Is anyone here familiar with anxiety disorders?

[Greta]

I don't know whether what I'm experiencing is within the normal range of a personality that tends more towards the nervous end of the spectrum, or if this is something that needs to be addressed (somehow?). I do have a family history of anxiety problems (a parent who is currently on medication, and a grandparent who had problems as well).

 

My entire adult life, I've have had this experience: early in the night when I'm not yet in a deep sleep (but I am asleep) I wake very suddenly in a panic, desperately afraid, heart racing and breathing hard. It sounds weird, but one second I'm asleep, the next moment I'm sitting upright kicking off my blankets, panicked and terrified. I'd say this happens once a month at the worst times, and more typically more like once every three or four months. It is a really awful feeling, but it passes fairly quickly, and since it doesn't happen often and has been happening since I was 20 (I'm 40, btw) I've just kind of accepted it as part of my life.

 

But recently, I've also been experiencing a more generalized anxiety in the evening, before I go to bed. I'm a relaxed, happy, content person all day. Then, just in the hour or two before bed, I'm nervous and anxious and filled with "what if" thought-scenarios, particularly about something happening to my daughter. And it seems like this really annoying feedback loop, like I'm becoming nervous about getting nervous! kwim? I try avoiding the issue with tv to distract me. I try praying, and that helps. But I'm just concerned that this seemed to happen rather abruptly, just in the last few weeks. My dad's issues started in middle age, so maybe this is just the pattern. Or maybe I'm just being a big baby, and this is just a fluke and will pass.

 

I'm generally healthy. Once I get to sleep, I usually sleep well. I eat right, exercise, all that good stuff. Don't smoke. Drink only very moderately. Is there anything else that I should (or shouldn't) be doing?

[momto5blessings]

Hi Greta,

I have an anxiety disorder (actually a mood disorder WITH an anxiety disorder) and my symptoms didn't show up until I was 42.  It runs in my family, too.

 

 

 

What you are describing does sound like it could be anxiety related.  Many times anxiety manifests at night, too.  I know what you mean about a "loop" of thoughts too.  Also, waking up like you are describing does not sound normal to me.  Maybe anxiety has been an issue for awhile, and it is just manifesting more seriously now?

 

My biggest regret is that I did not seek treatment for my anxiety when it was starting to manifest itself.  Because I waited, a mild anxiety problem turned into much more.  Also I regret that I went to a regular MD, who didn't understand the complexities of anxiety disorders and their treatment.  I recommend you see a Psychiatrist.  They are trained specifically in this area.  They know so much better the complex details of the medications and their side effects, how to prescribe, etc.

 

I hope you feel better soon, Greta.  You will be amazed at how much they can do to treat and help anxiety.

Hugs to you,

Pamela

[Guest]

I would say what you are describing sounds like an anxiety disorder and/or features of OCD. I would pursue medical assistance. i do not think you are being a big baby. For myself, my anxiety problems were often worse or more significant than I realized. I take a SRI now and wish I had pursued it LONG ago.

 

I completely understand the negative feedback loop. This is a common feature of OCD-related anxiety patterns.

[Slartibartfast]

That looping of "what ifs" is an anxiety attack or OCD. 

 

There are medications that can help, different ones work for different people so you might need to try a few before you find one that works well. I take one med in the morning and a different one at night to help me sleep. I have had this problem my whole life. :/

 

Diet, exercise, and sleeping enough can be factors but if you are already doing those things then you might need more than what natural methods can provide.

[Mom in High Heels]

Yes to pretty much everything momto5blessings said. I regret not getting treatment earlier.  I used to have night panics too and it was awful.  It got worse as I got older, and t didn't help that James Bond was frequently gone to very dangerous places. That just piled it on.

 

Taking Ashwangdha really helps.  I have script meds, but since I started taking Ashwangadha, I've noticed a decline in the night panics, which I still have on occasion.

 

Get yourself some help!

[Ravin]

It sounds like anxiety to me, too. It sounds worth seeing a professional about. Not waiting gives you a chance to establish a Dr/patient relationship.

 

As for meds, the rule rule thumb we used for DD was, "is this interfering with normal quality of life?" What you are describing sounds like it is starting to, especially if it's delaying sleep. Then, with meds, it's "does this improve my quality of life when the benefits are balanced against side effects?"

 

For our DD, the answer is "yes" hands down. For a good friend of mine, it's been "kinda sorta I guess." YMMV, but it sounds like you're at the point that talking to a professional would be worthwhile.

[Greta]

:grouphug: Thank you all so much, for the understanding and for the advice. I am so sorry that you have all had to deal with this too. I will talk to my husband about it and also find out how difficult my insurance company makes it to see a psychiatrist. ;)

[Greta]

Ravin, those are good questions to consider. I think I'm just starting to get to that point where it's interfering with quality of life.

[Slartibartfast]

:grouphug: Thank you all so much, for the understanding and for the advice. I am so sorry that you have all had to deal with this too. I will talk to my husband about it and also find out how difficult my insurance company makes it to see a psychiatrist. ;)

 

 

If your insurance is difficult about it then discuss it with your GP. They won't be as specialized but they can still provide assistance.

[Guest]

If your insurance is difficult about it then discuss it with your GP. They won't be as specialized but they can still provide assistance.

I agree. My insurance years ago was difficult about mental health and that was one reason I delayed assistance. My Ob/gyn prescribed Rx for me when I discussed my problems. I'm glad there was a way to get help, even if Psychiatric care may have been better.

[Juniper]

Hugs. If you are comfortable with you GP talk to them. They can help. Like the others, I am a bit frustrated that I did not get help for this sooner. 

[Greta]

Sometimes I can go straight to a specialist.  Sometimes I need a referral.  I'm not sure which category this falls into, but I'll find out.

 

Also, I was just thinking about the fact that several months back, I started running.  I wasn't running far, and I sure wasn't running fast, but I was running.  And I was so happy during that time that I was practically giddy.  Even from my pitiful, slow little runs, I started to understand what people meant when they said "runner's high".  But then I stopped.  I've been working out at the gym, so I'm not saying I stopped exercising.  Just that I stopped running.  Since it was clearly a mood-booster for me, I think I need to start running again!

 

I'm going to look into Ashwangadha too.  I have no idea what this is, but thanks for mentioning it, Mom in High Heels.  I'll check it out.

[Greta]

Hugs. If you are comfortable with you GP talk to them. They can help. Like the others, I am a bit frustrated that I did not get help for this sooner. 

 

Yes, I do have a good GP that I've been seeing for about ten years now.  

 

Thank you.   :grouphug:

[Pawz4me]

I've dealt with anxiety all my life and have gone on/off medication twice.  The first time it was prescribed by my OB-GYN, and the second time by my internal medicine doctor.  Both were very thorough in working with me to get on the right medication and dosage.  So no, you don't necessarily need a specialist IME.

 

:grouphug: :grouphug:

[BlueTaelon]

If your open to alternative stuff google "Pyroluria" and "Histadelia" and "Histapenia" which is high and low histamine. Mainstream Dr's will poo poo it but its real and it messes people up if not treated. Its a genetic disorder so when people have multiple family members with mental health issues it screams Pyroluria with an histamine issue. I see treating it like going to the Chiro or Acupuncturist, 20 years ago that was voodoo medicine! Now its well accepted and most insurances pay for it. I hope one day its the same for Pyroluria but of course that would mean the mental health industry loosing billions but I digress..

 

 

[Slartibartfast]

If your open to alternative stuff google "Pyroluria" and "Histadelia" and "Histapenia" which is high and low histamine. Mainstream Dr's will poo poo it but its real and it messes people up if not treated. Its a genetic disorder so when people have multiple family members with mental health issues it screams Pyroluria with an histamine issue. I see treating it like going to the Chiro or Acupuncturist, 20 years ago that was voodoo medicine! Now its well accepted and most insurances pay for it. I hope one day its the same for Pyroluria but of course that would mean the mental health industry loosing billions but I digress..

 

Herm. My histamine is crazy and my rheumatologist never mentioned this. 

[6wildhorses]

Another possibility is that perimenopause is making your anxiety worse. You're in the age range for it. If you google anxiety and perimenopause, you'll find people who are experiencing similar symptoms. There are natural remedies for anxiety, like essential oils (doTerra's Clary Calm and Serenity) and sprays (Liddell makes one-- it's stronger than Bach's remedy). If you search around on amazon or iherb.com you can find some remedies that might help you. I know what you're describing and it's no fun. If you can't fall back asleep because of the anxiety, you can also try melatonin. I occasionally use Natrol Sleep'n Restore. I hate taking pills, but I always have these on hand now for insomnia and/or so I can fall asleep if I'm having nighttime anxiety. Also, exercise really does make a difference, like you noticed, as well as taking good vitamins. I personally seem to need b vitamins, a multivitamin, iron, and D. When I skip taking them, I always feel worse after a few days. I feel old now that I seem to require so many pills, but at least I found a way to feel better. :)

[Greta]

I'm sorry it has taken me awhile to respond. Thanks to everyone who responded and offered help. I really appreciate it.

 

I have an appointment coming up with my ob/gyn anyway, and knowing how wonky my hormones have been lately I wouldn't be at all surprised it perimenopause is playing a role here. So I will start by talking to her about it, and see what she thinks.

 

Thank you all again!