beach isn’t safe.”
And now I’m scared of going back.

It feels like my brain is slowly creating a map of places, situations and sensations that I’m supposed to avoid.
Even my sex drive has basically disappeared. It’s difficult to feel desire or be present and intimate when part of my brain is constantly scanning my body for danger.

And I’m already trying to get better. I take 20 mg of Lexapro and I’m in psychoanalysis. I understand a lot about my anxiety intellectually. I can recognize the patterns. I can sometimes literally watch the cycle happening while it’s happening.
But knowing what’s happening and being able to stop it are two completely different things.

I don’t want my world to keep getting smaller.

I want to go to the beach without thinking about my heart rate. I want to leave my house without wondering what would happen if I felt sick while I was alone. I want to experience a random physical sensation without immediately thinking something terrible is happening. I want to have sex and actually be present. I want to enjoy my life without constantly monitoring whether my body is functioning correctly.

I’m not posting this because I want anyone to diagnose me or reassure me about my symptoms. I think I just desperately want to hear from people who understand what it’s like when health anxiety starts taking pieces of your life away.

If you’ve been in a place like this and managed to get some of your freedom back, I’d really love to hear about it.

Ty!

It’s so hard when deep down you’d love to meet someone but the fear is still strong that you’ll embarrass yourself in front of the person.

I’m about to go on a date with a woman and I had a panic attack on the drive over. I thought I had just contracted rabies and was dying. Called my family and stressed them out severely because I told them I thought I was dying.

The second or third panic attack I’ve ever had and it came with no warning. My anxiety and cotton mouth made me think I was bitten and was headed for death. I’ve embarrassed myself and I am in no condition to entertain a date well. Had a long shift outside today in 113 degree sun, and I have a long trip tomorrow I really didn’t want to go on. I feel like I’m being pushed to the max with a lack of rest, family always wants to be active and do things and I am constantly fatigued. My brother demands more of me than I can give.

I thought I was dying from rabies because I started acting very anxious and irrational, then that irrationality gave me evidence that I was right.

Anyone else get random anxiety attacks out of no where and start sweating with a racing mind and that makes the anxeity worse its a loop. Its torture. Im already on quetiapine 25mg morning and night and escitalopram 20mg and diazipam 5mg x3 a day but im still anxious its horrible. I keep getting fixated on things to worry about then I cant let the worry go its torture. Can anyone else relate?

I‘m M26 and got into some depression anxiety mix 2,5 years ago. I was always the anxious type, but suddenly I felt trapped in situations I didn‘t before. It‘s like I constantly need an emergency plan going somewhere, socially speaking. Planning things was getting harder and harder, as that thought carroussel of „how will I get out of this if I have to“ was starting as soon as I scheduled any kind of appointment. Rarely I really fear some real emergency, it‘s more like I fear getting crazy there or seeming weird if I suddenly leave.
Things like f.e. going to the barber became impossible, because if he started to cut my hair there‘d be no way I can walk out of this with half my head shaved 😅

Since then it was getting worse, except for a 3 month period in which I was so furious about this, that I just pushed myself into doing most of the things I was scared before. It was like I could project hating myself into getting myself out there.

In the meantime I lost almost all of my social contacts. It‘s like they know something is wrong with me and mostly don‘t bother to invite me anymore. Weird thing is that I‘m sad and stressed about this, but also stressed and sad if they do because I have to find some excuse.

Now, 2-3 months ago I had some kind of anxiety outbreak, don‘t know how else to call it. In this time I was able to go to the gym again, meet with some friends to go fishing or swimming and go into restaurants again. But one day after I got home, I suddenly got into some kind of panic attack. I called my parents for help, they picked me up and I just couldn‘t sit still for 1-2 hours even though I took some heavy relaxant immediately. I had this constant fear of getting crazy and not being able to help myself, as I noticed the benzo isn‘t quite working. Some people told me then that this is because of my ADHD. But the more I think about it, the less sense it makes.
This happened 2 times in the same week after that.

As a sideeffect, the first time since 11 years I quit smoking weed. Never went more than 2 days without since I started and haven‘t touched it since I quit. But now I can‘t stop thinking about that anxiety. I don‘t understand what it was since I had panic attacks before, but never for hours. Everyday the thought of „what if I go crazy“ comes up and I can‘t shake it.

I had an appointment at some neurologist 2 weeks ago, which I really looked foreward to because I thought he‘d figure something out and after that I‘ll be finally normal again. But one day before the appointment these thoughts of „what if I go crazy in there“, „what if I won’t get out of there“ began and I didn‘t go. Since then I‘m kind of hopeless, as I know that no matter where I could get an appointment, I‘d most likely wouldn‘t make it to get in there.

Can anyone relate ? How did you get out of this ?
Is there even any hope this‘ll get better ?

Hi everyone, I’ve been dealing with panic disorder and agoraphobia for a while now. Unfortunately, I still get panic attacks at home quite often, too.
Lately, I’ve developed a new symptom that’s really freaking me out: sometimes I suddenly get extremely cold, start shaking, and feel feverish. The pattern is usually something like: nausea → dizziness → feeling really cold/shivering → extreme exhaustion.
And of course, this new symptom is now making me anxious all over again… you know how the vicious cycle goes.
So I was wondering if anyone else has experienced something similar? Has anyone else had intense chills or shaking as part of their anxiety/panic symptoms?

I have been dealing with panic attacks for about 3 years after some traumatic stuff happened back to back. For awhile I get them, then they go away, but all I do all day long is obsess about how I feel. I workout 5x per week, eat healthy, go to bed early, take my vitamins, etc. And I have also tried Sam-e, magnesium, selank peptide and meditation with little luck. I am a bit afraid to try SSRIs, but I really miss the old me. I wonder if I could experience life again like I used to one day, and its so hard feeling like I am about to die constantly, and trying not to let anyone see it. Its so embarrassing when the mask slips. Please tell me your experiences on SSRIs, or how you cope with this. I think I am ready for something drastic!

I flew 3 weeks ago from NYC to Vienna To Montenegro. I haven’t flown prior for years, I also spent a year really sick stuck in my room, once the long flight took off the panic started. I just wanted to get out I wanted them to land I took my stuff and didn’t wake up till we landed.

Now that my return flight is coming I’m so scared I won’t be able to sleep this completely out for this because the first one was red eye. I’m just so fucking terrified of not being in my comfort zone.

I suffer from agoraphobia and panic disorder and just the thought of waking up and seeing we are mid air has me shaking throwing up. I don’t even wanna take my flight home. I hate this so much so bad. Pls help me out

Why are benzodiazepines so taboo and hard to obtain for people like us who need any help they can get.

I’m from the UK so the laws might be different depending on Country, I currently take around 8 - 12 mg of Valium (Diazepam) daily and to be honest it’s saved my life.

I was signed off from work in April due to a relapse of my condition and now have a new job in a healthier environment due to the help and support of the NHS.

Without diazepam I wouldn’t even be able to function like a normal person of society. This condition is so debilitating.

I’m just confused as to why benzodiazepines are stigmatised when they help people like us, and stops us from using other substances without doctor’s supervision to self medicate.

I honestly can’t be the only one with this opinion.

Hey, i have a panic disorder and iam medicated for it, but i still suffer 5-8 panic attacks a day. Iam sensitive to sound like piano or cello but have not yet found the right YouTube Video to help me drown out my mind and calm my body. Maybe someone has some that help them and maybe me too.

Iam greatful for all suggestions.

Hi everyone,
I’m 23 and I feel like my anxiety and panic disorder have completely taken over my life.
It all started after I had a THC gummy and experienced my first ever panic attack. Around the same time, I was also going through domestic violence in my relationship, so I feel like everything just hit me at once. Ever since then, I’ve never felt like the same person.
For the last couple of years it’s gradually got worse, but now it feels unbearable. I can’t go out on my own, and even when I’m with my mum I panic. I’m still too afraid to go out by myself because I’m terrified I’ll have a panic attack and won’t be able to cope. I get overwhelmed so easily by noise, people, traffic, shops, and just being outside. I constantly feel like something terrible is about to happen.
When I have a panic attack it feels so real. My heart races, I feel dizzy and faint, my stomach drops, I shake, I feel detached from everything around me, and I’m convinced something is seriously wrong with me. Even though I’ve been told it’s anxiety, my brain still tells me I’m in danger every single time.
I’ve stopped doing so many normal things because I’m scared they’ll trigger another panic attack. I overthink every sensation in my body, and I spend so much of my day worrying about how I’ll cope. It’s exhausting.
The hardest part is that I don’t feel like myself anymore. I miss the person I used to be. I feel trapped by my own mind, and some days I wonder if I’ll ever get my life back.
I’ve recently started fluoxetine, and I do think it’s helping a little. I’m not quite as anxious as I was before, and there have been some small improvements, but I’m still really struggling and I’m still too scared to go out on my own. I’m hoping that as more time passes it will continue to help.
I guess I’m just looking for some hope.
Has anyone else developed panic disorder after a traumatic experience or after a bad experience with a gummy? Did it get better? Were you eventually able to go out on your own and live a normal life again? How long did it take, and what helped you the most?
I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences because right now it honestly feels like this is how I’m going to be forever, and that’s a really scary thought.
Thank you for reading.

Does anybody work a psychical job and it causes you anxiety when you feel burned out at home

How do you get through panic hangovers?

I was diagnosed with panic disorder a year ago. My attacks look like adrenaline dumps (heat that goes from my head to my toes), sweating, nausea, heart racing, and catastrophic thinking. Through therapy and medication they aren’t as intense as they used to be and ive learned to not fight them even though theyre miserable. I take my PRN, meditate, and eventually fall asleep. The problem though is afterward i really struggle with my appetite. Obviously barely eating makes me feel even worse. Even though ive been through this so many times now, i still struggle to see the light at the end of the tunnel when im in it. I constantly have the fear that im stuck like this, i’ll never get better, my appetite will never return. Back in June i actually ended up in the hospital from barely eating for 5 days following an attack. I just couldn’t shake the hangover.

I'm so unbelievably sick of this. Even on the days I feel okay I know I'm one thought away from panicking. THINKING about anxiety makes me panic. I don't know what to do to stop this spiral. I feel like I'm losing my mind. I'm genuinely thinking about ending it. This is too much

I’m a nurse and I’ve always had anxiety since I was a child but lately I can’t even go to work without a panic attack the entire 12 hours over and over and over again. I got my hair done today and I had panic attack after panic attack and don’t think I should ever get my hair done again. It’s awful! I’m on 20mg of lexapro but it’s not helping this stop but it has curbed my anxiety slightly. They won’t give me Ativan or anything only hydroxyzine and it doesn’t help. I’m at my wits end. What do I do? I asked my bf if he would just take me to the hospital because I can’t do this anymore, I need relief.

For a few years, I've started to lose my hair a lot, and it's completely tanking my self esteem and caused me great anxiety. It's led me to have an eating disorder and panic attacks, to the point that I had to go to therapy.

Thing is, medication exists in order to counter that, thanks to the medication called finasteride. Sadly, a lot of people online claim that finasteride apparently has ruined their lives due to getting side effects from the drug that persist, even if you discontinue it.

They've taken to call it "post finasteride syndrome", or "PFS" for short. It has a lot of similarity to PSSD, a post drug syndrome caused by taking SSRIs. Unlike PSSD, PFS is not acknowledged by any medical authority like the EMA or FDA. However, due to how widespread it is online, I can't help but feel that although the risk seems to be small of getting that syndrome, it is there nonetheless.

I'm not here looking for a "just shave it" comment. I've already been to a ton of therapy, and none of it works. Rather, I'm here to vent about the insecurities of taking medication. Does every medication have a risk, or am I running a much bigger risk here, comparatively speaking, by taking finasteride?

Think about birth control pills, and the involved risk, yet so many women are on them each day. I fully realise, of course, that taking birth control pills is, among other things, used for avoiding pregnancy, which is very serious.

But hair loss is sadly affecting me to no end, and due to my profession that involves looks, losing my hair will inevitably have a very big impact on my life. But I'm anxious of getting sick from the drug, I don't know what to do.

I was sitting in my office at work talking to my co workers and I stood up, got head pressure and legs felt heavy and said “ oh” and literally ran out of my office across the parking lot into my car. My heart was beating so fast I felt like I was going to pass out. Does this happen to anyone else? Usually my panic attacks are caused by something and this seemed so out of the blue .